Guns: The Evolution of Firearms (2013)
S01E06 The Weapons of World War 2
Episode Overview
In episode six, the focus shifts to the creation of the Thompson .45 caliber submachine gun, widely utilized during America's Prohibition and the Great Depression prior to World War II. The episode explores the transformation of the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) into a fully automatic weapon, alongside the introduction of the M1919 and the iconic .50 caliber M2 or "ma deuce" machine gun, which later served as a sniper rifle for Carlos Hatchcock in Vietnam. A significant portion of the episode highlights the M1 Garand, the first semi-automatic rifle adopted as standard issue globally. Additionally, various small arms from the European and Pacific theaters are showcased, including the lightweight .30 caliber M1 carbine, the upgraded M1A1 carbine with a paratrooper-friendly folding stock, and the stamped M3 submachine gun, commonly referred to as the "grease gun."
