MAS38

[keith A]

Does anyone know which Axis countries and Units used this weapon other than the French? I know one was used by Italian resistants to kill Mussolini but am curious how this would have been acquired outside France?

regards

Keith

[Simperator]

Hi,

After the fall of France the Germans captured small stocks of these guns and distributed them to second-line units in France and to French Vichy commandos (the gun has never been issued to French troops until after the capitulation of France). The collaboratorist "milice" used them too. The gun was produced for the Wehrmacht until 1944.

Regards,
Simon

[keith A]

thanks, Simon.

Do you know if any ex-Vichy units received the Vichy copies of the MP40 and STEN MKII?

Thanks

Keith

[Simperator]

I never heard of Vichy copies of the MP40 and Sten. I just know that the Sten was in use by the "milice", but this was because they captured them from English supplies for the partisans.

[keith A]

Hi,

Yep the Vichy copied both. The MP40 was called the PM ARAL Mle41 and the STEN was the PM ARAL Mle42. 10,000 of the former and many of the other were produced by the ARSENAL ALGER in North Africa. I assume the STEN was cheap, but sufficient were available from captured stocks? I expect the production ended with the Aliied invasion.

regards

Keith

[Simperator]

Nice to know, thanks.