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Band of Brothers: Difference between revisions
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(→Heavy Weapons: Added the FlaK aa-gun) |
Bosoxboy521 (talk | contribs) m (Added fact that the Thompson used by Colin Hanks was also used by his father in SPR. The live fire gun was sold at a UK auction in 2019.) |
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|caption = | |caption = | ||
|country = [[File:USA.jpg|25px]] United States | |country = [[File:USA.jpg|25px]] United States | ||
|channel = HBO | |channel = [[HBO]] | ||
|genre = War | |genre = War | ||
|creator = [[Steven Spielberg]]<br>[[Tom Hanks]] | |creator = [[Steven Spielberg]]<br>[[Tom Hanks]] | ||
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|character9=William "Wild Bill" Guarnere | |character9=William "Wild Bill" Guarnere | ||
|actor9=[[Frank John Hughes]] | |actor9=[[Frank John Hughes]] | ||
|character10=Major Strayer | |||
|actor10=[[Phil McKee]] | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''''Band of Brothers''''' is the 2001 HBO World War II miniseries produced by [[Tom Hanks]] and [[Steven Spielberg]]. Based on the best-selling book by the late historian Stephen Ambrose, the 10-part miniseries followed the men of "Easy" Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th PIR (Parachute Infantry Regiment) of the 101st Airborne Division from their basic training, through their jump into Normandy on D-Day and up until the capture of Hitler's Eagle's Nest. HBO, Spielberg, and Hanks would also chronicle America's involvement in the War in the Pacific in 2010's ''[[The Pacific]]''. | '''''Band of Brothers''''' is the 2001 [[HBO]] World War II miniseries produced by [[Tom Hanks]] and [[Steven Spielberg]]. Based on the best-selling book by the late historian Stephen Ambrose, the 10-part miniseries followed the men of "Easy" Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th PIR (Parachute Infantry Regiment) of the 101st Airborne Division from their basic training, through their jump into Normandy on D-Day and up until the capture of Hitler's Eagle's Nest. [[HBO]], Spielberg, and Hanks would also chronicle America's involvement in the War in the Pacific in 2010's ''[[The Pacific]]''. | ||
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[[Image:Bob2tm1a1.jpg|none|thumb|600px|In "Day of Days" (Ep.2), Sgt. Bill Guarnere ([[Frank John Hughes]]) fires his Thompson]] | [[Image:Bob2tm1a1.jpg|none|thumb|600px|In "Day of Days" (Ep.2), Sgt. Bill Guarnere ([[Frank John Hughes]]) fires his Thompson]] | ||
[[Image:Bob2tm1a12.jpg|none|thumb|601px|In "Day of Days" (Ep.2), Guarnere ducks with his [[M1A1 Thompson]].]] | [[Image:Bob2tm1a12.jpg|none|thumb|601px|In "Day of Days" (Ep.2), Guarnere ducks with his [[M1A1 Thompson]].]] | ||
[[File:ToyeTommyGUN.jpg|none|thumb|601px|In "Day of Days" (Ep.2), Sgt. Joe Toye ([[Kirk Acevedo]]) points his Thompson at a Heer artillery man surrendering during the Brecourt Manor assault. Note that Toye's buttstock has been broken off by the stick grenade which detonated right beside him shortly before this. | [[File:ToyeTommyGUN.jpg|none|thumb|601px|In "Day of Days" (Ep.2), Sgt. Joe Toye ([[Kirk Acevedo]]) points his Thompson at a Heer artillery man surrendering during the Brecourt Manor assault. Note that Toye's buttstock has been broken off by the stick grenade which detonated right beside him shortly before this. This detail is covered in the book. However, it states that Toye was armed with an M1 Garand which got its stock blown off, not a Thompson M1A1. Why this change was made in the series is unknown, but it's quite possibly because the Thompson buttstock was easily detachable via screw and likely to simulate Toye's broken weapon stock.]] | ||
[[File:ToyeTommyGUNnostock2.jpg|none|thumb|601px|In "Day of Days" (Ep.2), Toye fires his broken Thompson during the assault.]] | [[File:ToyeTommyGUNnostock2.jpg|none|thumb|601px|In "Day of Days" (Ep.2), Toye fires his broken Thompson during the assault.]] | ||
[[Image:Bob3tm1a1.jpg|none|thumb|600px|During a flashback scene in "Carentan" (Ep.3), Lt. Ronald Speirs ([[Matthew Settle]]) raises his Thompson M1A1 to execute a group of German prisoners. In the book "Band of Brothers", a photo of the real Speirs shows him holding an M1928A1 Thompson.]] | [[Image:Bob3tm1a1.jpg|none|thumb|600px|During a flashback scene in "Carentan" (Ep.3), Lt. Ronald Speirs ([[Matthew Settle]]) raises his Thompson M1A1 to execute a group of German prisoners. In the book "Band of Brothers", a photo of the real Speirs shows him holding an M1928A1 Thompson.]] | ||
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[[Image:Bob6m1a1t1.jpg|none|thumb|600px|Johnny Martin fires his Thompson in "Bastogne" (Ep.6).]] | [[Image:Bob6m1a1t1.jpg|none|thumb|600px|Johnny Martin fires his Thompson in "Bastogne" (Ep.6).]] | ||
[[Image:SpeirsThompson2.jpg|none|thumb|600px|In "Breaking Point" (Ep.7), Ronald Speirs with his Thompson during his mad dash through Foy.]] | [[Image:SpeirsThompson2.jpg|none|thumb|600px|In "Breaking Point" (Ep.7), Ronald Speirs with his Thompson during his mad dash through Foy.]] | ||
[[Image:Bob8m1a1t1.jpg|none|thumb|600px|Lt. Jones ([[Colin Hanks]]) cleans his Thompson before a mission in "The Last Patrol" (Ep.8).]] | [[Image:Bob8m1a1t1.jpg|none|thumb|600px|Lt. Jones ([[Colin Hanks]]) cleans his Thompson before a mission in "The Last Patrol" (Ep.8). Of interesting note, this is the same M1A1 Thompson Tom Hanks used in the film [[Saving Private Ryan]].]] | ||
[[Image:Bob8m1a1t2.jpg|none|thumb|600px|"Popeye" Wynn (Nicholas Aaron) fires his Thompson in "The Last Patrol" (Ep.8).]] | [[Image:Bob8m1a1t2.jpg|none|thumb|600px|"Popeye" Wynn (Nicholas Aaron) fires his Thompson in "The Last Patrol" (Ep.8).]] | ||
[[File:BoB 310.jpg|none|thumb|600px|Pvt. John Janovec ([[Tom Hardy]]) has the M1A1 Thompson slung in "Points" (Ep.10).]] | [[File:BoB 310.jpg|none|thumb|600px|Pvt. John Janovec ([[Tom Hardy]]) has the M1A1 Thompson slung in "Points" (Ep.10).]] | ||
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[[File:Moore03A3BARREL.jpg|none|thumb|601px|In "Carentan" (Ep.3), Alton More ([[Doug Allen]]) breaks into a room, with his Springfield at the ready.]] | [[File:Moore03A3BARREL.jpg|none|thumb|601px|In "Carentan" (Ep.3), Alton More ([[Doug Allen]]) breaks into a room, with his Springfield at the ready.]] | ||
[[File:Moore03A3.jpg|none|thumb|601px|In "Carentan" (Ep.3), the sights of Moore's Springfield is seen as he puts it down to help feed Smokey's gun.]] | [[File:Moore03A3.jpg|none|thumb|601px|In "Carentan" (Ep.3), the sights of Moore's Springfield is seen as he puts it down to help feed Smokey's gun.]] | ||
[[Image:Bob319031.jpg|none|thumb|600px|In "Carentan" (Ep.3), a paratrooper gets his | [[Image:Bob319031.jpg|none|thumb|600px|In "Carentan" (Ep.3), a paratrooper gets his index and middle fingers shot off as he tries to work the bolt of his M1903A3, to which the stock also gets damaged during the fight at Carentan.]] | ||
[[Image:Bob319032.jpg|none|thumb|600px|The bolt action is seen on the paratrooper's rifle in "Carentan" (Ep.3).]] | [[Image:Bob319032.jpg|none|thumb|600px|The bolt action is seen on the paratrooper's rifle in "Carentan" (Ep.3). Here the damaged stock is seen.]] | ||
[[File:M1903A3BASTONGE.jpg|none|thumb|600px|Moore's Springfield in the machine gun foxhole during the attack in "Bastogne" (Ep. 6).]] | [[File:M1903A3BASTONGE.jpg|none|thumb|600px|Moore's Springfield in the machine gun foxhole during the attack in "Bastogne" (Ep. 6).]] | ||
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Standard issue rifle of the US military during WWII, many of Easy Company's paratroopers are shown carrying the [[M1 Garand]] as their standard weapon. Most notable are Lieutenant (Later Captain/Major) Richard "Dick" Winters ([[Damian Lewis]]), Shifty Powers ([[Peter Youngblood Hills]]) and Joseph Liebgott ([[Ross McCall]]) and Patrick O'Keefe ([[Matt Hickey]]). The Garand can be seen with and without a bayonet. | Standard issue rifle of the US military during WWII, many of Easy Company's paratroopers are shown carrying the [[M1 Garand]] as their standard weapon. Most notable are Lieutenant (Later Captain/Major) Richard "Dick" Winters ([[Damian Lewis]]), Shifty Powers ([[Peter Youngblood Hills]]) and Joseph Liebgott ([[Ross McCall]]) and Patrick O'Keefe ([[Matt Hickey]]). The Garand can be seen with and without a bayonet. | ||
[[Image:M1 Garand.jpg|thumb|500px|none|[[M1 Garand]] .30-06]] | [[Image:M1 Garand.jpg|thumb|500px|none|[[M1 Garand]] .30-06]] | ||
[[Image:Bob1m1g1.jpg|none|thumb|600px|In "Currahee" (Ep.1), Frank Perconte ([[James Madio]]) gets his M1 Garand inspected by Capt. Herbert Sobel ([[David Schwimmer]]).]] | [[Image:Bob1m1g1.jpg|none|thumb|600px|In "Currahee" (Ep.1), Frank Perconte ([[James Madio]]) gets his M1 Garand inspected by Capt. Herbert Sobel ([[David Schwimmer]]).]] | ||
[[Image:Bob2m1g1.jpg|none|thumb|600px|Lt. Winters ([[Damian Lewis]]) fires his Garand during the battle of Brecourt Manor in "Day of Days" (Ep.2).]] | [[Image:Bob2m1g1.jpg|none|thumb|600px|Lt. Winters ([[Damian Lewis]]) fires his Garand during the battle of Brecourt Manor in "Day of Days" (Ep.2).]] | ||
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[[Image:Bob5m1g2.jpg|none|thumb|600px|''"First on the right!"'' Pvt. Garcia ([[Douglas Spain]]) readies his Garand in "Crossroads" (Ep.5).]] | [[Image:Bob5m1g2.jpg|none|thumb|600px|''"First on the right!"'' Pvt. Garcia ([[Douglas Spain]]) readies his Garand in "Crossroads" (Ep.5).]] | ||
[[Image:Bob5m1g3.jpg|none|thumb|600px|Pvt. Dukeman (Mark Lawrence) holds the Garand in "Crossroads" (Ep.5).]] | [[Image:Bob5m1g3.jpg|none|thumb|600px|Pvt. Dukeman (Mark Lawrence) holds the Garand in "Crossroads" (Ep.5).]] | ||
[[File:M1 Garand bayonet second.jpg|thumb|none|501px|M1 Garand with M1 bayonet - .30-06]] | |||
[[Image:Bob5m1g1.jpg|none|thumb|600px|In "Crossroads" (Ep.5), Capt. Winters shoots a young SS soldier with his Garand.]] | [[Image:Bob5m1g1.jpg|none|thumb|600px|In "Crossroads" (Ep.5), Capt. Winters shoots a young SS soldier with his Garand.]] | ||
[[Image:Bob5m1g4.jpg|none|thumb|600px|Winters fires from the hip with his Garand in "Crossroads" (Ep.5).]] | [[Image:Bob5m1g4.jpg|none|thumb|600px|Winters fires from the hip with his Garand in "Crossroads" (Ep.5).]] | ||
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===M1A1 Carbine=== | ===M1A1 Carbine=== | ||
The paratrooper version of the M1, identified as the [[M1 Carbine#M1A1 Carbine|M1A1 Paratrooper Carbine]] which has the distinct collapsible buttstock and handgrips, is shown extensively throughout the series most notably in the hands of Donald Malarkey ([[Scott Grimes]]), Carwood Lipton ([[Donnie Wahlberg]]), Warren "Skip" Muck ([[Richard Speight, Jr.]]), Lt. Norman Dike ([[Peter O'Meara]]), George Luz ([[Rick Gomez]]), and Lt. (Later Capt.) Lewis Nixon ([[Ron Livingston]]). Originally issued to non-combat personnel or those who needed a compact weapon, the M1 Carbine was never meant to be a front-line weapon, nevertheless it was ideal for Airborne troops for its small frame and its compactness. | |||
[[Image:M1A1Carbine.jpg|thumb|450px|none|M1A1 Carbine - .30 Carbine]] | [[Image:M1A1Carbine.jpg|thumb|450px|none|M1A1 Carbine - .30 Carbine]] | ||
[[Image:Bob1m1c.jpg|none|thumb|600px|Malarkey ([[Scott Grimes]]) gets his M1A1 carbine inspected by Capt. Sobel in "Currahee" (Ep.1).]] | [[Image:Bob1m1c.jpg|none|thumb|600px|Malarkey ([[Scott Grimes]]) gets his M1A1 carbine inspected by Capt. Sobel in "Currahee" (Ep.1).]] | ||
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[[Image:Bob9m1a1c1.jpg|none|thumb|600px|Sgt. Luz ([[Rick Gomez]]) with his M1A1 Carbine in "Why We Fight" (Ep.9).]] | [[Image:Bob9m1a1c1.jpg|none|thumb|600px|Sgt. Luz ([[Rick Gomez]]) with his M1A1 Carbine in "Why We Fight" (Ep.9).]] | ||
===Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk | ===Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk I=== | ||
The [[ | The [[Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk I]] rifle is shown briefly being carried over the shoulder of a British sentry in "Carentan" (Ep.3). French soldiers are seen with the rifles when German prisoners are rounded up in "Why We Fight" (Ep.9). | ||
[[Image:LeeEnfield4Rifle.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk | [[Image:LeeEnfield4Rifle.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk I - .303 British]] | ||
[[Image:Band of Brothers Lee-Enfield.jpg|none|thumb|600px|The Lee-Enfield carried by a British sentry in "Carentan" (Ep.3).]] | [[Image:Band of Brothers Lee-Enfield.jpg|none|thumb|600px|The Lee-Enfield carried by a British sentry in "Carentan" (Ep.3).]] | ||
[[Image:Bob9smle.jpg|none|thumb|600px|A French soldier holds the Lee-Enfield rifle as German prisoners are rounded up and shot in "Why We Fight" (Ep.9).]] | [[Image:Bob9smle.jpg|none|thumb|600px|A French soldier holds the Lee-Enfield rifle as German prisoners are rounded up and shot in "Why We Fight" (Ep.9).]] | ||
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==Other== | ==Other== | ||
===M1A1 Rocket Launcher "Bazooka"=== | ===M1A1 Rocket Launcher "Bazooka"=== | ||
The [[M1_Bazooka|M1 Rocket Launcher]], affectionately known as the "Bazooka", was the standard anti-tank weapon for the US military during WWII. The Bazooka was excellent against bunkers and buildings, though its effectiveness against the more heavily armored German tanks is debatable. The weapon primarily seen in the series is the [[M1A1 "Bazooka"|M1A1 variant]], noted by the single grip. General Eisenhower remarked that "the Atom Bomb, Jeep, C-47 Sky Train and the Bazooka were the four weapons that won the war". The bazooka was copied by the Germans as the '[[Panzerschreck]]' launcher from a M1 Bazooka captured in North Africa. Generally operated by a two man crew (one gunner, one loader) crews quickly figured out that they needed to hit the side, rear or belly armor of armored vehicles, as shown in the episode "Carentan" (the episode also shows how the bazooka rounds would simply deflect off the heavy frontal armor). The bazooka makes notable appearances in the series, being used by Sgt. Charles E. "Chuck" Grant ([[Nolan Hemmings]]) in the episode "Replacements" taking out a German machine gun and by John McGrath ([[Stephen Walters]]) and Harry Welsh ([[Rick Warden]]) in the episode "Carentan" disabling a German StuG III assault gun. | The [[M1_Bazooka|M1 Rocket Launcher]], affectionately known as the "Bazooka", was the standard anti-tank weapon for the US military during WWII. The Bazooka was excellent against bunkers and buildings, though its effectiveness against the more heavily armored German tanks is debatable. The weapon primarily seen in the series is the [[M1A1 "Bazooka"|M1A1 variant]], noted by the single grip. General Eisenhower remarked that "the Atom Bomb, Jeep, C-47 Sky Train and the Bazooka were the four weapons that won the war". The bazooka was copied by the Germans as the '[[Panzerschreck]]' launcher from a M1 Bazooka captured in North Africa. Generally operated by a two man crew (one gunner, one loader) crews quickly figured out that they needed to hit the side, rear or belly armor of armored vehicles, as shown in the episode "Carentan" (the episode also shows how the bazooka rounds would simply deflect off the heavy frontal armor). The bazooka makes notable appearances in the series, being used by Sgt. Charles E. "Chuck" Grant ([[Nolan Hemmings]]) in the episode "Replacements" taking out a German machine gun and by John McGrath ([[Stephen Martin Walters]]) and Harry Welsh ([[Rick Warden]]) in the episode "Carentan" disabling a German StuG III assault gun. | ||
[[Image:M1A1 Bazooka.jpg|thumb|500px|none|M1A1 "Bazooka" - 2.36 inch]] | [[Image:M1A1 Bazooka.jpg|thumb|500px|none|M1A1 "Bazooka" - 2.36 inch]] | ||
[[Image:Bob1m9b.jpg|none|thumb|600px|An Easy Company bazooka team fires a bazooka during a training exercise in "Currahee" (Ep.1).]] | [[Image:Bob1m9b.jpg|none|thumb|600px|An Easy Company bazooka team fires a bazooka during a training exercise in "Currahee" (Ep.1).]] | ||
[[Image:Bob3m9b.jpg|none|thumb|600px|In "Carentan" (Ep.3), Pvt. Ed Tipper ([[Bart Ruspoli]]) uses a bazooka to take out a building during the battle of Carentan.]] | [[Image:Bob3m9b.jpg|none|thumb|600px|In "Carentan" (Ep.3), Pvt. Ed Tipper ([[Bart Ruspoli]]) uses a bazooka to take out a building during the battle of Carentan.]] | ||
[[File:BoB 338.jpg|none|thumb|600px|In "Carentan" (Ep.3), Pvt. Ed Tipper ([[Bart Ruspoli]]) has the bazooka slung.]] | [[File:BoB 338.jpg|none|thumb|600px|In "Carentan" (Ep.3), Pvt. Ed Tipper ([[Bart Ruspoli]]) has the bazooka slung.]] | ||
[[Image:WelshMcGrathBazooka.jpg|none|thumb|600px|Lt. Harry Welsh ([[Rick Warden]]) loads a round into the M1 bazooka held by John McGrath ([[Stephen Walters]]) in "Carentan" (Ep.3).]] | [[Image:WelshMcGrathBazooka.jpg|none|thumb|600px|Lt. Harry Welsh ([[Rick Warden]]) loads a round into the M1 bazooka held by John McGrath ([[Stephen Martin Walters]]) in "Carentan" (Ep.3).]] | ||
[[File:BOB1f05.jpg|none|thumb|600px|The M1 bazooka held by John McGrath ([[Stephen Walters]]) appears to have the older wooden stock in "Carentan" (Ep.3).]] | [[File:BOB1f05.jpg|none|thumb|600px|The M1 bazooka held by John McGrath ([[Stephen Martin Walters]]) appears to have the older wooden stock in "Carentan" (Ep.3).]] | ||
[[Image:Bob3m9b1.jpg|none|thumb|600px|In "Carentan" (Ep.3), McGrath tries to disable a StuG III (actually a mock up built from a pair of British FV432 APCs) with his M1 bazooka but the rocket deflects off the frontal armor.]] | [[Image:Bob3m9b1.jpg|none|thumb|600px|In "Carentan" (Ep.3), McGrath tries to disable a StuG III (actually a mock up built from a pair of British FV432 APCs) with his M1 bazooka but the rocket deflects off the frontal armor.]] | ||
[[File:BoB 007.jpg|thumb|none|600px|In "Replacements" (Ep.4), Sgt. Grant ([[Nolan Hemmings]]) prepares to fire the M1 "Bazooka".]] | [[File:BoB 007.jpg|thumb|none|600px|In "Replacements" (Ep.4), Sgt. Grant ([[Nolan Hemmings]]) prepares to fire the M1 "Bazooka".]] | ||
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[[Image:Bob7p08.jpg|none|thumb|600px|In "The Breaking Point" (Ep.7), Hoobler examines the Luger he just acquired from a dead SS-Oberstrumfuhrer.]] | [[Image:Bob7p08.jpg|none|thumb|600px|In "The Breaking Point" (Ep.7), Hoobler examines the Luger he just acquired from a dead SS-Oberstrumfuhrer.]] | ||
[[Image:Bob7p082.jpg|none|thumb|600px|Hoobler with his Luger in "The Breaking Point".]] | [[Image:Bob7p082.jpg|none|thumb|600px|Hoobler with his Luger in "The Breaking Point".]] | ||
[[Image:BOB Luger Ep8.jpg|none|thumb|600px|In "The Last Patrol" (Ep.8), a German soldier brandishes a Luger during the raid but quickly decides to drop it.]] | |||
[[File:BoB 331.jpg|none|thumb|600px|In "Points" (Ep.10), Lt. Speirs finds a dead SS-Brigadefuhrer holding his Luger after committing suicide while in Hitler's Eagle Nest.]] | [[File:BoB 331.jpg|none|thumb|600px|In "Points" (Ep.10), Lt. Speirs finds a dead SS-Brigadefuhrer holding his Luger after committing suicide while in Hitler's Eagle Nest.]] | ||
[[Image:Bob10p08.jpg|none|thumb|600px|A Heer Oberst (Philip Rham) offers his Luger to Winters in "Points" (Ep. 10), which Winters refuses to take. According to the real Dick Winters, the German officer was a Major and offered Winters a [[Walther PP]], not a Luger, and Winters did accept it (see below).]] | [[Image:Bob10p08.jpg|none|thumb|600px|A Heer Oberst (Philip Rham) offers his Luger to Winters in "Points" (Ep. 10), which Winters refuses to take. According to the real Dick Winters, the German officer was a Major and offered Winters a [[Walther PP]], not a Luger, and Winters did accept it (see below).]] | ||
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===Walther PP=== | ===Walther PP=== | ||
In the ''Band of Brothers'' companion documentary "We Stand Alone Together", the real Maj. Winters displays the [[Walther PP]] pistol he received from a surrendering German Major. Winters discovered the gun had never been fired, and said that it would remain that way. Richard Winters passed away on January 2, 2011. | In the ''Band of Brothers'' companion documentary "We Stand Alone Together", the real Maj. Winters displays the [[Walther PP]] pistol he received from a surrendering German Major. Winters discovered the gun had never been fired, and said that it would remain that way. Richard Winters passed away on January 2, 2011. | ||
[[Image:Walther_PP.jpg|thumb|350px|none| | [[Image:Walther_PP.jpg|thumb|350px|none|War Time Walther PP - .32 ACP]] | ||
[[Image:Bobpp.jpg|thumb|601px|none|The real Winters holds his Walther PP in the ''Band of Brothers'' companion documentary "We Stand Alone Together".]] | [[Image:Bobpp.jpg|thumb|601px|none|The real Winters holds his Walther PP in the ''Band of Brothers'' companion documentary "We Stand Alone Together".]] | ||
[[Image:Bobpp1.jpg|thumb|601px|none|Winters with his PP in the ''Band of Brothers'' companion documentary "We Stand Alone Together".]] | [[Image:Bobpp1.jpg|thumb|601px|none|Winters with his PP in the ''Band of Brothers'' companion documentary "We Stand Alone Together".]] | ||
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===10.5 cm leichte Feldhaubitze 40=== | ===10.5 cm leichte Feldhaubitze 40=== | ||
In "Day of Days" (Ep.2), four 10.5 cm | In "Day of Days" (Ep.2), four 1[[10.5 cm leichte FeldHaubitze 18|10.5 cm leichte FeldHaubitze 18/40]] are in the German artillery position at Brecourt Manor. | ||
[[Image:LeFH1840.jpg|thumb|none|400px|Leichte Feldhaubitze 18/40 field gun displayed in Hämeenlinna Artillery Museum - 105mm]] | [[Image:LeFH1840.jpg|thumb|none|400px|Leichte Feldhaubitze 18/40 field gun displayed in Hämeenlinna Artillery Museum - 105mm]] | ||
[[Image:BOB_gebirgs1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The first Gebirgshaubitze captured by Easy Company.]] | [[Image:BOB_gebirgs1.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The first Gebirgshaubitze captured by Easy Company.]] | ||
Latest revision as of 00:41, 29 August 2023
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Band of Brothers is the 2001 HBO World War II miniseries produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. Based on the best-selling book by the late historian Stephen Ambrose, the 10-part miniseries followed the men of "Easy" Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th PIR (Parachute Infantry Regiment) of the 101st Airborne Division from their basic training, through their jump into Normandy on D-Day and up until the capture of Hitler's Eagle's Nest. HBO, Spielberg, and Hanks would also chronicle America's involvement in the War in the Pacific in 2010's The Pacific.
The following weapons were used in the miniseries Band of Brothers:
Allied Weapons
Handguns
Colt M1911A1
The M1911A1 was the standard sidearm of US Forces during World War II. Issued to officers, NCOs and those in positions where a rifle or carbine was not desirable, the pistol quickly became a favored item among Allied troops because of its stopping power. The M1911A1 is seen in various episodes of Band of Brothers. In "Currahee" (Ep.1), it is the main weapon of choice for Capt. Herbert M. Sobel (David Schwimmer). David Webster (Eion Bailey) threatens a German baker with one in "Why We Fight" (Ep.9). In "Points" (Ep.10), Capt. Ronald Spiers (Matthew Settle) uses his M1911A1 to threaten both a German doctor and the drunk American soldier who shot Chuck Grant. Joe Leibgott (Ross McCall) uses an M1911A1 to shoot an ex-Concentration Camp Commandant in "Points" (Ep.10).
Colt New Service Revolver
Floyd "Tab" Talbert (Matthew Leitch) is given a Colt New Service revolver as a gift on June 4th 1944 in "Currahee" (Ep. 1), he is seen armed with it in "Carentan" (Ep.3).
Submachine Guns
M1A1 Thompson
Also known as the "Tommy gun" or "Fast gun", the M1A1 Thompson was the standard issue submachine gun for US Forces in WWII. As such, many of Easy Company's officers and NCOs are shown carrying the Thompson as their standard weapon. Notable paratroopers who carry the weapon include Lt. (Later Capt.) Ronald Speirs (Matthew Settle), Lt. Harry Welsh (Rick Warden), Lt. Lynn "Buck" Compton (Neal McDonough), Sgt. William "Wild Bill" Guarnere (Frank John Hughes), and Sgt. Johnny Martin (Dexter Fletcher).
M3A1 "Grease Gun"
The M3A1 "Grease Gun" was the cheap, inexpensive replacement for the Thompson Sub Machine Gun; It is only shown in the hands of Roy Cobb (Craig Heaney). The use of the later M3A1 variant as opposed to the original M3 is anachronistic for the earlier episodes where they are fighting in France and Holland, as it was not introduced until December 1944.
Rifles / Carbines
M1903A3 Springfield
Alton More uses an M1903A3 Springfield Rifle as his primary weapon, although he is never seen firing it. Another paratrooper uses an M1903A3 during the Carentan counter attack.
M1903A4 Springfield (Without scope)
Interestingly, Smokey Gordon (Ben Caplan) carries an M1903A4 Springfield without a scope. Mainly for the lack of a front sight, along with a scope mount when Smokey turns his back. He might have retrieved the weapon while fighting with the 502nd. The scope might have been damaged for it to be removed, most likely due to the drop. This would make the rifle almost impossible to fire accurately.
M1 Garand
Standard issue rifle of the US military during WWII, many of Easy Company's paratroopers are shown carrying the M1 Garand as their standard weapon. Most notable are Lieutenant (Later Captain/Major) Richard "Dick" Winters (Damian Lewis), Shifty Powers (Peter Youngblood Hills) and Joseph Liebgott (Ross McCall) and Patrick O'Keefe (Matt Hickey). The Garand can be seen with and without a bayonet.
M1 Carbine
The M1 Carbine is carried by 2nd Lt. Henry Jones (Colin Hanks) in the episode "The Last Patrol" (Ep.8). It is also seen carried by several US marines fighting in Okinawa in newsreel footage.
M1A1 Carbine
The paratrooper version of the M1, identified as the M1A1 Paratrooper Carbine which has the distinct collapsible buttstock and handgrips, is shown extensively throughout the series most notably in the hands of Donald Malarkey (Scott Grimes), Carwood Lipton (Donnie Wahlberg), Warren "Skip" Muck (Richard Speight, Jr.), Lt. Norman Dike (Peter O'Meara), George Luz (Rick Gomez), and Lt. (Later Capt.) Lewis Nixon (Ron Livingston). Originally issued to non-combat personnel or those who needed a compact weapon, the M1 Carbine was never meant to be a front-line weapon, nevertheless it was ideal for Airborne troops for its small frame and its compactness.
Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk I
The Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk I rifle is shown briefly being carried over the shoulder of a British sentry in "Carentan" (Ep.3). French soldiers are seen with the rifles when German prisoners are rounded up in "Why We Fight" (Ep.9).
Machine Guns
M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle
The Browning Automatic Rifle, or 'B.A.R' was the standard Squad Automatic Weapon for U.S. rifle squads in WWII. It is shown being primarily used by Cpl. Heron and in the hands of other Airborne troops. It's seen with and without a bipod.
M1919A4
The Browning M1919A4 .30 caliber machine gun is shown extensively in the hands of Easy company being used in both the defensive and offensive roles. The primary M1919A4 machine gun team of Easy Company in the series consisted of Smokey Gordon and Alton More. The 1919A4 is also shown being mounted on jeeps.
M1919A6
The Browning M1919A6 variant with stock and bipod is seen carried and used primarily by Burton 'Pat' Christensen (Michael Fassbender). It is incorrectly a post WWII model fitted with the conical flash hider/muzzle booster.
Browning M2HB
The Browning M2HB heavy machine gun can be seen throughout the series. The weapon is usually mounted on vehicles such as M4 Sherman tanks as seen in "Carentan" (Ep.3) or the M8 Greyhound Armored Car in "Why We Fight" (Ep.9). Also making a prominent appearance, especially in "The Last Patrol" (Ep.8) is the M51 Quad Mount which, though designed primarily for anti-aircraft use, had a devastating effect on ground targets and was available in either the towed or vehicle mounted versions (designated the M16 Quad Mount). In real life, Easy Company actually 'liberated' a M16 Quad some time after Bastogne which they took with them into Germany.
Other
M1A1 Rocket Launcher "Bazooka"
The M1 Rocket Launcher, affectionately known as the "Bazooka", was the standard anti-tank weapon for the US military during WWII. The Bazooka was excellent against bunkers and buildings, though its effectiveness against the more heavily armored German tanks is debatable. The weapon primarily seen in the series is the M1A1 variant, noted by the single grip. General Eisenhower remarked that "the Atom Bomb, Jeep, C-47 Sky Train and the Bazooka were the four weapons that won the war". The bazooka was copied by the Germans as the 'Panzerschreck' launcher from a M1 Bazooka captured in North Africa. Generally operated by a two man crew (one gunner, one loader) crews quickly figured out that they needed to hit the side, rear or belly armor of armored vehicles, as shown in the episode "Carentan" (the episode also shows how the bazooka rounds would simply deflect off the heavy frontal armor). The bazooka makes notable appearances in the series, being used by Sgt. Charles E. "Chuck" Grant (Nolan Hemmings) in the episode "Replacements" taking out a German machine gun and by John McGrath (Stephen Martin Walters) and Harry Welsh (Rick Warden) in the episode "Carentan" disabling a German StuG III assault gun.
M9 Bazooka
In "Points" (Ep.10), Sgt. Grant appears to use an M9 Bazooka in an attempt to detonate the grenades placed on a man-made rock slide.
M7 Rifle Grenade Launcher with M9A1 Rifle Grenades
Several soldiers are seen with M7 grenade launchers mounted on their M1 Garands. They are usually used to launch M9A1 Rifle Grenades.
Mk II Hand Grenade
The Mk II Hand Grenade is used by several paratroopers in the series. Lt. Harry Welsh (Rick Warden) is seen using one to take out an MG42 team during the battle of Carentan. Paratroopers are seen piling Mk II Hand Grenades onto a enemy-made rock slide in an attempt to blow a hole in the roadblock.
M18 Smoke Grenade
In "Crossroads" (Ep.5), Cpt. Winters is seen throwing a smoke grenade (most likely an M18 smoke grenade repainted to look like the period-correct M16) for red smoke to signal the charge.
M2 Flamethrower
In "Points" (Ep.10), the Airborne paratroopers watch newsreel footage of the war in Pacific. In the footage, a US Marine is seen using an M2 Flamethrower.
M2 Mortar
The M2 Mortar is one of the close support weapons used by Easy Company. The members of the M2 Mortar team primarily seen were Sgt. Donald Malarkey (Scott Grimes) and Sergeant Warren "Skip" Muck (Richard Speight Jr.) and Private First Class Alex Penkala (Tim Matthews).
Heavy Weapons
Bofors 40mm
Bofors 40mm anti aircraft guns are seen in Episode 1. They are deployed at the Upottery Airfield in England where the C-47 airplanes take off for the airborne Normandy invasion.
Axis Weapons
Handguns
Luger P08
A standard sidearm of German Forces during WWI and still in use in WWII, the Luger P08 was a prized and coveted souvenir for Allied forces because of its elegant design. Malarkey is seen hunting around for one notably in "Day of Days" (Ep.2). In "The Breaking Point" (Ep.7), Corporal Hoobler (Peter McCabe) kills a Waffen SS Oberstrumfuhrer who has one, and later in the episode, it discharges in his pocket, which makes a fatal wound by hitting his femoral artery. It is later given to Sergeant Malarkey (Scott Grimes), who wanted one to bring home to his little brother. The real gun Hoobler found was a Belgian .32 and was not given to Malarkey.
Mauser C96
A French soldier is seen executing Wehrmacht prisoners with a C96 "Broomhandle" Mauser in "Why We Fight" (Ep.9).
Walther PP
In the Band of Brothers companion documentary "We Stand Alone Together", the real Maj. Winters displays the Walther PP pistol he received from a surrendering German Major. Winters discovered the gun had never been fired, and said that it would remain that way. Richard Winters passed away on January 2, 2011.
Submachine Guns
MP40
The MP40 was the most common submachine gun used by German forces during WWII. Popular culture has portrayed the MP40 as the most common weapon in the hands of WW2 German soldiers; this is actually incorrect, as the bolt-action Kar 98 was more common. This is correctly depicted in the show, not being put in the hands over every German soldier. In "Day of Days" (Ep.2), Sgt. Carwood Lipton captures one and carries it briefly in the episode.
Rifles
Karabiner 98k
The main battle rifle for German armed forces was the Karabiner 98k. Lt. Winters uses a captured K98k when he loses his M1 Garand on D-Day, in "Day of Days" (Ep.2). A German sniper is also seen using a scoped K98k against advancing Easy Company men during the battle of Foy in the episode "The Breaking Point" (Ep.7).
Assault Rifles
Sturmgewehr 44
During the siege of Bastogne in "The Breaking Point" (Ep.7), German soldiers are seen using the new Sturmgewehr 44. A Sturmgewehr 44 is also seen on a German-weapon familiarization wall in "Curahee" (Ep.1), which is anachronistic being that the Sturmgewehr 44 would not have been encountered until two years later.
Machine Guns
MG34
In "Currahee" (Ep.1), an example of an MG34 machine gun is shown mounted on the wall among the various German weapons for familiarization.
MG42
In the mini-series, the MG42 is seen multiple times, being fired from window openings in towns, and in stand-offs with the German armoured vehicles in the advance into France. Most notably, the mini-series did not fail to demonstrate or imply the demoralizing effect of the gun on U.S. troops, and this is a notable achievement for the film-makers, who added this realistic view, which before, had never been seen in such vivid detail in any previous war-film, barring of course, documentaries with actual war-time footage.
Other
Model 24 Stielhandgranate
In "Day of Days" (Ep.2), Lt. Winters improvises the disabling of the four 105mm Gebirgshaubitze 40 howitzers at Brecourt Manor by shoving Model 24 Stielhandgranate "Potato Mashers" into the bore. One lands next to Joe Toye and Popeye Wynn nearly blowing them up, during the same battle.
Panzerfaust
A Panzergrenadier is seen lugging a Panzerfaust during the battle of Nuenen in "Replacements" (Ep.4).
Raketenpanzerbüchse 54
A Raketenpanzerbüchse 54, or "Panzerschreck", is seen discarded in a pile of of debris in "Bastogne" (Ep.6); Bernard J. 'Doc' Ryan and Pvt. Edward 'Babe' Heffron walk past it while headed to Third Battalion's position in search of medical supplies.
Heavy Weapons
3.7 cm Pak 35/36
German Fallschirmjägers use a 3.7 cm Pak 35/36 in "Carentan" (Ep.3) firing the late war 3.7 cm Stielgranate 41, a shaped charge anti-tank round developed to make the outdated 37mm guns useful again. The 3.7 cm Stielgranate 41 was slid over the muzzle of the gun and fired with a special blank round, much the same as smaller rifle grenades. While the oversize warhead's massive power allowed to kill any Allied tank, it reduced the weapon's range and accuracy.
10.5 cm leichte Feldhaubitze 40
In "Day of Days" (Ep.2), four 110.5 cm leichte FeldHaubitze 18/40 are in the German artillery position at Brecourt Manor.
Flakvierling 38
Numerous Flakvierling 38s are used against the American C47s on D-Day in "Day of Days" (Ep.2).
8.8 cm Flak 18
German soldiers defending the town of Foy with various 8.8 cm Flak 18 AA-cannons in "The Breaking Point" (Ep.7).
