4 replies to this topic

[TOMMY SMG]

Came across this site that I think you guys will like.

http://www.paratrooper-museum.org


This site is a great site, and be sure to investigate the links. I can stay on this site for hours.

In staying with our "Thompson Board" subject, there is information on the M-1928A1, M-1 and the M-1A1 that the paratroopers used in the Normandy invation. You'll have to dig, but I found a "jumpers load" list that showed if a Thompson 45 submachine gun was assigned to you, you had 300 rounds of ammo in 20 round sticks when you jumped. 14 sticks were in pouches and or your pocket and 1 was loaded into your Thompson SMG at the time of the jump.

Check-it-out, I think you'll like it.

Jim

[bfryar44]

Here are some pictures of the "Dead Mans Corner" Museum taken by Belgian collector Johan Willaert.

http://users.pandora...ecialevents.htm

[TOMMY SMG]

Phil,

Have you seen the movie "Band of brothers"? In the first part of the movie it shows the training and what it takes to make them tough as nails or your thrown out. Most of these guys were 18 to 20 years old, remember when you were that age -- [/B] "BULLET PROOF" and "FULL OF WUPPPPP-ASSSSS" .

Your rite, 300 rounds is a lot of weight along with a Tommy Gun, but that wasn't even a 1/4 of the weight of the entire gear pack. Also, they had to take enough ammo and supplies to last from 20 to 25 days max (if needed) or until they could be resupplied. THOSE GUYS WERE TOUGH.

Remember, if it wasn't for those guys (and the Tommys) that went over there, we would be speaking German over here!!!....

(AND SO WOULD THE REST OF THE WORLD.)

GOD BLESS AMERICA.

Jim

PS - Thanks for the pictures bfryar44, I would like to go there some day.

[Darth_Kitten]

WWII troopers jumped with T-5 and later T-7 Parachutes. Still 28 ft. flat round canopies, just different harnesses, and some canopies were silk instead of nylon.
Many of the troopers that I have talked to carried doubled their weight with chutes and equipment. Ralph Manley (one of our legacy members, and 501st PIR trooper) weighed 185 lbs in June of '44. He stepped on a scale prior to his Normandy Jump, and he weighed 418 lbs. Remarkable men from a remarkable generation.
All the Way!!
Mark
WWII Airborne Demonstration Team Foundation
www.wwiiadt.org

[21 smoker]

Interesting site..thanks for posting...notice one of the pics of `Deadmans Corner`...shows a jeep with a trailer...I`m restoring a similar trailor and setting it up for 3 beltfed mounts for our clubs MG shoot...that pic gives me some ideas for the stencil markings....