History of Molotov cocktails

The history of the origin of the Molotov cocktail is unknown, but one of the first reports of its use in the conflict took place during the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 1939. The improvised weapon received a permanent name during the Russian-Finnish War, when it was named after Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov, the face of Soviet policy that eventually led to the invasion of Finland. The name “Molotov cocktail” was conceived as a response to the invading Red Army troops.

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As a rule, a Molotov cocktail is made from a glass bottle, and the name is an allusion to the fact that it is usually a bottle of vodka, wine or other alcoholic beverages. The bottle is then filled with gasoline or other flammable liquids. Then the neck of the bottle is clogged with a rag, also soaked with gasoline, closing the bottle with a flammable wick.

Molotov cocktails are mainly used in urban battles, when enemy troops and armored vehicles often have to get into the range of hand weapons. As soon as the target gets into range, the fuse is lit, and the “cocktail” is thrown out of hiding. Molotov cocktails are effective if they are thrown by several people at the same time, increasing the likelihood of causing real damage.

An abandoned bottle breaks on impact, spraying the liquid inside. Then the fire wick ignites the liquid. Against enemy troops on foot, the Molotov cocktail is a terrible weapon that can cause serious burns. Fire also creates restricted areas where soldiers cannot pass, and smoke reduces the visibility of the battlefield.

Molotov cocktails are surprisingly good against armored vehicles. Even the most spectacular tanks, capable of withstanding anti-tank shells, can get serious damage from a Molotov cocktail. All tanks have hatches for the crew, inspection slots, exhaust vents and so on. If the incendiary mixture gets into or near an open hole, the burning liquid can get inside, causing panic, injuries and even a fire. Smoke can complicate the breathing of the crew and limit their view from outside the vehicle. Molotov cocktails are also effective when they are thrown onto the grilles of air-cooled engines, causing them to ignite.

Molotov cocktails are often supplemented with thickeners designed to turn gasoline or other flammable liquid into a gel. This allows the liquid to stay in place, especially if the Molotov cocktail is thrown on a vertical surface.

Like all homemade weapons, Molotov cocktails are extremely dangerous. Molotov cocktails don’t have fuses or safety systems, and once the wick is lit, one can only guess how long it will take for the contents of the bottle to catch fire.