2006-07-21 10:13:27 · 9 answers · asked by jimmy_jack_james 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
No, they didn't.
It depends on the army, of course, and then on the unit... and on what you consider to be a sidearm.
Generally, a sideam is a short firearm, i.e handgun, usually automatic pistol, although some troops (mainly British, IIRC) were issued revolvers as sidearms.
Generally, a sidearm was issued to soldiers who, because of their primary duty - weren't able to carry a regular longarm, or didn't needed such. For example, aircraft crews were issued sidearms in most siuations, but of course they didn't had regular rifles (I think I can remember an exception, however :) ). Then there were vehicle crews, although in some armies they were issued longarms (msotly submachine guns) apart from their handguns.
Also, many special forces soldiers did carried sidearms "in case of".
But generally, when one was meant to fight personally, he received a rifle or submachinegun, and in such a situation a sidearm was considered a waste of time, effort and money.
2006-07-21 10:25:10 · answer #1 · answered by mat_wisniewski 3 · 7⤊ 1⤋
no, the only thing a standard enlisted soldier was issued weapon wise was his rifle, some recieved the BAR, the nco's often were issued pistols and sometimes a thompson depending on the type of unit they were in. tank crews however recieved pistols since there was not enough room inside of a tank for every soldier to have a rifle.that's still the way it works today.
2006-07-21 10:18:08 · answer #2 · answered by thirteen_fox 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depended on the type of unit, special forces and airplane crew members did, regular infantry did not. For the most part side arms, usually the Colt 45 auto, except in the navy where revolvers were still being issued, were reserved for officers.
2006-07-21 10:24:39 · answer #3 · answered by mjlehde@sbcglobal.net 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a general rule only officers get issued sidearms, instead of a rifle or other weapon. The exception would be for Mps or other military police forces.
2006-07-21 10:20:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no they didn't just officers and nco's. but that didn't stop enlisted soldiers from aquiring sidearms and they weren't reprimanded for it.
2006-07-21 11:01:22 · answer #5 · answered by doc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nope. generally officers as I remember reading somewhere. But there were lots of exceptions too.
2006-07-21 10:19:19 · answer #6 · answered by been there! 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO! Only commissioned officers and some non-commissioned officers.
2006-07-21 10:19:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most did not.
2006-07-21 10:19:06 · answer #8 · answered by kearneyconsulting 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't know for sure
2006-07-21 10:22:26 · answer #9 · answered by cashdog137 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋