OSS file — Military Equipment and Supplies for Guerrilla Operations / Production of STEN Submachine Guns and Ammunition in the U.S. (1942)
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: rt stnlgas Poe . it 5
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CUUMACHING GUNS FOI CMEPOE Ob Oviu te
‘QLONI WONOVAN expiiiied Ghat Mana Chin OER LOH,
wha Li ropragen thy, Ostiet’s, WIG GHINKAL PTLiS ELD) has raquen ted
2,600 puns for we of the Chinene tn pea bik apariksthiee
Prowuunlly the prrajedh tui Lhe tiproval of GRAIL: OPEL Eb k
i dues MAJOR AO LER wos Chanon by CALs PE AdiGh fae Wiki wor
nnd war nen bo CHINA by WS. 8. wilt ten ar Leetve abher ied to
vot ar inubrucborn of the Chinwie tn npectal geereblonee ANOLAT
2,500 punt Wilk be needed fur olaidter acbivildes A Piet iad
CHINA, bh will be deadrable to dod Whe batance of Lhe ’ Tae
Dubely etna dn eloek Pop various other projecte now tinder coli bleries
tdons
here woo Ghaeusi ton of Lhe feed for iten Yeni Bul
and CHINE WRADEMEY EEE dnd leabed Unit Lt wart Under drab be La ihe
any qerevomond whith Lhe Wei lieh Lo requent praduat bon uf Ltone
wine for Lhe Te. hare wa genorhd aeaeemerntt Uhet, uti bo .
shorbeyte of cup-or, uo gammd bends vbguid be made whieh divalye
(diveriton of he auppdy of ammun li don.
He COMM TT TEE:
he Tiipoebed Vhide momen be cente ba CUBR AL DPV hh
Lo werertafi fhe ny pnoeed Lhe pro gee h be tag
condtqhed Vy MAJOR ETIPLER,
Aveood Uial Qrot. ahotdid be Hittin dned Le .
nengne die Lhe 4,000) Mecrsbin pcan Ue dase mA Leer
for the piteh, ap puch ober avmyeey rs rate a1 We
comple beat, on bbe cori tden thie, fete ii i
Tmpliewtdon thak the park of Ghee gd, erga) etune aay .
In proeedtis of mindtackire wlll oe pene ered | abd ge
ri Lepr Vie Likkete daa ie pte {de uibbn fp bp iererclerd Past
Lhe ppg bine Ly O00 tin Laie Denil
vi 2 a .
ie el .
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et
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ATG um
Ty PW ye GOPY hoe |
OEPTEMEU BE, Lud
ToIH? POYGIOLOUTGAT WANMALTE GOnM LEE
SSUPMAGLIELHT: CUTE TOR MU PR LA OF yey
Nole by Lhe Seovedmarmy
hie anc LoaNre, a proponnl of the Os Plae of Mlrabnyta
Searviesn, hua been gongideread by the dull Pryrholortoud
Warfare Gubecm blac whhel racommendnh the appravicd of
nequiadt ion ly the Oeftefle Ol 14,800 Maal dn Qenan aubmiali lie
gunn end alao Lhe porntsaton Lo puralveie bo, 000 ronndsy pep
wonth of Oem anumndhbon Por enehool die month of Oebober,
November and Dacembar, provided Lata daamndbton fa al tocated
Cron Lhe supplier bes tag manulaetured Pathe United (bata Por
tha ledtiah.
Na lie Gat datas,
Vacpebad a
vga
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od
gu oun
BNUGLOSURE
L. ho OFfLee of Strategic Servicos has pending Lor’
aubnisaion and requeested approval, an extensive List of
midivary and other supplies for uso of tt8 8. 0, operations,
anpostally for supply to guerilla and patriot forces. Ine
aluded te a request for G=mn Sten submachina guns or a similar
mun ueing Axis ammunition and for O-nmm ammanition supply. The
United Kingdom han produced several milifon Sten guns for home
defense and "patrlot" supply. Acquisition of theaa guns of
Beltdah manufacture invelven gona conp)leatlon, Meantime,
Aruy Ordnance ts developing a chomp and tough Amorican Qenm
gun using the samo ammud tion and daniprad for similar uses,
Thia gun da to bo triad in Geboeber and, Lf nuecesaful, pro-
dusttion should begin in Dooember, malelay guns available tn
qiuntlby next year but not wnt) then,
ae Menntime, 0.9.0. hea need now Cor Gen puns.
2,500 pune ave caquented di the Chingsa ara. Whaat: furtes
avatlable, in procadga of nautaghupe, orn Duteh Lend-lesas
order, 14,200 Mard ti daria 7 tua wilh woaden stoeke, af wlbiel.
5,900 are completed smd Lhe reonwtnder fm produstyarn dm an
the next Pawo months. Diere da cleo tema rmmtadtbrorn be we
prodvand an Us. ardor by belt tah gequest of qo ooabe enehine
Sb mili son reunda nomonth ka hoventar, reac, teu wotel. thie
nmewnit ef amambibion tery orn de necded Pov this, tegecs
yoppeet Goadd be tude ave Tides wd thertt dittiendt io:
\ I
a. O06, desiven aul city te veerpea tha
(he aboyesmentronded bret or bt eOu awd ts
in aAbLook vow projeata, mad ta Save de bow
rounds fo month af tdi tera. et btae sy bes
Uy te Cadmance far oeneb ot tenth ee
Docombor, pPernlig, be presser tat oct eps toe
plete plana, daleyed by wariefareboinda
pul, Bakivery of then teval bloek,
wih) be moat neveptabte 1P
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JPG Subcommittee
Exceppts
le
y
7 ‘PRODUCTION OF STEN SUBMACHINE Guts
i
bo,
in .
som DR. ROGERS stated that the 0.£.S. will shortly sub-
mit a new catalogue of materiel for all the supplies and equip- ,
ment which will be required by 9.S.&. in the next quarter, ws
and that the requirement for Sten guns and ammunition will be
‘included. In the meantime arrangements have been concluded ~
for obtaining 14,2000 Marlin submachine guns, 9-mm caliber,
-with wooden stocks. The 5,200 guns reported by LT. COL.
BLAKENEY as available for 0.8.8. constitute the completed
part of this lot of 14,200 Marlin guns.
rt
etan:
The purchase of these guns by the 0.5.S. DR.
ROGERS stated, will permit the Marlin Company to complete the
production of the total number. He reported also that a re-
quest for 2,5000 of these guns has recently come from the
chinese and arrangements are being made to smuggle them into
CHINA.
esr tae poets Gamers BNF
ee ed
DR. ROGERS confirmed the request of 0.8.5. for
100,000 of the new U.S. submachine guns, to be calibrated
for 9-mm ammunition. It was taken for sranted in this re-
quest that these guns would be as good as or superior to the
Sten gun.
THE SUBCOMMITTRE: -
a. Agreed to recommend ay»proval of the purchase
by 0.8.8. of 14,200 Marlin submachine zuns,
Q9-mm caliber; and in addition to a, rove the
0.6.8. requirement of 250,000 rounds of 9-imm
ammunition per month for the months of October,
November and December, on the condition that
this amnunition will be furnished from the
current Eritish allotment of 9-mm ammunition
being proauced in the U.S.
Directed the Secretary to transmit this
recommendation to the Joint Psychological
farfere Comaittes;
Agreed to lay on the table the request of
0.6.8. for cllocutisn of 100,900 of the ew
U.S. submachine euns until the teste of the
first models of this sun have been comvseted.
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J.PAWeC. Subcom tiac
Minutes of Meeting Septomber 23, 1942
Kxtract
CAPTAIN GROSSKOPF questioned COLONEL STUDLER on
whether the 0.8. 4a committed to fueniah 9-in amnundtion
for the 3 blllioeu Stun guns to be preduced by the British.
COLON STUDLER, in his review of the present
situation, made the following podnta:
a. Deoause of lauk of copper, a horlvontal per-
centage aut waa made in the pro uctlon of ommunition of
all ovlibers, The British complained coneerning the cut
in the delivery achedule of 9-mm ammunition and aecord-
dogly that schedule waa left untouchud, but a out of
equivalent amount of raw materlal was made in the .303
ammunition achedule.
b. An ordar for 1.75 million rounda af 9-mn
ammunition for Britdeh weoount las been plaved in Canada,
for delivery al the rate of 25 million rounds per igith,
but thie order has recently basn dwleted from the Army
supply prowran.
a Thiw leaven a tobal present producblon of
Jem Qiuuntblon of 36 millton reunda per month, to be
fully attained ln November,
de [Tt la prebable that the British arc con-
tinuing to manufacbare (mn anauntblon.
Ge The requirement of O.5.5. for 250,000 rounds
of Jeinm anmundtilon per month for the mothe of Qetober,
Novuinbar ond Deouinber L442 can be met here by reduction
of Britdeh dellverdea or by uddttlonal production in the
two planta manufaeturbag Ghat atiunibton.
£9 Tho Bribdah poqudren ate are many bined what
(he present agrcement alloaitea ta them, and there Sore
the Bit bah nay objuch to furntehing an adequate Auyyply
of Yemn amnundtlon tor tie LO, 000 Sten Buna whieh OS.
Will requive in the next ox montha,
(1)
SS
t. —— anaes - ish a
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Ey
be Pyosent produetion of .45 onliber
io only about one-third of total requirements
(1) Of the totul 1942 requirament
221 million roundy are for U.8. A and -
and 3 billion rounds for Defense Aid,
The production capacity for .45souliber
ammunition ig far grouter than presont production but
is held baok by shortuge of copper.
dy Prosent production of .45-caliber submachine
una te at the rate off 3,100,000, of which 37,000 are
or U.S. Axay and Navy requirements for 1942 and 971,000
ave for Defense Aid.
di ..The U.S. Army has a development project
for an all-metul submuchine gun which will culminate
on Ootobor 19, 1942. This gun will coat about ten to
fisteon dollura and da primarily for use lu speotal
operations, It cun bw produced Lor both .45-0aliber
or 9-ma caliber ammunition by substitution of three
arte. The flrat five model will be reuly in about
dliree weeks and production can be started within two
montha tlwruafter, provided priorltites can be obtained
on neuded maleriola.
COLONEL STUDLNR suggecdtbed thal bt might be
dealvable to buy Sten guna trom the Urbblah for oub-
varaive purponed for tiniedialy needa und Luter to use
the new U.8. allemetul aubmachine gun in pluce of the | —
Bien une
Atter diseunaton,
THE SUBCOMMITY' BI: =
Requested DR, ROGERS to obbuin u report from the
0.8.8. on the following queations:
ue What will be the 0.5.6. requirements for
Qemm unnunition for Lhe 100,000 sub-
machiny guis which have been requedted?
b, Whnt will be the reguircmente Lor monthly
daliverios of J«mn ammunition fer then
guns?
WLLL the 0.5.6. have a requirement for
the new U.S. ellemetel submachine puns,
in Yen caliber, in place of the stated
requirements for Stun guna; ond LY ao,
in whet amounts. and on what time schedule?
(2)
.
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1
a ee fae a ;
me i CHE a cat ene cs
wh Minutes of Meeting ©. 1 ves September 22, 1942
hee Extract — | ns cre or aie
DR. ROGERS presented a repbrt based on, Information
mH
| ‘obtained from. lhe Munitions Aca dgnnont Board ‘indtoatiag that.
tho U.S. Army Ordnance Department plane to produge over
600,000,000 rounds of 9-inm ainmunitinn, It aleo stated that
the 0.8.8. ‘had arranged to take over 14,000: 8ten' guna which
had been manufactured for the Duteh; ‘The /0.8.6./ request for
the allocation of 100,000 Sten gune of British wanulacture
was renewed. © . —_ .
ad Ll, COs ONTHANK reported that, at the urgent |
vo requent of the Munitions Ascignnent Board, the request: of
0.8.5. for 100,000 Sten guna had been tranamltted. to them,
a: | but not asa comnittee dioigion. |
ef MAJOR WOOLNOUGH pointed out that the conclusive |
factor in the deciaion to recommend thet 100,000 Sten guns be |
monufuctured for 0.9.9. wos the shortage of raw materiale for
ammunition, If thie will rusult in a lack of .45 calibur
ammunition for our own forowa it will be undegizuble to di- fo:
vort any raw materjala to the manufacture of 9-ma ammunition. Pl
LT, COL, BLAKINEY concurred in thia view,
CAPTAIN GROSSKOPF atatead that there seams to be °
Innuffiedent information presently available to the Committac
on which Lt can make a deolmlon, especially aa to tho Puported
order of ithe Ordnance Dupurseiten to produce 420,000,000 rounds
of =m ammunition and whether that amount La already allocated
te the British or for any other purposes. ne
TAN SUBCOMMITT sli: = GN
Requested MAJOR WOOLNOUGH to obtuln all the fucte ON
necessary for a considured duciofou, bringing '
before the Committee any persons who could give the RO:
fLnad information needed. aS
*
4d
=
- illest tae Ca eel hd
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t
Boplembor 19, LoA4a
MEMORANDU
FOR: Colonel Onthank
FROM! Wilidean J. Donovan
SUNECT: Stan Guns
the Service Commind ana Haaret
Qperntions would Like 40,000 Sten Quin mnde
nvatleble for ite operations. OF Ute number,
10,000 are noodas {imeddately, the othara An,
aly monthe.
Wibtdem J. Donovan
Direetor
= ee
1a ee
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van if abatys
as raceepreniraiee inetd
4R000100300001-0 < -
| EXCERPT FROM
JPWC MINUTES Auguat 24, 1942
ee)
COLONEL DONOVAN read the recommendation of the
Subconmittoe and referred algo to the production of an
American 9-1. submachine gun.
GENERAL WEDEMEYER reported that British members
of the Combined Staff Planners have requested from London
furthor information as to the uses to be made of Sten gune,
eapocdally in subveraive operations, and that it would be
desirable for this information to be before this Committee
when action da takon on thin subject.
THE COMMITTEE:
Deferred action on this subjeot until ite
next meeting.
_—_ - wwe . 6
ee + Eto
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Because of the: connectso0"
the pred odustion of State submach ine.
_
a tan! eo -
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i rh
The Subcommittee considere
e@ made to: the ihnitions Ass
‘Fequest of August 4,. fe
onal ments for the Sten
ted that in view of
od: 11d. obsible to
for additional Sten guns to '
ead of one hundred thousand, with one nd rc
9-mn. ammunition apiece, within a tise limit of nine
With other changes in wording,
THE SUBCOMMITTEE: -
a Accepted the draft of the proposed reply
to the Munitions Assignmen Board.
Note: To be iesued as J.P.W.C. 28
Directed the Secretary to circulate the
basic paper and the proposed reply to the
Joint Psychological Warfare Coumittee for
consideration at its next meeting.
Directed the Secretary to draft 4 secona
paper stating in effect the background con-
cerning the production of the M-2 gun and
ammunition therefor which had been given
by COLONEL STUDLER; and recommending that
pince the United States must operate in
both the Far Eastern and the European
theaters it should produce an all-metal
submachine gun calibrated for both .45-cal.
and Q-mm. cal. for use in these two theaters
respectively.
Note: To be issued as J.P.W.C. 29
=— '- =
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_ — EE
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Se EHMRC ETE AAR RR RPETPSE TT Har se = Seem MMA LN RR TET
EXCERPT FROM |
JPWC SUBCOMMITTEE oe
MINTZ | Auguat 19, 1942
COLONEL STUDLER exhibited two models of the M-2
Submachine Gun, 45 cal, which has been developed as an al-
ternate for the Thompaon Submachine Gun (M-1). Disoussion
of the poneibility oF (using this gun in place of the Sten
Gun brought out the following information:
1. The U. S. program for production af mb-
machine guna is for one hundred thousand M-1-s
(Thompson) and ten thousand M-2's per month.
2, The M-2 is superior to the Stam Gun in
consatruation and use.
3, Although the M-2 will. not break down in-
to ap amall a package as the Sten Gun, it can be
broken into two parte capable of being packed in-
to containers Lo he dropped from planes.
4. The original contract price for the M-2
gun is thirty-seven dollars and twelve cents and
‘he British cost for the Sten Gun, on the basis
of a production of two million, is about twenty-
four dollara and would be greater in the United
Stutos.
5. The 0. S. S. estimates that it will need
one hundred thousand aubmachine guns in the next
ninety days.
6. The Marlin-Rockwell plant which will pro-
duce the M-2 ia tooled for 9 mma. guns und has pro-
dwed about fifteen thousand for the DUTCH.
7 OA pilot modal of the M-2 submachine gun
(M-2 converted to fire 9 mm. ammunition) could be
obtained in about two weeks after a proval of the
project und tho factory could be retodled to pro-
duce M-3's instead of M-2's in about six weeks.
8. Present, production, both U. 5. and Can-
adian, of 9 im, ammunition is twenty million rounds
per month which will increase in the near future
to thirty-five million rounds per month,
9, Additional capacity Cor production of 9 ma.
amuunition can only ba obtained by releasing the
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eraners roure fet sr Soeur rat | Sank aes fi
“a0. <<. pails : peers
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co,
i :
yon ie
-prouont capacity for 45, caltbre ammunition, in. which
». there ia presently extra capacity. There will be
little dart iculty dn retooling ‘for production of
oo 9 wa, ammunition. . . _
10. There would be little difference in cost | ne a
in 9 mm. ammunition and 45 odlibre aleunition. ' 4
COLONEL DONOVAN pointod out that ona important face ==
tor to be considered is the estimated length of the War. 5
Tf it is to be a long war the quality of the submachine guns
should be reasonably hig. and thia condition is better met
by the M-2 than by the Sten Gun.
He strecsed another basic factor as the desirabil-
ity of not being wholly dependent on the British on production
of a 9 mm, a\ibmachine gun for use in German ocoupied terri-
tories, which applies to production of ammunition as well.
LT. COL. BLAKENEY raised the question of whether
the output of ten thousand M-2's per month has been allo-
cated to a definite use. If not, the present production
could be switched to M-3's and be regarded aa a substitute
requirement rather than as a supplemental requirement.
i CAPTAIN GROSSKOPF recommended that present pro-
ne cedure should be.
mT - pee
1. To determine whether the present produc-
tion of M-2's de already allocated and for what -
purpose and area.
Re If the allocation is for Europe the M-2's
should be converted to 9 mu. calibre.
3. If the allocation is for areas where the
enemy is not using 9 mm, agmunition and where the
U. 5S. is propes ing to enter, the Me2's should not
be converted from 45 calibre.
COLONEL STUDLER stated that conditions seemed to
be such that it would be desirable to develop a cheap all
metal submachine gun of 45 calibre and also of 9 m. cal-
Jbre and atore them for use in either theater.
COLONEL DONOVAN proposed to meet, the immediate
need of the 0.5.8. by borrowing one hundred thousand Sten
Gune from the British, on a replaceable basis, and go into
the dumediate produation of Unda converted to 9 mm. calibre.
THE SUBCOMMITTEE: -
> 2
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20 LO Seri Re Baten ie
nt,
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oC
BEORME ®
J.P.W.0. 28 —
AUGUST 20, 1942
SOINT PSYOHOLO OLOAL, W ARFARE domes
ERODUORION OF STUN SURMACHINE OUNS
| ‘
Note by the Seoretary
These are attached:
1. Oopy of Memorandum dated August 4, 1942 from Munitions
Adsigenment Board to Seoretary, Joint Psychological Warfare
Committee,
@. Copy of Memorandum dated July 18, 194@ from Lieut,
Goneval G. N, Macready to the Rxecutive Officer, Combined Muni-
tions Assignments Board,
3, Copy of Memorandum dated July 20, 1942 from Commanding
General, 8.0.8. to Bxeoutive Officer, Combined Munitions Agsign-
monts Board,
he Disouasion and recommendations of Joint Paychological
Warfare Subcommittee, adopted at ita meeting Auguat a0, 1940
4. H, ONTHANK,
Sacpetary,
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YEE
i
i
- EHOLOSUR EB
THE COMBINED CHIEFS OF STAFF
WASHINGTON
Munitions Assignment Boaird August 4, 1942
_ MEMORANDUM T'OR THE SECRETARY, JOINT PSYOHOLOGIOAL WARFARE COMMITTEL
subject: Production of Sten Submachine Guns.
1. There is enclosed herewith o copy of M.B.W. 20 which
covera a momorandum from Lt. General Macready to the Executive.
Officer of the Munitions Assignment Board on the above subject
togother with tho viows of Lt, Goneral Somervell on this matter.
ae At tho 26th meeting of the Board this caso was re-
torred to a sonnittea, conoiating of Lt. CGenoral O. M. Macready,
Major Genoral R. C. Moors, and Colonel W. F. Tompkins, for con-
sideration and rocommondations.
3. The British voqulrements Include a number of Ston sub-
machine guns for subversive activities. London has been asked to
advise tho quantity being procured for this purpose and reply is
expacted within a fow days.
W, Information 19 dosived aa to whether or not your com-
mittoo ia planning any activities which would involve yequirements
for this woapon which aro not now included in the present combined
operations plans.
5. A similar momorandum has been sent to the Secretariat,
Combined Starr Planners.
3/ William F, Tompkins
WILLIAM F. TOMPKINS
Colonel, Corps of Engineers
CEE SEE GEOET
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°
GOFY HO.
MeBaWy* #20
vi
Tuy WR, L04@
MUNZCTONG ASTLONMENYS BOARD To WASHTNGVON
PROVVOULON OF "STRN" SUBRMAGHINE GUN
NOU I SEC RUTAR TES
saan siinaeaald
the ablashod lathers addvasusd Lo thy Bxeoutive orfieor,
Nunitdone Agsignicnta Hoard, seo paforrad for the conaddoratien
of tho Board.
ve Ge KIELCOPE
Cowbii d teapoburiat
@ Inelosnres. ; Lm
Lioul. Gon, Macrendyta dettow fuly i, dade,
Giaub. Gen, Sonmovvellia Lettar ody oO, lace.
i
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OP GS PCRREDION JORND ORAPF WISeLON
be b OFFIOns. OF INR COMBINED OHTHS OF STAFF
- ps Washington
ae | duly .oth, 1042,
MEMORANDUM TO+ Majo» General H, Burna. ° a
' Executive Officer OeheaAd, |
ED calle Mea Niel ao Real eM aedihee Ra hiahidhid aha datikidade kok te)
PRODUCTION OF "SPEN" SUL MAGIITNE GUN.
iy Walter Layten, on behalf of the British Min=
later of Way Production, has aalad If the following queation -
could be dealdad in Washington by the Combined Chiafa of Staff :
and thede subordinate bodies whieh deal with mitbera of thia leind,
a. {In 1041, the manufaatuve in the U.K, of a light,
cheap, and anaily made aub machine gun eolled the "Stan" waa
undertaken with a view Le providing weapona of thia kind as rapid
ly as possible for all briblah and Allied forsea, whigh could not
quickLy obtain supplien af the Thowaden machine puna,
oe For ie manent tha lsaaue ef the Sten aub machine
gun ta nainiy limited to atatia Lreapa auch aa pround personnel
on Aerodpemes, gorat defence units and aertain lesal forces and
Patriot forces, The Mindatry of Way predugkion astinate that
the total British requivenentsa for alt purposes aa far aa enn be
foreseen will be met by the end of Mareh 10435, when two mii.ion
of thease guns will hive been produeed., Whe maniufueturlug eapaclty
on bhe lst Aprdl 1448 will La 300,000 weapons par month, so
that by the end of 1943 some theres million j.una additional te
Bettiah pequiramanta gould be produoed, .
.
he The question for eanaldarutiun La, therefore,
whether the lagtery preduatas tha “Ston" should be elosed down,
ov the output at any’ vate reduead te 4 very amall waintenanoe
firuve In Awrll 1045, ov whether mere “Sten” fauna ahould te pres
dused ba moat tha needa of the United Nations, on possibly to
rn a pteck for the uae of Vatrlot foreesa in countries new oacue
plad.
Tt da venarally apyeud Liat the United Nationa
apa vary short ef amadl arue and will be tnapenatigly short, Not
only are there ewrent denande by allies or potential allies
throughout Lhe world, bub thera will bye lnoreasing need for a
abookpiig of small arma with whieh te rear aubjurated populationa,
In thit conreation if fa worth notin: that 9 fm
Boa anmuar tion manufactured by the Axia Towers gan be used in) the
; "Sten" gun.
- § ;
a 8 De A point which alesely affsaets thia question La
ade that of the dow ontput of QO am aurunition as aompared with the
y outputs of the weapons, io more capacity for making 9 pun ammunt-
tien aan be found by the United Kingdom and agcerding te present
} Porsenata the batal arusunition produgad by Slat March 1044 will
| ‘ only be anorexdiutoly 370 raundsa per weapon, (when as stated
: 4
ai «le.
.
ir
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aryste the United Hetions |
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lear that
tional production of 9
I should be erated £: you would: arrange ft br 4
this matter to be put before the Combined Hunit ions Assignment } 2
Board with the view toj its: consideration from both the operation=
al and "requirements" points of view, t
/s/ (G,N,MACREADY)
Lieut-General,
Commander, Dritish Army Staff,
Copy to:- Lt.Gen, 5.B,Somervoll,
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2
+
U.S, agonmi |
Biro note sronme
EE:
Me Be ' . #20
4
nly az, 1942
WAR DEPARTMENT
Hoadquartera, Services of Supply
t
July a0, 1942,
MEMORANDUM TOR MAJOR GENERAL J, BURNS, EXECULIVE OFFICER,
COMLINED MUNITIONS ASSIGNMENT BOARD.
Subjoot: Production of "Stan" Subemachine Gun,
: he With reforanca to Conaral MacReady's memorandum of
duly 15, 1048, vequosting that the Combined Muntittens Assienmont
Board consider the desirability of further production af the
"Sten" gun, it would appear that this quoation must be resolved
by our ability to previde ammmition,
Be Our atandard subemaciina gun la the Thempson gun,
and aludies ara how underway looking vo Lha further sliplifica=
tlon of this gun. Our Ground’ Porces consider it to be a supeae
rior woapon to the "Sten" gun, and aro unwilling to aceapt the
latter ag a substitute Weapon, t alsa understand that the Rua«
fangs are not willing Lo ieospl the “itben!" gun As aA unbalitute
Woapon, thus pedueing their reqviroments for the Thompson jun,
Moroovoy, while the bpitiah are Wiiltip to uecopt the "Stern! fan
in lieu of the Thompson gun for certain Linco fecommnieatlon
troops, thoy have alpcady tndieuted their desire io oblain
Thompaen guna Por ariilLlory troopa sg that cle Proposed pnbatiea
tution will not reduce either Thompsan gun or ammunition Peaquipoe.
mentba, Huneo, a fur the: produetion of the "ton wun woukd not
redues our own production roquiremunts In tlds gountry, nor lessen
the vequurcmenta for anmunttion to meet our necdg,
3. there Ja an acute shortage ta ali types of small arma
anmuni tion, a shortaze whieh 1b whll be dirrieult to alleviate,
ag it ronultsa Crom an dnauffseient supply af coppur, Hones, if
la impossible for ua Lo undertake oither the responaibility for
providing ammunition for additional "Sten! guns on Lo fupnish tha
roquilasita copper to the Uniktod Kingdom,
4. T approciate the vory useful pupposs which tits p
would acrvo, Hevorthelosn, IT feel that ite pratwation pate shard
bo coternined by the capacity of Lr United Kingdom to crovide ame
maitton without a further deadn ou our copmor aupoly.
f/f LAON SOFEAVLLL,
Ticutenant vobiel,
Commandine,
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"has onto immediate needs fox amning Patrdot soiree in
. ovoupded. sountries, The Office of Strategic Services has poquéat=
. ad 5,000 Sten: Bund, With 1,000 rounds of 9 mn, ammunition apiece, |
within a time Jimit of ninety days, Further requirements are as
yet undetermined,
Bs On the bagia of the possibility of a long war, the
prindiple of production of weapons within sontrel of the United
States should be accepted. Complete dependence upon the Britieah
for preduotion ef a gun of this type and anmundtion fer 4t te an
untenable pealtion,
RECOMMENDATIONS
oe The Joint Payshologiaal Warfare Suacommtttee reaom-
mendes, therefore, that the Munitions Agsienment Beard be answered
to the Collewing purport:
(a) An addtttoxat vaquiremant of §,000 Sten aub-
machine guna, with 1,000 reunda ef anmunttion pap gun, fer
Wee af the OFflae of Stratemta Servieesa within the next 90
daya, should be ineluded tn Planning the production af thie
Aun
(b) Aocepting the prtnotpla that the production of
weapena for use by U. 8, foraoa ahowld be under and within
U. &. gentxel, the above rbaquivemon! ta plaeed on the basta
of approval of the tnuedtate development And production tn
the United States of an all-metal, dm, aubmAchine gun and
the ooayresponding inevease of O-nm, ammunition to requisite
oapnat by,
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1
SECRE?
F.P.W.C. 29
AUGUST 20, 19%e
!
‘
i
wy
i
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JOINT PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE COMMITTES
PRODUCTION OF 9-MM. SUBMACHINE GUN BY U. 38.
Note by the Secretary
The Pollowing propessl is recommended by the Joint
Psychological Warfere Subcommittee for submittal to the Joint
Chiefs of Staff.
,
A. H. ONTHANK,
Secretary.
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- ui
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5 re iad _ v Sage ET
iy
QNOLOSURE
he Duying sonsidovation of a veply to the Munitions
Assignnent Board conserning further requirements for production
of the Sten 9=mn. submachine guy, & representative of the Ordnanse
Department iaformed the Joint Peychological, Warfare Subcomnittec
of its plans to produce a .5-o01. all-metal submachine gun (Mea),
It will be produced at the rate of 10,000 per month in one fnotory
at an initial oentract price of $37.12 apiece, Tt is understood
that there 19 now no speoial allouation for the M-2 gun and that
16 will be stored and leaued 4A use requires,
,, Tt ia further understood that theru La now an axcesa
eapaciby for produgtion or Ahead. gmundition,
4, The Joint Payshologion) Warfare Subsommittes, in ita
consideration of the uses of submachine guns for arming, Patriot
groups in Axie-oaoupled countries, an well as for other unas
(e.g. lone Guards), pegarda the adoption of the followin prine
Ciple as essentials~
(8) That the produetiion of weapung Top use by U. 3.
foroen should be unéer and within U, 8. sontrol,
4, The Suboommittes also believes thit stinea UL 3. opera.
fiona in eonjunelion with Patriot aroupa will be carried out in
Burepe and the Tarp Bast 1b will be nedenaary Lo have submach Lne
puns of both 9-mm. and W5 oval. for uae tn these areas respect ively
Tha Subcommittees, therefore, recomenda t-
(a) That the U. 8. should tmmadtately yo into prodne-
tion of the Me? all-metal submachine gun calibrated for beth
Ouwmm. and <5 ammuind tion;
(b) That the oxcess capacity for produetion of ithe
eal, amminition be devoted to production of a requisite anpol
of G-mm, amnunition.
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PERUTE iss cree
assified and I
2a eee
August 19, 1942
Colonel Donovan ‘
Colonel Goodfellow
Yesterday I went tc the Ordnance Departmert and
talked with Colonel Studler. They think very well of the
Ston Gun. He said if we needed 100,000 in 90 days he could
Jshow us how we could get 100,000 in that period of time.
They showed ine all the new guns they had, includ-
ing a new gun which simulated the teclnique on the Sten gun -
made of all metal. There are two hitches to it so far as
S. 0. ami guerilla activities are concerned ~ you can't
break the gun down and package it into the containers which
fit the bomb racks in the plane.
They should 45 ammunition and we can't get that
there. The Sten guns will shoot ammunition which they can
steal from the enemy if they run out.
I saw a new carbine which weighs less than 6 pounds.
Sten guns weigh about 7 pounds. The carbine is the kind of
thing every boy would love - it's lights; shoots 30 calibre.
It is too long to package - one piece with a wood stock.
~ =a
ee ine
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Retasacae ne Daisue OSA
Colonel Studler’ said they were getting in produc-
tion on the carbine, and I an going to put in: for 2,500
right away, since there will be a fight. on priority.
The carbine should be the fixed weapon of guer-
{lla wits; the Sten should be used behind the lines.
I talked with two of the fellows who had given
us bide on the gun, - we have three bids so far, and they
are at substantialiy the same.
I would recommend that we make, just for insurance
purposes and for our own supplies, 100,000 of these Sten guns.
Colonel Studler can get me 100, 0OC in 90 dge. They farm
out the small parts to smaller companies, and then they 4s-
vemble them.
The War Production Board sent a fellow over and asked
if any of the gadgets we manufucture could be farmed out to
smaller firms - if so, they would appreciate it.
As to the British, who will have this complement of
2,000,000 guns with 370 rounds of ammunition as of April 1,
and will have a capacity for 300,000 for the next year. This
should be continued to be built up, but for our purposes we
~ =.
ane. ~ en ee
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would need '100, 060 right away. Therefore, sinoe we can't
get, them from the . Britiah, aa inaurance for ourselves we
should make 100,000 - then take another look at the situation.
We should aleo get priority for a certain amount of ammuni-
tion.
bs a
-—ome - io. —.- _ ¢
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soe Tre ps
: ; d By LF Rs Smug 28
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(01R00010030
eae
pee at ; ; , 1c
gh : Me & 4 C. ve yr rhs aR,
' ore
ahr ld cee eke o
August 27, 1942
From: Captain Doering
oe
Tos Colonel Donovan SECRE]!
Bubject: Ammunition for § duns
The filgurea given in thie memorandum have been ob-
talned from the attached telegram addressed to you, and from
oonverszations with Messra, B. PF, Carpentar of Remington Arms
Compuny and HN, MW. Clive of the British Purchaaing Commiasion.
1. Probien Presented
The Britlsh now have quantity production of the 8 gun
dn a factory located in the United Kingdom and in a Canadian
Plant about to go into peoduetion, Ky the end of March, 1943, if
4,900,000 guns wlll havea been prodaced. Thin wlll be suffletent
to aublsfy britlah reqitrements, foam not advised of the use
which the Brdtdah intend makiag of bLhese guna, bub T understand
they are well, adapbed to Comucals and .0, Operatforns., RBecnuse
OF thelr low coat of production, hose per dun, they noy alao
be diatributed to Britatuts ome Guard. .
On Aprtl 2, 1943, Lhe munafacturine capackty of the $
gun whl he 300,000 per aonth; go that by the end of 1945,
approxi, toaly 2,700,000 additlonal vung can be pasodicerdd. he
es = 5 - - ‘ o _ =e e.
ee i . ¢ .
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Declassifi
ed and Appr
op : i
“question prosanted tn the attached telegram in thé extent, —
¥
“4f any, to whioh the production ef these guns should be can
tinued after April 1, 1943, "to moet the needa of the United “
NatLons or to form 4 steel pilo fer the uae of patwlLot foraga :
dn ceuntsles now ooouplhed,n However, Mr. Olive in.’orne me
that the Beltiah ontamate thelr needs at 1,000 rounds per gun,
and from the Clgurea given, which Appeor bo be gorreat, thay
will have only 370 xountla per gun in Marah, 1943, wien 2,000,000
guna wil have been completed. It gooma therefore that the
queatlon of supplylug the Britieh with the balance of 430 vounda
per gun is ulao Lavelved,
Guns are urgently needed, and wa ara advise! that tt
would be Liupractloable to ebunve over production to a differant
oaliber or type of gun. Apart from the problem of hortages of
meatertala, Lb ts therefors vbylousty dealrable te e utdave maxi-~
ma produabloen to the @xtent that 9m. aumunttton esa be pro-
duced for this purpose in Britatn, the United Staten snd Canada,
without interfering with the production uf ammunttion fer guna
which the U. 8. Army bebleven to be of equal op gree ter importance,
There Les not autfletent exaoga amnunktion Guogatity dy
this country, Canada and the United Kingdom to provide the re~
quired anmastion (1,000 vounda per gun) for 5,900,1%) & guns,
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o
capacity for production of .45 autonntie - ol and/oi 30
carbine ammunition to Omm. parabeldun aununition. However,
excean capacity in thease calibers ie not suffiesant to supply
the entire estimated output of these guns. To acoompliah this, |:
dt would be neoessany to increase capacity until the required
total production had boon reached,
2. Production of same
In the Maeis-y capo Staten, production ¢ of he Thompson
submachine gun is antimatad al at Yb, 0 000 per month, and prepara~
Liens sre belng made for the production of the .30 carbine in
the plants of 1% to 15 differsnt companites at the rate of
11,500 par day, ‘
3. Produotton of Ammunition
The only calibers in which production facliitiles can
be converted for the preduetion of 9mm. are the .45 caliber
for the Thompson oubmachine gun and the .3G eallber for the
+30 garbline. Prasornt capacity for praduction in the United
States of Imm, amounts to 15,000,000 per month at Winchester,
By October Winshoster wlll have converted an additions] cupacity
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CoLenad Donevan
of 7,900,000 ‘par ‘wonthy now davoted te production of eae :
inbo ona. production, a total of 22,000,000 par month.
Western Cartrldga Company will. alao by October change over -
a capacity fox 13,000, 000 ASN into production of 13,000,000
Jun. por month. By October therefore Western ond Winchester
WLLL bo producing 35,000,600 9m. cartridges per montn. To
this mast be added the output of a new factory in Canada which
“Wil go inte production of 9mm, hoginuing next month. This
factory la scheduled to produce 500,000 rounds in Soptamber,
1942, and thereafter at an Inereasing rate until the maximum
cupucity of 100,900,000 rounds per month la reachod Jn October,
1943»
ALI of tha ahove producthon, ineluding that of
Winchester and Western, Is to be for frlttah account, and La
apparantly Uneluded in bhe figuraa given in the attached tela-
gyn of 370 rounds per gun for 2,000,000 guna by Maret 31, 1943.
Therefore en the basta of 1,000 rounda per weapen,
whieh dn Mr. Clivats abatement of British total requiremente,
an addittonal 630 rounds per weapon will ba required, or a
total of 1,260,000,000 rounds by March 31, 1943. In addition,
1f production of the yun ls Lo be continued after March 31,
1943, &% cnpactty, 16 Le aatimeted that an addlttonal 2,700,090
— mame a+ en Sane
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