14 Jun 20 Garand Picture of the Day

[Mark in Rochester]

Information

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[Surpmil]

I see only Springfields myself. And Mt. Suribachi of course.

[browningautorifle]

There's a guy on sentry duty on top of Suribachi with an M1... No, I looked hard and only see 1903 types too. Very interesting pic though, replacement movement? The dark individual indicates they aren't combat troops and the helmet marking on the one looking through his bore...CBees maybe?

[BEAR]

I didn't know Marines had 1903A3s

[Bob Seijas]

The Corps initially doubted the reliability of the Garand in the salt water and sand of a beach invasion. They adopted the M1 for everybody except the infantry which kept its '03s. That was recognized as a mistake and the Garand was issued as soon as it could be obtained. They covered themselves by saying the rifle was now improved and reliable. Riiight.

[Bill Hollinger]

I didn't know Marines had 1903A3s

That was their main battle rifle on Guadalcanal. The book "Guadalcanal" mentions the Marines picking up M1s of fallen Army soldiers and boosting them whenever there was an opportunity.

This is Iwo Jima so right towards the end...so the infantry marine would have had M1 rifles by then.

I was thinking this might have been logistical personnel charged with beach duties???

[browningautorifle]

logistical personnel

Agreed, they aren't mudrollers.

[BEAR]

That was their main battle rifle on Guadalcanal. The book "Guadalcanal" mentions the Marines picking up M1s of fallen Army soldiers and boosting them whenever there was an opportunity.

I know the 03 was the Marine main battle rifle at Guadalcanal (03A3 had not been manufactured) but the 03A3 was a rarity later in the war. In fact this is the first picture of "Marines" with 03A3s that I have seen (if they are Marines). I know Navy shore personnel carried them.

I have "proof positive" that the Seabees used the M1903A3.....
Attachment 109228

[browningautorifle]

This is Iwo Jima so right towards the end...so the infantry marine would have had M1 rifles by then.

[Tom in N.J.]

I don't think old John can see much with a standard sight cover on a M1903A3...... I think these men are equipment / boat operators that lost their equipment, rounded up to go back for more, but needed for defense and issued M1903A3 rifles for the emergency. Remember the Japanese attack on the Army Air Force tents late in the battle, saved, by the way, by the USMC 5th Pioneer Battalion (Black).