The Fighting 69th

The Fighting 69th was filmed in 1940 with James Cagney playing a misfit named Jerry Plunkett and his inability to fit into the unit due to a mixture of bravado and cowardice. Pat O'Brien stars as real life character Father Francis P. Duffy, a military chaplain who attempts to bring out the good side Plunkett. Pat o"Brien speaks to "Wild Bill" Donovan, played by George Brent to give him a chance and keep him in the unit.But over time due to his cowardice it cost the lives of several soldiers including the brothers of Sergeant 'Big Mike' Wynn. When Cagney deserts his patrol that costs the life of Sergeant Joyce Kilmer then the regimental commander "Wild Bill" Donovan orders Plunkett's court-martial. Just before Plunkett's execution for desertion he escapes to the front lines after finding God and saves the life of Sergeant 'Big Mike' Wynn by sacrificing his own jump on top of a grenade.

• Actors: James Cagney, Pat O'Brien, George Brent, Jeffrey Lynn, Alan Hale Sr., Dick Foran, Dennis Morgan, William Lundigan, Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams, Tom Dugan, Frank McHugh, George Reeves

• Directors: William Keighley

The following guns were used in the movie The Fighting 69th:

1903 Springfield Rifle

1903 Springfield Rifle - .30-06

Lieutenant 'Long John' Wynn (Dick Foran) marching with troops armed with 1903 Springfield Rifles

Private Jerry Plunkett (James Cagney) during bayonet practice with 1903 Springfield Rifle

Lebel 1886 Rifle

French Lebel M1886 Rifle - 8 x 50mm Lebel

French troops marching back to the rear with Lebel Model 1886 Rifles

Webley & Scott Mk III Signal Pistol

Webley & Scott MkIII Signal Pistol - 1 inch

Private Jerry Plunkett (James Cagney) Looking at a Webley & Scott MkIII Signal Pistol

Maxim MG08/15 Machine Gun

Maxim MG08/15 Machine Gun - 7.92 x 57mm

German soldiers firing a Maxim MG08/15 Machine Gun

Colt 1902 Military Pistol

Colt Model 1902 Military Model - .38 ACP

US officer holding a Colt Model 1902 Military Model Pistol

Major 'Wild Bill' Donovan (George Brent) charging with a Colt Model 1902 Military Model Pistol

US officer holding a Colt Model 1902 Military Model Pistol

Luger P08 Pistol

Luger P08 Pistol - 9mm

German soldier with a Luger P08 Pistol in his hand

Maxim MG08 Machine Gun

Maxim MG08 Machine Gun - 7.92 x 57mm

German soldiers firing a Maxim MG08 Machine Gun

3 inch Stokes Trench Mortar

Stokes Trench Mortar - 3 inch

Sergeant 'Big Mike' Wynn (Alan Hale Sr.) firing a 3 inch Stokes Trench Mortar

Private Jerry Plunkett (James Cagney) carrying the 3 inch Stokes Trench Mortar

Gew 98 Rifle

Mauser Gew 98 Rifle - 7.92 x 57mm

German soldiers with Mauser Gew 98 Rifles in shell crater