Amid the challenges of intense combat scenarios in the Second World War, a myriad of firearms emerged to fulfill the demands. Among them was the M1941 Johnson light machine gun, conceived by Melvin Johnson. While this weapon did not attain broad standardization, it did garner admiration within the elite units of the US military during the course of the conflict.
Development of the M1941 Johnson light machine gun
The inception of the M1941 Johnson light machine gun can be traced back to the vision of Melvin Johnson, a lawyer and reserve captain with the US Marine Corps. Dissatisfied with the US Army’s M1 Garand, he set out to create a semi-automatic service rifle that could surpass “the greatest battle implement ever devised.”
Taking on the responsibility of designing, building and testing both a semi-automatic rifle and a prototype for a light machine gun, Johnson ensured that these firearms shared various characteristics, particularly a short recoil mechanism with a rotating bolt.
Despite his aspirations for adoption by the Army, the rifle faced rejection. The light machine gun also encountered a lukewarm response, leading Johnson to explore potential buyers in the international market. However, aside from the Dutch East Indies, there was minimal interest in the semi-automatic rifle. While the light machine gun made a favorable impression, there were no orders placed.
M1941 Johnson light machine gun specs
Over the years, two iterations of the Johnson light machine gun were developed: the M1941, characterized by a wooden stock and a metal bipod, and the M1944, featuring a wooden monopod and a tubular steel butt. Priced at $265 each, a total of 9,500 units were produced between 1941-45.
Remarkably lightweight at 13 pounds, the M1941 boasted a basic recoil-operated mechanism with a removable barrel, directing recoil in a straight line to the operator’s shoulder and minimizing muzzle climb. Despite the advantage, this design necessitated placing the sights higher on the firearm.
While early versions of the Johnson M1941 incorporated a bayonet mount, later iterations omitted this feature, prioritizing firepower. The gun sported a curved, single-column 20-round magazine affixed to the left side of the receiver, with feed lips machined for enhanced reliability.
Operating at a rate of fire ranging from 200-600 rounds per minute, with some estimates extending it to 300-900, the M1941 chambered the .30-06 Springfield cartridge. In addition to being loaded with the M1903 Springfield’s five-round charger, rounds could also be inserted using a stripper clip at the ejection port, and single rounds could be manually fed into the breech.
Similarities to the German FG 42
Around the same time the M1941 Johnson light machine gun entered production, so, too, did the German Fallschirmjägergewehr 42 – better known as the FG 42. Designed for the Fallschirmjäger airborne infantry, it placed the physical characteristics of a light machine gun into a shorter frame. The selective-fire automatic rifle was considered among the most advanced weapons to debut during the Second World War, and it influenced small-arms production in the post-war era.
Many have compared the FG 42 to the M1941, as they share a number of similarities. Both used an open-bolt system while set to automatic and a closed-bolt when switched to semi-automatic mode. As well, they were fed from the left side, and both were extremely awkward to lug around when loaded, due to the location of their magazines. When it came to the M941 Johnson light machine gun, this resulted in the weapon being unbalanced.
It should be noted that, while the two were similar, there’s no evidence to show either had an influence on the other.
Issues emerged with the M1941 Johnson light machine gun
While the M1941 Johnson light machine gun found a niche and had a degree of success, it wasn’t without its share of challenges. Notably, it was never officially adopted as a standard-issue weapon, which meant there were no designated magazine pouches or carriers for it. The 20-round magazines proved cumbersome to transport and, as previously mentioned, disrupted the weapon’s balance when loaded.
Further complications were related to its construction. Its lightweight design raised concerns about its durability, as reports of breakages and malfunctions on the battlefield emerged. Additionally, the gun’s tall front sight often became entangled in forest and jungle undergrowth. To streamline its portability, the M1941’s bipod was frequently discarded.
Service with the US Marine Corps
During World War II, a small amount of M1941 Johnson light machine guns were sold to the US military. Those serving in the US Marine Corps held it in high regard, thanks to its effectiveness in a number of battles in the Pacific Theater. After debuting during the Solomon Islands Campaign, it saw use with the First Parachute Battalion during the Guadalcanal Campaign, in particular the battles of Tulagi and Gavutu-Tanambogo and Edson’s Ridge.
Better known as the Battle of Bloody Ridge, the latter engagement was the second of three major Japanese ground offensives in the Guadalcanal Campaign. It was during this time that the M1941 showed its prowess in battle, allowing the Marines to lay down defensive crossfire to save Henderson Field.
The light machine gun also saw extensive use during the Bougainville Campaign in the North Solomon Islands.
First Special Service Force (1SFF)
One of the primarily users of the M1941 Johnson light machine gun was the First Special Service Force (1SFF), a commando unit made up of Canadian and American volunteers. Between 1,400-1,800 strong and under the blanket of the US Fifth Army, they were tasked with fighting behind enemy lines in cold weather conditions.
The 1SFF was stationed out of Fort William Henry Harrison, Montana and commanded by Lt. Col. Robert T. Frederick. Prior to being deployed overseas, members were trained in parachuting, mountain warfare, hand-to-hand combat, rock-climbing, stealth tactics, explosive demolition and amphibious warfare. They were also taught how to operate as ski troops, given the conditions under which they would be conducting their missions.
First deployed during the Aleutian Islands Campaign, they then returned to the US to prepare for Project Plough, a mission to parachute into German-occupied Norway and knock out strategic targets. When this was canceled, the 1SSF was sent to Italy to serve alongside the US 36th Infantry Division.
On December 1, 1943, the commando unit launched a surprise attack on the German position on Monte La Difensa, which later served as inspiration for the 1968 movie, The Devil’s Brigade. The mountain assaults continued through to January 8, 1944, with the M1941 Johnson light machine gun featuring heavily in the firefights, due to its power and light weight.
Following this, the 1SSF traveled to the Anzio beachhead, which had been created during Operation Shingle, and launched a shock attack against the Germans. Fighting for 99 days without relief, they raided the right-flank of the beachhead, forcing the enemy soldiers to pull back up to half a mile. They then traveled to southern France to participate in Operation Dragoon, serving with the 1st Airborne Task Force, part of the US Seventh Army, and Task Force One.
The 1SFF was officially disbanded on December 5, 1944. Over the course of the unit’s existence, its members captured 7,000 German prisoners of war (POWs), inflicted 12,000 casualties and amassed an attrition rate of over 600 percent.
Additional use of the M1941 Johnson light machine gun
The M1941 Johnson light machine gun also saw use outside of the American forces. During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines from 1942-45, the Philippine Constabulary and Army were both equipped with it. It continued to be used during the Hukbalahap Rebellion against the Philippine government, and was even deployed during the Korean War with the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK).
The M941 Johnson rifle was equipped by Fidel Castro‘s forces during the Bay of Pigs, while Marxist revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara is said to have used the light machine gun throughout the Cuban Revolution.
Israel also showed interest in the M1941. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the Haganah, the predecessor to the Israel Defense Forces, designed the Dror, a copy of the American weapon that could chamber both 7.92 x 57 mm Mauser and the .303 British rounds. The latter was due to the amount of British rifle ammunition available at the time.
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Two versions of the Dror were developed. The Pattern 1, which saw between 800 and 1,000 produced, was redesigned due to issues with its feeding system. This was followed by the Pattern 2, which allowed for the magazine to be mounted vertically beneath the receiver. While many were made, the Israeli military eventually ditched the Dror, as it was prone to jamming in the sand.