Canadian Forces

LOYAL EDDY THOMPSON FIRING AT AIRCRAFT

gsellars

Thompson gun in air raid 1941 England Thompson gun in air raid This photo with the Thompson pointed in the air is stated to be taken during an actual air raid. The model is the original "civilian" version, bought in quantity by the military because they were readily available "off the shelf". By the time the troops reached Italy they were using the military model Thompson with a stick magazine, and a forestock instead of the forward pistol grip. A Mark III Lee-Enfield rifle can be seen behing the "tommygun". The chance of hitting anything within 100 yards would be very slight, but just the act of firing at low flying German fighters would be a reassuring act...The .303 in the background would have a better chance of hitting something as long as the man led the target.