"No discussion of the Garand rifle is complete without General George S. Patton Jr.'s famous quote;
'In my opinion, the M1 Rifle is the greatest battle implement ever devised.'
If fact, while many rifles have been produced by many countries, the M1 was certainly one of the most respected in its time. Germans using 5-shot, bolt-action K98s, facing U.S. GIs armed with the 8-shot semi-automatic M1 Garand, found themselves at their first real tactical disadvantage in the fields of France and the mountains of Tunisia and Italy. The M1 provided at least some tactical advantage to U.S. troops, who were otherwise facing a very experienced foe."
http://rt66.com/~korteng/SmallArms/jap77rif.htm
http://rt66.com/~korteng/SmallArms/japlight.htm
http://rt66.com/~korteng/SmallArms/japheavy.htm
"It was no SPR and tactically a little weak but I did think it did a good (if over exaggerated) job of telling about what it's like to be alone. Any time you see men in actual combat you notice their focus.
These Soldiers had none at all, even when they were trying to stay alive. I don't want to criticize it to much because the Director was trying to convey a sense of fear which is a vital component of combat. The Nick Nolte character was classic in his blindness. He acts like he sees the objective but the objective of his soldiers (the hill) are not his objective. His lack of ability to support his Company Commanders recommendation actually prolonged the assault and caused greater casualties. It didn't explain it very well in the movie but they actually did the flanking movement that the company commander wanted to do in the beginning. The decision to remove him from command was classic ass covering. Bury the bodies and move on. The Col. wanted his promotion and nothing would stand in his way, I don't remember if he got his promotion in the book, but it seemed a lot more positive than the movie.
When I was young there was this girl who decided it was taking to long to get home and she decided to go on her way, I never saw her again (it seems silly now but I was devastated and didn't come home, even once my whole tour in Germany). I could identify. Soooooooooooo typical, but it made me remember that experience and feel just a tad uncomfortable.
I don't think it conveyed the sense of Camaraderie that exists in a combat unit. That was totally missing along with any professionalism. I just couldn't believe that part. Know pride anywhere; not my picture of men in the Army. It may be screwed up at times but the one man supposedly caring about his Co. was BS. I think we all know that you feel protective towards your own unit and I saw none of that except for one man. I hate to get hyper critical so I'll stop here.
Tactically you know I would have done it different, and ditto for you. The words, "frontal assault" make my sphincter tighten. They weren't Marines.