Issuing Weapons
Heroes Remember
We were sent over to the QM stores to draw weapons. We went
over there and the sergeant he says, “What do you want?” We
say, “Well we’re over here to draw our weapons.” The film is
full of unit sergeants, you know. So he turned around and he
picks up this rifle. I said, “What’s that for?” He said,
“That’s your weapon.” I said, “I can’t carry that.” Well
he said, “That’s what’s on the establishment list — is rifles.”
I said, “Well, I’m not taking it.” Well, he says “I don’t care
if you take it or not.” you know. So he said ... we got talking
and he said, “You know you’re right.” He says, “How in the hell
could you ... you can’t carry a rifle and use it and your camera
and photograph."
I never wore a steel helmet either — ‘cause a steel helmet
got in the way. So anyway I went back and the Major McDougall
says, “Did you get your weapon?” I said, “No.” I said, “They want
to issue us rifles.” He said, “Well, that’s on the
establishment.” I said, “Look sir,” I said, “Use your brains.”
This is my CO. I said, “How do you expect us to carry a rifle
and use it and our tripods and our cameras, you know? What are
we supposed to do ... drop the camera and everything and grab
the rifle?” He says, “I got your point.” He said, “We’ll look
into it.” So, they got a hold of the ordinance and it had to be .
they changed the establishment then to pistols. Later on, up in
Europe they took our revolvers away from us and gave us
Brownings — Belgian Browning 9mms. Didn’t like ‘em. I liked my
old Smith & Wesson. Never jammed.
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