1 August 1965

From:           Commanding Officer

To:               Commanding Officer, 4^th Marines (-)(rein)

Subj:            Silenced Sub-Machine Guns; Comments and Recommendations

Ref:     (a)            CO, 4^th Marines msg 301155H July 1965

1.        Comments:

a.                 Under current rules of engagement and the fact that the predominance of enemy contact during daylight hours occurs, at nearly maximum small arms range, the use of a sub-machine gun, silenced or otherwise, would provide no tactical advantage.

b.                 In small unit night operations, such as ambushes, raids, patrols and reconnaissance where maximum secrecy is required, a silenced, short-range, high-volume of fire weapon might contribute to mission accomplishment.

c.                  Such a weapon in enemy hands would definitely enhance their guerrilla operations by further concealing their location.

d.                 Weight of weapon and ammunition is a factor militating against use of a sub-machine gun in extended combat operations of any kind.  Further, the high rate of consumption of ammunition aggravates this factor.

e.                 The use of silenced weapons, unless all armament in the effected unit is likewise silenced, would appear to be totally unnecessary.

2.         Recommendations:  That a very limited number of silenced sub-machine guns be obtained and controlled by Battalion and higher Headquarters for special missions and testing purposes.

G. T. BEAUCHAMP

By direction

This page last corrected 20 September 2011