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Post by woodsy on Feb 17, 2011 11:38:09 GMT 1
A nice example Alburg!  |
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Post by Peter Wells on Feb 18, 2011 16:53:06 GMT 1
Not sure if all the Commonwealth forces in North Africa had Thompsons but SA forces had large numbers of 1928A1 guns.
Pics exist of both vertical and horizonal fore-ends but, apparently, only 50rd drums - no stick mags.
They were very popular for night patrols (recce, snatch and fighting patrols) which, for the Infantry, were a regular feature of the period leading up to the Battle of El Alamein.
For me, the easist way to tell a 1928 from an M1 at a distance is the location of the cocking handle. Top mounted = 1928. Not visible = M1 type.
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Post by woodsy on Feb 18, 2011 22:13:49 GMT 1
Peter, the M1928A1 was used in North Africa by NZ, Aussie, and other 8th Army troops, as well as the LRDG and the SAS. The drums were used but the 20 round box mags were much more reliable and quieter in operation. I suspect that many photos were staged with drums at the request of the photographers who were always more interested in the composition rather than the factual portrayal! Many Thompson 'action' photos show the cocking handle in the forward, uncocked position.  |
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Post by Peter Wells on Feb 19, 2011 7:11:02 GMT 1
Good points Rod. Stick mags would also have been much easier to carry in the Patt37 utility pouches.
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