24 March 2024 Garand Picture of the Day

[Mark in Rochester]

8/3/1942-Somewhere on the Atlantic: This rifleman one of a contingent en route to the British Isles, is shown cleaning his rifle on board ship. The cleanliness of this instrument of war may decide whether or not the owner lives a ripe old age or not.

Uncut op-Rod
Oprod catch in the white

[CINDERS]

Not sure on the Garand S/A's but the venerable Lee Enfieds could ingest a fair bit of crud before failing to function what I reckon did cost soldiers their lives with the 303 was the ubiquitous rim over causing a jam up which can be cleared fairly quickly if you know how to or have practiced it.
For some they may have been still struggling to free up the rounds before being run through or shot.