|
Post by hairy apple on Nov 2, 2009 22:55:19 GMT -5
Did the 101st use "snipers" at all? I haven't found anything one way or another about use of "snipers" or anything in any of my research. More interested in 1903a4 use then "snipers" per say, but any one have any info on any of this? Sorry for the "do my research for me" question, but I have just totally failed at finding anything at all. Thanks.
|
|
|
Post by CharleyNovember on Nov 2, 2009 23:08:21 GMT -5
Plausible, if you had a good sharpshooter in your unit you would get him a tool for the job. I can't see it being any harder to jump with a Springfield than it is to jump with a Garand.
|
|
|
Post by waldo on Nov 3, 2009 0:53:56 GMT -5
They were exactly as Charlie described them, the term "sniper" was not in use back then, it would just be one of the best shots in the company who would possibly carry a sharpshooter's rifle.
Nick
|
|
|
Post by hairy apple on Nov 3, 2009 1:22:51 GMT -5
Yeah, notice I had "" these guys around the word "sniper". I couldn't think of the word sharpshooter while I was writting it. I've slowly been finding bits of evidence they did use the springfield 03(actually Remington built all the a3 and a4 models from what I'm reading) as a sharpshooter rifle. Not a lot of info to be found though, I did find this although it looks like maybe a non combat photo.
|
|
deacon
Private 1st Class
Posts: 748
|
Post by deacon on Nov 3, 2009 1:47:24 GMT -5
My grandpa was a sharpshooter in the 346th Engineers during WWII. I know its not airborne related, but cool. although he used an M1, not a Springfield.
|
|
2nd Bat
Master sergeant
Posts: 11,813
|
Post by 2nd Bat on Nov 3, 2009 3:02:45 GMT -5
That photo of a fellow in an M42 and a Mae West with a M1903A4 is pretty convincing no matter what the circumstances. With that I would certainly say it's a go. As for jumping the Springfield was considerably lighter than an M1 Garand
|
|
MAS
Private 1st Class
Posts: 590
|
Post by MAS on Nov 3, 2009 21:40:32 GMT -5
in one of my books I read about one
|
|
|
Post by hairy apple on Nov 3, 2009 22:26:36 GMT -5
Hum, any idea which book? I just can't find any information much at all.
|
|
|
Post by supernube on Nov 3, 2009 23:07:07 GMT -5
Spencer Wurst's memoir "From the Clouds" mentions the use of the 1903A4 in the 82nd Airborne. It's a good read.
|
|
|
Post by waldo on Nov 5, 2009 1:29:06 GMT -5
Great photo of a 505er in North Africa, I knew you knew what the word was, just had it on the tip of your tongue. ;D
Nick
|
|
|
Post by themango on Nov 5, 2009 1:40:09 GMT -5
Waldo is right about that photo. It is definitely a 505th soldier in North Africa. There are a couple of photos in Michel de Trez book At The Point Of No Return of some 101st soldiers with M1903A3's. Not necessarily used for "sniper" purposes but definitely of interest to see them being used in Normandy. I definitely recommend any of the Michel de Trez books as they provide an incredible amount of original photos.
|
|
|
Post by hairy apple on Nov 5, 2009 2:06:05 GMT -5
I knew you knew what the word was, just had it on the tip of your tongue. ;D Nick That and I managed to hurt myself and was on some major pain killers trying to put a sentance together... not an easy task. Thanks for the info all. I will look into the books mentioned. Being laid off right now has given me lots of reading/research time. I know they used 1903a3s for launching grenades, I'm just trying to figure out if they used the A4s at all.
|
|
|
Post by thisissparta on Jun 6, 2011 16:09:19 GMT -5
they also used garands for launchin nades, a4s weren't actually given to the paratroopers but 2nd Rangers who did have them often didn't want them and would quickly pick up zf41s for kar98k when they could find them, it would be very possible that a ranger could have traded his a4 for... maybe a paratrooper carbine. All in all it would possible a paratrooper got an a4, but because of it's unlikeliness you would have to be the only paratrooper of all wwii reenactment to have on
|
|
Sgt_Tom
Technical Sgt.
Combat!
Posts: 3,580
|
Post by Sgt_Tom on Jun 6, 2011 17:35:32 GMT -5
This thread is over a year old you know.
|
|
|
Post by thisissparta on Jun 6, 2011 19:21:02 GMT -5
well i'm sure it's a question a lot of people ask so i think we should bring it back to life!
|
|
|
Post by Rapture on Jun 6, 2011 19:36:58 GMT -5
Lt magellis in all the way to Berlin was issued a springfield and a thompson according to his book about his time in the 82nd
|
|
|
Post by thisissparta on Jun 6, 2011 19:41:46 GMT -5
a4 or a3?, because we already know they were issued a3s
|
|