Flaming Onions

To all
I have an old sketch from a Cross and Cockade mag showing a 'flaming onion' gun,I was wondering if anyone else could shed light (or other photos) on the ammunition and operation of the weapon.The article examines a number of descriptions made by observers but doesnt/cannot conclude as to the exact nature of the weapon offensive capacity.It seems that the weapon was of an incendiary nature but E Wayson could not say if the rounds were 'linked' by some manner ,fired in salvos ,had a secondary detonation etc.
It appears the weapons were scavenged from the Verdun and Ulm fortresses and at that time were already old.Certainly the weapon mounts were primitive enough and I can see why they were generally regarded as ineffective.
Anyone have anything else to add??

[Darryl]

According to Lanoe Hawker, the weapon was a quick firing gun of about 40mm. (although I have seen reference to 20mm also).

The rounds were incendiary/pyrotechnic and it was the 'burst' of fire which gave them their nick name. Because the rounds ascended in quick succession they appeared to be linked but were,** in fact, not.

Thats about all i know but very keen to hear more.

regards

Darryl

alex imrie...pictorial history of the german army air service.....1971** page103

he says that 3.7cm maschinen flak was a automatic quickfirer (5 rounds per sec) designed originally for torpedo boats.firing to 9000 feet max. very clear photo of a battery in action.** andy

german warships 1815-1945 lists a 3.7 cm "machine
gun" as armament for a series of torpedo boats built in the 1880's. Most of these were decommissioned prior to ww1. It's probable that the guns from these ships were held in store.

[stephen]

Apparently a very low velocity weapon. All accounts seem to say that the highly visible projectiles would creep very, very slowly toward the target... much slower than a tracer bullet. Hate to get hit by one, though.