Napalm

Definition and Composition

Napalm is a fire fighting agent composed of gasoline that has been gelled with additives, making it adhere to targets as a viscous, sticky mass and develop a strong fire effect. The name "napalm" is derived from the initial syllables of its starting materials: naphthenic acid and palmitic acid.

Effects

Even small splashes of burning napalm cause severe and poorly healing burns on the skin due to its hydrophobic properties, making it difficult to erase with water or wash off the skin. Napalm is extremely destructive against living beings and heat-sensitive materials, reaching a combustion temperature of 800 to 1200 °C depending on its composition.

Military Use

Napalm bombs are metal canisters filled with napalm that are triggered by small explosive charges during impact, distributing the contents over a large area. This has been the most common use of napalm in military contexts.

Controversy and Notable Incidents

The use of napalm has been highly controversial due to its destructive effects on human populations and infrastructure. A notable incident occurred during the Vietnam War in 1972, when American forces launched napalm at a village, causing widespread destruction and injury. The event was captured by a Vietnamese reporter's photograph, which showed children fleeing from the attack, including Phan Thi Kim Phuc, who became an iconic symbol of the war's horrors.

The publication of this photograph in several newspapers three days later had a significant impact on public opinion in the United States, fueling growing anti-war sentiment and potentially hastening the end of the conflict. According to The New York Times, the photo "fueled the growing anti-war feeling in the United States and perhaps hastened the end of the war."