World War II: Weapons Used In The Pacific

World War II:Weapons Used In The Pacific By: Jarred Pickett

Audience • 10th-11th U.S. History Class • Any range of learning ability • A part of the World War II section (Closer to the beginning of the section)

Environment • Individually or as an entire class • Computer lab or in a classroom with a projector • Have much computer experience • Can also be taken to be used as a study tool

Objective • After reading through each section and looking at the pictures of the guns. The students should be able to identify the major difference between American and Japanese weapons and the importance of certain weapons with 80% accuracy.

Motivation • Pictures of weapons and World War II, and sounds. • Important for the section test. • Visuals used in background and in open space. • Important for the rest of the World War II section.

Orientation • The students have already been introduced to World War II and certain aspects of it throughout their schooling. This will go into detail on the differences of the weapons used in the Pacific War and the importance it on the battles and the war in its entirety.

World War II: Weapons Used In The Pacific American Weapons Japanese Weapons • Click on the flag next to the subject you want to start with to move on.

American Weapons Pistol Sub-Machine Gun Bolt-Action Rifle Assault Rifle Flamethrower Light Anti-Aircraft Rifle Light Machine Gun Heavy Machine Gun Mortar Anti-Tank Rifle Japanese Weapons Main Menu Quiz

Japanese Weapons Pistol Bolt Action Rifle Light Machine Gun Flamethrower Heavy Machine Gun Mortar Anti-Tank Rifle American Weapons Main Menu Quiz

Colt .45 • Many have said that this weapon personified the U.S. Army-big, loud and powerful. • It had recoil which posed a big problem for new recruits. • This gun was used as a secondary weapon usually next to rifles or machine guns. • It was used all the way until the 1980’s American Weapons

M3 Grease Gun • Americans started the war with the Thompson Gun, but then to keep up with the competition they created the M3. • It was just as powerful as the Thompson, but it was much easier to produce. • It had a slow rate of fire and soldiers could carry plenty of ammunition with them in combat. Next Sub-Machine Gun

M1A1 Thompson • It is considered a symbol of World War II , and was derived from the M1928 , the gun used by ‘Gangsters’ during pre-war years. • It was used throughout the war even after it was replaced by the M3. • It was also hard to carry around the round ammunition canisters during combat. American Weapons

M1903 Springfield • It was rendered obsolete with the creation of the M1 Garand, but it was still used because of the large need of rifles. • Later in the war it was used as a sniper rifle when it was fitted with a Weaver telescopic sight. • It had a major impact on the war because of its long range. American Weapons

M1Garand • The Garand was the first self loading rifle used in the war and this gave a large advantage to the American Soldiers. • One problem with it was that the weapon had to be completely empty of ammunition before it could be reloaded. • The Germans would later create a more effective Assault Rifle. Next Assault Rifle

M1941 (Johnson Rifle) • It was like the Garand in many ways but it added a short recoil operation which was at first rejected by the Americans and used in Holland when the Nazi’s invaded, but the Marines would soon run short on weapons and acquire several thousand M1941 to make up for the shortage. Next Assault Rifle

M1 Carbine • It was a much lighter weapon that could be used by mortar men and other men that did not see quite as much action. • It replaced the pistol as the official armament of many ranks of officers. • Throughout the war several modifications were made for the Airborne troops to make it easier for the their jumps. American Weapons

Browning Automatic Rifle(BAR) • The BAR is categorized as a Light Machine Gun but it does not actually fit the description because they could not change the barrel and it had a low ammunition capacity. • It was a gas operated weapon and had the ability of different rates of firing. • Since the barrel could not be changed it had a high probability of overheating. Next Light Machine Gun

Browning Light Machine Gun • It was used mainly with an air cooled barrel to help it from overheating, and was used with a tripod to make it easier to fire. • It was later fitted with a bipod and a shoulder stock to make it easier to move around. American Weapons

Browning Heavy Machine Gun • It was first used in World War I and remained in use throughout World War II. • It was transported around on Jeeps and also handcarts by the Marine Corps. • It became known as very reliable throughout both wars and was used often. American Weapons

60mm Mortar M2 • This mortar had the range of 1800 meters and used smoke, explosive, and illuminating bombs. • There was at least one in every army platoon. • One disadvantage that stuck out was the weight, it required a 5-6 man squad to carry around and maintain. Next Mortar

81mm Mortar M1 • The long range of 3000 meters made it reliable with the use of smoke and explosive bombs. • It was carried around by a Jeep or trailer, and sometimes a two-wheeled handcart used by Airborne and Marine troops. American Weapons

M1A1 Bazooka • With the entry into the war America did not have any real Anti-Tank Weapon until the creation of the Bazooka, which hit the frontlines about a year after Pearl Harbor. • It had a great effect in the Pacific against Japanese Island bunkers. American Weapons

Portable Flamethrower M2-2 • It was a dangerous weapon to carry around because of its flammability and was a liability in many cases. • In Japan it had a big effect when it came to caves or bunkers on the islands, and left people with a painful death or injuries. • It was also fitted on some Sherman Tanks used in action. American Weapons

Browning M2HB • Its heavy barrel allowed for rapid fire, because it would not overheat quite as easily. • Its main use was against enemy air support, but was also used against tanks. • It was used on a tripod or a Jeep but was preferred on a Jeep because of its weight. American Weapons

Type 14 (Nambu) • It was considered the standard Japanese sidearm. • Though it was not the only pistol used it was the most reliable and effective. • Not used much in combat, no one really preferred it instead officers usually carried a Samurai sword. Japanese Weapons

Type 38th (Arisaka) • An older weapon first adopted in 1897. • Though it became known as a very reliable weapon and easy for soldiers to handle. • It was much less effective and a lot weaker than other Bolt Action Rifles used elsewhere. Japanese Weapons

Type 96 • This weapon introduced a barrel change and also got rid of the hopper, or feeder, and used 30 round box magazine. • It was considered a low powered Light Machine Gun and used an oiling mechanism which were both considered great weaknesses. Next Light Machine Gun

Type 99 • It needed no lubrication device like the Type 96 needed and was a little heavier but was very similar. • Both could be filled with a bayonet which was used quite often for close combat. Japanese Weapons

Type 92 • Throughout the war it retained the hopper unlike the Light Machine Guns which used the ammunition belt. • The belts had 30 rounds of ammunition and was independently fed into the gun. • It could be carried by 3-4 men without being disassembled which made for quicker movements. Japanese Weapons

Type 89 50mm Mortar • Had the range of 650 meters much less range than the American mortars and it used smoke, explosive, and illuminating bombs. • Many saw it more as a grenade launcher than a mortar because of its short range. Next Mortar

Type 92 70mm (Battalion Gun) • Range of the mortar was 2745 meters which was close to equal that of the American 81mm mortar and shot only explosive bombs. • There was an average of 2 per Infantry Battalion and in some battalions that number would be doubled. • It was a very expensive weapon to maintain on the field. Japanese Weapons

Type 100 • The Japanese Army relied on the backpack style flamethrower throughout the war unlike most other nations in the was who attached flamethrowers to their armored vehicles. • It was used extensively in China to burn down and destroy homes and entire villages. Japanese Weapons

Type 97 • The Type 97 required 4 men to carry this weapon which was much different than the Anti-Tank Rifle. • Not only was it used against tanks it was also used on U.S. loading crafts that brought American soldiers on to the beaches of islands. Japanese Weapons

Practice Question • Click on your answer. Which weapon was said to personify the U.S. Army (big, loud, and powerful)? Type 14 (Nambu) M1903 Springfield Colt .45 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) Main Menu Quiz

Great Job! Your ready to move on to the quiz! Main Menu Quiz

Try Again! Remember that the Colt .45 was considered big, loud, and powerful for its weapon type, Pistol, for many reasons including its heavy recoil. Main Menu Back to Question

Weapons Quiz • Remember to click on what you believe is the correct answer. • If You get the answer wrong a tip will be provided Main Menu

Question #1 Which weapon was derived from the M1928, the gun used by Gangsters before the war began? • M1A1 Thompson • Type 38th (Arisaka) • M3 Grease Gun • Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) Main Menu

Nicely Done! Move on to the next quiz question. Main Menu

Sorry! Try Again! • Remember that the M1A1 Thompson gun was also called the ‘Tommy’ gun, and was derived from the M1928, and was considered a symbol of World War II. Main Menu Back to Question

Question #2 During World War II four Mortar weapons were used, of these four which had the longest range? • 60mm Mortar M2 • Type 89 50mm Mortar • Type 92 70mm (Battalion Gun) • 81mm Mortar M1 Main Menu

Sorry! Try Again! • Remember that the 81mm has the range of 3000 meters, the 60mm-1800 meters, Type 89-650 meters and considered more of a grenade launcher, and Type 92-2745 meters. • The 81mm was a U.S. mortar and was much larger. Main Menu Back to Question

Question #3 Which weapon style was attached to armored vehicles by most nations but not by the Japanese? • Anti-Tank Rifle • Flamethrower • Anti-Aircraft Rifle • Heavy Machine Gun Main Menu

Sorry! Try Again! • Remember that the Japanese Army relied on the backpack style flamethrower and not attaching it to armored vehicles. Main Menu Back to Question

Question #4 Which American weapon used in World War II was considered a Light Machine Gun but does not actually fit the description? • Browning Light Machine Gun • Browning Heavy Machine Gun • Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) • M3 Grease Gun Main Menu

Sorry! Try Again! • Remember that having the ability to change the barrel and higher ammunition capacity are qualities of a Light Machine Gun, and qualities the BAR does not have. Main Menu Back to Question

Question #5 Which weapon was at first rendered obsolete during the war and then later turned into a Sniper Rifle? • Type 38th (Arisaka) • M1 Carbine • M1903 Springfield • Type 99 Main Menu

World War II: Weapons Used In The Pacific