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A Bridge Too Far

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A Bridge Too Far (1977)

A Bridge Too Far is the 1977 World War II film based on the 1974 best selling book by Cornelius Ryan and directed by Sir Richard Attenborough (better known to younger viewers as an actor, for his portrayal "John Hammond" in the Spielberg Films Jurassic Park and The Lost World: Jurassic Park). See the Discussion section for some trivia on the film.

Allied Weapons

Lee-Enfield No 4 Mk 1*

The Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk 1* is the rifle seen carried by the majority of the British troops, mostly the Grenadier Guards in the Armored Column as well as the British 1st Airborne Division when they were trapped in Arnhem. The Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk 1* rifle was also seen in the hands of the Polish Airborne brigade troops. Colonel John Frost (Anthony Hopkins) was also seen using a No.4 rifle during the later stages of the battle for Arnhem.

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Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk1 .303
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British troops from the XXX Armored Corps advance with a variety of weapons including the No.4 Mk 1.
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As Colonel John Frost (Anthony Hopkins) prepares to enter the street, British 1st Airborne Brigade in Arnhem are seen armed with No.4 Mk 1 rifles.
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British 1st Airborne soldier fires his No.4 Mk 1 rifle during the battle to take the Arnhem bridge.

M1 Garand

The main rifle used by US Airborne troops in the film is the M1 Garand. A gas operated clip fed semi-automatic shoulder weapon, it served as the primary American weapon from 1942-1957 and notably used by Major Julian Cook (Robert Redford) of the 82nd Airborne while leading his men to capture the Njmegen bridge.

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M1 Garand .30-06
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Major Julian Cook (Robert Redford) of the 82nd Airborne leads his men carrying an M1 Garand .30-06
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Major Cook with the M1 Garand.
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Major Cook hunkers down with his M1 Garand .30-06

M1 Carbine

The M1 Carbine is also seen used by US Airborne officers and NCO's in the film. Most notably seen when Sgt. Eddie Dohun (James Caan) pulls one out of its Jeep mount when he is hiding from a German Patrol in the forest. Also used by Col. Stout (Elliott Gould) when leading the charge to capture the Son bridge.

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World War II Era M1 Carbine, with Dark Walnut Stock, 'L' peep sight and no bayonet lug - correct for most of WW2, shown with khaki sling and Magazine pouch for buttstock
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Col. Robert Stout (Elliott Gould) leads 101st Airborne paratroopers in his charge to capture the Son bridge. Stout carries a correct World War II era M1 Carbine. The character of Col. Stout was based on Colonel Robert Sink, commander of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment (Portrayed by Dale Dye in the miniseries Band of Brothers), which was about to seize the Son River bridge when the Germans managed to blow it up just before they got there.
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Korean War Era M1 Carbine, late 1945 issue, usually referred to as the Korean War Era M1 Carbine, since it saw the most US military action in that campaign- .30 carbine. Also there are no Wartime photographs of Soldiers carrying this model Carbine during World War II, however occupation troops have them. It has the adjustable rear sight and a bayonet lug.
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Exhausted 101st Airborne MP points the way with his M1 Carbine - .30 carbine. Note that though the "L" peep sight is correct, but the bayonet lug is Korean War Issue.
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Sgt. Eddie Dohun (James Caan) readies his M1 Carbine - .30 carbine. The M1 Carbine is a Post World War II variant with a bayonet lug and an adjustable rear sight.
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Closer shot of Sgt. Eddie Dohun with his anachronistic Korean War vintage M1 Carbine - .30 carbine

M1A1 Paratrooper Carbine

A Folding stock version of the M1 Carbine, this should have been more prevalent among the US Airborne troops, however only a few samples are ever seen in the film, most notably during large scenes of massing troops.

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M1A1 Carbine .30 Carbine with original L style rear sights, and side-folding stock
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The US Airborne troops on the far left are seen carrying the M1A1 Carbine - .30 carbine

M1911A1

The M1911A1 is used throughout the movie, especially by Sgt. Eddie Dohun (James Caan) when threatening an Army combat surgeon (Arthur Hill) in order to get him to treat his wounded captain (Nicholas Campbell). The handgun is also seen, albeit briefly, holstered amongst American officers, NCOs and Military Police.

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M1911A1 .45 ACP
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Sgt. Eddie Dohun (James Caan cleans his M1911A1.
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Sgt. Eddie Dohun (James Caan) threatens the combat surgeon (Arthur Hill) to convince him to treat his friend and commanding officer.

M1911

Apparently, the widespread issue of Browning Hi Power pistols (the iconic handgun of elite British Military units in World War II) to British Airborne units, only started after Operation Market Garden, so it is appropriate that they are seen using another handgun. A likely candidate in this case is the M1911 chambered in .455 Webley, issued to members of the R.A.F. In the film, the British M1911 is used by British 1st Airborne General Roy Urquhart (Sean Connery) and several other Airborne officers as they try to evade capture by Waffen SS forces.

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M1911 .455 Webley, a licensed handgun to the British Armed Forces after World War 1, issued to members of the R.A.F. (and possibly by association, members of the Army Airborne.)
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British 1st Airborne General Roy Urquhart (Sean Connery) holds an M1911 Variant.
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Urquhart (Sean Connery) fires an M1911 Variant, quite possibly the .455 Webley Version of the M1911.

M1A1 Thompson

The M1A1 Thompson is seen only briefly in the hands of US Airborne troops during the drop into Holland. Strangely, the Thompson is not prominently featured in the film despite being one of the primary weapons carried by the US Airborne along with M1 Garands and M1A1 folding stock Carbines.

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M1A1 Thompson SMG - .45 ACP
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A 101st Airborne trooper (seen to the left of the jeep) runs off with an M1A1 Thompson.

M1928A1 Thompson

At least one M1928A1 Thompson is seen being carried by one of the US Airborne troopers.

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M1928A1 Thompson with 30-round magazine - .45 ACP This variant has the 'simplified' rear sight that would be adopted for the M1 Thompson.
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An 101st Airborne paratrooper on the right runs across with an M1928 Thompson, noted by the top actuator (Wartime-produced M1/M1A1 Thompsons have side actuators). This seems to be the only case where a M1928 appears in the film, however.

Browning Automatic Rifle

The Browning Automatic Rifle is carried by US Airborne troops in the film, notably by 82nd Airborne troops during the assault on the Nijemegen Bridge.

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Browning Automatic Rifle - Caliber .30 AKA .30-06
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An 82nd Airborne trooper with a modified BAR ready to provide cover for Major Cook during the assault on the Nijmegen Bridge.

Browning M2 HB

The Browning M2HB is used by British Armored troops mounted to their Lend Lease Sherman Tanks.

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Browning M2HB on vehicle mount - .50 BMG
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Grenadier Guard fires his Browning M2 - .50 Cal (Note: In the movie, the sound effect for the .50 cal gun is that of an MG42!

Sten Mk5

The Sten Mk5 is the standard submachine gun for British and Polish Airborne units in the film, most featured had the forward pistol grip removed as was the case for operation 'Market Garden'.

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Sten Mk5 SMG - 9mm.
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Brigadier Lathbury carries a Sten Mk5 with what looks to be a skeleton stock, rather than the standard fixed stock. It can still be recognized as a Mk5 and not the earlier Mk2 due the forward iron sights (same as those on the Enfield No.4 MkI* rifle).
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Sten Mk5 used by British Paratroopers.
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British Paratrooper yells for Col. Frost to run, carrying a Sten Mk5 - 9mm

No2 Portable Flamethrower

A No2 Portable Flamethrower is used in the attack on the German bunker on the Arnhem bridge this weapon, known as the "Lifebuoy" for its resemblance to a lifesaver, was the standard British flamethrower.

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No2 Portable Flamethrower as used by British Airborne.

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Cpl. Davies (Alun Armstrong) with the No.2 Portable Flamethrower. Note the "Life Saver" shape of the fuel reservoir.

PIAT

The PIAT (Projectile Infantry Anti-Tank) is seen throughout the movie being used by British and Polish airborne units (who were similarly equipped). This weapon fired a 3 lb. hollow charge warhead via means of a powerful spring which ignited its propellant. The weapon had a powerful recoil, which necessitated it being fired prone since any other position would knock the user flat down. Seen especially during the repulse of the initial German assault on the Arnhem bridge.

PIAT Anti Tank Projectile
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British 1st Airborne prepares to defend Arnhem with PIATs
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British 1st Airborne uses a PIAT
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A trooper tries to use the PIAT to hit the rear of a German tank.

Bren gun

The Bren gun is also used by the British Grenadier Guards of XXX Corps.

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Bren gun, .303
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British Grenadier Guards fight with a Bren Gun - .303
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Vickers Machine Gun

The Vickers Machine Gun by British Grenadier Guards of XXX Corps.

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Example of a Vickers Mk1 machine gun used in film
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British Grenadier Guards fight with a Vickers - .303

Mk II Hand Grenade

The Mk II Hand Grenade is used by several paratroopers in the film.

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Mk II hand grenade.
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Brig. Gen. James Gavin (Ryan O'Neal) carries the MK II Hand grenade on his webbing along with his M1 Garand.

Axis Weapons

Mauser Karabiner 98k

The Mauser Karabiner 98k was the standard weapon for all German ground forces during World War II.

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Karabiner 98k - German manufacture 1937 date - 7.92x57mm
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German Soldiers defend the Nijmegen Bridge with their K98 - 7.92x57mm
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German Soldiers fight for the Nijmegen Bridge with their K98 rifles - 7.92x57mm
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German defenders of the bridge with the K98 - 7.92x57mm
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A boy drafted into the Wehrmacht fights the Americans with his K98 - 7.92x57mm (note the rear sight being fully elevated)

Karabiner 98 Sniper

Used by designated Marksmen and Snipers in the German Armed forces.

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Karabiner 98k Sniper - 7.92x57mm Mauser
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German soldier aims his K98 Sniper rifle.

MP40

The MP40 is used by German troops.

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MP40 SMG - 9mm
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Closeup of an MP40.
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A British 1st Airborne soldier use a captured MP40 during the battle for Arnhem.
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Lieutenant General Wilhelm Bittrich's (Maximilian Schell) guards carry MP40 SMGs.

MG42

The MG42 is used by German troops

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Example of a MG42 used in film - 7.92x57mm
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An MG42 is carried by a retreating German soldier.

MG34

The most commonly seen machine gun used by German troops in the film is the MG34.

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Example of a MG34 used in film - 7.92x57mm
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German Soldier in the woods scans for US Paratroopers with his MG34.
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German soldier opens fire with the MG34 on the 82nd Airborne troops assaulting the Nijemegen Bridge.
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German Panzer Grenadier (wearing anachronistic West German 1960s experimental Cammo pattern) aims his MG34.
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An MG34 is seen atop a modified Leopard 1 Tank.