Salvaged USGI Weapons on Iwo Jima

[Charlie Flick]

I ran across this image elsewhere and thought it interesting enough to post here. (Photo credit to JimThompson). This pile of weapons is on Iwo Jima. Perhaps they belonged to casualties and were battlefield pickups, or maybe just broke during use and need higher echelon service than can be provided at the front.

 

I see a bunch of Garands, some Carbines, a bazooka or two and a few M1919A4 machine guns, along with partial weapons, lots of parts, and tripods. No pistols that I can see. Anything else in there?

 

The ordnance guys have their work cut out for them. Also, note the pile of web gear in the background and 5 gallon gas or water cans.

 

 

Regards,

Charlie

 

 

 

 

[USdog]

Can’t identify any more weapons but love the UNIS marked gear in background.

[pararaftanr2]

Great photo Charlie! I see some bagged gas masks and life belts in the upper left of the photo. Some BAR barrels sticking out of the weapons pile too. The camo on those MGs is pretty neat as well.

Regards, Paul

[empireguns]

just think of the 2 privates standing there and the sergeant says "Now clean these up field strip, clean and have them ready to ship out tomorrow.

[Blacksmith]

I think your theory of those being casualty’s pick-ups is sadly likely.

 

Several WWII USMC veterans I’ve talked to over the years told me that they would “go shopping” whenever they came off the line.

 

Specifically, if they needed clothing, like boots, socks, pants, etc, they’d go to the medical tent(s). This is where (usually) battalion-level doctors / surgeons would treat or stabilize those injured. There would be piles of clothing outside the tents, some serviceable, some not. It would logically follow that other gear would be gathered similarly.

[Garandomatic]

Is that a Lewis gun barrel on the left??? As incredulous as that seems...?

[doyler]

I think your theory of those being casualty’s pick-ups is sadly likely.

 

Several WWII USMC veterans I’ve talked to over the years told me that they would “go shopping” whenever they came off the line.

 

Specifically, if they needed clothing, like boots, socks, pants, etc, they’d go to the medical tent(s). This is where (usually) battalion-level doctors / surgeons would treat or stabilize those injured. There would be piles of clothing outside the tents, some serviceable, some not. It would logically follow that other gear would be gathered similarly.

 

 

Agree

 

Looks like a collection point for items recovered.

 

I see a few helmets as well at the 12 o'clock postion near the top of the photo.

 

That stack of packs is a grim reminder of the cost of the battle

[dustin]

I think what is most probable is that this picture was taken well after the island was secure, probably months. Somebody has to clean up, you can see the scattered materials of everything on the beaches during the invasion, this all just the consolidation

[pararaftanr2]

Is that a Lewis gun barrel on the left??? As incredulous as that seems...?

Quite possibly the ground version of the Japanese Type 92 (1932) Lewis Gun.

[Garandomatic]

Bingo! Didn't know they had one!

[Catfishcraig]

Helmets

[doyler]

Helmets

 

Life belts as well.

[patches]

Here's a foto I posted in the Facial Hair topic, wonder if some of these weapons are one and the same.

 

 

A Marine Corps Platoon Sergeant with a goatee, he's on Iwo shortly after the fighting ended at some QM dump, the weapons I believe are battlefield pick-ups and or unserviceable turn ins.

[firstflabn]

The 3MARDIV's Iwo Jima Action Report contains a list of items salvaged each day by the Ord Co, 3rd Service Battalion. These salvage activities began on 28 Feb and were terminated on 16 Mar. So, it would be a mistake to assume no large scale salvage activities occurred before combat operations ended.

[Simon Lerenfort]

Is that a Lewis gun barrel on the left??? As incredulous as that seems...?

 

Think it is more likely an M1917 water cooled MG barrel.

[MWalsh]

Great photo Charlie! I see some bagged gas masks and life belts in the upper left of the photo. Some BAR barrels sticking out of the weapons pile too. The camo on those MGs is pretty neat as well.

Regards, Paul

 

I bet it isn't camo on them, but rather rust in some form, or perhaps damage from excessive heat from firing them nonstop.

[MWalsh]

In one of Ernie Pyle's books he wrote about his experiences in the European Theater, he wrote a chapter or part of a chapter on his experiences while with an Ordnance Unit. It detailed what they did and how they did it, and gave excellent insight as to the recovery and repair and reissue process.

 

I imagine USMC Ordnance units were pretty similar.

 

He wrote so much about the common soldier across all levels, if you have not read his books it is worth it to do so.

[kanemono]

Water cooled Browning and tripod.

[Ronnie]

Several BAR’s.

Ronnie

[gap]

Noticed that all of the slings are M1907 version. You would think by that point in 1945 some canvas slings would be seen.