This issue of “Fighting Men” entitled KEEP IT CLEAN warns WWII American soldiers that they must keep their rifle clean, or face the consequences. Made by a Hollywood studio, this is a very polished WWII training film. The premise being that it is told through letters written by soldiers who experienced issues due to their lack of care with their M-1s. The film starts with a re-enactment of a situation in combat where a soldier was unable to fire his weapon due to the mud he allowed into the mechanism, nearly costing him his life. At 2:30, men in basic training are seen being issued rifles and learning how to use them. At the replacement center seen at 2:56, a firing range is seen and instruction, including the famous blindfold training where troops are asked to put their weapon together and take it apart in total darkness. The film teaches more than just how to fall with a rifle, but how to lay it down correctly and keep it clean, because it can save your life.
A 5:37, another scenario is shown as an artillery crew scrambles to move their gun in combat, after being spotted by a German aircraft. A soldier who could not find his gas mask (he left it at the latrine) delays an entire unit and ends up falling into a puddle and getting his weapon dirty. Instead of cleaning his weapon he ignores the problem and ends up in a fix later, when his weapon won’t work in combat.
At 9:56, a soldier caught in the rain with his rifle pours oil down the barrel and stops it up to “waterproof it”. This backfires when an aircraft appears and he fires his rifle, causing it to explode and putting him into the hospital with a severe facial injury.
“Keep Your Rifle Clean”.
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