Darby's Rangers
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Movie Poster
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Country
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United States
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Directed by
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William A. Wellman
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Release Date
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February 12, 1958
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Language
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English German Italian
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Studio
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Warner Bros.
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Distributor
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Warner Bros. Pictures
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Darby’s Rangers is the 1958 World War II film that was the next-to-last feature directed by William A. Wellman. The film also marked the first starring role for actor James Garner, who portrays Colonel William Orlando Darby. The movie chronicles Col. Darby's formation of an elite Army commando group as the “tip of the Army’s spear,” thus creating the Rangers. The cast also included Etchika Choureau, Edd Byrnes (as Edward Byrnes), and William Wellman Jr.
The following weapons were used in the film Darby’s Rangers:
Pistols
M1911A1
Throughout the film, Rangers carry a Colt M1911A1 pistol.
World War II Colt M1911A1 Pistol - .45 ACP
Submachine Guns
M1928A1 Thompson
Throughout the film, US Army Rangers carry the M1928 Thompson submachine gun.
M1928A1 Thompson with 30-round magazine and early 'simplified' rear sight that would be adopted for the M1 Thompson - .45 ACP
Cpl. Rollo Burns (
Peter Brown) bids farewell to his girl, Peggy McTavish (Venetia Stevenson) and her father, Sgt. McTavish (
Torin Thatcher).
MP40
An MP40 is briefly seen next to a German machine-gunner.
Maschinenpistole 40 - 9x19mm
Rifles
M1 Garand
Throughout the film, Rangers carry the M1 Garand.
M1 Garand semiautomatic Rifle with leather M1917 sling - .30-06
The film is dedicated to the US Army Rangers.
Rangers begin training in Scotland.
Rangers storm the beaches of North Africa.
Rangers assault an Italian gun emplacement in North Africa.
Ranger sharpshooters take out an Italian sniper.
Facing the Germans in Italy.
M1 Carbine
Throughout the film, Army Rangers carry the M1 Carbine.
Korean War Era M1 Carbine, with Birch Stock, Adjustable sight, bayonet lug, and twin magazine pouch - .30 Carbine. 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.
Karabiner 98k
An Italian sniper uses a Karabiner 98k to pin down Army Rangers.
Karabiner 98k - 7.92x57mm Mauser
Machine Guns
Bren Mk. 2
Sgt. McTavish (Torin Thatcher) uses a Bren gun for Ranger training.
Bren light machine gun .303 British
Browning M1917A1
A live Browning M1917A1 is used to train Army Rangers.
Browning M1917 machine gun with tripod and ammo box - .30-06
Browning M1919A4
Throughout the film, Ranger jeeps carry a pedestal mounted Browning M1919 machine gun.
Browning M1919A4 on an M31C pedestal mount - .30-06 Springfield
MG34
An MG34 is used by German paratroopers.
MG34 with front and rear sights folded down - 7.92x57mm Mauser
MG42
Throughout the film, German soldiers fire a Mauser MG42 machine gun.
MG42 with bipod extended - 7.92mm Mauser
Hand Grenades
Mk 2 Hand Grenade
Throughout the film, Army Rangers carry the Mk 2 hand grenade.
Mk 2 "Pineapple" High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade
Pvt. Eli Clatworthy (
William Wellman Jr.) carries the grenade mounted upside down on the webbing.
Pvt. Clatworthy with an Mk 2 hand grenade and an M1 Garand.
MSgt. Saul Rosen (
Jack Warden) carries the Mk 2 hand grenade into battle.
T/Sgt. Hank Bishop (
Stuart Whitman) carries the Mk 2 hand grenade into battle.
Cpl. Rollo Burns (
Peter Brown) carries the Mk 2 hand grenade into battle.
Type 67 stick grenade
German soldiers have Type 67 stick grenades.
Type 67 High-Explosive Fragmentation stick grenade
Other
M101 Howitzer
A damaged M101 Howitzer is seen in battle footage.
M101 Howitzer - 105x372mm