White phosphorus is a white, colorless, or yellow waxy solid with a garlic-like odor. It does not occur naturally, as a free element, but is manufactured from phosphate rocks.

White phosphorus (WP) is a flare- and smoke-producing agent & an incendiary. White Phosphorus (WP), known as Willy Pete, is used for signaling, incendiary and screening purposes. White Phosphorus can be used to destroy the enemy’s equipment or to limit his vision. It is used against vehicles, oils, petroleum, & lubricants (POL) and ammunition storage areas, and enemy observers.

White Phosphorus (WP)

Due to its high reactivity, phosphorus is never found as a free element in nature on Earth. The first form of phosphorus to be discovered (white phosphorus, discovered in 1669) emits a faint glow upon exposure to air.

WP (White phosphorus) can be used as an aid in target location and navigation. It is usually dispersed by explosive munitions. It can be fired with fuze time to obtain an airburst. White phosphorus was used most often during WW II in military formulations for smoke screens, marker shells, incendiaries, hand grenades, smoke markers, colored flares, and tracer bullets.

( globalsecurity.org, wikipedia.org, atsdr.cdc.gov )