If you were in the United States Army or Marines in WWII as an infantryman, what would have been your preferred weapon to carry and utilize in combat?

Of course in that time you didn’t generally have the option to choose starting out.

M1903A4

M1 Carbine

👌

As a rifleman or similar the M1 Garand for it's long range capability. And it would most likely be what I was issued, familiar with, and responsible for. The M1 Carbine was issued to Squad leaders and I know there are times in history that it had it's place in combat. Rather for close combat I would probably want a Thompson using the same ammo as the pistols carried, but it too was an officer and scout weapon. If I were a big guy, I might say I wanted to carry a BAR, but otherwise having to carry that heavy weapon and the extra ammo needed would sure wear on me. If I had been issued a bolt action and not filling a sniper role, I would probably get rid of it for a Garand at my first opportunity.

M1 Garand as my primary and a 1911 as my sidearm, maybe a shottie across my back.

B52

Depends on where I was I guess.

Europe-
D-Day- Garand

City combat- Thompson M1A1

Getting from point A to B- Carbine....those things are ultra light, but lack accuracy down range.

Pacific-
I think I would prefer the carbine over most others.

Never mind was developed after WWII

A loaded M1 Garand weighed 11#'s.
A loaded BAR weighed 19#'s
A loaded Thompson weighed 14#'s.
A M2 mortar weighed 42#'s.

Lugging those plus your pack, shovel, grandes, extra ammo, etc across North Africa and Europe must have sucked bad!

Put me down for the M1 carbine at 6#'s if I'm going to have to walk long distance.

In the jungles of Guadalcanal I would have preferred a Thompson.

In the sands of Iwo Jima an M1 Garand.

"Don't venture out too far fellas. This Sniper's got talent."

Barry Pepper.

Audie Murphy mentions several times that was his favorite. He also mentioned about taping the magazines together for for the carbine and Thompson. You see the Thompson magazines taped together in To Hell and Back.


Think I would pick a Thompson or M1 Garand.

Yessir.

One of the greatest American films ever made. Due to my age when it was released, it completely changed my outlook on life.

You could always pick a WWII vintage.

Did you ever see Masters of the Air?

Masters of the Air is awesome.

The OP’s question was about the same question I asked an old Marine some years ago. He dated back to the Korean War and did several tours in VN. His answer was about his time in combat in Korea, and he said he carried the weapon best suited for what he was about to do. He did say that using a sub machine gun almost always caused the air around him to be full of lead, whereas a Garand didn’t. The old guy didn’t talk much, but I listened close when he did.

The old Marine was Old Friend Pete’s (now deceased) top Sergeant from Mexico City Embassy duty days. A truly tough and grumpy old guy. One of those people you never forget.

And I should add that the old Marine was a huge fan of the greatest battle rifle ever (to him), the 03. Pete thought the Garand was the best, but had no love for the M14. I don’t remember any discussion on the M16, but personally I didn’t much care for it, but own ARs nowadays.

Thompson and 1911 as backup

M1 Garand if available. Early on before M1s were issued a 1903A3 would be okay. If constrained to bolt actions but I could pick any nation's bolt action, the No. 4 Mk. 1 would get the easy nod.

Yes loved it, … in this case I think I’d pick B-26 or B-29(with the atomic load)

3rd

M3 Grease Gun is pretty cool. I'm surprised no one has mentioned it.

BAR, even in the jungle… I have a Garand and I love it. I still want a BAR…