Germans liked m1 Carbines - During War?

[imarangemaster]

I knew that the US issued lots of Carbines to German units during the occupation (i.e Bavarian Border guards, etc.) Today, however, I ran across a web page that had four or five pictures of German Troops using US M1 carbines during the war. While I was surprised at first, I then realized that in the later years of the war they used ANY weapons they could get their hands on. With their affinity for the MP38/40, I am not surprised they liked the light little Carbine, since it does have more punch than the MP38s 9mm FMJ!

I will see if I can find that URL again.

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[LimeyCarbineLover]

Theres that classic picture of a member of Kampfgruppe Hansen taken near Poteau-Recht crossroads in the Bulge he is armed with an M1 carbine.....as he runs across the road

The same sequence of shots that show the abandoned vehicles of the 14th Cav in them

Regards

Lloyd

[gunner]

At the end of war the german soldiers liked the allied weapons more than the own, why ? Easy reason, you have ammo more than enough and our troops had sometimes not more than a 100 round pack for the whole platoon. And not to forget, not only Mauser and Schmeisser made very good guns.

Regards

Gunner

[imarangemaster]

Scroll down the pics. I think there are 4 or 5. It is an interesting series of original combat photos on a 1/6 scale model forum, of all places!


Google Image Result for http://www.onesixthwarriors.com/photo/data/501/kgh_with_m1carbine.jpg

[LimeyCarbineLover]

Thats the one Rangemaster.....been along that road many times....still finding little bits and bobs of the 14th Cav groups vehicles and equipment in the ditches even now...it hasnt changed a whole lot.

Regards

LLoyd

[gunner]

Thanks, nice Link. The guy in the first three pics is a sort of " Posterboy " like you called such guys. You can see him often. Here they say he is a SS guy and in a book i found him with the title " German paratrouper in Italy ". On the eastern front they liked the PPSH 41 for their good function in winter and the non problematic use in dirt and mud. The Schmeissers had problems there.

Regards

Gunner

[imarangemaster]

I know it has been covered time and time again, but the little carbine is very under rated. If it is used within its capabilities (100 yards or less, generally) it works well. I knew an old boy who had been an infantry grunt in France since D-Day. When they would clear villages, he would swap with a radio man in headquarters for a carbine, because it was better in CQB than his Garand. He said he made his share of happy Nazi martyrs with it clearing houses, etc.

BTW, he had a gorgeous cased Luger Artillery Model with Stock he brought home from a chalet they liberated that had been a field marshal's headquarters. It had a presentation letter to Field Marshal "von something or other" with it. I saw it one time when I was about 19 or 20 (1972). damnn, I wish I had that now...

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Not a carbine, but this photo of a German soldier always made me feel a little sad.
Talk about a picture telling a 1000 words.

[Bill Hollinger]

He really looks beat!

[Calif-Steve]

Lots of the air dropped supplies at the Battle of the Bulge ended up in German hands. They sure loved the cigarettes and candy!