Eli5: How effective were flamethrowers when they were still in use in the military and what were the dangers of operating one?

Question

Eli5: How effective were flamethrowers when they were still in use in the military and what were the dangers of operating one?

In: 57

Answer 1

They were effective for the time mainly as a bunker buster and all around terror weapon. After WWII they were mainly phased out due to better weapons that were lighter and had greater range, starting with rifle grenades and AT rockets/RPGs and now the 40mm/30mm grenade launcher.
The most effective flamethrowers were the tank mounted ones. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rpEO3oiuos