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Random Cool Photo Thread
- Thread starter Smithy
- Start date
B-Man2
Well-Known Member
Bit fuzzy but great photo, Kiwi lance corporal at Cassino, February '44. Once again demonstrates the enormous amount of Thompson SMGs that Kiwi units used (NZ units carried a far greater concentration of the weapon than any other, even the Americans).
The Thompson was a great close quarters weapon… no doubt about it . Great for clearing building and ranges of 200 yards in .
The problem with it was the .45 cal ammo was heavy to carry, and you used up what you could carry very quickly if you used the fully auto option. Fire control was imperative because the guy carrying it could easily find himself in the middle of a firefight out of ammo. I think that was one of the reasons the Thompson’s weren’t issued as much in great numbers . Also the M-1 Garand was the main battle rifle for most GIs as it could reach out to a thousand yards plus with an expert marksman.
Smithy
Well-Known Member
I think a lot of it comes down to theatre of operation useage Burt. The NZ government put in enormous orders for the weapon ONLY after the start of the Italian campaign. The NZ combat experience had changed from North Africa to Italy where NZ infantry forces were being used more and more in village/town and urban environments where the Thompson was a more effective weapon in range restricted terrain than the standard Lee-Enfield rifle. Kiwis didn't need all of a unit to have long range weapons. It was standard to have a Bren, the NCOs and any senior members usually had Tommys with the rest carrying L-Es.
Smithy
Well-Known Member
When you're fighting in an urban or semi-built up terrain, it's weight of fire which is more important than range.
Kiwi units needed and liked the short-range weight of fire that the Thompson gave Burt.
It was a weapon that suited the Kiwis well for their combat environment.
If I was fighting house to house and clearing villages I'd rather have a Tommy too
Kiwi units needed and liked the short-range weight of fire that the Thompson gave Burt.
It was a weapon that suited the Kiwis well for their combat environment.
If I was fighting house to house and clearing villages I'd rather have a Tommy too
Shanghai-Mayne
Well-Known Member
Fourth Marine at Shanghai
FlakMagnet
Well-Known Member
NZSAS returning to LZ Nadzab Vietnam
Shanghai-Mayne
Well-Known Member
Smithy
Well-Known Member
Terrific photo that Flak.
FlakMagnet
Well-Known Member
FlakMagnet
Well-Known Member
ZuZu
Well-Known Member
Yes- like the sad incident with the charbroiled baby and the little 12 year old. Started out like this.Another terrific LIFE image, South Vietnamese AF napalm strike...
Smithy
Well-Known Member
Not just nape Jeff, all bombs blow stuff and people up. Incendiary bombs did far more damge during WWII, but Vietnam was the first war to really photographically document war in all its horror.
Stuff blowing up and burning in WWII wasn't somehow more morally right and less horrific than stuff blowing up and burning during the Vietnam War.
ZuZu
Well-Known Member
I was just saying that the famous picture of the naked girl was the result of a South Vietnamese bomb attack on a village. Believe me I never said blowing people up in WW2 was morally right- don't you know me?
If you watch the whole film of that attack it occurs at the end of the war and was all a South Vietnamese thing.
Why would you ever think that I would find WW2 horror more morally upright? You baffle me man!
ZuZu
Well-Known Member
Smithy the last time we tangled was because I called RAF Bomber Command the moral equivalent of the Allgemeine SS. I've never thought WW2 was moral at all. Ditto all war.
WW2 was a "moral war", but like any war, a lot of immoral actions happened on all sides.
But comparing RAF Bomber Command to Allgemeine SS? That's a bit of a reach.
