MovieChat Forums > Objective, Burma! (1945) Discussion > Authentic Weapons and Gear

Authentic Weapons and Gear

posted 18 years ago by katowest
10 replies | jump to latest

This movie was really authentic in it's use of genuine weapons and equipment. Notice all the actors are wearing original M42 jumpsuits that were phased out following the Normandy invasion. These uniforms were still available to the military when this movie was made and originals now are rare and costly. The helmets were original and are accurate down to the chincup. M1 Garands and Tommy guns are in plenty even today but the M1A1 folding stock carbines are all original with early WW2 parts. There were only 140,000 of this stock configuration made for the war by Inland (GM) and originals are now expensive. The use of this weapon and M42 uniforms in films are now repro like in "Private Ryan" or "Band of Brothers." The further use of paratrooper gear can be seen and add to the authenticity. This film got it right where many a good war movies get it wrong.

Sly

[–] howlinghellcat 18 years ago

Well, the P38's. And the C 47's. The shot of the camera bay on the Lightening- perhaps the most elegant Gentlemans killing machine ever built- was fabulous. Youll note the sillouette of a Aerocobra outside the briefing shed at the start of the film. P '38's & Cobras were in the CBI at the time, as well as the Most Beuatiful Cargo Plane Ever Built- the c47in all its varients.
Those were real kickers sendin out real drops in that archival footage. And you can see why they are cvalled "kickers" to this day.
It flashes by quickly, but you see three bundles kicked, pop thier chute, and land on a very narrow ridge. THATS cargo droppin.
I also liked the trench knives scabbards taped to the machete scabbards. And the throwing knives, but Im willing to bet they were a bit heavier.
Yes, one of the best war flicks of the era. And Vinegar Joe to boot!
Think how pissed our English cousins would be if we made a film of the utter fiasco that was Singapore!

[–] aviator-5 18 years ago

Think how pissed our United States allies would be if we made a film of the bungled Bay of Pigs episode! And rightly so!

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] AndrewPasq 17 years ago

hey guys just a heads up, but if Katowest knowledge of weapons is comparable to his knowledge of world affairs or law and order.. then i would take what this guy says with a grain of salt.

(this has been brought to you by the letter P and Q and the number 6)

[–] zardoz-13 17 years ago

You're absolutely correct about the authentic weapons in "Objective, Burma!" I know whence I speak because I wrote my Ph.D. dissertation on Warner Brothers World War II movies and I visited the National Archives and I have in my possession an inch thick stack of the weapons that they requisitioned from the U.S. Government.
All of their hardware and even the canteens, canteen holders, jackets, etc., were genuine U.S. Government Issue.

[–] katowest 17 years ago

that's interesting. How can I get some of that info for myself?

katowest

[–] jtyroler 17 years ago

Were the uniforms and other clothing from the army or did Warners make them in their costume department?

[–] katowest 17 years ago

I am not aware of repro uniforms made in 1945 since they were easily obtained from the military. I have to say they were authentic.

katowest

[–] rac701 16 years ago

Actually, expert WWII militaria collectors, who specialize in U.S. paratrooper gear, have discovered that the paratrooper's "jump suits" the actors wore in the film "Objective, Burma!" WERE either Warner Bros. costume department or Western Costume Co. reproductions of actual military-issued clothing.

The tan "jump jacket" and "jump pants" combination outfit (which, when worn together as intended, was called a "jump suit" by the paratroopers) of World War II were officially designated as "Coat, Parachute Jumper" and "Trousers, Parachute Jumper" by the Army Quartermaster Corps, and further designated as "M42" jackets/pants/suits ("M" for Model, "42" for the year they were introduced) by postwar militaria collectors and enthusiasts.

The jump suits worn in "Objective, Burma!" were near-perfect copies, but they were not authentic military-issue items.

[–] libertarian45 11 years ago

The MG they used, when filmed being fired from the front, looks really odd. In other shots it reverts back to being a proper M 1919 .30 cal. I always wondered about the odd pouches they wear hanging from the front straps of their webbing yoke. A curious smooth material, squared shape. They're like mini copies of Commonwealth "basic" or "bren" pouches.