Battle of the Bulge (1965)
Battle of the Bulge is the 1965 World War II film that focuses on the events of the famous battle that occurred during the German winter offensive of 1944. As was customary for World War II films of the time, this film features an all-star cast including Henry Fonda, Telly Savalas, Charles Bronson, and Robert Shaw.
The production was filmed in Spain, which provided a large amount of armor and weaponry (sometimes anachronistic). Despite the several impressive tank battle sequences, the film has an end title that states many of the events and characters in the film were heavily "synthesized" to capture the "essence" of the battle.
The following weapons were used in the film Battle of the Bulge:
Rifles and Carbines
M1 Garand
The M1 Garand is carried by numerous US soldiers throughout the film.
M1 Garand semiautomatic Rifle with leather M1917 sling - .30-06
Lt. Col. Dan Kiley (
Henry Fonda) takes aim with the M1 Garand. Note the absence of a rear sight.
German infiltrators disguised as US troops surprise Col. Hessler (
Robert Shaw). The Garand is carried by several infiltrators.
US Troops with their M1 Garand rifles retreat from oncoming German armor.
Several US Troops fire their M1 Garand rifles at escaping German tankers.
In a restored scene, a young boy is seen using an M1 Garand to take a shot at Col. Hessler.
M1C Garand
An M1C Garand fitted with a scope is in the hands of Sgt. Duquesne (George Montgomery).
M1C Sniper Variant with M82 scope - .30-06
M1 Carbine
The M1 Carbine is seen briefly held by a German infiltrator disguised as a US soldier. M1 Carbines are also carried by US troops as well. The majority of these carbines are of the anachronistic Korean War era.
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
German infiltrators disguised as US troops surprise Gen. Kohler (
Werner Peters) and Col. Hessler (
Robert Shaw). The M1 Carbine is carried by the infiltrator on the left.
Kiley (
Henry Fonda) carries the M1 Carbine (fitted with the anachronistic bayonet lug).
Sturmgewehr 44
A Sturmgewehr 44 is seen in the hands of Lt. Weaver (James MacArthur) taken from a captured German soldier and this is the rifle examined by Lt. Col. Kiley (Henry Fonda) and Col. Pritchard (Dana Andrews).
M43 Spanish Mauser
German infantry and also some U.S. soldiers are seen armed with M43 Spanish Mauser rifles throughout the film.
Spanish Mauser M43 - 7.92x57mm Mauser
German infantry is seen armed with Mauser rifles throughout the film.
German troops carry the Spanish rifle.
Submachine Guns
M3 Grease Gun
The M3 Grease Gun is the most common submachine gun carried by US troops in the film and is seen in the hands of Sgt. Duquesne (George Montgomery), Wolenski (Charles Bronson), and Lt. Col. Dan Kiley (Henry Fonda).
M3 "Grease Gun" - .45 ACP
Lt. Col. Dan Kiley (
Henry Fonda) fires Wolenski's Grease Gun.
Schumacher (
Ty Hardin), one of the Germans disguised as an American MP, opens fire with the Grease Gun.
Sten Mk II
A Sten Mk II can briefly be seen being carried by an American soldier.
Sten Mk II Submachine gun - 9x19mm
The Sten is carried by the soldier climbing into the truck.
MAT-49
What appear to be MAT-49 submachine guns are carried by US troops guarding artillery at the rail yard. These particular SMG's weren't introduced until after the war.
MAT-49 Submachine Gun - 9x19mm
What appear to be
MAT-49 submachine guns are carried by US troops guarding artillery at the rail yard.
MP40
The MP40 is used by German forces as well as by Lt. Weaver (James MacArthur).
MP40 submachine gun - 9x19mm
Lt. Weaver (
James MacArthur) holds an MP40. This appears to be a continuity error as he took this off the German infiltrator Schumaker (
Ty Hardin), who had been carrying an M3 Grease Gun.
Machine Guns
Browning M2HB
The Browning M2HB can be seen mounted atop American M24 Chafee tanks and American half-tracks. These half-tracks are also depicted as German vehicles.
An M24 Chaffee tank has the Browning M2 mounted on the turret.
On the right, the US half-track has the Browning M2 mounted in the turret.
The Browning M2 is mounted atop the half-track painted to resemble a German vehicle.
Browning M1919A4 Machine Gun
Browning M1919A4 are seen mounted on the American M24 Chaffee tanks and is fired handheld by Sgt. Guffy (Telly Savalas). US troops fighting against German armor also use M1919A4's.
Browning M1919A4 - .30-06
Closeup of the M1919A4 forward mounted on a German tank.
Closeup of the M1919A4 forward mounted on an American M24 Chaffee tank.
US troops fighting against German armor also use M1919A4's.
MG42
An MG42 is used by German troops at the Malmedy Massacre.
MG42 Machine Gun - 7.92x57mm Mauser
A German machine gunner prepares his MG42 during the infamous event.
Handguns
Colt M1911A1
What appear to be the Colt M1911A1 is seen in the holster of US officers and used by Lt. Weaver (James MacArthur). It is also possible that some of these are really Star Model B pistols, as the 1911 had troubles firing blanks in vintage films, and the movie was filmed in Spain, so it would be available.
Colt M1911A1 Pistol - .45 ACP
Lt. Weaver (
James MacArthur) has his M1911 out as they observe the oncoming German offensive.
Walther P38
A Walther P38 is seen carried by German tankers including Colonel Hessler (Robert Shaw).
Walther P38 pistol (manufactured at the Mauser Factory) - World War II dated - 9x19mm
On the right, the
Walther P38 is seen pulled by one of Hessler's men in a restored scene.
Other
Instalaza M65 Rocket Launcher
Wolenski (Charles Bronson) uses an Instalaza M65 Rocket Launcher with a blast shield to damage a German Tiger Tank. The upgraded bazookas were provided by the Spanish Army, which supported several war films and television series made in Spain in the late 1960s.
Instalaza M65 Rocket Launcher - 88.9mm
M7A3 rifle grenade launcher
The M7A3 Rifle Grenade Launcher is seen fitted to several M1 Garand rifles.
M7A3 rifle grenade adapter - 22mm
Rifle grenades preparing to be used by Sgt. Duquesne (
George Montgomery) and several other soldiers. The mounted grenade is not a WW2-era device, instead being a Spanish Instalaza M61 HEAT grenade from the 1960s.
Wolenski shows a soldier how to properly plant and fire the launcher. At full size it can be seen the adapter has a ridged look rather than having shallow grooves: this is a 1950s M7A3 rather than a period M7.
Mk II hand grenade
Mk II Hand Grenades are carried by US troops. Kiley tosses one into the turret of a German tank.
Kiley tosses a Mk II grenade into the turret of a German tank.
A paratrooper on the left at Bastogne carries hand grenades.
Trivia
M47 Patton
The tanks used in the film to represent the German Tigers are in reality anachronistic US made M47 Pattons.
German "Tiger" tanks advance through the forest.
Col. Hessler looks out of the cupola as the "Tigers" advance.
The "Tiger" tanks move into US territory along with a US M3 halftrack which is most likely standing in for a Sd.Kfz. 251.
The "Tiger" tanks clash with the US M24 Chaffee tanks during the climatic battle. This battle is a highly "Hollywooded" version of the Battle of Celles where in reality, the German tanks were already stranded and out of fuel.
M24 Chaffee
The M24 Chaffee is the tank widely seen in the film as the primary tank of American forces. While the M24 was introduced into the war at around this time, the more prevalent tank used by the US during this battle was the M4 Sherman.
The M24's clash with the German tigers. While the M24 is a World War II era tank, it was not as prominently seen as depicted in the film.
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