US Soldiers looking at 98K Mauser Rifle

[usabaker]

Found this while looking for something else on eBAY. Kind of cool picture supposed to be in North Africa.

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[Surpmil]

Probably thinking, "Thank C-----, we didn't get issued these things!"

[usabaker]

Probably thinking, "Thank C-----, we didn't get issued these things!"

or.. I hate when the CO makes me pose for these pictures.

[GeeRam]

Looking at the terrain, most likely Battle of Kasserine Pass in Feb 43, which was the first battle between US and German/Italian ground troops IIRC.

I visited the area 20 years ago, and even then it was surprising how many still original paint finish Waffenampt stamped 'Jerry' cans were in general use among the population....as well as a few other ex-Wehrmacht items.

[browningautorifle]

as well as a few other ex-Wehrmacht items

Well there must have been lots of stuff around and it would have been about new. Not like at the other end when they were running low.

[Singer B]

That rifle looks brand new.......oh, yea......never mind......

[GeeRam]

That rifle looks brand new.......oh, yea......never mind......

Well, its got a cupped butt plate, so likely not much more than 18 months old. Afrika Korps supply route to North Africa was pretty strangled by late 42/early 43, so probably from any re-supply that got through in 41/42.

---------- Post added at 08:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:47 AM ----------

That might be true, makes me wonder what became of the 54 pounds of M1 Garands that this German soldier is carrying.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...edm1gjpg-1.jpg

The guy on the right is holding a M1A1 and a M1928 Thompson as well..............and they are both likely Waffen SS Panzer/Armoured crew, as both are wearing the Panzercombi one piece coveralls made from Italian camo material and issued to Waffen SS Panzer/Armoured vehicle crews from 1943.

[Ovidio]

Maybe it now still is somewhere in the US...
Personal war booty of one of these GIs.

[usabaker]

Maybe it now still is somewhere in the US... Personal war booty of one of these GIs.

That might be true, makes me wonder what became of the 54 pounds of M1 Garands that this German soldier is carrying.

[Flying10uk]

makes me wonder what became of the 54 pounds of M1 Garands that this German soldier is carrying.

German soldier holding Garands, "Mochten Sie ein Garand? Nur 50 Reichsmark."