This is an odd photo. This is supposed to be a US Marine training in New Zealand.
Didn't the Kiwis carry SMLEs?
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...formount-1.jpg
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This is an odd photo. This is supposed to be a US Marine training in New Zealand.
Didn't the Kiwis carry SMLEs?
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...formount-1.jpg
New Zealand received a lot of Long Branch made No. 4s(1942 and 1943 manufacture). When they were sold off as surplus, they looked like they were never issued, but I think it would be safe to say that some were issued and used.
My guess would be somewhere in Burma, in 1943-45. I don't recall what US troops were there other than Merrill's Marauders; anyone?
Possibly US forces serving with the Chindits after they were 'handed over to Gen. Stilwell by Gen. Slim (who had a strong dislike of "unorthodox" or elite units apparently)
The stamped foresight protector would indicate a rifle other than Long Branch I believe.
Take a close look at the canteen of the chap standing to the left of the guy with the rifle .....is it not a German canteen.
It looked Japanese to me. But that being said, I don't know much about canteens.
Could equally be at one of the Commando schools in Scotland - there is nothing in the photo that can really pin it down to a location.
The answer is pretty simple in my humble opinion. I think that it's a US Marine training or training with the NZ Army in New Zealand, just as the caption says. He's got a No4 rifle, same as the NZers he's training or training with so that the command and fire control systems and the like are standardised among the course. Exactly as happens today.................