Description

The M1 Carbine was produced in more numbers than any other US small arm in World War II (1939-1945). In 1938 the US Chief of Infantry requested that the Ordnance Department develop a carbine or light rifle to be used by service and support troops, artillerymen, machinegun 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. This new weapon would see service in every theater and with all US service arms as well as American and Allied special units including the OSS, Merrill's Marauders, the SAS and the SBS. Eventually numerous manufacturers would combine to produce over six million M1 Carbines before the end of the war. This new title provides an in-depth analysis on this crucial, trailblazing weapon.

Table of Contents

Introduction /Development /Use /Impact /Further Reading

Product details

Published Nov 22 2011
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 80
ISBN 9781849086196
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 40 b/w; 15 col
Dimensions 10 x 7 inches
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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