Classic Marine Catch Phrases Circa 1918 (Kar 98a)

On this day in history, June 1st 1918, a battle began that inspired two of the most Marine-like catch phrases ever uttered. This was the Battle of Belleau Wood, which not only quickly became significant in Marine Corps lore, but also drove home the point that the US was willing to pull its share of the fight -- even if we had a lot to learn.

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In Spring 1918 the Germans launched their "Spring Offensive", or if you prefer a more fun name KAISERSCHLACHT (Kaiser's Battle). Strengthened by additional troops freed up by the exit of the Russians from the war they pushed West, hoping to wrong-foot the Allies who were still in the process of deploying newly arrived American troops.
The U.S. Army's 2nd Infantry Division, to which the 4th Marine brigade was attached, was the primary US force in the vicinity. They were tasked with holding a 12 mile long line when the Germans began their offensive in earnest, in large part through the area of Belleau Wood held by the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments.

This is where the first badass line was coined. In response to warnings to withdraw by rearward moving French soldiers, Capt. Lloyd Williams retorted: "Retreat? Hell we just got here!". The Marines then went on to prove themselves ferocious fighters on the defense, inflicting heavy casualties on the Germans and preventing penetration in their sector.
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The Marines then went on the offensive, and showed that the AEF as a whole was still in the process of figuring out warfare in the modern age. While they did not lack for courage or skill, their advance across open terrain without a heavy bombardment resulted in more Marine casualties on that single day than in the entire history of the Marine Corps to that point. Over the course of three weeks, going back and forth with the Germans, the Marines eventually dislodged the German defenders of Belleau Wood in brutal close combat. The French even renamed the area "Wood of the Marine Brigade" in recognition of their ferocious fight.

It was during the period of sustained fighting that USMC legend Gunnery Sergeant Dan Daley inspired his men with the motivating "C'mon you sons-of-bitches, do you want to live forever?". Pretty stock action hero line, before there were action heroes to even dream it up

This carbine may have been there, albeit facing down the Marines. If it was, it would have been brand-shiny new having been produced in 1918 at the central Germany Royal Erfurt Arsenal. The original pattern of the Kar.98a was adopted in 1902 to provide non-Infantry troops such as artillery, cavalry, communications, and engineers a lighter and handier weapon than the lengthy Gewehr 98.

During the horrific trench conditions of WW1 these also quickly found favor with specialized trench fighting / assault units who found that the shorter length was of benefit in the tight confines often encountered. As many armies were in the process of determining (or already had like the Americans and the m1903), users likely concluded that any velocity lost from a shortened barrel was inconsequential when compared to the benefits derived from a more compact weapon.

This particular weapon is also marked with a prominent "1920" stamp. This "double date" does not indicate production, but rather it is a property mark that stemmed from the Treaty of Versailles which strictly limited the number and type of weapons the German military was allowed to retain. This stamp indicates that this weapon was officially owned by the German government following WW1, and likely saw service with the Weimar and later Nazi governments.

Another interesting bit on this carbine are the markings on take-down disc located on the stock. If my deciphering is correct the "4./F.7.87" indicates that it was the 87th weapon belonging to the 7th Company of the 4th Fernsprecher-Abteilung (Field Telephone Unit).

So while this particular carbine probably saw pretty light duty during WW1 in the hands of commo folks (although I suspect that job was fairly dangerous at times), I think it is a pretty neat step towards the normalization of "short rifles" and carbines that became more of the norm during WW2.