Captured Weapons Used by the Germans?

[Matt Weber]

This was just mentioned on another thread by another memeber, and it is something that I wondered about for some time as well.

The Germans used several captured weapons during the war. Pistols especially from occupied countries, such as: the Browning Hi Power, Browning 1922, P27, P37, P39, Radom P35, MAB model D, and so on.
I have seen several photos of the Germans using captured rifles, SMGs and MGs, such as the M1 carbine, PPsh41, Nagant snipers, Czech Machine guns, and VZ24 rifles.

However, I haven't seen any photos of German troops using the following weapons:
1. M1 Garand
2. Thompson M1
3. Sten
4. Bren
5. Lee-Enfield
6. BAR
7. Browning .50 cal, or .30 cal MGs.
8. M3 "grease gun"

Has anyone seen any photos of German troops using any of these weapons? I can understand why not using some of them, but I would think if a German picked up a M1 Garand, BAR, or Thompson, he would want to use it rather than his K98? Any thoughts?

Matt

[Angel Farré]

I have seen a photo of FJ holding Sten SMG as his principal weapon. For the other, I don't know why, perhaps ammonution supplies problems?

Angel

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi, Stens seemed to be popular for some unknown reason I guess the fact they were 9mm helped. I too have seen the well known photo of the FJ's on the back of a King Tiger taken during the Battle of the Bulge. That FJ carried a Sten MkII.
I have posted a photo of an SS Panzer Grenadier, most likely a member of "Hohenstaufen" taken in Oosterbeek during the battle of Arnhem in Sept. '44. He is armed with the Airborne forces Mk5 Sten.
Cheers, Ade.

[Brian M]

Matt, I have seen photos of Stens, M-3's and Brens in use... I used to have an image of a Bren on an AA mount in Norway or Denmark, somewhere up there, in German use against RAF planes! I have no idea what happenned to it, though. if it turns up I will post it..... I have dozens of photos of SVT38/40's and several Ppsh41 photos in German use. I would love to see one with Garands!

[Kai-Steffen M.]

For sure they did use everything they found that could shoot- i know that from my grandfather (Leutnant in the artillery)- but other than the russian weapons (PPSH etc.) the guns of the western allies appeared relatively late in the war on the battlefields when the landser probably had better things to do than take pictures- especially when in a firefight (foreign guns often were thrown away after the actual fighting because of lack of ammo- k98 and mp40 were picked up again ) that is how i would explain it.

Gruß,
KSM

[chris ulkesh]

there was a documentary on the history channel recently that showed a german with a No.4(t) sniper.

[fergmacleod]

captured weapons used.....

Chris Masons' recent book on the Fallschirmjager shows Fj using a Bren Gun, and several books have shown the picture of Fj in the 'Bulge riding a King Tiger carrying STEN guns. Also, another Fj book out of England shows a 1919a4 Browning machinegun in use in Italy(?)
Having used the k98k Carbine at many WWII re-enactments, I can see why ANY self-loading weapon would be attractive to the German soldiers. The bolt action isn't too bad, but it takes way too long to reload the weapon. I carry a bag of about 50 rounds and try to always keep the magazine 'topped-off'

Fergus.

[Douglas Jr.]

Hi folks,

Here are two pictures about German soldier carrying Allied weapons: both are from FJ troopers, the first one the above mentioned image of a guy during Battle of Bulge with a Sten SMG. The other shows a partial image of another FJ with a Bren MG.

http://boards.rennlist.com/lfupload/FJwithSten.jpg
http://boards.rennlist.com/lfupload/FJwithBren.jpg

However, just like Matt, I never saw a Grand or a Colt M1911A1 with German troops. If I´m not mistaken I watched a German veteran´s interview in Discovery Channel some years ago, where the former vet told that they didn´t like the .45 because their recoil. But I´m not sure about it. Anyone heard anything about it or have any tip?

Greetings,


Douglas.

[Kai-Steffen M.]

About the .45 i dont know- but i tell you something- on friday i will be visiting my grandfather because of his 83rd birthday and ill ask him about this- i'll let you know..

Gruß,
KSM

[Terry K.]

Hey All,
Are you sure that all of the pics of Stens aren't MP-3008's?(German copies of Stens) Late in the war it is reported that they were issued, and they look real close to the Sten. Just something to think about.
Terry

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Terry, the photos I have seen certainly show the Sten and not the MP3008. The magazine housing on the Sten are horizontal whereas (on most, but not all) MP3008's the magazine is mounted vertically. Something to think about though. A photo of this gun in action would be rare and interesting to see.

Talking about .30 Browning M1919's it reminded me, I do have a photo of one crewed by FJ's taken in Holland near Mook in Sept. '44 during "OP Market Garden". I will try and find it and post it up.

Cheers, Ade.

[D. Löwenhamn]

I've seen a German soldier with a Garand altough I don't know if he used it in combat or if he was just examining it. Probably the latter.

Best regards/ Daniel

[Douglas Jr.]

Germans with M1911A1 pistols

Hi Steffen,

Let us know what are the comments of your granddaddy about the .45 - I always love this kind of input.

Regards,

Douglas.

[Adrian Stevenson]

FJ's with .30 cal Browning.

Hi Guys, here is the photo I mentioned in my last post.
Cheers, Ade.

[Gene]

Ade,

Very cool photo! Thanx for posting it.