Copyright 2006 T. Sheil & A. Sheil All Rights Reserved
The trenches of World War I were dominated by heavy artillery and heavy machine guns. To meet the challenge, light automatic weapons were developed. It was thought these could bring enough firepower forward to counter machine gun positions. Another use was to be in trench raids. In fact, the original name of the submachine gun was "trench broom." Most of these weapons were still on the drawing board as the War ended.
During the 1920s and through the 1930s, various automatic weapons entered the world's arsenals. They were designed for a variety of uses, most theoretical. Several got their initial combat uses by feuding gangsters. Others that seemed to have little real use became proven winners in the 1940s. Four types of light automatic weapons existed before the end of World War II.
Automatic Rifle: developed during World War I, the automatic rifle is just what the name implies. The magazine-fed weapon gives the infantry squad additional firepower. In some ways, it acts as a light machine gun. However, it is not as cumbersome as a machine gun and so makes movement easier. The automatic rifle proved its worth during World War II. The assault rifle made the automatic rifle obsolete.
Light Machine Gun: the machine guns of World War I were ponderous, but effective. Lighter machine guns were developed during the 1920s. They did not pack the punch of their heavier counterparts, yet provided plenty of firepower. Light machine guns were more portable and set up easier and faster. They could be given to infantry squads and mounted on vehicles for additional firepower. Popular examples were the German MG 34 and MG42, British "Bren" gun and Soviet "Degtyarev" with its disc-shaped magazine.
Assault Rifles: improving technology led to the development of lighter automatic weapons. The ideas was to improve the infantry rifle by giving it multiple capabilities. The addition of automatic fire gave the rifle the additional capabilities of the submachine gun and automatic rifle. Germany produced its MP43 and MP 44 during World War II. Since then, numerous others have been in service. These include the American M16, Soviet AK47, Belgian FN, German H&K and British SLR.
Submachine Gun: also known as a "machine pistol," the first submachine guns were intended as a "trench broom." Their place was doubtful between the World Wars until gangsters used them effectively. Armies took notice. Submachine guns were issued to NCOs and armored vehicle crews, as well as special troops such as paratroopers and commandos. The Finns made expert use of them in their ski assaults against Russian forces. After World War II, these weapons were issued mostly to tank crews and support troops. The submachine gun is used by special operations troops and police. The police like them because their low-velocity rounds are less likely to cause accidental casualties.
Browning Automatic Rifle
"20 Rounds, 20 Pounds" The "BAR" gave infantry squads more firepower. |
Though it was a heavy automatic weapon ,the BAR could be fired from the sam,e positions as a rifle. It was heavy and it kicked, but it was portable. That gave it a big advantage over the more cumbersome light machine guns like the MG34. |
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The Browning Automatic Rifle was easy to fire on the move. That was hard to do with a light machine gun like the MG34. The BAR gave American infantry automatic firepower during a fast assault. |
Developed during World War I, the BAR remained in use until about 1960. One odd fact: Clyde Barrow of the "Bonnie and Clyde" gangster duo preferred the BAR over other automatic weapons. He would rob National Guard armories to get them. Ironically, he was killed in a police ambush by a BAR.. |
Light Machine Gun
The MG34 set the standard for a light machine gun. It was standard issue for the German Army during World War II. It was usually fired from the prone position, or from a rest. As well as being issued to infantry squads, these machine guns were mounted on tanks and other vehicles. They were light and portable, but difficult to fire on the move. The above illustration shows the proper way to fire the weapon. Some men placed the left hand under the stock. |
This MG34 is on a tripod mount. |
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Two American G.I.s are firing the German MG34. They are in the proper position for firing, right down to the proper grip on the weapon. |
German soldier advances with a predecessor to the MG34. It uses a dual drum magazine. The recoil of the weapon makes it a difficult task to fire on the move. |
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Japanese light machine gun with top-loading magazine and bayonet. It resembles the British Bren gun. |
The Johnson light machine gun was used by US Marines and the First Special Forces (Devil's Brigade). It has a side-loading magazine
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Assault Rifle
The M16 is an assault rifle. It can act as a rifle, a submachine gun or automatic rifle. The bipod is used in its automatic rifle role. |
Note the grip. though the M16 has a pistol grip,. it is held the same as other rifles. The elbow of the firing arm points to the side, not down. |
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Here is the inside view of a pistol grip on an automatic weapon |
Proper grip. The cheek is against the stock, the eyes look down the sights. {1} |
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The crouch was standard prior to 1985. It was used for advancing into possibly dangerous territory, house clearing ,etc. It has been replaced by keeping the rifle at the shoulder, like when aiming to fire. |
The M14 was America's first assault rifle. It fired a 7.62mm round and had selective fire (semi and full automatic). A similar weapon was the Belgian-made FN, which was a popular assault rifle in the 1970s. Other well-known assault rifles are the H&K, Israeli Galil and Soviet AK47. |
Submachine Gun
Thompson Submachine Gun with drum magazine
German MP40 Submachine Gun Another name for the submachine gun is "machine pistol." Machine guns fire rifle ammunition and larger. Submachine guns fire pistol ammunition. They are intended to put out much firepower at very close range. |
German flak crew in Summer Uniform. The NCO in foreground has the MP 40. This weapon was good for close ranges, but wildly inaccurate at a distance. It has since been made obsolete by the assault rifle. Police like the submachine gun for "SWAT" work in urban areas. The weapon has better accuracy than a pistol at close range, yet the smaller bullets will not penetrate walls, thus minimizing danger to civilians.. |
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Marine fires Thompson submachine gun from rest. Note the cartridges being ejected. |
Marine with Thompson submachine gun. The weapon was developed too late for the First World War. Ignored by the military, it gained their interest when their effectiveness was revealed in criminal gang wars. |
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Firing positions for the submachine gun. |
More firing positions. The standing pose above is used most often when fighting gets close. |
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