The American Committee for the Defense of British Homes

The American Committee for the Defense of British Homes was an American organization during World War II that donated weapons to British citizens for defense from a possible German invasion[1] after the 1937 Firearms Act.[2]

An ad published by the Committee

C. Suydam Cutting was its most ardent spokesman.[3][4]

Use in Combat

Many of the arms sent over by the committee ended up being used by the UK Home Guard, such as those shown in this picture.[5]

Hession's Rifle

Perhaps the best known example from the era was Major John W. Hession's rifle,[6] a Springfield SN 264631. When it was sent over for use in the war it bore two inscribed nameplates. One contained information about the owner,[6] and the other said: "For obvious reasons the return of this rifle after Germany is defeated would be deeply appreciated".

Hession was a marksman at the 1908 Olympics.[7]

See also

References
  1. McEntee-Taylor, C. (2011). Though Worlds May Change. Createspace Independent Pub. p. 274. ISBN 9781466450578. Retrieved 2015-10-12.
  2. "The Victoria Advocate - Google News Archive Search | Weapons Needed for Home Defense in Great Britain". Retrieved 2015-10-12.
  3. "Scarsdale Inquirer 29 November 1940 — HRVH Historical Newspapers | Guns from America Aid British Homes". news.hrvh.org. Retrieved 2015-10-12.
  4. Miniter, F. (2014). The Future of the Gun. Regnery Publishing, Incorporated, An Eagle Publishing Company. p. 134. ISBN 9781621572442. Retrieved 2015-10-12.
  5. Khan, Mark (2014). Kent at War 1939 to 1945: Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives. Pen and Sword. ISBN 978-1473845169. This image shows what is most likely regular soldiers armed with two weapons that were issued to the Home Guard. On the left the soldier is holding a Thompson model M1921 or M1928 sub-machine gun. Examples of these weapons came to the Home Guard under the unofficial scheme operated by the American Committee for the Defence of British Homes in 1940. The soldier on the right is holding a 0.303in Lewis Machine Gun Mark SS.
  6. "Rifle Nameplate". americanrifleman.org. Retrieved 2015-10-12.
  7. "American Rifleman | The Hession Rifle". americanrifleman.org. Retrieved 2015-10-12.
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