What Guns Did the U.S. Use in WW2?
The United States played a significant role in World War II, and its arsenal was crucial in the war effort. From small-caliber pistols to heavy artillery, the U.S. military employed a wide range of firearms during the war. In this article, we will explore the various guns used by the U.S. during WW2.
Infantry Weapons
The standard issue rifle for the U.S. infantry during WW2 was the M1903 Springfield, a bolt-action rifle chambered in.30-06 Springfield. However, this rifle was heavy and had a slow rate of fire, which made it less effective in modern warfare.
In response, the U.S. Army developed the M1 Garand, a semi-automatic rifle chambered in.30-06 Springfield. The M1 Garand was more accurate and had a higher rate of fire than the M1903 Springfield, making it a significant improvement. The M1 Garand was used extensively throughout the war and became an iconic symbol of American infantry.
Machine Guns
The U.S. military used several machine guns during WW2, including:
- M1919 Browning, a.30-caliber medium machine gun used by infantry units
- M2 Browning, a.50-caliber heavy machine gun used by tankers and anti-aircraft units
- M1917 Browning, a.30-caliber heavy machine gun used by artillery units
Submachine Guns
The U.S. military also employed several submachine guns during WW2, including:
- Thompson M1928, a.45-caliber submachine gun used by infantry units and special forces
- M3 Grease Gun, a.45-caliber submachine gun used by infantry units
- M2 Hyde, a.45-caliber submachine gun used by paratroopers
Handguns
The U.S. military issued several handguns during WW2, including:
- Colt M1911, a.45-caliber semi-automatic pistol used by officers and pilots
- M1917 revolver, a.45-caliber revolver used by officers and troops
- Ruger Mark II, a.45-caliber semi-automatic pistol used by pilots and tankers
Anti-Tank Weapons
The U.S. military used several anti-tank weapons during WW2, including:
- M1919 Browning, used in anti-tank configuration with a rifle grenade
- M1 Garand, used with a anti-tank rifle grenade
- bazooka, a portable anti-tank rocket launcher
Artillery
The U.S. military used several types of artillery during WW2, including:
- Howitzers: 105mm, 155mm, and 240mm
- Guns: 75mm, 90mm, 105mm, and 155mm
- Cannons: 90mm, 120mm, and 155mm
Anti-Aircraft Weapons
The U.S. military used several anti-aircraft weapons during WW2, including:
- Bofors 40mm, a semi-automatic anti-aircraft gun
- Oerlikon 20mm, a rapid-fire anti-aircraft gun
- M1 anti-aircraft gun, a 75mm anti-aircraft gun
Table: U.S. Infantry Weapons in WW2
| Weapon | Caliber | Action | Rate of Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| M1903 Springfield | .30-06 | Bolt-action | 20-30 rounds/min |
| M1 Garand | .30-06 | Semi-automatic | 40-50 rounds/min |
| M1919 Browning | .30-06 | Medium machine gun | 400-600 rounds/min |
| M2 Browning | .50 | Heavy machine gun | 450-650 rounds/min |
| M1917 Browning | .30-06 | Heavy machine gun | 250-400 rounds/min |
Conclusion
The U.S. military employed a wide range of guns during WW2, from infantry weapons to anti-aircraft artillery. The development and production of these guns played a significant role in the Allied victory. From the M1 Garand rifle to the M1919 Browning machine gun, each weapon played a unique role in the war effort. This article provides an overview of the various guns used by the U.S. during WW2, highlighting their calibers, actions, and rates of fire.
