Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

With full color images this is a carefully restored reproduction of a then highly classified 1943 US Army War Department manual.

The M1917 Revolver, formally United States Revolver, Caliber .45, M1917, was a U.S. six-shot revolver of .45 ACP caliber. It was adopted by the U.S. Army in 1917 to supplement the standard M1911 .45 ACP semi-automatic pistol during World War I. After, it was primarily used by secondary and non-deployed troops. There were two variations of the M1917, one from Colt and one from Smith & Wesson. The Colt M1917 Revolver was essentially the same as the M1909 with a cylinder bored to take the .45 ACP cartridge and the half-moon clips to hold the rimless cartridges in position. In early Colt production revolvers, attempting to fire the .45 ACP without the half-moon clips was unreliable at best, as the cartridge could slip forward into the cylinder and away from the firing pin. Later production Colt M1917 revolvers had headspacing machined into the cylinder chambers, just as the Smith & Wesson M1917 revolvers had from the start. The Smith & Wesson Model 1917 was essentially an adaptation of that company's Second Model .44 Hand Ejector, chambered instead for .45 ACP, employing a shortened cylinder allowing for use of half-moon clips, and a lanyard ring on the butt of the frame. After the First World War, M1917s became popular on the civilian and police market. Created in 1941, this field manual reveals a great deal about the M1917's design and capabilities. Intended as a manual for those charged with operation and maintenance, it details many aspects of the gun assembly, accessories and target exercises. Originally labeled restricted, this manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.

Originally prepared for the Chief of Coast Artillery and published December 16, 1941 -- just nine days after Pearl Harbor was bombed -- this technical manual was a standard Coast Artillery Gunners reference during WWII. Designed for the men of the anti-aircraft artillery units, the book includes descriptions of, drill procedures for, and service of the 105mm and 37mm guns, the 3-inch gun, and machine guns. It also describes ammunition including transport and handling, gunnery, fire control and position finding, and observation and orientation. The book also provides definitions for anti-aircraft artillery, and discusses motor transportation, communication and supplies. It concludes with a battery of questions intended to be used for qualification of enlisted men, and to ensure crew readiness and efficiency. Originally labeled restricted, this manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.

The Mack Model NR was a heavy truck constructed for military use from 1940 to 1945 by the Mack Manufacturing Corporation of New York U.S.A. The Model NR was mainly used to tow trailers carrying heavy equipment such as tanks and large bulldozers. It was also used to tow heavy field guns. Its wide bogie axles and extra large tires were ideal for desert service, allowing them to "float" on the sand. Many Model NRs were supplied under the Lend-Lease Program to Great Britain, Australia, Russia and other Allied countries. The Mack diesel engine in the Model NR was the result of nearly a decade of development work by the innovative company, which was the first truck manufacturer to produce its own engines. It used the Lanova combustion chamber design. It produced 131 brake horsepower with 519 cubic inches of displacement. It offered a significant improvement in fuel economy, durability, driveability and torque. Mack's long history with the military dates to 1911, when the company began an affiliation with the War Department. During WWI the company supplied trucks to the British, and in fact Mack's famous "Bulldog" nickname was started by Tommys who, when facing daunting terrain, would yell, "Send in the Mack Bulldogs." Created in 1944, this technical manual reveals a great deal about the Mack Model NR's design and capabilities. Originally labeled restricted, this manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.

Both anti-tank and anti-personnel land mines were used by the Axis and Allied powers during WWII. Designed to immobilize track or wheeled vehicles, anti-tank mines are normally employed in clusters known as mine fields. The typical charge of an anti-tank mine is six to twelve pounds. Usually they are not dangerous to personnel, since the heavy pressure or magnetic action produced by a vehicle is necessary to detonate them. Antipersonnel mines are used primarily to produce casualties to foot soldiers. They may be placed for specific tactical purposes, such as the protection of mine fields or other obstacles, on strategic ground, or in such a way as to provide local security; or they may be placed as nuisances that harass and delay the enemy's advance. With an explosive charge of a quarter pound to four pounds, this type of mine is not effective against armored vehicles. Created in 1943, this field manual covers the employment, types, and characteristics of land mines and booby traps of various nations. It includes methods to locate, disarm, defuse, and remove these obstacles. Originally labeled restricted, this manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.

The Browning Automatic Rifle (known as the "BAR") M1918 was designed in 1917 by John Browning for the U.S. Expeditionary Corps in Europe. The M1918 is a selective fire, air-cooled automatic rifle chambered for the .30-06 Springfield rifle cartridge. It uses a gas-operated long-stroke piston rod actuated by propellant gases bled through a vent in the barrel. The bolt is locked by a rising bolt lock and the gun fires from an open bolt. The spring-powered cartridge casing extractor is contained in the bolt and a fixed ejector is installed in the trigger group. As a heavy automatic rifle designed for support fire, the M1918 was not fitted with a bayonet mount and no bayonet was ever issued. Although the weapon did see some action in World War I, the BAR did not become standard issue in the U.S. Army until 1938 when it was issued to squads as a portable light machine gun. The Browning saw extensive service in both World War II and the Korean War and saw some service early in the Vietnam War. The U.S. Army began phasing out the M1918 in the late 1950s and was without a portable light machine gun until the introduction of the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon in the mid-1980s. Created in 1940, this field manual reveals a great deal about the M1918's design and capabilities. Intended as a field manual for operation and maintenance, it details gun assembly, accessories and much more. Originally labeled restricted, this manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.

The M1917 Enfield, formally named "United States rifle, cal .30, Model of 1917" was an American modification of the British .303 caliber P14 rifle developed and manufactured from 1917-1918. The Enfield rifle was noted for several design features. It was designed with a rear receiver aperture sight, protected by sturdy "ears," a design that proved to be faster and more accurate than the typical mid-barrel sight. Future American rifles, such as the 1903-A3 Springfield, M1 and M1 Carbine would all use such receiver sights. The M1917 sight was situated on an elongated receiver bridge, which added weight to the action, as well as lengthening the bolt. The M1917 action proved very strong, and was used as the basis for a variety of commercial and gunsmith-made sporting rifles in standard and magnum calibers between the world wars and after. Today, the Enfield is used as a ceremonial and drilling rifle. For battle purposes, the Danish still use the M1917 as a service weapon due to the high reliability of the bolt-action rifle in harsh conditions. Created in 1942, this field manual reveals a great deal about the M1917's design and capabilities. Intended as a field manual for operation and maintenance, it details gun assembly, marksmanship techniques, accessories, and much more. Originally labeled restricted, this manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.

The United States Carbine, Caliber .30, M1 is a lightweight, semi-automatic longarm that became a standard firearm for the U.S. military during World War II. It was widely used by U.S. and foreign military, police forces, and has also been a popular civilian firearm. The first M1 carbines were delivered in mid-1942, with priority given to troops in Europe. The M1 was highly praised for its small size, light weight and firepower, especially by troops who were unable to use a full size rifle as their primary weapon. The .30 Carbine cartridge was adequate in both muzzle energy and muzzle velocity. The .30 Carbine had a round-nose 110 gr bullet, in contrast to the spitzer bullet designs found in most full power rifle cartridges of the WWII era. A total of over 6.5 million M1 carbines and variants were manufactured, making it the most popular small arm for the American military during World War II. Created in 1942, this field manual reveals a great deal about the M1's design and capabilities. Intended as a manual for those charged with operation, it details many strategies for attaining outstanding marksmanship. Originally labeled restricted, this manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.