Assault rifles and alternate history

[meketrefe]

IMO one of the biggest game changers was the introduction of autoloading high power rifles like the garand that helped win the war.
Aside from the urban fighting this make a huge difference in most of attrition scenarios just because of the firepower available.
It was also a test field for different types of ammo that created some problems in itself but it helped redefine the directives and
tactics in many conflicts to come.

 

[carpediem]

I think the biggest contributor to winning the Second World War in particular, in the European theater, was not a weapon at all. I would say it was the ill advised attack by the Germans against Russia. That unleashed millions of men against what had been a secure front. As far as auto loading rifles, I think the G-43 was in some ways better than the Garand. The en-bloc system of the Garand was certainly less than desirable, although it worked.

 

[Podmonkey]

I think the biggest contributor to winning the Second World War in particular, in the European theater, was not a weapon at all. I would say it was the ill advised attack by the Germans against Russia. That unleashed millions of men against what had been a secure front. As far as auto loading rifles, I think the G-43 was in some ways better than the Garand. The en-bloc system of the Garand was certainly less than desirable, although it worked.

The invasion and defeat of Russia was always Hitler's main objective though. It was his ridiculous notion that he could secure an alliance with England that was one of his big early mistakes. After being born.

 

[meketrefe]

Lots of things had a huge impact in the war..

British intelligence
breaking enigma
air supremacy from defensive to ofensive with daily raids
north atlantic supremacy
sabotage, heavy water war
Patton
etc..
but specially a unique generation of brave man and women who gave it all.

 

[carpediem]

Lots of things had a huge impact in the war..

British intelligence
breaking enigma
air supremacy from defensive to ofensive with daily raids
north atlantic supremacy
sabotage, heavy water war
Patton
etc..
but specially a unique generation of brave man and women who gave it all.

Those all did play a part, but hands down the men and women who took on the task of defeating Hitler and Hirohito were the deciding factor. My cousin who passed two years ago at 96, arrived in Europe via the Normandy beachhead and after cleaning up the remnants of the combat there (he was an engineer) was later caught up in the Battle of The Bulge. He never liked the cold after that December in '44, when he said he had to take a crap laying down or be shot by the Germans.

 

[Podmonkey]

Lots of things had a huge impact in the war..

British intelligence
breaking enigma
air supremacy from defensive to ofensive with daily raids
north atlantic supremacy
sabotage, heavy water war
Patton
etc..
but specially a unique generation of brave man and women who gave it all.

Nukes.