Operational Use
Intended for use by U.S. troops at the time of its design, it found more favor being air-dropped to partisan forces in occupied Europe. The weapon was air dropped to supply British-led partisan forces on the island of Crete, where it was used extensively. It also saw use among the partisan forces of the Italian and French Resistance. Some of them were transferred to Dai Li's regular resistance forces in China for use against the Japanese invasion. The United Defense M42 for use by Filipino troops under the Philippine Army and Philippine Constabulary from 1942 through until the 1960s during World War II under the Japanese Occupation and Post-World War II era and used again by the local recognized guerrillas from 1942 to 1945 during the Japanese Occupation. The use of the 9 mm caliber allowed resistance forces to use captured ammunition in their weapons, eliminating the need for repeated re-supply drops.
Overall the weapon failed in its intended role (to replace the Thompson) but proved effective in limited use in the hands of resistance forces.
Read more about this topic: United Defense M42