Audie Murphy's Carbine Number

[audiesdad]

There are a lot of folks pushing up dasies all over the world who have been killed by soldiers using M1 Carbines. I know two men who used the M1 carbine in combat and found its power and accuracy to leave something to be desired. I met another who swore by it. Both men who found the carbine disappointing were using it outside its intended role and after their unfortunate experiences chose another weapon.

I read Murphy's book but it has been many years ago. I only recall one incident of him killing a sniper, that was a German who got off the first shot and wounded Murphy in the hip. I could obviously be mistaken about that being the only incident though. Surviving with a wound after having been targeted by a designated sniper is very, very rare. I believe that sniper's rifle was the one that was in the Life magazine story.

Anyone who does what Audie Murphy did in his military career has to be very brave, very skilled, have a very cool head, and last but far from least very lucky.

The event to which you are referring was not that Rifle event with the sniper that wounded him.
Both events were at about the same time, but different.
The event from which Murphy took the sniper's rifle happened at Cleurie Quarry, France. Audie killed the sniper and took the rifle. He actually managed to drill him between the eyes. The rifle was placed on the back of the unit chow truck and stayed there about 2 months as just several days later Audie was wounded. When he returned to the unit after recuperating he reclaimed the rifle and brought it home. It was assumed he gave it to his sister as there is a photo in "Life in July of '45 showing it to her. He actually gave it to his 12 year old nephew who still has it to this day.
To clarify the wound, he was wounded by sniper fire indirectly if we can say. He was leading his Platoon, and as always in the front with his Radio Man. The Radio man was hit and KIA instantly with a head wound. Second round was fired at Murphy, missed, richocheted off a tree and struck him in the hip. In those precious 2-3 seconds Murphy managed to return fire as he was falling. Witnesses say while holding his carbine with one hand as was reeling backward, fired and struck the Kraut in the head.
Not bad!