HBO's The Pacific

[garyhan]

My father served in the Pacific in the Army's 2nd Engineer Special Brigade. An unusual unit which was authorized to wear the same am patch as British commandos. He saw combat on New Guinea, New Britain, and the Philippines. At different times he was issued an '03, Carbine, and a Garand. He preferred the '03.

I noted on the episode tonight the Marines had Carbines with the correct early features. Makes me wonder more why they showed them with '03A3's on Guadalcanal.

gary

 

[Lee Roder]

Question re choice of armaments (if anybody knows) -

I learned recently from a veteran my dad served with on Okinawa (the guy who taught him to ride a bike pictured in #25 in this thread) that my father was indeed "issued" a carbine, while he himself carried a machine gun. Both carried pistols.

So, was weaponry basically left to "personal preference"? How were weapons allocated/issued? I've noticed in many many pictures a wide variety of rifles, carbines and SMG;'s - sort of a mottley crew

 

[Cosmoline]

"THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEP REGRET" Lordy, I can only imagine the heart-stopping horror of seeing that in a telegram. To then be followed by "SLIGHTLY WOUNDED" would bring one a mix of emotions. Relief, then a strong, strong desire to find Gen. James Alexander Ulio and "slightly wound" him with a golf club for scaring the heck out of you.

 

[anhedonic]

My Maternal Grandfather was a Platoon Sgt. in the Marine Corps in the Pacific Theater (BB-45 USS Colorado). I'm actually holding his war diary as I type!

He was present for Leyte Gulf, Saipan, Kwajalein, Okinawa and the occupation of the Japanese mainland among other things.

A great man and soldier, who had as much influence in who I am today as anyone. I still miss your wisdom, Christian Augustus Barker!