It is puzzling that neither Germany nor Japan developed a semi-automatic infantry rifle. Both stuck with 1900 era technology and even more puzzling is Japan's retention of the small caliber round.
Is anyone aware of experimental semi-automatics from either country ?
Dave
Many in the German military were well aware of the need for a semi-automatic rifle, but were fighting an uphill battle against others who felt that soldiers would waste ammunition if so equipped. This was a classic argument in the world's military during the first half of the 20th century. Actually, it's surprising that the U.S. developed and adopted the M-1 Garand. The U.S. military of that period was not well-known for it's inovative thinking.
Also as Jeff mentions, the Germans were well on their way to developing a full blown semi program with the G41, G41(M), G/K43 and several other types of rifles that used select-fire or their intermediate 8.92x31mm cartridge. Had the war continued a few more years, I'll bet we would have seen some pretty interesting stuff.
The Japanese has also begun to realize the need for a self-loader as witnessed by their Naval arsenal developed copy of the Garand. Also, the Japanese 7.7mm rifle cartridge was only slightly smaller than the U.S. .30, or the German 7.92 rounds.
