INTRODUCTORY NOTES
1. The lessons contained in this chapter provide an essential link between gun drill and field training. In that, the soldier is taught to adopt the drill he has already learnt to active service conditions, and to combine fieldcraft with speed and accuracy in handling the gun.
2. These lessons should normally be taught to the soldier after he has passed the tests of elementary training.
3. During these lessons all stores should be at service weights.
LESSON 61 – MANHANDLING OF LOADS – SHORT CARRY
A INSTRUCTORS NOTES
Aim
1. To show the soldier various methods of carrying machine gun stores into action or crawling with them across open ground.
Class and instructors
2. Squads under squad instructors.
Periods
3. One 45-minute period.
Stores
4. Gun, tripod, condenser can and tube, dialsight, spare parts case and six liners.
Preparation
5. All stores will be at service weights, ie, barrel casing filled and liners weighted with stones etc.
Dress and equipment
6. Battle order. Stens and rifles.
B CONDUCT OF LESSON
Approach
7. Give the aim of the lesson (see para 1 above). On occasions it may be necessary for the for the gun team to carry the gun and stores across exposed ground. Any comfortable method may be adopted, provided it does not damage stores and does not give away to the enemy the fact that a machine gun is coming into action. The methods given below are suggested.
Tripod
8. Demonstrate that the tripod can be carried, walking or doubling, folded under the arm or in front of the body. It can also be carried on the back with the front leg over each shoulder. In this case, a liner can be slung over each front leg.
9. Demonstrate that when crawling, the tripod can be dragged along by the rear leg. Care must be taken not to damage the dial.
10. Practise the squad.
The gun
11. Show the methods of carrying the gun when walking or doubling. It can be carried across the body with the barrel casing on the right forearm and with the left hand gripping the traversin handle and the free end of the condenser tube. Alternatively it can be carried at short trail grasping the crosshead bracket with the right hand.
12. Demonstrate that when crawling, the No. 2 can lie on his right side with the weight of his body supported by his right arm, and with the right knee bent. He can rest the breech casing on his right thigh and hold the barrel casing with his left arm. He can then crawl forward using his right elbow and left leg. The sliding shutter will be closed.
13. Practise squad.
Liners and condenser can
14. State that for short distances the maximum load is two liners and the condenser can or four liners. They may be carried with two liners in one and two liners or the condenser can in the other. A further method is to pass a strap or rope through the handles of the liners and sling them over the shoulder.
15. Demonstrate a convenient method of crawling. The handle of a liner may be hung over the toe of each boot. The No. 3 can then crawl on his side pulling the condenser can with one hand and the liners with his feet. Another method is for the No. 3 to push the liners and condenser can forward in front of himself.
16. Practise squad.
Two-man load
17. State that if it is required to move a gun which has already been mounted to a new position a short distance away, it can be done by two men.
18. With the aid of one of the squad demonstrate that the stores are lifted.-
by the No. 1 with the right hand on the rear leg and his left hand holding two liners on the left front leg.
by the No. 2 with his left hand on the right front left and the condenser can in his right hand. Before moving the gun in this fasion, it must be unloaded.
19. Again with the aid of one of the squad demonstrate that the gun when mounted can be dragged along by the No. 1 and 2 crawling and grasping the front legs.
20. Practise the squad in two-man loads.
Conclusion
21. Questions from the squad.
22. Sum up main points.
LESSON 62 – MOUNTING THE GUN ON EXPOSED GROUND
A INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES
Aim
1. To teach the soldier how to mount the gun in the lowest position.
Class and instructors
2. Squads under squad instructors.
Periods
3. One 45-minute period.
Stores
4. Gun, tripod, condenser can and tube, dial sight, spare parts case and two liners.
Preparation
5. All stores will be at service weights.
B CONDUCT OF LESSON
Approach
6. Give the aim of the lesson (see para 1 above). State that the mounting used during drills is not always the most suitable under active service conditions, owing to the necessaity for concealment and the uneveness of the ground.
7. Demonstrate the method of adjusting the tripod to the lowest position. The No. 1 will keep himself as low as possible, and lying on the left of the tripod, will loosen the front legs, and by leaning the tripod first to one side and then the other, will open the legs until all three are flat on the ground. Then, holding the rear leg on the ground with the inside of his right knee, he will loosen the jamming handle of the rear leg and close the rear leg to the socket by pulling the socket to the rear. He will then move the socket one tooth on the rear leg clutch plates and tighten the rear leg jamming handle. Next the front legs are brought upwards and to the rear and tightened over the rear leg.
8. Recondition the tripod and practise the squad in setting it for the lowest position.
“Mount gun,” Duties of the No. 1
9. Explain with the No.1 practising, that when “Mount gun” is ordered, he will adjust the tripod as in para 7 and will then crawl forward with the tripod on his right to the gun position, and lying on his left side he will release the front legs and raise the socket until it is upright, and then clamp up the front legs. Finally he will remove the elevating and crosshead joint pins, and remain lying on his left side with his head to the front.
10. Order No. 1 to rest and detail a No. 2.
“Mount gun,” Duties of No. 2
11. Explain with the No. 2 practising, that he will close the sliding shutter and crawl forward with the gun, timing himself to arrive at the position when No. 1 has mounted the tripod. He will then open the sliding shutter and, assisted by the No. 1, place the gun on the tripod. The No. 1 will insert the crosshead joint pin and the No. 2 the elevating joint pin. The No. 1 will then swing round, keeping as low as possible, and lie on his back his legs to the front, right leg crossed over the left, and the No. 2 will lie on his right side supporting the No. 1 in the back with his right thigh and at the neck with his left knee.
“Mount gun,” Duties of No. 3
12. State that the No. 3 will act as in gun drill, except that he will crawl, and when behind the Nos. 1 and 2, he will pass his kit to the No. 2 to put into position, and will then crawl away to a position in rear.
13. Detail a No. 3 to carry out his duties in “Mount gun.”
“Dismount gun”
14. Tell the squad that on the order “Dismount gun” the gun can either be dragged back on the tripod by the No. 1 and 2 and dismounted under cover, or the gun can be removed by the No. 2 and the tripod dragged back the No. 1. The No. 3 will act as in gun drill except that he will crawl.
15. Order “Dismount gun”
16. Practise the squad in mounting and dismounting the gun in the lowest position.
Conclusion
17. Questions from the squad.
18. Further practice if necessary.
19. Sum up main points.
LESSON 63 – MOUNTING THE GUN ON UNEVEN GROUND
A INSTRUCTOR’s NOTES
Aim
1. To teach the soldier how to mount the gun on sloping ground and behind various types of cover.
Class and instructors
2. Squads under squad instructors.
Periods
3. One 45-minute period.
Stores
4. Gun, tripod, condenser can and tube, dial sight, spare parts case and two liners.
Ground
5. An area of rough broken ground should be selected for this lesson.
B CONDUCT OF LESSON
Approach
6. Give the aim of the lesson (see para 1 above).
Mounting the gun on uneven ground
7. Mount the tripod correctly on a piece of uneven ground. Withdraw it and place it on level ground, so that the squad can see how the legs could be adjusted beforehand to suit the ground on which the gun is to be mounted.
8. Select another piece of ground and mount the tripod behind cover with legs set to fit the ground. Then move the tripod into position and make final adjustments to correct the mounting.
9. Point out that when the gun is mounted the following conditions must be fulfilled:-
(a) The mounting must be as low as possible consistent with obtained a view of the arc of fire and the target.
(b) The position of the rear leg is governed by the shape of the ground irrespective of the direction in which the gun has to fire. When mounted on a steep slope the rear leg should be pointing down the slope.
(c) The socket must be mounted upright, and over the spot indicated.
(d) The shoes only, and not the legs, must be bearing on the ground. (The entrenching tool may be used to remove any obstruction).
(e) The ground supporting each shoe must be sufficiently fitem to ensure that the shoes do not slip during firing.
(f) No parts of the tripod must interfere with the elevating wheel, in covering the arc of fire.
(g) The gun numbers mut adopt positions which conform with the ground and avoid unnecessary exposure.
10. Practise the squad in mounting the gun on uneven ground.
Explain and demonstrate and then practise the squad in mounting the gun in the following positions:-
(a) On the side of a slope.
(b) On the top of a narrow bank – with the aim of obtaining maximum command.
(c) On the side of a bank with the barrel casing just clearing the top.
(d) In a hedgerow.
(e) In a shell hole or similar depression.
Conclusion
12. Questions from the squad.
13. Sum up main points (see para 9).
LESSON 64 – BRINGING THE GUN INTO ACTION MAKING USE OF COVER
A INSTRUCTOR’s NOTES
Aim
1. To teach the gun team how to bring the gun into action with the minimum exposure to enemy observation and the maximum cover from fire.
Class and instructors
2. Squads under squad instructors.
Periods
3. One 45-minute period.
Stores
4. Gun, tripod, condenser can and tube, dial sight, spare parts case and six liners, one gun flag.
Preparation
5. The instructor must decide on:-
(a) An arc of fire and a target.
(b) The gun position.
(c) The ground from which the enemy can observe the gun position.
(d) The section rendezvous.
Ground
6. An area of broken ground is required for this lesson.
Dress and equipment
7. Battle order with stens and rifles.
B CONDUCT OF LESSONApproach
8. Give the aim of the lesson (see para 1 above).
9. Explain the normal method by which a section commander brings his guns into action:-
The section is led to the section RV by the senior No. 1. There, it is met by the section commander’s driver mechanic who orders “Dismounted action” and directs the Nos. 1 up to the section commander. The section commander signals up both Nos. 1 and indicates each gun position and the direction in which the guns will point. If the guns arrive in the section area at different times, he gives orders to each No. 1 in turn. The section commander then controls the higher numbers coming into action. When the guns are mounted, he organizes the arc of fire and gives a fire order.
10. Stress that good team work within the section is essential. It is only when all members of the section work in a complete harmont with the section commander and with each other that a high degree of efficiency is obtained.
Bring the gun into action
11. Paint a very simple tactical picture, for example:-
“The enemy are holding the high ground there. out troops are up there and there. The section has been ordered to support an attach by covering fire onto there.”
12. Detail a gun team and send them to the section RV. Send the remaining members of the squad to a position in the relative direction of the enemy to observe and report all movements seen. Despatch one of the squad back to the RV to order “Dismounted action” and send up the No. 1.
13. The instructor will act as section commander and control the gun team getting into action. When they are in action, he will organize the arc of fire and engage the target.
14. Call in the spare members of the squad and let them inspect the gun position. Describe how the gun team got into action, and get the observers to report on what they saw.
15. Discuss the positions of the various gun numbers as follows:-
No. 1 – With regard to concealment and freedom of action.
No. 2 – With regard to concealment, ability to observe the section commander’s signals and ability to carry out his duties at the gun.
No. 3 – With regard to concealment, local protection and ability to maintain ammunition supply.
16. Fall out the gun team and discuss:-
(a) The move forward of the gun numbers with regard to concealment and speed.
(b) The method of mounting the gun.
(c) The suitability of the mounting for the gun position.
(d) The ability of the gun to do its task.
(e) The position of the stores at the gun.
(f) How the gun position can be improved by digging and camouflage.
17. Practise the squad in coming into action on various types of ground.
18. Stress that six unused liners must always be maintained in the gun position.
Conclusion
19. Questions from the squad.
20. Sum up main points.
LESSON 65 – BRINGING THE CARRIER INTO A HULL-DOWN POSITION
A INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES
Aim
1. To teach the gun team how to bring a carrier into action in a hull-down positionm.
Class and instructors
2. Squads under squad instructors. Carrier drivers are required for this lesson.
Periods
3. One 45-minute period.
Stores
4. One gun carrier complete with drill stores. One gun flag.
Preparation
5. The instructor must select:-
(a) A target.
(b) The carrier position.
(c) The position of the enemy.
(d) A section RV.
6. A gun flag should be placed out to indicate the approximate carrier position.
Ground
7. A suitable area for for a hull-down position must be chosen.
Arms and equipment
8. Battle order.
B CONDUCT OF LESSON
Revision
9. Detail a gun team and order “Prepare for Carrier Action” When the gun has been prepared, order the gun team to fall out.
Approach
10. Give the aim of the lesson (see para 1 above) and state that carrier action is normally employed when there is only one target to engage, when speed into action is essential and when the ground is suitable.
Hull-down position
11. The instructor should represent No. 1 and control the driver while he backs the carrier into a hull-down position. Let the squad view this and point out:-
(a) That the gun can engage the target.
(b) That only the barrel casing and the No. 1’s head are exposed above the crest.
(c) That the right rear corner of the carrier is facing the target.
This ensures that the No. 1 is in a comfortable position to fire the gun and gives the No. 1 the maximum protection from fire.
Coming into action
12. Explain the normal method by which the section commander brings his carrier into action:-
He selects the approximate carrier positions and marks these with gun flags. The section is brought up to the section RV by the senior No. 1 and prepares for carrier action on the move up. On arrival at the section RV, the section commander’s driver meets the No.’s 1 and directs them up to the section commander on foot.
The section commander tells the No.’s 1:-
(a) The target.
(b) Estimated range.
(c) Approximate carrier positions.
The No’s 1 then double back to the position where they intend to turn their carriers and signal them up. When the carrier arrives the No. 1 turns it round and mounts. The No. 3 dismounts, doubles off and lies down facing a flank. The No. 1 then, by signals and orders to his driver, backs his carrier towards the gun flag. When doing this he observes his target at gun height and orders the driver to stop when correct hull-down position is reached.
13. Detail a gun team and order “Fall in” and “Mount” Order them to change back to the emergency mounting send the gun team back to the section RV, and tell the No. 1 to order “Prepare for Carrier Action”
14. Send one of the squad as section commander’s driver to order up the No. 1 on foot. The instructor will then represent the section commander and control the gun team coming into action. When they are in action, he should order “Load” and engage the target.
15. Let the remainder of the squad view the carrier position. Fall out the gun team and get the squad to discuss and criticize their actions. Particular attention should be paid to the following points:-
(a) The selection of the position for turning the carrier.
(b) The control of the carrier by the No. 1 and the reactions of the driver.
(c) Whether the position is hull-down and whether the gun can do its task.
16. Practise the squad in coming into carrier action.
Conclusion
17. Questions from the squad.
18. Sum up the sequence of coming into action.
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