The M1 Carbine (Weapon) [Paperback]

Leroy Thompson (Author), Peter Dennis (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 22, 2011 | Series: Weapon (Book 13)

The M1 Carbine was produced in more numbers than any other US small arm in World War II (1939-1945). In 1938 the US Chief of Infantry requested that the Ordnance Department develop a carbine or light rifle to be used by service and support troops, artillerymen, machinegun crews, tankers, mortar crews and other troops not needing the power of the M1 Garand rifle. The development of this new weapon was given an added impetus by Germany's successful use of airborne and glider troops early on in World War II. This caused a fear amongst US officers that troops normally considered "behind the lines" personnel might have to fight elite German troops and would therefore require a more effective weapon than their standard pistols. The resulting M1 Carbine was a not a shortened version of the standard service rifle but instead a brand-new design chambering a new cartridge. This new weapon would see service in every theater and with all US service arms as well as American and Allied special units including the OSS, Merrill's Marauders, the SAS and the SBS. Eventually numerous manufacturers would combine to produce over six million M1 Carbines before the end of the war. This new title provides an in-depth analysis on this crucial, trailblazing weapon.

Editorial Reviews

Review

WWD

About the Author

Leroy Thompson trained and advised military and police special operations units around the world, focusing especially on the tactical use of firearms. He has previously had 38 books published and more recent titles include The Hostage Rescue Manual, The Counterinsurgency Manual and Secret Techniques of the Elite Forces. He has also had various firearms books published including Great Combat Handguns, and appeared as a weapons expert on documentaries for Discovery, National Geographic and the BBC.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing; First Edition edition (November 22, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1849086192
• ISBN-13: 978-1849086196
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.3 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #89,018 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #77 in Books > History > Military > Weapons & Warfare > Conventional

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another Osprey winner, November 28, 2011

By 

Donald Wayne Kellar "jack arnold fan" (Seabrook, TX) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The M1 Carbine (Weapon) (Paperback)

I have owned two M1 carbines, and can recommend this book. Mr. Thompson gives a concise yet detailed overview of the firearm. Only one quibble: the author reports that future USMC Commandant Lewis "Chesty" Puller approved of the carbine. In WW2, perhaps; but Burke Davis' biography of Puller ("MARINE!") reports that in Korea, Puller apparently believed the oft-told tale of Carbine bullets failing to penetrate Chicom winter clothing, and FORBADE anyone within his HQ to carry one at the front. Otherwise, a fine book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good history of the little carbine, December 9, 2011

By 

Jeff Lewis - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The M1 Carbine (Weapon) (Kindle Edition)

This is an easy to read history of the great little M1 carbine. It follows its progression from development all the way up to Vietnam. The chapter on law enforcement use was very intersting as I had seen the carbine being used in old news reel footage in the hands of police officers. Some of his research varies a little from what I have learned over the years but that doesn't distract from the book at all.

5.0 out of 5 stars Specialty soldier's WWII firearm, December 9, 2011

By 

Andrew J. Brozyna (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The M1 Carbine (Weapon) (Paperback)

As Army service troops, the men in my grandfather's WWII port battalion were all issued the M1 Carbine. To better understand his war experience I have been meaning to I read-up on the weapon he carried. Lucky for me Osprey Publishing recently published a book on the carbine.

Thompson's book details the rifle's use from WWII to Korea to Vietnam. My interest is limited to WWII, which is the main focus of the book. The M1 Carbine was developed specifically for troops who's hands were mostly occupied with non-combat tasks, but were still in a combat zone. It was thought these men needed a weapon more powerful than a pistol, but not as bulky as the standard infantryman's rifle, the M1 Garand.

The Army invited weapons manufacturers to submit designs based on a set of criteria for this light rifle. Thompson details the process and shares some interesting observations. For instance, one of the several companies that was awarded a contract to produce the carbines during the war was the Underwood company. So, a company clerk in the field may have typed reports on an Underwood typewriter, while his Underwood carbine leaned against the desk!

The book goes on to describes the use of the carbine in battle. It was employed most notably by Army paratroopers in Europe who benefited from the weapon's compact size and low weight. In the Pacific the M1 carbine was valued for it's resistance to corrosion, and it's size made it well-suited to close jungle fighting. I especially appreciated page 39 which discusses the M1 Carbine's role in the Army engineer companies. All the port companies taking part in the Normandy invasion were attached to Engineer Special Brigades. Men like my grandfather unloaded supplies with the M1 Carbine slung on their backs. See Longshore Soldiers: Life in a World War II Port Battalion.

In addition to numerous photographs Osprey adds two specially commissioned double-full-page color illustrations and a third single-full-page illustration by historical artist Peter Dennis.