Battle of the Bulge is the 1965 World War II film that focuses on the events of the famous battle that occurred during the German winter offensive of 1944. As was customary for World War II films of the time, this film features an all-star cast including Henry Fonda, Telly Savalas, Charles Bronson, and Robert Shaw.
The production was filmed in Spain, which provided a large amount of armor and weaponry (sometimes anachronistic). Despite the several impressive tank battle sequences, the film has an end title that states many of the events and characters in the film were heavily "synthesized" to capture the "essence" of the battle.
The following weapons were used in the film Battle of the Bulge:
The M1 Carbine is seen briefly held by a German infiltrator disguised as a US soldier. M1 Carbines are also carried by US troops as well. The majority of these carbines are of the anachronistic Korean War era.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingKorean War Era M1 Carbine, with Birch Stock, Adjustable sight, bayonet lug, and twin magazine pouch - .30 Carbine. Most of the World War II variations of the M1 Carbine were sent back to the Military Arsenals and retrofitted with the Bayonet Lug and adjustable rear sight. This is the version seen after late 1945 and all the way until the 1960s. This version is seen most often in World War II movies, despite being anachronistic for most World War II battlesError creating thumbnail: File missingGerman infiltrators disguised as US troops surprise Gen. Kohler (Werner Peters) and Col. Hessler (Robert Shaw). The M1 Carbine is carried by the infiltrator on the left.Error creating thumbnail: File missingKiley (Henry Fonda) carries the M1 Carbine (fitted with the anachronistic bayonet lug).
What appear to be MAT-49 submachine guns are carried by US troops guarding artillery at the rail yard. These particular SMG's weren't introduced until after the war.
Browning M1919A4 are seen mounted on the American M24 Chaffee tanks and is fired handheld by Sgt. Guffy (Telly Savalas). US troops fighting against German armor also use M1919A4's.
What appear to be the Colt M1911A1 is seen in the holster of US officers and used by Lt. Weaver (James MacArthur). It is also possible that some of these are really Star Model B pistols, as the 1911 had troubles firing blanks in vintage films, and the movie was filmed in Spain, so it would be available.
Wolenski (Charles Bronson) uses an Instalaza M65 Rocket Launcher with a blast shield to damage a German Tiger Tank. The upgraded bazookas were provided by the Spanish Army, which supported several war films and television series made in Spain in the late 1960s.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingM7A3 rifle grenade adapter - 22mmError creating thumbnail: File missingRifle grenades preparing to be used by Sgt. Duquesne (George Montgomery) and several other soldiers. The mounted grenade is not a WW2-era device, instead being a Spanish Instalaza M61 HEAT grenade from the 1960s.Error creating thumbnail: File missingWolenski shows a soldier how to properly plant and fire the launcher. At full size it can be seen the adapter has a ridged look rather than having shallow grooves: this is a 1950s M7A3 rather than a period M7.
Mk II hand grenade
Mk II Hand Grenades are carried by US troops. Kiley tosses one into the turret of a German tank.
The M24 Chaffee is the tank widely seen in the film as the primary tank of American forces. While the M24 was introduced into the war at around this time, the more prevalent tank used by the US during this battle was the M4 Sherman.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingThe M24's clash with the German tigers. While the M24 is a World War II era tank, it was not as prominently seen as depicted in the film.
