Influenced by the German MP 40 and the British Sten, the .45-caliber M3 "Grease Gun" served as the primary US submachine gun for almost a half-century. Designed to replace the expensive Thompson SMG, the M3 was issued to airborne troops and others during World War II thanks to its compact design with sliding wire stock. An improved variant, the M3A1, was favored by armored crews right up to the beginning of the 1990s, seeing service in 1991's Operation Desert Storm. In Korea and Vietnam, reconnaissance troops and special-operations forces were at times armed with the M3A1 - also available in a suppressed version - and it was the first SMG issued to the US counterterrorist unit Delta Force. Featuring full-color artwork, first-hand accounts, and archive and close-up photographs, this is the engaging story of the M3 submachine gun.

Joining a growing list of top-selling Osprey titles covering submachine guns, this lively study of the origins, combat use, and influence of the "Grease Gun" features specially commissioned artwork and first-hand battle accounts and examines how the deadly M3 provided US forces with close-range automatic firepower during World War II and for many decades afterwards.

About the Author
Leroy Thompson has trained and advised military and police special-operations units around the world, focusing especially on the tactical use of firearms. He has previously had more than 45 books published, and appeared as a weapons expert on documentaries for Discovery, National Geographic and the BBC. Adam Hook studied graphic design, and began his work as an illustrator in 1983. He specializes in detailed historical reconstructions, and has illustrated Osprey titles on subjects as diverse as the Aztecs, the Ancient Greeks, Roman battle tactics, several 19th-century American subjects, the modern Chinese Army, and a number of books in the Fortress series. Born in Malaya in 1949, Alan Gilliland studied photography/film and architecture, and has worked as a photojournalist and cartoonist. He also spent 18 years as the graphics editor of The Daily Telegraph, winning 19 awards, including numerous UK Press Awards. He now writes, illustrates and publishes fiction as well as illustrating for a variety of publishers.


Book Information
ISBN 9781472811073
Author Leroy Thompson
Format Paperback
Page Count 80
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Weight(grams) 259g
Dimensions(mm) 248mm * 184mm * 7mm