13-282 Garand Picture of the Day - 93rd INF Div

[Mark in Rochester]

First All-Black Comabt Division

Army's first all-black combat division, the 93rd, on parade after a 25-mile hike in the sweltering heat at Fort Huachuca.

Location:AZ, US
Date taken:1943
Photographer:Charles E. Steinheimer

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Top pic, Hawley liners and a 1903 mixed in with M1s...down two and there's another 1903 among the M1s...interesting time in history. A real melting pot. For everything.

[Mark in Rochester]

Leonard E. Dowden

While on Jolo on 17 July 1945, a patrol from the 368th was ambushed by a Japanese force three times its size. When the firefight began, Sergeant Leonard E. Dowden moved his squad to within 30 yards of the enemy. He then crawled forward alone to assault a machine-gun position with grenades, despite being gravely wounded. He would be killed by a burst of fire as he was about to throw a grenade. The patrol was able to fight off the enemy attack with only 18 casualties. For the extraordinary heroism that cost him his life, Staff Sergeant Dowden received the Distinguished Service Cross. Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, Staff Sergeant Dowden was the only member of the 93rd Infantry Division to earn the DSC during the war

[Fred G.]

In the 1st picture, the bayonet that's the closest to the camera at the right side of the photo appears to be a long 16" bladed 1905 type with a bright blade. That might be reflection though. However it IS a long blade.

[emmagee1917]

Just showing the presence of '03s for grenade launching. Note the lack of scopes ( and presence of front sights ) , lack of M15 sights , and not 'A3 /A4 configuration.
Chris

[browningautorifle]

'03s for grenade launching

Of course, I never thought of that...

[Bob Seijas]

Excellent reasoning on grenade launching. It's really interesting that we often discover things by seeing the evidence on the ground and then brainstorming why or how it could be so. Reminds me of Johnny Carson's skits of The Great Karnac -- Ed would give the answer and Karnac would have to divine the question. That's often the way we figure M1 things out. Nice work.

[RCS]

I may be wrong on this - but I seem to remember that when launching rifle grenades from the M1903 or M1903A1, the leaf sight was used with the slide elevated way up. That junk M15 grenade sight would not have been used. I really don't think many combat M1 rifles had that M15 sight attached to the side of the rifle

[Bob Womack]

Any chance you are just seeing the last gasp of prejudice in the form of poor supply to the black divisions?

I can imagine the private whining to the sergeant, "Sarge, why don't I get a modern semi-automatic rifle like the rest?" I can imagine the sergeant replying in the style of SarMajor Basil Plumley of the 1 Battalion, 7th Cav, just before the battle of the Ia Drang, when Hal Moore asked if he oughtn't to trade in his 1911 for an M16. It would sound something like, "Sonny, if the time comes you need one, there'll be plenty lying on the ground."

Bob

[emmagee1917]

For direct fire , the leaf was up and the slide set to 2200 yds by the lower peep. For 25 yds you used an imaginary line at 1875 yds or the open " tree" sight and aimed 12 inches low . For 37.5 yds you used the open " tree " . For 50 yds. , the top of the slide. All these used the top edge of the AT grenade as the front sight. For 75 yds. , you used the top of the slide and your front sight , leaving both eyes open to " see around " the AT grenade body.
The M1 and 03A3s did not have a sight that could do this . The M15 was to solve this , but I have not have had good luck using it in direct , but my body build may be a factor here ( big chest , short arms ).
In indirect ( mortar type ) fire , they are all equal in thier abilities . A marked sling is good , a M15 is better , esp if you make your own range table to allow use of the 5 degree clicks rather than just the limited 30/45/60 degrees of a marked sling.
Chris