A Bridge Too Far (1977)

A Bridge Too Far is the 1977 World War II film based on the 1974 best selling book by Cornelius Ryan and directed by Sir Richard Attenborough (better known to younger viewers as an actor, for his portrayal "John Hammond" in the Spielberg Films Jurassic Park and The Lost World: Jurassic Park). See the Discussion section for some trivia on the film.

Allied Weapons

Lee-Enfield No 4 Mk 1*

Used by all British Troops, mostly the Grenadier Guards in the Armored Column as well as the British 1st Airborne Division when they were trapped in Arnhem. The No 4 Mk 1* rifle was also seen in the hands of the Polish Airborne brigade troops. Colonel John Frost (Anthony Hopkins) was also seen using a No.4 rifle during the later stages of the battle for Arnhem.

Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk1 .303

British troops from the XXX Armored Corps advance with a variety of weapons including the No 4. Mk 1. - 303

British 1st Airborne Brigade in Arnhem use No 4 Mk. 1 Rifles - .303

British 1st Airborne soldier in Arnhem using No 4 Mk. 1 Rifle - .303

M1 Garand

The main rifle used by US Airborne troops in the film is the M1 Garand. A gas operated clip fed semi-automatic shoulder weapon, it served as the primary American weapon from 1942-1957 and notably used by Major Julian Cook (Robert Redford) of the 82nd Airborne while leading his men to capture the Njmegen bridge.

M1 Garand .30-06

Major Julian Cook (Robert Redford) of the 82nd Airborne leads his men carrying an M1 Garand .30-06

Major Cook with the M1 Garand.

Major Cook hunkers down with his M1 Garand .30-06

M1 Carbine

The M1 Carbine is also seen used by US Airborne officers and NCO's in the film. Most notably seen when Sgt. Eddie Dohun (James Caan) pulls one out of its Jeep mount when he is hiding from a German Patrol in the forest. Also used by Col. Stout (Elliott Gould) when leading the charge to capture the Son bridge.

World War II Era M1 Carbine, with Dark Walnut Stock, 'L' peep sight and no bayonet lug - correct for most of WW2, shown with khaki sling and Magazine pouch for buttstock

Col. Robert Stout (Elliott Gould) leads 101st Airborne paratroopers in his charge to capture the Son bridge. Stout carries a correct World War II era M1 Carbine. The character of Col. Stout was based on Colonel Robert Sink, commander of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment (Portrayed by Dale Dye in the miniseries Band of Brothers), which was about to seize the Son River bridge when the Germans managed to blow it up just before they got there.

Korean War Era M1 Carbine, late 1945 issue, usually referred to as the Korean War Era M1 Carbine, since it saw the most US military action in that campaign- .30 carbine. Also there are no Wartime photographs of Soldiers carrying this model Carbine during World War II, however occupation troops have them. It has the adjustable rear sight and a bayonet lug.

Exhausted 101st Airborne MP points the way with his M1 Carbine - .30 carbine. Note that though the "L" peep sight is correct, but the bayonet lug is Korean War Issue.

Sgt. Eddie Dohun (James Caan) readies his M1 Carbine - .30 carbine. The M1 Carbine is a Post World War II variant with a bayonet lug and an adjustable rear sight.

Closer shot of Sgt. Eddie Dohun with his anachronistic Korean War vintage M1 Carbine - .30 carbine

M1A1 Paratrooper Carbine

A Folding stock version of the M1 Carbine, this should have been more prevalent among the US Airborne troops, however only a few samples are ever seen in the film, most notably during large scenes of massing troops.

M1A1 Carbine .30 Carbine with original L style rear sights, and side-folding stock

The US Airborne troops on the far left are seen carrying the M1A1 Carbine - .30 carbine

M1911A1

The M1911A1 is used throughout the movie, especially by Sgt. Eddie Dohun (James Caan) when threatening an Army combat surgeon (Arthur Hill) in order to get him to treat his wounded captain (Nicholas Campbell). The handgun is also seen, albeit briefly, holstered amongst American officers, NCOs and Military Police.

M1911A1 .45 ACP

Sgt. Eddie Dohun (James Caan) threatens the combat surgeon (Arthur Hill) to convince him to treat his friend.

M1911

Apparently, the widespread issue of Browning Hi Power pistols (the iconic handgun of elite British Military units in World War II) to British Airborne units, only started after Operation Market Garden, so it is appropriate that they are seen using another handgun. A likely candidate in this case is the M1911 chambered in .455 Webley, issued to members of the R.A.F. In the film, the British M1911 is used by British 1st Airborne General Roy Urquhart (Sean Connery) and several other Airborne officers as they try to evade capture by Waffen SS forces.

M1911 .455 Webley, a licensed handgun to the British Armed Forces after World War 1, issued to members of the R.A.F. (and possibly by association, members of the Army Airborne.)

British 1st Airborne General Roy Urquhart (Sean Connery) fires an M1911 Variant, quite possibly the .455 Webley Version of the M1911.

M1A1 Thompson, M1928 Thompson

The M1A1 Thompson is seen only briefly in the hands of US Airborne troops during the drop into Holland. Strangely, the Thompson is not prominently featured in the film despite being one of the primary weapons carried by the US Airborne along with M1 Garands and M1A1 folding stock Carbines.

M1A1 Thompson SMG - .45 acp

An 101st Airborne paratrooper on the right runs across with an M1928 Thompson there is no cocking handle on the side of weapon., but none are seen during the battles in the movie - .45acp

Another 101st Airborne trooper (seen to the left of the jeep) runs off with an M1A1 Thompson - .45acp

Browning Automatic Rifle

The Browning Automatic Rifle is carried by US Airborne troops in the film, notably by 82nd Airborne troops during the assault on the Nijemegen Bridge.

Browning Automatic Rifle

An 82nd Airborne trooper with a modified BAR ready to provide cover for Major Cook during the assault on the Nijmegen Bridge, this is the M1918 Bar which was the WW1 Variant. - 30.06

Browning M2 HB

The Browning M2HB is used by British Armored troops mounted to their Lend Lease Sherman Tanks.

Browning M2HB on vehicle mount - .50 BMG

Grenadier Guard fires his Browning M2 - .50 Cal (Note: In the movie, the sound effect for the .50 cal gun is that of an MG42!

Sten Mk5

The standard submachine gun for British and Polish Airborne units, most featured had the forward pistol grip removed as was the case for Market Garden.

Sten Mk5 as used by British Airborne.

Sten Mk2When watching the film, Brigadier Lathbury carries a Sten Mk2 with skeleton stock, it is not a Mk5 as there is no forward Iron sights or wooden Pistol Grip(s) or Wooden stock.

Sten Mk5 used by British Paratroopers.

British Paratrooper yells for Col. Frost to run, carrying a Sten Mk5 - 9mm

No2 Portable Flamethrower

A No2 Portable Flamethrower is used in the attack on the German bunker on the Arnhem bridge this weapon, known as the "Lifebuoy" for its resemblance to a lifesaver, was the standard British flamethrower.

No2 Portable Flamethrower as used by British Airborne.

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Cpl. Davies (Alun Armstrong) with the No.2 Portable Flamethrower. Note the "Life Saver" shape of the fuel reservoir.

PIAT

The PIAT (Projectile Infantry Anti-Tank) is seen throughout the movie being used by British and Polish airborne units (who were similarly equipped). This weapon fired a 3 lb. hollow charge warhead via means of a powerful spring which ignited its propellant. The weapon had a powerful recoil, which necessitated it being fired prone since any other position would knock the user flat down. Seen especially during the repulse of the initial German assault on the Arnhem bridge.