Why would historian S.L.A. Marshall come to the conclusion that only 3 in 10 infantry soldiers fired their weapons in combat? Wouldn't common sense tell him that battles in WW2 and Korea couldn't have been won with such low numbers participating?

Originally Answered: Why would historian S.L.A. Marshall come to the conclusion that only 3 in 10 infantry soldiers fired their weapons in combat? Wouldn't common sense tell him that battles in WW2 and Korea couldn't be won with such low numbers participating?

There have been questions as to the accuracy of Marshall’s data by others who have studied the problem. Still, there are a number of infantrymen who do not use their weapons. Some of these have duties that supersede the use of their weapons such as assistant gunners on a machine gun and other crew served weapons, communications and leaders directing combat. There is the case where firing your weapon could endanger others in your unit. In short, there are numerous reasons why an individual would not fire his weapon including fear.

When I was a 19 year old PFC in the Marine Corps in Korea, I was assigned to carry ammunition for a water cooled .30 cal. machine gun. That was my primary function. Using my weapon was a secondary function.

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