General Macarthur

The BAR was much more portable and accurate than the M-1919 MG. It could be handled by one person rather than a crew.

Not all US small arms were .30-06 caliber. The M-1 Carbine used a smaller .30 caliber cartridge that is similar to a pistol cartridge. The Thompson and Grease Guns (both sub-machine guns) were chambered in .45 ACP.

 

Ive heard them mention the BAR #2 man. whats his job?

 

Probably to stick close to the BAR man, carry loaded magazines and/or load empty ones for him. No gunner is any better than his ammunition supply.

 

Im guessing that the reason for the grease gun was completly because it was cheaper? and was it the same or superior to the .45 Thompson?

 

You brought up the alleged incident of shooting men for cowardice (by Col. Grose) already in this thread:

http://www.fun-online.sk/forum/viewtopic.php?p=125335&highlight=#125335

In that thread I provided sources that disputed your allegations with quotes provided by the people who were there at the time. Unless you have some new information and better sources than anonymous anecdotes there is little point in dredging it up again.

 

The Grease Gun was much cheaper but also much faster to build. It was comprised of stamped steel parts that were welded and screwed together. This also made it lighter. The Thompson was milled from steel forgings and wood. The Thompson was a better performer but the Grease Gun did the job good enough that it was eventually selected as the replacement.

 

recharge and pass magazines to the number one ,and replace him if he is hit .

all us small arms were either 30 06 ,.45 or .50 caliber until the issue of the m1 carbine which was a much shorter .30 cartridge .some officers and pilots carried .38 pistoles iirc .