Marine in Iwo Jima watching a B-29 Ditch returning from Tokyo. Looks like a Type 3 BB on his Carbine.
Frank
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Marine in Iwo Jima watching a B-29 Ditch returning from Tokyo. Looks like a Type 3 BB on his Carbine.
Frank
Frank - find further info in this thread: https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=37815 - Bob
Now that you have seen proof that the type 3 rear band was used on Iwo let me tell you about the adjustable rear sight. My dad was a Marine on Okinawi and was issued his M1 carbine in Hawaii. His first battle was at Perry Island in April 1944. This was the Enewetok Islands in the Pacific. Dad said his carbine that he was issued came with the adjustable rear sight. Dad was in his 80's when I showed him my M1 carbine collection. All of my carbines have type one rear sights except my Rockola which has an adjustable rear sight. I had them all laying on the floor and told dad to pick which one looked most like the one he had. He picked the one with the adjustable rear sight. I have one of every maker of the M1 carbine. All the so called carbine guys said dad was just too old to remember but I know dad knew what kind of carbine he had and I believe his did have the adjustable rear sight.
My dad was issued an Inland Carbine before he went to Iwo Jima, and it had adjustable sight, but no bayonet lug. He didn't remember whether it was a milled or stamped rear sight, though. He was issued an M1 Garand bayonet.
Considering that Iwo Jima wasn't attacked until 2/45, it is pretty reasonable to assume that type 2-3 rear sights were used there. My 3/44 and 9/44 carbines both came from the factory with them. Additionally, the Iwo Jima attack force was assembled in Hawaii, trained there and consisted of many raw recruits straight from the states. Probably hundreds of brand new carbines came with them.
The guy watching the B29 ditch looks like an Army troop to me. I vote for Tinian for the photo.
Remember that many M1 carbines were being retrofitted type III barrel bands before the war ended. Clearly, considering the type I rear sight, that's what most likely happened here.
Army took over on Iwo late in March of 1945. IIRC, by April, all the Marines were gone.
Setting aside the 8th Marines post-Okinawa, are there other documented cases? Do those cases provide a basis for the 'many' characterization?Quote:
Originally Posted by deldriver