What would you arm your troops with?

[selector67]

Say you were a leader of a country during WW2, and you could arm your soldiers with whatever was available during that time up to 1945. Could be from any country. We can also include the FN-49 in this scenario since it would have been put in prodution if the Germans had not invaded Belgium in 1940. The catagories would be ---1. Infantry rifle--2.Pistol--The M1 carbine can be put in either category since it is in between. ---3.Submachinegun. ---4.Light machinegun--such as the BAR or BREN gun.---5.Medium machine gun or GPMG ---like the MG-34,42 or Browning machine guns.

 

[Spencer]

Infantry rifle- Sturmgewehr 44.
Pistol- Colt 1911
Submachinegun- Thompson submachine gun
Light machinegun- BAR
Machinegun- MG-42

 

[AJ Dual]

Actualy, the US was very well armed for WWII. There really wasn't much that needed "fixing" in that conflict, IMO.

I don't think I'd change much from the American loadout other than perhaps the crew-served GMPG. The BAR for LMG was great. But for GMPG I'd go with the 42, just because it's still one of the best designs out there. The 1919 and it's descendants are still great IMO, I'd only choose the 42 to have the absolute best in terms of ROF, ergonomics and barrel changes.

However, even then the Brownings were and still are awsome. I'd certainly not take the MG--42 if it meant that I had to give up the M2 .50.

IMO, when deployed in a ground role instead of as AA, the M2 was kind of like the "American 88", in the way.

 

[Cosmoline]

Rifle: SAFN (since you allow it) in 8x57JS

Pistol: M1911A1 in .45 ACP

Sub: Suomi M-31 in 9x19

LMG: Degtyarev M-27 in 8x57JS

MMG: MG-42 in 8x57JS

HMG: M-2 in .50 BMG

 

[mp510]

I'll play:

Rifle: Garand
Pistol: 1911A1
Subgun:
LMG: BAR
GPMG: MG42

 

[Cromlech]

You guys really like to mix and match, don't you?

I'm going to assume that were you to adopt the MG42 alongside the BAR and Garand, that you would build them chambered for 30.06.

As much as I love British stuff (the Bren is cool as hell), If I were able to choose arms for my side on a whim, I would equip my troops to be compatible with U.S forces, so that we could 'borrow' stuff from you guys.

That being said, I would equip most standard troops with something like the STG44, being the most efficient weapon for the type of engagements likely to occur. If more of the Germans had those early on in the war (as well as better cold weather gear and supplies) they might just have taken Russia.

Might being the key word, here.
Invading Russia =
Biggest.

Mistake.

Ever.

 

[Irwin]

Rifle:Lee-Enfields in .303
Pistol:M1911A1
Sub-Gun:Sten
LMG:Bren
GPMG:Vickers in .303

 

[Spencer]

Rifle:Lee-Enfields in .303
Pistol:M1911A1
Sub-Gun:Sten
LMG:Bren
GPMG:Vickers in .303

I'll play:

Rifle: Garand
Pistol: 1911A1
Subgun:
LMG: BAR
GPMG: MG42

Rifle: SAFN (since you allow it) in 8x57JS

Pistol: M1911A1 in .45 ACP

Sub: Suomi M-31 in 9x19

LMG: Degtyarev M-27 in 8x57JS

MMG: MG-42 in 8x57JS

HMG: M-2 in .50 BMG

I'm really surprised no one else chose the sturmgewehr as the infantry rifle. It was the first assault rifle, and quite effective, it just came too late in the war for the Germans though, and if it had come earlier, I have a feeling it would have made a much larger impact.

 

[HorseSoldier]

Rifle: StG-44

Pistol: HP-35

Sub-Gun: Unnecessary. Issue more StG-44s. Knock together a folding stock version if guys need it.

LMG: MG-42 with bipod

GPMG: MG-42 with tripod

 

[Spencer]

Sub-Gun: Unnecessary. Issue more StG-44s. Knock together a folding stock version if guys need it.

That's what I'm talking about.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

BARS all around

 

[rudolf]

Pistol: anything in 9mm, isn't importatnt
Rifle: STgw 44
MG: MG42

A MG42 weighs 25 lb, a BAR 19 LB, so why would you want a BAR as a "light" MG if you could have a MG42?

 

[Cosmoline]

I'm really surprised no one else chose the sturmgewehr as the infantry rifle. It was the first assault rifle, and quite effective, it just came too late in the war for the Germans though, and if it had come earlier, I have a feeling it would have made a much larger impact.

Yeah, but it had (and has) a reputation as problem-prone and even dangerous to fire. It's no AK-47.

 

[SigfanUSAF]

Pistol: Of course the 1911A1
SMG: Thompsen M1 (Keep something in line with the pistol ammo
Carbine: M1 carbine chambered in .45acp (I can dream, can't I)
Rifle: #4 mk 1 Enfield in 30-06 (Hey, I love my Enfy, and the '06 cartridge)
SAW: BAR
GPMG: M2HB .50 cal.

And of course a few 03's to various marksman in the company.

Myself being the supreme commander would carry one of those Lugers in .45 auto we tested before adopting the 1911

Invading Russia =
Biggest.

Mistake.

Ever.

That, and killing 6 million+ Jews. Imagine the tide of war with all that logistical power concentrated on the western front

 

[crunker]

Rifle: MP-44
SMG: Thompson 9mm or STEN
Sidearm: Colt 1911
Sniper rifle: FG-42 or Springfiled 30-06
Carbine: M1A

 

[cslinger]

Rifle - STG44
SMG - STG44
Carbine - Why if my troops are in an area they need a gun they get an STG44 and a sling.
LMG/GPMG - MG42
HMG - MA Deuce
Pistol - 1911
Sniper Rifle - Enfield

Screw logistics

 

[lionking]

the Garand was the best battle rifle in WWII hands down.

for pistol the 1911 .45 without a doubt the best,though I really like shooting a P38 but would rather have a .45ACP.

aperature sights I feel are superior so for bolt action either the Enfield .303 or M1903a3.

My understanding is the Germans respected the M2 .50 ALOT.And the allies feared and respected the MG42.

of all the countries involved it seems the Japanese had the most inferior weapons.Mix matching cartridges was mentioned and the Japanese did that which was a problem for logistics.

Im just glad we won!hope carnage never happens again on that scale.

 

[cslinger]

the Garand was the best battle rifle in WWII hands down.

Just to play devil's advocate the Garand was probably the best mass produced rifle of the war. The STG 44 on the other hand was the face of things to come and its basic premise is still in use today. The biggest problem the STG 44 had was getting enough of them built and into the troops hands, that went for the magazines as well. Would the German army have fielded the STG44 as its standard infantry arm, with adequate magazines etc. I suspect we would be looking at the arms of WWII differently. I am not saying it would have changed the outcome of the war but I think it would have changed a few battles.

Chris

 

[yongxingfreesty]

pistol: glocks, 92fs, 1911
rifle: ar15, mp5, m1 garand

 

[lionking]

I agree cslinger,Im basing my response on pitting the Garand against bolt action rifles used.

Im glad the Germans were not able to field a few of their wonder weapons in mass,on the ground and in the air.

Im glad that for the most part the allies had better leadership.

Im glad we dropped the Abomb,Im not glad we had to but it ended the war,and The axis powers would have used one without a thought if they could have.

hope the shtf will never happen again.

 

[lionking]

hey,just a plug for a thread I made in case you did'nt see it.


http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=217887

 

[Spencer]

the Garand was the best battle rifle in WWII hands down.

It was inferior to the Sturmgewehr, but the StG didn't see enough action to become that popular. The AK-47 design was derived from it, as were most military rifles built today.

Yeah, but it had (and has) a reputation as problem-prone and even dangerous to fire. It's no AK-47.

It wasn't an AK-47, but it had 3-4 times the capacity of a Garand, had detachable magazines, and could be fired easily on fully automatic. I have a feeling that if this rifle was deployed by the Germans from the start of the war and throughout, the Garand would have been thought of as inferior looking back.

As someone else said, it wouldn't have changed the outcome of the war, but it might have changed our outlook on the firearms.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Rifle: Armalite AR-10 Carbine

Sidearm: S&W 1006

SMG: HK UMP10

SG: Remington 11-87 police

GPMG: M60

HMG: What else? Ma-Duece.

Edit:

sorry, didn't catch the WWII bit.

Regarding that, I don't think our boys could have been better armed (though the MG-42 was arguably superior to our M2 .30's/1919's).

 

[Cosmoline]

The STG 44 was an IMPORTANT and INFLUENTIAL firearm, one of the most important of the 20th century. But it does not enjoy a good reputation as far as its actual service history. The receivers weren't strong enough, the design was far too heavy and breakdowns were common. Part of the reason so many here are listing it is because so few have actually shot one Innovation isn't everything. I chose my firearms because they have a proven track record in the field of extreme toughness and popularity with the troops. The SAFN obviously never served in WWII, but I've owned it and shot it and it has all of Saive's genius in it. It's as tough as the FN-FAL and twice as elegant.

 

[.45Guy]

Lets see:
Service rifle: FG-42
Pistol: M1 Carbine... That's what it was designed for.
LMG: DPM
GPMG: MG-42
HMG: Krupnokalibernyj Pulemet Vladimirova 14.5mm