During World War II, was it common for Allied soldiers to used captured Kar98ks, Mp40s, and Mp44s?

Question

I am specifically interested in the Americans and British. I know the Soviets always had supply shortages and used German weapons often.

Answer 1

I have interviewed hundreds of WW ll vets and have found it was common practice; especially if your supply lines were tight. Our guys really loved the MG42 machine gun; it is still being used by armies around the world; and even in its original caliber of 8mm.

Answer 2

The Karabiner 98 and it's variants are among the best rifles ever made. They are still prized by shooting collectors.
The MP 40 is a submachinegun, not appreciably better than the British Sten, or the Allied "Burp" gun and used the same ammunition though fed from different clips.
The Sturmgewehr 44 (MP44) was not a machine pistol at all, but an assault rifle, and the first one ever created. When he found out about it, Hitler forbid it's further development, believing the Kar98k was the best rifle for an infantryman. As a result, the rifle wasn't adopted until march of 1943.

While in extremis, any soldier will pick up any weapon and use it, I don't think a soldier would throw down his M-1 or M! Carbine and pick up the Kar, and certainly not the MP40.

The MP44, however, offered a 30 round clip, increasing the firepower of the individual soldier, and a more energetic cartridge than the Sten gun, so it seems likely that more than a few were picked up from enemy soldiers. However, the cartridge it used, the 7.62mm Kurz, was not readily available to Allied troops, so it would seem that if these weapons were used, they would have a limited role on the battlefield.

Answer 3

Not common by western allied troops one problem for the Americans would have been the dual ammo in particular for the MP44's which were a peculiar cartridge and what the 7.62x39 AK47 round is partially based on. The MP40's possibly because 9mm ammo was an allied round and the 98 Mausers were usually picked up late as souvenirs ad not for use. Pistols P38 and Lugers were often captured and kept for both use and as take home reminders.

Answer 4

I doubt it about using Kar98K's Think about that one.

A G.I. already had a Semi-Automatic Rifle (M1 Garand) or an M1 Carbine. Both had higher rates of fire, and were more accurate.

A Tommy had either the No.1, MkIII SMLE, or No.4, Mk1 which had a faster rate of fire than the Mauser action.

Now there are Numerous Pictures of US/UK troops using MP38/40 & MP/STG 43/44's

Answer 5

Yes, it was. Most allied soldiers carried a 5-shot, bolt action rifle, and maybe 55-65 rounds of ammo. In any assault, more ammo would be issued, but even if you double that, it's only about 100 shots. The US had the Garrand rifle, it was an 8-shot, semi-automatic rifle, but that just means you shoot the ammo even faster. In any large engagement, even a good shooter will run out of ammo very fast. So, most would grab the closest enemy weapon and use it. Thet usually got rid of it before they headed back to their own lines to resupply, to keep from being mistaken for an enemy soldier. The Germans even had American rifles and ammo in their own supply system. Springfield M1903 rifles captured by the Germans were designated Gewehr 249(a).

Answer 6

it extremely is the excellent thank you to flow. As you improve by enemy territory and are available in the time of a physique you are able to constantly %. up greater ammo and your men in no way grant you with greater ammo. did no longer you ever play COD? you have have been given to be kidding, why could you %. up a weapon which would be ineffective in half-hour and you have not got from now on ammo for it? Have some faith interior the purple ball exhibit. ok, confident, %. up an 88mm and purely positioned it on your pocket in case the components do no longer attain you and you actual need it!! 88mm ... it extremely is 3 a million/2 inches in diameter, yep you could want a pair of those purely for spares. Sounds purely like somebody who spent 15 years interior the army.

Answer 7

No, it was NOT common, part of the problem was getting friendly fire sent your way when your buddy's would hear the sound of enemy weapons.

Another aspect would be the supply of ammo, I don't think the support troops would be humping German Ammo around with them.

Answer 8

Dude now that's a dumb question. What would you do if you were in the middle of a warzone???? Wait for supplies or pickup the 1st weapon you see and start using it for dear life????

Answer 9

No, using enemy weapons tends to draw fire from friendlies.

Answer 10

yes, and it was also comon for Nazis to take our Garands and Thompsons