Of those 554 total launchers in the regiment, 97 were M8 grenade launchers for the M1 carbine, with largest allocation to the heavy weapons companies and the cannon company. In the Infantry Regiment, as of the 1944 Tables of Organization and Equipment, there was one grenade launcher allocated for every six men (3360 Enlisted and Officers / 554 launchers). My hope is to firmly put those myths to bed and have reenactors re-examine the M8 grenade launcher and their place in ETO impressions. Common myths amongst reenactors are that the M8 was only used in the PTO, and it wasn't a regularly issued item in the Army. The M8 grenade launcher for the M1 carbine is not well recognized or understood by reenactors. In the spring of 1943, the M7 grenade launcher for the M1 Garand and M8 grenade launcher for the M1 carbine were standardized and production started. The M1 launcher on the M1903 Springfield rifle was the primary rifle grenade launching platform until the launchers for the Garand and Carbine could be developed and satisfactorily tested. Grenade launchers were allocated at minimum one per squad, with two per squad in specific TO&E’s.
At the squad level for the US Army, the primary means of anti vehicle defense was the rifle grenade.
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