John Garands new-fangled battle rifles first challenge was to replace a long-serving legend theM1903 Springfield rifle.
It is too big and heavy.
The negative rumors continued until the initial issues with the Garand were worked out.
U.S. paratroopers capturing a Nazi in Normandy with a M1 rifle fitted with the 10″ M1 bayonet. Image: NARA
Quietly, the M1 was gaining in numbers and popularity as Americas new service rifle.
The M1 rifle was there, albeit in small numbers, to oppose them.
The Garands initial use in combat was fraught with some confusion; in some cases, U.S. Nearly 23,000 American troops and more than 100,000 Filipinos were killed or captured.
This U.S. soldier is learning how to run an early “gas-trap” Garand rifle in November 1939. Image: NARA
One of these units was the 1stRanger Battalion, commanded by Major William Darby.
Many of the Rangers hit the beach with No.
4 Commando in their attack on the German coastal battery Hess, positioned west of Dieppe town.
First blood: a rare photo of an M1 rifle in use on Bataan during February 1942. Image: NARA
During that action, some of the U.S. troops carried M1 rifles into combat.
Of the 50 Rangers that went ashore that day, six were killed and four were captured.
Seven others were wounded but returned to England.
The 32nd Infantry Division with the M1 Garand and M1903 Springfield rifles ready to disembark in Australia during November 1942. Image: NARA
The M1 rifle had met the Axis on both sides of the world.
Even more M1s were in use with the U.S. Army units that helped finally secure the island.
Hard fighting followed in the Solomon Islands, on New Guinea, New Britain and Bougainville.
The M1 rifle in the hands of U.S. Marine Raiders during 1943. Image: NARA
The M1 Garand came ashore for this campaign still paired with the M1903 Springfield in many units.
The painfully bruised digit that comes with M1 Thumb became a common distinguishing mark on a new recruit.
The G.I.s complained about the M1s weight (11.2 lbs.
The M1 saw its first significant action against German forces during Operation Torch, the invasion of French North Africa. Image: NARA
The M1 was accurate enough to serve as a marksmans rifle even without a scope.
Even as the Germans introduced theirSturmgewehr StG44 assault rifle(7.92x33mm Kurz), U.S.
Even at the battle of Tarawa in November 1943, several Marines can be seen carrying the M1903 Springfield.
Remembering the fallen: Men of the 1st Special Service Force(The Devil’s Brigade) tend to the grave of a fallen fighter. Anzio, February 1944.
But by the invasion of Saipan in June 1944, the M1 rifle was widely issued throughout the U.S.M.C.
U.S. soldiers training stateside with the M1 in the prone position. Image: Author’s collection
The M1 rifle in use during the 4th Army maneuvers in Washington state during August 1941. Image: NARA
A G.I. of the 69th Infantry Division, battle-hardened after just a few days in combat. March 1945. Image: NARA
This G.I. with the 79th ID launches a fragmentation grenade in thehedgerows of Normandyduring the summer of 1944. Image: NARA
A tense moment of mortal combat for the Marines on Tarawa during November 1943. Image: NARA
Counter-sniper: A Leatherneck marksman at work on Bougainville during December 1943. Image: NARA
A G.I. of the 96th ID on Okinawa, June 9, 1945. He carries both a M1911 pistol and a capturedJapanese Type 14 Nambu pistol. Image: NARA
