LVT uses its flamethrower on Peleliu - October 1944

During the Battle of Peleliu in October 1944, one of the most fearsome and effective weapons deployed by the U.S. Marines was the LVT (Landing Vehicle, Tracked) fitted with flamethrowers. These amphibious tractors, nicknamed “Amtracs”, played a critical role in neutralizing Japanese fortifications that had resisted heavy artillery and aerial bombardment.
The Battle of Peleliu, fought from September 15 to November 27, 1944, was part of the U. campaign to capture the Palau Islands and secure airfields to support operations in the Philippines. The island’s defenders—approximately 10,000 Japanese troops under Colonel Kunio Nakagawa—had transformed Peleliu’s coral ridges and caves into a deadly fortress.

The initial landings by the 1st Marine Division met fierce resistance, particularly from Japanese bunkers, pillboxes, and caves dug into coral formations. Traditional infantry weapons had little effect against these strongpoints.
To overcome the Japanese defenses, the Marines modified some LVT(A)-4 amphibious tractors—originally designed with 75mm howitzers—by equipping them with flamethrower systems. These were sometimes called “LVT(A)-4 (F)” or “Flame Amtracs”.
Installed in the turret, capable of projecting a stream of burning fuel up to 150 yards (137 meters).
Crew: Usually 4 men (driver, vehicle commander, flamethrower operator, and assistant).
Purpose: To incinerate entrenched enemy positions, caves, and bunkers before infantry advances.By October 1944, the battle had moved toward the Peleliu airfield and the Umurbrogol Mountains, where the Japanese made their last desperate stands. The flamethrower-equipped LVTs became crucial in these final operations.
Tactics: The LVT flamethrowers advanced alongside infantry and tanks, using their tracks to navigate over rough coral terrain and their flame jets to clear out Japanese cave systems.
Effectiveness: The intense heat and smoke forced Japanese defenders out of their positions, allowing Marine rifle squads to capture or destroy the fortifications. Psychological Impact: The sight and sound of the flamethrower had a demoralizing effect on Japanese troops and proved highly effective against the cave-based resistance.

The flamethrower fuel tanks were highly flammable and could explode if hit by enemy fire.
The terrain on Peleliu was extremely rough, coral-based, and often restricted the movement of the heavy vehicles.
Maintenance in the tropical heat was difficult, and many vehicles broke down after extended use.The use of LVT flamethrowers on Peleliu demonstrated the devastating effectiveness of mechanized flame weapons in Pacific island warfare. The tactics and design improvements developed there influenced later operations:

Iwo Jima (February 1945) and Okinawa (April 1945) saw even greater deployment of flame tanks and amphibians, including the M4A3 Sherman “Zippo” flamethrower tank.

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