Description

In 1938 the US Chief of Infantry requested that the Ordnance Department develop a carbine to be used by service and support troops, artillerymen, machine-gun crews, tankers, mortar crews and other troops not needing the power of the M1 Garand rifle. The development of this new weapon was given an added impetus by Germany's successful use of airborne and glider troops early on in World War II. This caused a fear amongst US officers that troops normally considered 'behind the lines' personnel might have to fight elite German troops and would therefore require a more effective weapon than their standard pistols. The resulting M1 Carbine was a not a shortened version of the standard service rifle but instead a brand-new design chambering a new cartridge. Eventually numerous manufacturers would combine to produce over six million M1 Carbines before the end of the war. This book charts the complete story of the weapon, from its design, to its operational history and its impact upon warfare.

Product details

Published Nov 20 2011
Format Ebook (Epub & Mobi)
Edition 1st
Extent 80
ISBN 9781849089074
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 40 b/w; 15 col
Series Weapon
Short code WPN 13
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Leroy Thompson

Leroy Thompson has trained military and police spe…

Illustrator

Peter Dennis

Peter Dennis was inspired by contemporary magazine…

Illustrator

Alan Gilliland

Alan Gilliland, a contributor to more than 70 Ospr…

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