Opinion time- WW2 Buffs - Equipment.

[Borsig]

I like to do this when I meet a new group of folks online who share the same interests as me.

Wepaons of ww2, your opinion. Best in each class as it were. I wont deduct points if you havent had the luxury of using some of these first hand, like I have :)

1 rule - You can only pick ONE!

1. Rifle. M1 Garand, Hands down.
2. Light Machine Gun, MG42, no other choice the way I see it..
3. SMG/Carbine - Thompson .45

4. Best large bore land based weapon - FlaK 36 8.8cm
5. Best Tank - PzV Ausf. G "Panther G"
6. Fighter Aircraft - P51 D Mustang
7. Light Bomber - Dehaviland Mosquito
8. Medium Bomber - B-17
9. Tactical Bomber - TBF Avenger (really a torpedo and bombing airframe)

Im sure Im leaving some stuff out :)

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[Davestone]

I'll have to pretty well go with your analysis, never having used any of these,except a .50 cal,only hearing others and reading,i'd have to include the German 88mm gun,so accurate it was used on tanks and mobile howitzers,and the american .50. I'm surprised you didn't mention the German Mauser, a fine weapon, over the Garand,and the fact it could fire our ammo,but we couldn't fire theirs.And the thompson was a quick, short range weapon,with power,but you had to be close.Most of the Japanese weapons were inferior, the Italians and Russians also with the ak47 coming in after the war,.The German luger2nd edition,mauser, 88,potato masher grenade,and the grease gun machine gun,all underrated weapons and not studied over here much.Other than their dive bomber,tanks,and the weapons i mentioned, i think we clearly had the edge.With your lead-in i'm assuming this is where you're headed,to point out the fine german weapons,there were many. I Knew a former German ss trooper,you couldn't convince him we had better weapons.I don't think anyone would disagree, had they not been so aggressive so quickly,much of the world would be speaking German now. :)Come to think of it, i think things like the p38 can opener, and the little cricket device they used on Dday were probably as big an invention as any weapon :D

[John Bridge]

I trained on the M-1 rifle. Yes, it is an excellent weapon, the heavy s.o.b. :D

Can't remember where I lost my last P-38 can opener. I know I carried one the whole time I was in the service (10 yrs.).

[Davestone]

I have one on my keychain to this day,and i'm, not even a camper,survivalist type. :)

[Borsig]

I Own a grand and a 98k. The granad in a combat situation, is a MUCH better weapon than the 98. 8 rounds in a semi auto vs 5 in a bolt gun. Not to mention the sights are 10 times better than the blade and fade on the 98k.