WWII Infantry Weapons and Their Effect

Amsdorf · May 22, 2012, 07:30 PM

This is a great old movie made to demonstrate the range of weapons available to the troops in the field during WWII: 1911, .30 Carbine, .30 Cal, and on up.

I worked on enhancing the audio and video. The audio was a kind of a mess, particularly in the beginning, but I did what I could.

Hope you like it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuSOecA864o

Crosshair · May 22, 2012, 08:23 PM

I'll add it to my watch list. Be interesting to see how much propaganda is in it.

Amsdorf · May 23, 2012, 12:25 PM

Let us know what you identify as propaganda.

I noticed that they are assuming some really expert marksmanship skills in places.

indy1919 · May 23, 2012, 02:18 PM

I will tell you the Propaganda that bothers me is the part that makes me want one of those BARS.. I kept going back to Ohio Ordnance web sight looking at their BARs.. and fondling the enter key by the buy icon..

Buzzcook · May 23, 2012, 02:35 PM

Nice video. They were a bit optimistic about the anti-tank weapons.

Amsdorf · May 23, 2012, 05:29 PM

I'd say the whole movie was a "bit optimistic."

I think one purpose of it was to instill a sense of confidence in the troops that their weapons were every bit the match for the "Master Race's" weapon systems.

Amsdorf · May 23, 2012, 05:30 PM

Dear Indy: May I say this? I hate you.

Now I know I'm going to be fondling the "buy" sequence as well.

Thanks a lot, bro.

Crosshair · May 23, 2012, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Let us know what you identify as propaganda.

There was one film on the MG42 where they tried to downplay it and make the BAR/1919 look better.

Still haven't gotten around to watching it.

bedbugbilly · May 23, 2012, 09:03 PM

indy - my father-in-law carried a BAR in North Africa and Italy - funny thing - he wasn't as excited about it as you guys are . . .

:roll eyes:

Buzzcook · May 24, 2012, 12:52 PM

Lots of vets who fought in Europe weren't in love with the BAR. In the Pacific theater it was a different story, Marines and GIs liked the heck out of the BAR.

After the war FN flipped the BAR action over made it belt fed and added a quick change barrel. iirc it's the M-249 now.

Amsdorf · May 24, 2012, 01:01 PM

Thanks for sharing that, very interesting.

Why do you think vets in the ETO didn't like it whereas in the PTO they did?

kraigwy · May 24, 2012, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Why do you think vets in the ETO didn't like it whereas in the PTO they did?

I suppose different fronts required different tactics. An example I know many WWII vets who fought in Europe that liked the Garand. Then I've met many, including my father who fought in the Pacific. The ones in the Pacific seemed to like the Carbine. The ones from Europe liked the Garand.

In the short range you have in the Jungles I can see where the Carbine would have the advantage over the Garand. In Europe it would be the opposite.

indy1919 · May 24, 2012, 08:13 PM

One part of the film I did have a problem with is the guy with the 03 in the fox hole shooting at the tank vision slit to make the tank close down so to speak ..

Now I would not like to think my self a coward or someone to disobay orders.. BUUUUUUTTTTT I do not see myself shooting at a tank with a bolt action rifle.. Oh what they hay I do not see myself shooting at a tank with a semi auto rifle either..

That is kinda like taking a wiz on Mike Tyson's shoe and waiting for a reaction

kraigwy · May 24, 2012, 08:27 PM

Don't know, a division of paratroopers (that being light infantry) held off three armored divisions at Bastogne with not much more then those guys in that clip. They did pretty good with what they had.

I remember when I went through the Infantry Officers Basic Course. We went though what was called a tank confidence course where we got in fox holes while a M-60 parked on top, spun around a bit, then we jumped up and shot it in the ass with a LAW as it drove off.

Amsdorf · May 24, 2012, 08:31 PM

"Tank confidence course"

Awesome.

BlueTrain · May 25, 2012, 07:31 AM

I remember seeing a training film when I went through basic training at Fort Knox in 1965 that was a WWII British film. It was about tactics in the field.

Amsdorf · May 25, 2012, 12:29 PM

Interesting they would show/use a British film.

BlueTrain · May 25, 2012, 01:35 PM

Yeah, well, it was barely 20 years old at the time.

armsmaster270 · May 25, 2012, 04:48 PM

My uncle was a Glider Pilot in Europe (3 Campaigns} he was issued a 30 carbine and the first thing he did was leave it with a dead soldier and take the Garand.

Old Grump · May 25, 2012, 05:10 PM

BAR's on the range are fun to shoot but only got to do that once. Mostly you just carried the damn thing and it was always up hill, that hill way over there to be exact. There was something about it that caused it to double in weight every 10 minutes or so.

Amsdorf · May 25, 2012, 06:20 PM

Thanks for sharing, but from what I've read from vets in the ETO, there was nothing more comforting to them than when they heard the good old BAR opening up.

Old Grump · May 26, 2012, 10:17 AM

BAR gunners also took the pressure off the rest of their unit because they became the focal point of fire from the enemy forces.

Winchester_73 · May 26, 2012, 10:44 AM

Amsdorf,

Thank you very much for your efforts with this video and the others. Many will learn from your time sacrificed editing these videos. I am glad people still care about and still care to do such things.

Amsdorf · May 26, 2012, 03:03 PM

Thanks, I enjoy doing it and I'm glad some folks find them helpful.

TX Hunter · May 26, 2012, 08:08 PM

Our Millitary has alwayse had good weapons, back then, and still today. For that I am thankfull. I want our Servicemen, to be well armed, and to be able to come home safe. God Bless our US Millitary !!!!!

May 22, 2012, 07:30 PM	#1
Amsdorf Junior member Join Date: July 24, 2011 Location: Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 849	WWII Infantry Weapons and Their Effect This is a great old movie made to demonstrate the range of weapons available to the troops in the field during WWII: 1911, .30 Carbine, .30 Cal, and on up. I worked on enhancing the audio and video. The audio was a kind of a mess, particularly in the beginning, but I did what I could. Hope you like it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuSOecA864o

May 22, 2012, 08:23 PM	#2
Crosshair Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 5,333	I'll add it to my watch list. Be interesting to see how much propaganda is in it. __________________ I don't carry a gun to go looking for trouble, I carry a gun in case trouble finds me.

May 23, 2012, 02:18 PM	#4
indy1919 Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2011 Posts: 277	I will tell you the Propaganda that bothers me is the part that makes me want one of those BARS.. I kept going back to Ohio Ordnance web sight looking at their BARs.. and fondling the enter key by the buy icon.. Last edited by indy1919; May 23, 2012 at 04:26 PM.

May 23, 2012, 09:03 PM	#9
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	indy - my father-in-law carried a BAR in North Africa and Italy - funny thing - he wasn't as excited about it as you guys are . . . :roll eyes: __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

May 24, 2012, 08:27 PM	#14
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	Don't know, a division of paratroopers (that being light infantry) held off three armored divisions at Bastogne with not much more then those guys in that clip. They did pretty good with what they had. I remember when I went through the Infantry Officers Basic Course. We went though what was called a tank confidence course where we got in fox holes while a M-60 parked on top, spun around a bit, then we jumped up and shot it in the ass with a LAW as it drove off. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

May 23, 2012, 12:25 PM	#3
Amsdorf Junior member Join Date: July 24, 2011 Location: Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 849	Let us know what you identify as propaganda. I noticed that they are assuming some really expert marksmanship skills in places.

May 23, 2012, 02:35 PM	#5
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	Nice video. They were a bit optimistic about the anti-tank weapons.

May 23, 2012, 05:29 PM	#6
Amsdorf Junior member Join Date: July 24, 2011 Location: Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 849	I'd say the whole movie was a "bit optimistic." I think one purpose of it was to instill a sense of confidence in the troops that their weapons were every bit the match for the "Master Race's" weapon systems.

May 23, 2012, 05:30 PM	#7
Amsdorf Junior member Join Date: July 24, 2011 Location: Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 849	Dear Indy: May I say this? I hate you. Now I know I'm going to be fondling the "buy" sequence as well. Thanks a lot, bro.

May 24, 2012, 12:52 PM	#10
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	Lots of vets who fought in Europe weren't in love with the BAR. In the Pacific theater it was a different story, Marines and GIs liked the heck out of the BAR. After the war FN flipped the BAR action over made it belt fed and added a quick change barrel. iirc it's the M-249 now.

May 24, 2012, 01:01 PM	#11
Amsdorf Junior member Join Date: July 24, 2011 Location: Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 849	Thanks for sharing that, very interesting. Why do you think vets in the ETO didn't like it whereas in the PTO they did?

May 24, 2012, 08:13 PM	#13
indy1919 Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2011 Posts: 277	One part of the film I did have a problem with is the guy with the 03 in the fox hole shooting at the tank vision slit to make the tank close down so to speak .. Now I would not like to think my self a coward or someone to disobay orders.. BUUUUUUTTTTT I do not see myself shooting at a tank with a bolt action rifle.. Oh what they hay I do not see myself shooting at a tank with a semi auto rifle either.. That is kinda like taking a wiz on Mike Tyson's shoe and waiting for a reaction

May 24, 2012, 08:31 PM	#15
Amsdorf Junior member Join Date: July 24, 2011 Location: Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 849	"Tank confidence course" Awesome.

May 25, 2012, 07:31 AM	#16
BlueTrain Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 6,141	I remember seeing a training film when I went through basic training at Fort Knox in 1965 that was a WWII British film. It was about tactics in the field. __________________ Shoot low, sheriff. They're riding Shetlands! Underneath the starry flag, civilize 'em with a Krag, and return us to our own beloved homes! Buy War Bonds.

May 25, 2012, 12:29 PM	#17
Amsdorf Junior member Join Date: July 24, 2011 Location: Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 849	Interesting they would show/use a British film.

May 25, 2012, 01:35 PM	#18
BlueTrain Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 6,141	Yeah, well, it was barely 20 years old at the time. __________________ Shoot low, sheriff. They're riding Shetlands! Underneath the starry flag, civilize 'em with a Krag, and return us to our own beloved homes! Buy War Bonds.

May 25, 2012, 04:48 PM	#19
armsmaster270 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2008 Location: California Posts: 1,951	My uncle was a Glider Pilot in Europe (3 Campaigns} he was issued a 30 carbine and the first thing he did was leave it with a dead soldier and take the Garand. __________________ http://www.armsmaster.net-a.googlepages.com http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/f...aster270/Guns/ Retired LE, M.P., Sr. M.P. Investigator F.B.I. Trained Rangemaster/Firearms Instructor & Armorer, Presently Forensic Document Examiner for D.H.S.

May 25, 2012, 05:10 PM	#20
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	BAR's on the range are fun to shoot but only got to do that once. Mostly you just carried the damn thing and it was always up hill, that hill way over there to be exact. There was something about it that caused it to double in weight every 10 minutes or so. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

May 25, 2012, 06:20 PM	#21
Amsdorf Junior member Join Date: July 24, 2011 Location: Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 849	Thanks for sharing, but from what I've read from vets in the ETO, there was nothing more comforting to them than when they heard the good old BAR opening up.

May 26, 2012, 10:17 AM	#22
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	BAR gunners also took the pressure off the rest of their unit because they became the focal point of fire from the enemy forces. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

May 26, 2012, 10:44 AM	#23
Winchester_73 Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2008 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 2,863	Amsdorf, Thank you very much for your efforts with this video and the others. Many will learn from your time sacrificed editing these videos. I am glad people still care about and still care to do such things. __________________ Winchester 73, the TFL user that won the west

May 26, 2012, 03:03 PM	#24
Amsdorf Junior member Join Date: July 24, 2011 Location: Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 849	Thanks, I enjoy doing it and I'm glad some folks find them helpful.

May 26, 2012, 08:08 PM	#25
TX Hunter Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2010 Location: East Texas USA Posts: 1,805	Our Millitary has alwayse had good weapons, back then, and still today. For that I am thankfull. I want our Servicemen, to be well armed, and to be able to come home safe. God Bless our US Millitary !!!!!

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