Battleground (1949)

Battleground is a 1949 WWII film about members of the 101st Airborne defending the city of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge in the fall of 1944. Made only five years after the actual battle, it was directed by legendary filmmaker William Wellman (Story of G.I. Joe) and was the recipient of two Academy Awards including Best Screenplay and Best Cinematography.

The following firearms were used in the film Battleground:

M1 Garand

The M1 Garand is seen used by most of the paratroopers in the 101st Airborne Division.

M1 Garand semiautomatic Rifle with leather M1917 sling - .30-06

Holley (Van Johnson) readies his M1 Garand.

Holley (Van Johnson) fixes a bayonet on his M1 Garand as the Airborne prepares for a German onslaught.

M1 Carbine

The M1 Carbine is carried by some of the officers of the 101st Airbonre Division.

Korean War Era M1 Carbine, with Birch Stock, Adjustable sight, bayonet lug, and twin magazine pouch. Most of the World War II variations of the M1 Carbine were sent back to the Military Arsenals and retrofitted with the Bayonet Lug and adjustable rear sight. This is the version seen after late 1945 and all the way until the 1960s. This version is seen most often in World War II movies, despite being anachronistic for most World War II battles

The paratrooper on the right carries the M1 Carbine. Although the film was made pretty close to the actual battle, the anachronistic bayonet lug is seen.

M1903 Springfield

The M1903 Springfield is mentioned as a weapon used by a walking wounded soldier.

Springfield M1903 Mk 1 - .30-06

Browning Automatic Rifle

The Browning Automatic Rifle is seen used by Abner Spudler and other troops of the 101st Airborne.

Browning Automatic Rifle .30-06

The BAR is slung on the shoulder of one of the paratroopers.

Thompson|M1928A1 Thompson

Kinnie (James Whitmore) can be seen armed with a M1928A1 Thompson.

M1928A1 Thompson with 30-round stick magazine and early 'simplified' rear sight that would be adopted for the M1 Thompson - .45 ACP

Kinnie (James Whitmore) fires his Thompson. Note the magazines taped "jungle style".

M3 Grease Gun

The M3 Grease Gun is seen being held by a man in the jeep.

M3 "Grease Gun" .45 ACP

Browning M1919

After Mac is killed during the railroad ambush, Jarvess picks up the paratrooper version of the Browning M1919 and continues the fight.

M1919A6 .30 Machine Gun, "Paratrooper Model" With wooden stock and bipod

Browning M2HB Heavy Machine Gun

The Browning M2HB heavy machine gun can be seen mounted on an M4 Sherman tank. An M51 Quad Mount is seen as the men go into town.

Karabiner 98k

The surrendering German soldier has a white flag attached to a K98 rifle. Also seen carried by German troops as they are ambushed by the Airborne.

Karabiner 98k - German manufacture 1937 date - 7.92x57mm

Luger P08

One of the paratroopers is seen polishing a captured Luger P08. He throws it away after he remembers the rumor that US soldiers were shot if they are captured with German weapons on them.

Luger P08 9x19mm. This is a 1917 dated handgun, thus it is a World War One firearm.