History Hit presenter Luke Tomes returns to the Royal Armouries in Leeds to fire some of the most iconic weapons of the Second World War belonging to the United States Army.

As always he is joined by Keeper of Firearms & Artillery, Jonathan Ferguson who talks him through the history of all the pistols, rifles and machine guns employed in the conflict.

First up is the Colt M1911, designed by John Browning, an iconic semi-automatic firearm renowned for its durability, reliability, and powerful .45 ACP cartridge. Widely used in military, law enforcement, and civilian contexts since 1911, its robust design and historical significance cement its legendary status.

Second is the M1903 Springfield Bolt-Action Rifle, the U.S. military's primary infantry rifle from 1903 to the late 1930s. Chambered in .30-06, it excelled in accuracy and reliability, and saw extensive use in both World Wars and beyond, becoming a symbol of American marksmanship.

Third up, the M1 Garand - a legendary semi-automatic rifle designed by John Garand. The rifle was the standard U.S. military service rifle during World War II and the Korean War. Known for its reliability, accuracy, and eight-round en-bloc clip, it was the first semi-automatic rifle to be mass-issued, earning praise from General Patton as "the greatest battle implement ever devised."

Last but not least is the M1 Thompson sub-machine gun, also known as the "Tommy Gun," a weapon renowned for its use by U.S. forces in World War II. Chambered in .45 ACP, it features a high rate of fire and rugged reliability. Its association with both soldiers and gangsters cemented its legendary status.

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00:00 Introduction
02:19 Colt M1911
10:36 Firing Colt M1911
13:06 M1903 Springfield Sniper Rifle
17:13 Firing M1903 Springfield Rifle
19:33 M1 Garand
25:38 Firing M1 Garand
28:05 M1 Thompson
37:37 Firing M1 Thompson
42:25 Best Weapon?

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