The challenge: optimize US WWII small arms.
But it wouldn't be any fun without some limits, would it?
Earliest PoD: 1930.
No more than two completely new weapons (OTL: M1 Garand, M1 Carbine)
Any number of minor modifications to existing weapons (no change in caliber, feed, or action) (OTL: M1 Thompson, M1919 shoulder stock/bipod, etc.).
No more than one new ammunition caliber (OTL: .30 Carbine).
Bear in mind your optimization must apply to the US Army combat forces, service forces, and the USMC.
Bear in mind the US had huge stocks of .30-06 ammunition, and until 1940 has a very limited budget.
Existing weapons are the M1903 rifle, M1911 pistol, M1928 submachinegun, M1919 MMG, M1918 Automatic Rifle, M1917 HMG, and if you really want it M1917 rifle. Existing cartridges are the .45ACP and .30-06.
Your optimization program should be able to be fully implemented by the end of 1944.
Heavy weapons such as the M2 BMG are beyond the scope of this exercise.
Please be as detailed as possible about squad, platoon, company, and battalion small arms.
Present... ARMS! ;-)
But it wouldn't be any fun without some limits, would it?
Earliest PoD: 1930.
No more than two completely new weapons (OTL: M1 Garand, M1 Carbine)
Any number of minor modifications to existing weapons (no change in caliber, feed, or action) (OTL: M1 Thompson, M1919 shoulder stock/bipod, etc.).
No more than one new ammunition caliber (OTL: .30 Carbine).
Bear in mind your optimization must apply to the US Army combat forces, service forces, and the USMC.
Bear in mind the US had huge stocks of .30-06 ammunition, and until 1940 has a very limited budget.
Existing weapons are the M1903 rifle, M1911 pistol, M1928 submachinegun, M1919 MMG, M1918 Automatic Rifle, M1917 HMG, and if you really want it M1917 rifle. Existing cartridges are the .45ACP and .30-06.
Your optimization program should be able to be fully implemented by the end of 1944.
Heavy weapons such as the M2 BMG are beyond the scope of this exercise.
Please be as detailed as possible about squad, platoon, company, and battalion small arms.
Present... ARMS! ;-)