napalm was used in flamethrowers and firebombs by the u.s. and allied forces. napalm is made to burn at a specific rate and stick to materials. this is done by mixing different amounts of napalm and other materials. another useful (and dangerous) effect, mostly in its use in bombs, was that napalm "rapidly deoxygenates the available air." it also makes large amounts of carbon monoxide that suffocated people. napalm bombs were also used in the vietnam war to clear landing zones for helicopters.