USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Many variations of the chemicals used in napalm exist. The most common current composition includes aluminum salts, polystyrene, and benzene. Detonation then occurs by various explosive compounds that ignite phosphorous, which burns at a temperature adequate to ignite the fuel mixture.

Detailed explanation-2: -The development of napalm was precipitated by the use of jellied gasoline mixtures by the Allied forces during World War II. The use of aluminium salts of organic acids (Ionov’s salt) for the preparation of incendiary viscous mixtures was already done by the Soviets in 1939, with high acceptance by the Red Army.

Detailed explanation-3: -Napalm can cause death by burns or asphyxiation. Napalm bombs generate carbon monoxide while simultaneously removing oxygen from the air. The air in the bombing area can be 20 percent or more carbon monoxide [source: GlobalSecurity.org].

Detailed explanation-4: -Napalm bombs first saw combat on 15 February 1944 when the U.S. attacked Japanese forces in the town of Pohnpei, capital of the eponymous Micronesian island 2, 500 miles southwest of Hawaii and 1, 800 miles northeast of Australia. Its most recent use was by U.S. forces during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.