BBA002-Water cooled machinegun (1 Viewer)

[spartan71]

I just got/ received the "enemy in sight" BBA012, And with the halftrack coming out in half a month. I wanted to expand a little more on the Battle of the Bulge. And came across this set. It is a great set!!, but I am having a hard time picturing a water cooled machine gun, In the middle of winter being used. Can anyone elaborate if this was used then on the battlefield, in Bastogne??

 

[binder001]

In a standard US Army "leg" infantry outfit in WW2 the heavy machineguns were in the heavy weapons company of each infantry battalion (three battalions plus support = a regiment in the US Army). On one hand I don't think the 101st Airborne Division had water-cooled heavy machineguns in their TO&E (unless they might be with the glider infantry regiment). On the good news - despite the legend, the 101st wasn't the only unit in Bastogne, there were survivors from the 9th and 10th Armored Divisions (each had a combat command in the area), some remnants from the 28th Infantry Division and a few other units of VIII Corps. So there were likely some M1917A1heavy machineguns around and the airborne units were never shy about "adopting" extra equipment when they felt they needed it. So it is my opinion that Andy is not out of line in providing us this weapon for the defense of Bastogne. Use it and enjoy!

Gary B.

 

[spartan71]

Gary,
Thanks once again!!, You have helped me figure out/ put into perspective some items That I have gotten, and had questions about. Thanks for making it clear.

 

[spartan71]

I just got finished watching a history channel documentary on the battle of the Biulge. "Patton 360. and did see water cooled machineguns, at Bastogne.
So You were dead on Right, Gary. Time for me to buy, Ba002.