CARBINES on WWII PT boats

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   My father was a gunners mate on a WWII PT Boat , 1944 & 45. He primary job was the lead gunner 
on the Bofors 40 mm gun. He was also the boats armorer responsible for all the small arms which included: 1911 ACP pistols, Thompson SMG (all variations), M1 carbines and a couple of Garands.
He relates that the carbines were of little use in the operations that the PT boats engaged. The limited effective range of the carbine was a factor in this. When attacking Japaneses barges and
shore installations the boats stayed several hundred yards away to avoid the vicious return fire from the Japs. The carbines were mostly used when guarding POW's and going ashore for self protection  Most crewman however preferred the Thompson for POW guard duty. On the other hand the Filipino guerillas  really liked the carbine for the jungle combat operations against the Japs.
They would work closely with the PT Boats for island clearing operations. The Garands were used
mostly for detonating mines. Please note: the the PT boats were the most heavily armed vessels
in the navy, every man was issued a rifle and was expected to use any weapon on board including
the heavy weapons, 50 cal, 20 mm, 40 mm, 37 mm, 30 and 50 cal mgs.

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DWIGHT DOUGLAS Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Recruit Joined: Feb 16 2016 Location: FLORIDA Status: Offline Points: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote DWIGHT DOUGLAS Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Topic: CARBINES on WWII PT boats Posted: Sep 15 2016 at 5:36pm
	My father was a gunners mate on a WWII PT Boat , 1944 & 45. He primary job was the lead gunner on the Bofors 40 mm gun. He was also the boats armorer responsible for all the small arms which included: 1911 ACP pistols, Thompson SMG (all variations), M1 carbines and a couple of Garands. He relates that the carbines were of little use in the operations that the PT boats engaged. The limited effective range of the carbine was a factor in this. When attacking Japaneses barges and shore installations the boats stayed several hundred yards away to avoid the vicious return fire from the Japs. The carbines were mostly used when guarding POW's and going ashore for self protection Most crewman however preferred the Thompson for POW guard duty. On the other hand the Filipino guerillas really liked the carbine for the jungle combat operations against the Japs. They would work closely with the PT Boats for island clearing operations. The Garands were used mostly for detonating mines. Please note: the the PT boats were the most heavily armed vessels in the navy, every man was issued a rifle and was expected to use any weapon on board including the heavy weapons, 50 cal, 20 mm, 40 mm, 37 mm, 30 and 50 cal mgs.

Charles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grunt Joined: Mar 21 2016 Location: Maryland Status: Offline Points: 587	Post Options Post Reply Quote Charles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Sep 16 2016 at 9:08am
	I enjoyed reading the story about your dad. My dad served as a LT.COM. on a baby flat top. As a navel inelegance officer, he had some interesting stores to tell as well. We have a lot to be proud of. Charles
	Charles Co B 1st Batl.115 Inf. Reg. 29th. Divi. 4.2 Heavy Mortar Co Retired Life member NRA

shadycon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List On Point Joined: Mar 16 2016 Location: NRV, Va. Status: Offline Points: 145	Post Options Post Reply Quote shadycon Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Sep 16 2016 at 9:42am
	Very interesting! Thank you for sharing!