Last Fall, while on vacation in NH, I met Mr Arthur Jennings who served during WWII on the Minesweeper YMS-29 (136' wooden hull, crew of 32, 561 ships in class. Google "YMS-29" for info and photos). Mr Jennings talked about mine clearing operations during the invasion of North Africa and his using a Krag to shoot floating mines. This Fall I brought a Krag, some ammo and a list of questions with me - and we went to the gravel pit!!

Mr Jennings recalls the following:
He used a Springfield 03 in boot camp.
He joined the YMS-29 in the summer of 1942 in Bermuda and joined a convoy to North Africa.
The ship had four Krag Rifles (also Thompsons and .45 Colts) in the armory. The Krags were stored in a separate wooden case, originally had canvas receiver covers (not used), no bayonets, and 1901 sights (he described wind adjustment, elevation ramp and no peep).
While crossing the Atlantic the crew had "tryouts" to see who would be the ship's four sharpshooters. They fired at floating trash. Mr Jennings was one of the winners.
The ship's gunners mate had been trained in use and repair of the Krags and he trained the others. They had manuals on board. Only the Bosons Mate and Officers had keys to the magazine.
Each marksman was assigned a Krag by s/n. He had a tag that he exchanged on the storage rack when he took the rifle out of the magazine. Sometimes he kept the bolt with him. He was responcible for cleaning the outside of the rifle and the bore. The gunners mate did all inside work.
The YMS-29 sweep mines before beach invasions and did harbor clearing. During sweeping operations one sharpshooter was stationed on each side of the ship. When a mine cable was cut and it floated to the surface, the ship slowed/stoped and the mine was destroyed by direct fire. While on watch, each sharpshooter loaded his rifle's magazine and took a "handful" of cartridges with him. They were kept in a "belt pouch" (not sure if this means a pouched ammo belt or a pouch on a utility belt). No special protection from salt water/air was used as the ship only worked in calm seas, just lots of cleaning.
When the crew had liberty on shore they took the 45s but the Krags stayed on board.
Mr Jennings says he killed three mines with his Krag!
He left the YMS-29 after the North Africa invasions and joined a Cruiser going to the Pacific. He does not know what happened to the Krags when the ship was transfered to the Free French.

This may not be trench warfare, but cruising back and forth at 6-8 knots at ranges inside 500 yards from hostle shore batteries is combat in my book.


Some of Mr Jennings family went shooting with us. The occasion served to open him up to telling his family about his service during WWII. That Greatest Generation of Americans who grew up during the Depression, worked and built us out of that Depression, defended it from the likes of Hitler and Tojo and then just gave it to the rest of us as a gift were amazing people.

There are probably more questions I could have asked him. If anyone has some, I will pass them on. Also, This may open up some digging by those who have access to the DC area Navy archives.

Final thought, talk to the Greatest Generation members of your family while you still can.

Keep up the Fire.

Richard Sherman.