British troops find napalm cache in captured camps

Press, 3 June 1982, Page 8

British troops find napalm cache in captured camps

NZPA London British forces have discovered nearly 41.000 litres of napalm and some has already been used on paratroopers. reporters on the Falklands said yesterday. A total of 32'tanks of the chemical weapon was discovered at Goose Green and 57 more at the airstrip, said an Independent Television News reporter. Michael Nicholson. British commanders confirmed that two napalm bombs were dropped on the 2nd Parachute Battalion as it attacked Goose Green but both missed and nobody was injured. The napalm cache was ready for use on Skyhawk and Pucara aircraft and instructions were found nearby. They were found in tanks which' looked to be crudely welded together, said Nicholson. He added: 'Some of it was

oozing from the detonator seals. It was white, sticky, corrosive and burning the grass black. "Napalm is the most dreadful thing. "Once the dropped tanks explode, fire spreads like running water and sticks to bodies. It can’t be extinguished and it burns like phosphorous. "British commanders -are delighted to have captured so much before the weapon could be put to deadly use. Nicholson said: "One told me he had hoped the Argentinians would stick to certain accepted ground rules' but this proved that they meant to hurn our men alive." A 8.8. C. reporter. Brian Hanrahan, added that troops had found a five-page Spanish document made in 1978 and marked secret showing how to use the napalm to stick to. its victims. Later a British Ministry of Defence spokesman. lan

• McDonald, told reporters , that some tanks and some ' home-made bombs which could have been used for a t napalm attack on British troops had been found after $ the capture of Goose Green ? and Darwin. i But he added: "We have no - reports of it being used and j nothing beyond preliminary reports of the use of tanks j and bombs." ) Mr McDonald said: "Curt rent evidence suggests that the tanks and bombs may j have been- designed for use . with napalm but it's a long i way from indications ■to t ■ proof." t He emphasised: "There are no reports it has been used." i The tanks ' found by the s British troops could have . been attached to aircraft. 3 said Mr McDonald, but he i was unable to confirm the j presence of a store of • napalm because laboralorv f tests on the substance found t had not yet been carried out.