The Thompson Submachine Gun

From Prohibition Chicago to World War II

The Thompson Submachine Gun cover

The Thompson Submachine Gun

From Prohibition Chicago to World War II

Description

The Thompson submachine gun, or Tommy gun developed an almost iconic status during the 20th century. It had an unusual beginning, for it was developed during the dying days of World War I as a 'one-man, hand-held machine gun.' The war ended before these first prototypes could be shipped to Europe but once the M1921 Thompson formally entered production it was used by the criminals working in Chicago and New York during the 1920s. With the police increasingly outgunned they too were forced to equip themselves with the Tommy gun. It quickly came to be used in Hollywood films, and by the end of the 1930s it would have probably faded from view had history not intervened. With the entry of the US into World War II there was an urgent need to equip and arm a force of epic proportions; the Thompson submachine gun began a second career as part of the US Army. It also became the weapon of choice for the small band of British commandos as they conducted a number of daring raids against the heart of occupied Europe.

Product details

Published 01 Jan 2011
Format Ebook (Epub & Mobi)
Edition 1st
Extent 80
ISBN 9781849086547
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Series Weapon
Short code WPN 1
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Martin Pegler

Martin Pegler has a BA Hons in Medieval and Modern…

Illustrator

Peter Dennis

Peter Dennis was inspired by contemporary magazine…

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