Used by all 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 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.
Used by American Soldiers and mounted on jeeps and other vehicles. Most notably seen when James Caan pulls one out of it's Jeep mount when he is hiding from a German Patrol in the Forest. Also used by Elliott Gould when leading the charge to capture a bridge.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingWorld War Two 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 buttstockError creating thumbnail: File missingCol. Robert Stout (Elliott Gould) leads paratroopers to capture a bridge. Stout carries a correct World War 2 era M1 Carbine - .30 carbine. Actually there was no Robert Stout. The character is based on Colonel Robert Sink, commander of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, which was about to seize the Son River bridge when the Germans managed to blow it up just before they got there.Error creating thumbnail: File missingExhausted 101st Airborne MP points the way with his M1 Carbine - .30 carbine. Note that though the "L" peep sight is correct, the bayonet lug is Korean War Issue.Error creating thumbnail: File missingKorean 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 2, however occupation troops have them. It has the adjustable rear sight and a bayonet lug.Error creating thumbnail: File missingSgt. Eddie Dohun (James Caan) readies his M1 Carbine - .30 carbine. The M1 Carbine is a Post World War 2 variant with a bayonet lug and an adjustable rear sight.Error creating thumbnail: File missingCloser 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 amongst the American Airborne troops, however only a few samples are ever seen in the film, most notably during large scenes of massing troops.
Used throughout the movie, especially by James Caan when threatening a 101st Airborne combat surgeon (Arthur Hill) in order to get him to treat his wounded lieutenant (Nicholas Campbell). And also by Roy Urquhart when he blows away a German soldier passing a house window. Actually M1911A1 Pistols were issued to the British Forces chambered in .455 Webley for the Royal Navy/Royal Air Force, but id say that standard .45ACP was issued on lend-lease or just personal choice for Commissioned Officers/Special Operations Executive etc during WW2.
Seen only briefly during some of the massing troops scenes, the M1A1 Thompson has a peculiarly small roll in the film. The vast majority of Americans are armed with M1 Garands and M1 Carbines, which is unusual, since during many of the battles, nary an M1A1 Thompson can be seen, which is inaccurate.
Used by British Armored troops mounted to their Lend Lease Sherman Tanks.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingGrenadier 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 standard submachine gun for British and Polish Airborne units. Differentiated from earlier models by the wooden vertical foregrip and wooden stock.
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.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingBritish 1st Airborne Soldier with the No.2 Portable Flamethrower. Note the "Life Saver" shape of the fuel reservoir.
PIAT
Projectile Infantry Anti-Tank
Used throughout the movie 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 it's 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.
There are a LOT of anachronisms in this movie regarding Wehrmacht equipment. Also note the barely-disguised Leopard I tank that's supposed to be a WWII-era Panzer variant. -MT2008
Barely disguised Leopard Mk 1
In deference to MT20008's observation! ;)
Error creating thumbnail: File missingSome seen with a muzzle brake on the guns, some without. But other than the paint job, it is an unaltered Leopard Tank from the 1960s.
