16-115 Garand Picture of the Day - Mountain Infantry

[Mark in Rochester]

Mountain Infantry

Date taken:
October 1942

Photographer:
J R Eyerman

Information

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[Sentryduty]

That stuff is never as cool or fun as it looks in the photos, climbing recreationally is interesting, doing the same thing with all of the army's kit knocking about and throwing you off balance really detracts of the majestic vistas...

[Paul S.]

Mate, that's the truth of it. I love the way the ice axe is lashed to the rifle.

[Fjordforder]

Is there any specific reason they weren't issued something lighter and handier like an M1 carbine? Or were they expecting mountaintop-to-mountaintop fighting? Serious question, it seems very little information is available.

[Bob Seijas]

Because the Carbine was just a better pistol intended for officers, mortar and MG crew, officers... not fighters. You want to fight from a mountain top with a long pistol? Not me, I'll hump the weight.

[RudyN]

I managed to get a Rucksack and it looks like it was never issued. They are nice looking.

[CINDERS]

Just another thought as well think of the weight carried by the SAS forces when they are out in the boonies for the long haul....I take my hat off to both of them