What sidearm...

[Storz]

if any would a tailgunner during WWII have carried? My grandfather was just that, he passed long before I was born.

[Patria Povo]

I suspect Norton here will have the correct answer for you, but I am going to guess a Smith & Wesson Victory Model 38.

[bladeworks123]

My uncle was also a tail gunner in a B-17 during WWII, 8th AAF. his plane was shot down over France, he and the co-pilot were the only two who bailed out alive. The co-pilot was badly wounded. They were picked up by members of the French resistance and the co-pilot died of his wounds shortly thereafter. I know from the stories that my uncle carried a .45 and the co-pilot had a .38. He spent several months being moved around France by the underground and made it back to England. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for his part in trying to save the co-pilot. My father was a gunner on both B-24 Liberators and The A26 Invader in the 7th AAF in the Pacific. He also carried a .45. He has told me that you could pretty much carry anything you wanted if you could get it in with you. Interestingly he had told me that some waist gunners would carry .45 Thompsons in scabbards that they attached inside the plane in the event that they had to bail out, or if they had gun problems.

[turmanator]

I have read the Victory model was carried because you couuld operate it with one hand if wounded whereas the .45 you had to hold with 1 and pull the slide with the other. But since I was never a pilot, what the hell do I know?

[jfowl31]

My wife's Grandad was a gunner of sorts during WW2. He carried a Colt 1917. I guess he was issued it... Still have the pistol in its original holster with his name stamped inside the flap. VERY cool piece. One of the slickest actions I've ever felt on any revolver.

[Norton]

[QUOTEturmanator171472[B]]I have read the Victory model was carried because you couuld operate it with one hand if wounded QUOTE]

I read in the Pacific the 38, revolver was a treasure as Soldiers and Marines like to sleep with a pistol. The 38 was light and easy to hang on to when you were asleep. You could store it in you rucksack or even a cargo pocket.
If you see photos or hear these troops talk about Guadalcanal you can see why you might want to sleep with a pistol in your right hand.

This 38 was found there in 2004 by the Australian Army. They also found a M 3 Greasegun I did not know they used M 3 that early . But yet here it is found by the same Aussies

[oldguyknowslittle]

Wonder if they found my Dad's M1 Carbine.... a poker game win from the army.
He was USN Airedale assigned a support squadron after the fighting was over.
I suspect the US maintained a garrison for some time after hostiliites , which might explain the presence of later weapons