When the one soldier is playing with the German/Austrian bayonet its has a short Quillion or Guard. When it is used later to commit a murder it has a FULL Quillion or Guard. It is NOT the same weapon.
At least three of the men in the makeshift squad are carrying Thompson Sub Machine Guns. While common in Cavalry Recon units or Armor units, these were usually only issued to senior NCO's in the Infantry and/or to the specialists in the weapons squads. Three Infantry stragglers in a group of eight carrying them is unbelievable.
Based upon the line about Salerno, this action takes place in 1944. By 1944 virtually all front-line American Infantry carried the semi-automatic M-1 Garand. The rifles that the men are carrying is the bolt action M-1903A4 Sniper rifle minus scopes. These rifles did not have front sights.
These weapons were only issued to select sniper scouts and would NOT have been general issue in an Infantry unit in 1944.
The officer has a metallic bar on his collar and the Sgt has rudimentary stripes on his sleeve and markings on his helmet front. No experienced WW2 combat leaders would go into a battle so obviously marked and inviting the attention of enemy snipers.
The Lieutenant is carrying a M-1903A4 sniper rifle without a scope or front sights. He would have issued a semi-automatic M-1 Carbine or a Sub-Machine Gun. M-1903A4's were only issued to sniper/scouts, not to officers or regular Infantry.
The troop in the town are are still engaged with the Germans just outside the town. They are in a combat zone. Yet nobody hesitates to salute superior officers despite that making them prime targets for enemy snipers.