M3 or Grease Gun

[connie]

What I know of weaponry is limited. But, this one may have verified a link. One man in the 592nd spoke of a Lt. who had a "grease gun." This was a novelty. Discussion with my older brother verified that Dad had acquired and carried one of these at some time during the war. In the initial days of the bulge when even cooks in rear units found themselves facing the enemy, the urge was there to acquire more effective weapons. And, on supply runs Dad had verified the need for stronger fire power. I don't believe this weapon was standard issue for a field artillery Lt.

Here's the wikopedia link
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M3_submachine_gun

further information on the issue of this weapon would be of interest to me

[Carl W.]

The M3 "Grease Gun" replaced the Thompson SMG. The problem with the Thompson was that it was such a quality firearm that it cost too much to produce it. In 1939 a TSMG cost $200 to produce and this price was dropped to about $45 in 1944. The TSMG production stopped in that year and was replaced by the M3, also in .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol Cartridge).

Like the German MP44, a weapon that had it's prominent first appearance during the Ardennes Offensive it was manufactured out of stamped steel sheeting. First models of the M3 had the hand crank on the receiver which was replaced on later models by a retractable bolt handle on the upper receiver. It got it's nick name because it looked like a mechanic's grease gun.

Some wartime pictures show the M3 Grease Gun in action in Normandy in June 1944. It saw widespread distribution in the later stages of the ETO campaign, with replacement units and new divisions such as the 106th being issued some. There's a well known photograph of two infantry soldiers rolling up their packs near Manhay. One of them carries a Grease Gun.

An SMG is not immediately an artilleryman's weapon. Most artillerymen were issued the light M1 Carbine. Some wartime pictures also show artillery guncrews with a mix of both carbines and M3's. However I believe it is mostly a matter of taste, necessity and a question of what is on hand at the time. Weapons were often traded or switched by soldiers. I recall a story of Major Goldstein, X-O 589th FA Bn at Parker's Crossroads who traded his Colt .45 pistol with a tanker of the 3rd Armored for a tanker's jacket and a Thompson SMG. the Tanker needed something small that didn't got in the way if he needed to exit the tank in a hurry and the major needed a thicker jacket against the cold and some bigger firepower against the German grenadiers attacking the crossroads.

Carl

[floydragsdale]

Hello Connie:

The Greae Gun wasn't standard equipment in 106th Div. Rifle Comanies either.

One way to get one was to trade an item with someone who wanted what the other fellow had.

Some G.I.s claimed, "you couldn't hit a bull in the rear end at ten paces with a 45 Pistol."

People in our Heavy Weapons platoon had 45's and they wanted something with accuracy that had more fire power. The Grease Gun, or, Thompson Sub. Machine Gun was their desire to own. They usually got what they wanted in a tade deal with someone in another outfit.

I was an assistant gunner in our Mortar Section; thus I had a Carbine & could probably hit the"Bull" at ten paces; however beyond that it wasn't very useful.

Christmas day, during the Bulge, Brigider General Bruce Clark of the 7th? Armored Division heard me complaining about my "no good carbine". He took his rifle (a springfield 03 with some clips) from his vehicle and traded weapons with me and said, as he handed it to me, "Take good care of this rifle Soldier, I used it in France during WWI."

The Springfield 03 had a sight that could be adjusted up to 2,000 yards. It was a heck of alot better than shooting at something ten paces away.

With a carbine rifle, one had to aim over there to it a target over here. Some people called that Kentucky Windage; a very good reason to trade it for something else!

Floyd

[srpratt]

Hi Sister,

While the 03 could be adjusted to distances greater than 2,000 yards one cannot see a target smaller than a house at that range let alone hit it. Concerning the M1 carbine, I carried one in Nam and did pretty well with it out to 100 yards. Have one today and really enjoy shooting it and it is effective to about 100 yards. M1 which is the same cartridge as the 03 is better at that range and hits a whole lot harder but is not nearly as pleasant to shoot.
Stan