# Is Napalm a WMD? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 29, 2013, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-napalm-a-wmd/667498 "2013-08-29T13:44:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2013, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-napalm-a-wmd/667498/21 "2013-08-29T18:50:52Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I thought they used thermite. Whatever chemical it was, the point still stands. One bomb is not a WMD. A large-scale raid would definitely take on WMD-like properties. Even the raids with conventional bombs would be considered “mass destruction” by today’s standards, since there was little more than a pretense of attempting to avoid targeting civilians. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2013, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-napalm-a-wmd/667498/22 "2013-08-29T19:13:56Z")
The [M69](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M-69_Incendiary_cluster_bomb) incendiary bomb(let), along with the [M47](http://www.maic.jmu.edu/ordata/srdetaildesc.asp?ordid=3056) chemical bomb, was the payload for [Operation Meetinghouse,](http://www.scribd.com/doc/56589088/21st-Bomber-Command-Tactical-Mission-Report-40) the Tokyo firebombing. The M69 was filled with napalm by this stage of the war, though it started out with thermite or magnesium as the fillers. While the M47 is listed by wiki as being filled with white phosphorous, this [cite](http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AAF/V/AAF-V-20.html#fn26), and the above UXO guide to the M47, mentions that the -2 variant was filled with a jellied gasoline, either IM or NP. I am a bit hazy on the differences between the varied jellied gasolines and oils, but some are thickened with naphthenic acids (the ‘Na’ in Napalm) and some are not. An analysis done by XXI Bomber Command of the initial series of incendiary raids may be found [here](http://www.468thbombgroup.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=NcwOwzri3%2BA%3D&tabid=36&mid=467). This [cite](http://www.468thbombgroup.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=I8gpYUK3Bhg%3D&tabid=36&mid=467), claims the cluster was filled with ‘jellied oil.’ The M19 at the cite refers to the overall bomb; it was a cluster of 36 M69 bombs, and was how the bomb was normally used. The cluster would open up at a given height over the target, scattering the M69 bombs over the area. I’d have no problem saying the fire bombing raid was a napalm raid. FWIW, the section of the United States Code that Werekoala mentions is [18 USC §2332(a)](http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/2332a). From it, we get the following definition for WMD: > [@](#): > > the term “weapon of mass destruction” means— > (A) any destructive device as defined in section 921 of this title; > (B) any weapon that is designed or intended to cause death or serious bodily injury through the release, dissemination, or impact of toxic or poisonous chemicals, or their precursors; > (C) any weapon involving a biological agent, toxin, or vector (as those terms are defined in section 178 of this title); or > (D) any weapon that is designed to release radiation or radioactivity at a level dangerous to human life; [Section 921](http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/921)’s definition of destructive device is: > [@](#): > > (4) The term “destructive device” means— > (A) any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas— > (i) bomb, > (ii) grenade, > (iii) rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces, > (iv) missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce, > (v) mine, or > (vi) device similar to any of the devices described in the preceding clauses; > (B) any type of weapon (other than a shotgun or a shotgun shell which the Attorney General finds is generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes) by whatever name known which will, or which may be readily converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other propellant, and which has any barrel with a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter; and > (C) any combination of parts either designed or intended for use in converting any device into any destructive device described in subparagraph (A) or (B) and from which a destructive device may be readily assembled. I’d think you’d have a tough time convincing anyone that a .600 Nitro Express is a WMD, and I think they really meant clause (A) in 2332(a). Still, that’s the law. My personal definition for WMD skews more towards the old NBC category, slanted strongly to the N side of the group. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2013, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-napalm-a-wmd/667498/23 "2013-08-29T19:48:09Z")
> [@Disposable Hero](#): > > Wow, talk about rendering a term down into meaninglessness. > > Just a nitpick from a good post, it wasn’t a napalm attack on Tokyo but rather incendiaries wasn’t it? Not that that has any bearing on your point. Napalm was developed in 1944, was dropped on Tokyo, and is considered an “incendiary”. Curtis LeMay thought that high level bombing wasn’t getting the job done. The “job” being ending the war quickly. LeMay hoped low level sortis flown at night, with heavier payloads, fewer crewmembers, and no machine guns would convince Imperial Japan to surrender. > **[THE FIRE-BOMBING OF JAPAN](https://www.b-29s-over-korea.com/firebombing/firebombing3.html)** ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2013, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-napalm-a-wmd/667498/24 "2013-08-29T21:02:00Z")
> [@georgewk10](#): > > And the only country to use a nuke on civilians is… the USA. > a.k.a. the world’s policeman. > Time to get off the "Moral " high horse. eh? If you want to point out the hypocrisies of America’s policies on incendiary weapons like napalm, thermite or white phosphorus (aka WP or “willie pete”), I think you can find a more recent example than a pair of bombs used to end a war that killed more than 60 million people. Problem with kids. They think they know everything, but even when they may have a point, it’s more often by accident than because they actually know anything. I suspect we won’t see much more of georgewk10 in this thread. And why did he capitalize “moral” but not the proper name “The World’s Policeman”? ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2013, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-napalm-a-wmd/667498/25 "2013-08-29T21:48:27Z")
> [@georgewk10](#): > > And the only country to use a nuke on civilians is… the USA. > a.k.a. the world’s policeman. > Time to get off the "Moral " high horse. eh? I’m sorry; I believe I’m of normal intelligence, but I find your posts utterly baffling. Do you believe that members of this board, in general, are strongly in favor of US military action in Syria? It’s not that apparent to me. Do you have some reason to believe that the makers of US military policy read posts to this board? ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2013, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-napalm-a-wmd/667498/26 "2013-08-29T22:10:29Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > I’d have no problem saying the fire bombing raid was a napalm raid. > [@doorhinge](#): > > Napalm was developed in 1944, was dropped on Tokyo, and is considered an “incendiary”. Curtis LeMay thought that high level bombing wasn’t getting the job done. The “job” being ending the war quickly. LeMay hoped low level sortis flown at night, with heavier payloads, fewer crewmembers, and no machine guns would convince Imperial Japan to surrender. Well consider me educated, I think I pictured napalm being used in a more tactical sense rather than against cities. ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2013, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-napalm-a-wmd/667498/27 "2013-08-29T22:21:28Z")
> [@georgewk10](#): > > And the only country to use a nuke on civilians is… the USA. > a.k.a. the world’s policeman. > Time to get off the "Moral " high horse. eh? OMIGOSH! I hadn’t even considered this before! Why did you keep this to yourself for so long??? ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2013, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-napalm-a-wmd/667498/28 "2013-08-29T22:32:00Z")
> [@georgewk10](#): > > And the only country to use a nuke on civilians is… the USA. > a.k.a. the world’s policeman. Yeah, why the hell did the US ever stick its nose into World War II, anyway? ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2013, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-napalm-a-wmd/667498/29 "2013-08-29T22:43:31Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > And why did he capitalize “moral” but not the proper name “The World’s Policeman”? I think he was talking about mushrooms. ---
**Author:** ![aNewLeaf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2013, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-napalm-a-wmd/667498/30 "2013-08-29T22:52:40Z")
If you ever eat too many Moral Mushrooms you’re gonna have a bad time… ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2013, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-napalm-a-wmd/667498/31 "2013-09-04T17:27:14Z")
> [@Disposable Hero](#): > > Well consider me educated, I think I pictured napalm being used in a more tactical sense rather than against cities. Normally yes. However it can be very effective when your cities are made of paper and bamboo. ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2013, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-napalm-a-wmd/667498/32 "2013-09-04T21:30:52Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Normally yes. However it can be very effective when your cities are made of paper and bamboo. True, isn’t that part of the reason the nuclear weapons were so devastating as well? I believe there were several survivors from one of the few brick and stone buildings in Hiroshima, a bank, which was almost directly below the explosion. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-napalm-a-wmd/667498.md?page=1)