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Reference.org
White phosphorus munition
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<p>White phosphorus munitions are weapons that use one of the common <a href="/facts/Allotropy/2WUdHWxg">allotropes</a> of the <a href="/facts/Chemical_element/0jducgWD">chemical element</a> <a href="/facts/Phosphorus/27xCeIqs">phosphorus</a>. <a href="/facts/White_phosphorus/GarX3byj">White phosphorus</a> is used in <a href="/facts/Smoke_screen/s0Wre6Iq">smoke</a>, <a href="/facts/Battlefield_illumination/7a7KJvhF">illumination</a>, and <a href="/facts/Incendiary_device/Evu6eJWY">incendiary</a> munitions, and is commonly the burning element of <a href="/facts/Tracer_ammunition/qK7Rf3oE">tracer ammunition</a>. Other common names for white phosphorus munitions include <i>WP</i> and the slang terms <i>Willie Pete</i> and <i>Willie Peter</i>, which are derived from <i>William Peter</i>, the <a href="/facts/Allied_Military_phonetic_spelling_alphabets/LKcNL3A4">World War II phonetic alphabet</a> rendering of the letters <i>WP</i>. White phosphorus is <a href="/facts/Pyrophoric/1b8Sl2AJ">pyrophoric</a> (it is ignited by contact with air); burns fiercely; and can ignite cloth, fuel, ammunition, and other combustibles. </p><p>White phosphorus is a highly efficient smoke-producing agent, reacting with air to produce an immediate blanket of <a href="/facts/Phosphorus_pentoxide/GKTSUNqS">phosphorus pentoxide</a> vapour. Smoke-producing white phosphorus munitions are very common, particularly as smoke grenades for <a href="/facts/Infantry/QAHDDQtk">infantry</a>, loaded in defensive <a href="/facts/Grenade_launcher/TjWnnf9b">grenade launchers</a> on <a href="/facts/Tank/CwQLRQsy">tanks</a> and other armoured vehicles, and in the <a href="/facts/Ammunition/ajd1wm1I">ammunition</a> allotment for <a href="/facts/Artillery/GLpMYG9o">artillery</a> and <a href="/facts/Mortar_(weapon)/2vs8xEBx">mortars</a>. These create <a href="/facts/Smoke_screen/s0Wre6Iq">smoke screens</a> to mask friendly forces' movement, position, <a href="/facts/Infrared/44XdJNcc">infrared</a> signatures, and shooting positions. They are often called <i>smoke/marker rounds</i> for their use in marking points of interest, such as a light mortar to designate a target for artillery spotters. </p>