INTRODUCTORY NOTESAim
1. The aim of all immediate action lessons is to teach the soldier the automatic action he will perform whenever the gun stops firing.
Instructors notes
2. The Lessons are divided into:–
Lesson 19.– Introduction and first position stoppage.
Lesson 20.– Second position stoppage.
Lesson 21.– Third position stoppage.
Lesson 22.– Fourth position stoppage.
Lesson 23.– Special stoppages.
Proficiency in Lessons 19 to 22 should be attained before teaching Lesson 23.
3. As proficency is attained, training should be carried out in darkness, or with Nos. 1 and 2 blindfolded. Finally the squad should be practiced in carrying out IA without the assistance of a No. 2.
4. The following general points should be brought out by the instructor at the appropriate moment during the lessons:–
(a) IA is not complete until the gun has been correctly relaid and fired.
(b) The rear cover should never be opened or closed with the tangent sight raised.
(c) If the lock cannot be drawn back, the front cover should be opened and the extractor forced down with the cleaning plug handle.
(d) The rear and front covers, when lowered, must always be fastened correctly.
(e) A lock must never be changed with cartridges on the face of the extractor.
Lesson 19. – INTRODUCTION AND FIRST POSITION STOPPAGESA INSTRUCTORS NOTESClass and instructors
1. Squads under squad instructors. The squad should be seated on the right side of the gun so they can see that crank handle. The instructor should sit facing them on the left of the gun.
Periods
2. One 45-minute period.
Stores
3. Gun, tripod, condenser can and tube, liner and belt with drill cartridges, spare parts case, covering for crank handle and landscape or natural target.
Preparation
4. The gun should be mounted with liner and spare parts case in position. The landscape target, if used, should be set up in front of the gun.
5. The setting up of the various phases is given below:–
Phase 1.– Half load, pull the crank handle slowly back until the horns of the extractor have engaged with the steps of the cams; pull the belt to the left and let go the crank handle.
Phase 2.– As for Phase 1 above but as soon as the No. 1 presses the thumb-piece the instructor will repeat the preparation and say:– “Gun fires a few rounds and stops again,” and will also disturb the aim of the gun.
Phase 3.– Half load, pull the crank handle on to the roller and the belt to left, open the rear cover and lift out the lock. Slide the cartridge on the face of the extractor half way down the lower projection of the gib and replace the lock.
6. The instructor must practice until he can set up the gun and remedy stoppages without fumbling.
Preliminaries
7. Safety precautions will be carried out.
Approach
8. State the aim of IA (see Introductory Notes, para 1).
9. Tell the squad that failures in the automatic action of the gun may be classed under two headings:–
(a) Temporary, which are due to:–
(i) Neglect of points before or during firing.
(ii) Faulty ammunition.
(iii) Ignorance on the part of the gun team.
(iv) Failure of some part of the gun of which a spare is carried.
(b) Prolonged, which are due to failure of some part which cannot as a rule be put right by the team under fire, or without skilled assistance. These necessarily put the gun out of action for a more or less prolonged period.
Stress that on the knowledge and training of the gun team depends the rapidity with which temporary failure can be overcome.
The positions
10. State that the IA to be carried out depends on the position of the crank handle when the gun stops. The crank handle can stop in any of the following positions:–
11. Show these positions to the squad and practice them in recognizing them.
IA drill
12. Tell the squad that as live ammunition is not being used, the instructor has to manipulate the action of the gun to produce the appearance of the gun having stopped in a certain position. It is obviously of little value if the gun numbers being exercised know what position stoppage is being set up. A special drill to overcome this has been evolved.
Explain this drill.– While the gun is being set up the Nos. 1 and 2 will be at the “Rest” position behind the gun with their heads turned away. As soon as the gun is set up, the instructor will cover the crank handle with a cloth, swing the gun back into position roughly aligned on the target, tighten the clamp and order “Position” raise the sights, and order “Fire”.
When the cloth is removed from the crank handle it will imply that the gun has stopped firing.
Phase 1
13. Detail a No. 1 and 2, order a range and indicate a target. Set up the gun and order the No. 1 to fall out, the instructor taking his place.
14. Explain and demonstrate that when the cloth is removed, ie, the gun stops, the No. 1 will look and feel for the position of the crank handle. As it is in the 1st position, he will pull the crank handle on to the roller, pull the belt to the left and release the crank handle. He will then re-lay the gun and go on firing.
15. Practise the squad in the IA for Phase 1, 1st position stoppage. When IA is completed, the instructor should check the No. 1’s aim himself and invite the squad to criticize the IA carried out.
Phase 2
16. Set up the gun for Phase 2. Order the No. 1 to fall out, the instructor taking his place. Carry out Phase 1, immediate action, and then set up the gun again and explain that whenever the failure recurs, the IA for Phase 1 will be carried out, but that in addition ½lb will be taken off the fusee spring by turning the vice pin three clicks upwards.
17. Practise the squad in Phase 2, 1st position, checking aims and getting the squad to criticize the IA.
Phase 3
18. Set up the gun for a Phase 3, 1st position stoppage, and order the No. 1 to fall out, the instructor taking his place.
19. Tell the squad that should the No. 1 call for a new lock, the No. 2 will take the spare lock from the spare parts case, cock it and hand it to the No. 1 holding it by the side levers head. Exercise No. 2 by ordering “New Lock.”
20. Remove the cloth and carry out the IA but point out that this time the crank handle will not go forward.
21. Demonstrate that when the crank handle will not go forward, the No. 1 will call for a new lock, and pull the crank handle back on to the roller. He will then open the rear cover, clear the face of the extractor, change the lock and reload. Finally he will re-lay the gun and go on firing.
22. Practise the squad in Phase 3, 1st position stoppages, checking all aims and getting the squad to criticize the IA.
Conclusion
23. Questions from the squad. The instructor should not allow himself to be involved in a discussion on how the stoppage occurs or is cleared. He should explain that the causes of all stoppages will be taught in later lessons, and that for the moment all that the squad are required to absorb is an instinctive and automatic drill to be carried out whenever the gun stops.
24. Further practise is all phases.
25. Sum up main points.
Note
26. In order to avoid “dead spots” in the lesson, whilst the instructor is setting up stoppages, he should question the class on how to recognize the various positions of the crank handle and on the causes of temporary stoppages etc.
Lesson 20. – SECOND POSITION STOPPAGES
A INSTRUCTORS NOTES
Class and instructors
1. Squads under squad instructors. The squad should be seated on the right of the gun so that they can see the crank handle. The instructor should sit facing them on the left of the gun.
Periods
2. One 45-minute period.
Stores
3. Gun, tripod, condenser can and tube, liner and belt with drill cartridges, spare parts case, covering for cranks handle and landscape or natural targets.
4. The following prepared rounds are required:–
One damaged round.
One separated case.
One telescoped round.
These can be manufactured by the armourer.
Preparation
5. The gun should be mounted with liner and spare parts case in position. The landscape target, if used, should be set up in front of the gun.
6. The setting up of the various phases is given below:–
Phase 1.– Insert a damaged drill cartridge as the first cartridge in the belt and load. This phase may be simulated on the range by inserting a damaged drill cartridge in the belt.
Phase 2.– Open the rear cover, lift out the lock, place the prepared telescoped round between the upper and lower projections of the gib, replace the lock and allow the crank handle to go forward under control. Lower the rear cover and pull the belt to the left.
Phase 3.– Half load, raise the rear cover and lift out the lock. Place the front portion of a separated case lightly over the bullet of the round on the extractor. Replace the lock allow it to go slowly forward, ensuring that the separation will remain in the chamber. Close the rear cover and pull the belt to the left.
Phase 4.– As for Phase 3 explaining this is a recurrence.
7. The instructor must practise until he can set up the gun and remedy stoppages rapidly without fumbling.
B CONDUCT OF LESSON
Preliminaries
8. Safety precautions will be carried out.
Revision
9. Revise the 1st position IA.
Phase 1
10. Detail a No. 1 and 2 and indicate a target. Set up the gun and order the No. 1 to fall out, the instructor taking his place.
11. Tell the squad that should the No. 1 call “Clearing Plug,” the No. 2 will remove it from the spare parts case, push the centre pin to the rear and hold it handle upwards, convinient for the No. 1 to grasp. Exercise No. 2.
12. Explain and demonstrate that when the gun stops, the No. 1 will look and feel for the position of the crank handle. As it is in the 2nd position, he shouts, “Clearing Plug” and knocks the cranks handle on to the roller. He will open the rear cover, lift out the lock and examine the round on the face of the extractor. If he find the round is damaged, he will shout “Not required,” remove the round, replace the lock and fully load. Finally he will re-lay the gun and go on firing. The No. 2 will replace the clearing plug in the spare parts case.
13. Practise the squad in Phase 1, 2nd position IA, checking all aims and getting the squad to criticize the IA.
Phase 2
14. Set up the gun for a Phase 2 stoppage and explain that should the No. 1 find a perfectly good round on the face of the extractor with a portion of an empty case telescoped on it, he will carry out the IA as for Phase 1.
15. Practise the squad in Phase 2.
Phase 3
16. Set up the gun for a Phase 3 stoppage, order the No. 1 to fall out, the instructor taking his place, and explain and demonstrate that should the No. 1 find a perfectly good round on the face of the extractor, he will remove it, replace the lock in the gun and keeping the crank handle to the rear take the clearing plug in his left hand from the No. 2, ensuring that the centre pin is pushed back. He will insert the tapered portion into the chamber and push the pin well home by allowing the lock to go forward and striking the know of the crank handle. Then, keeping a firm pressure on the crank handle, he will rock the clearing plug handle from side to side, withdraw the lock and knock back the handle of the plug thereby withdrawing the tapered portion from the chamber. He should then check to see that the front portion of the separated case is on the plug. He will then return the clearing plug to the No. 2, lower the rear cover and fully load. Finally he will relay the gun and go on firing. No. 2 will remove the separated case by pushing back the centre pin and replace the clearing plug in the spare parts case.
17. Practise the squad in Phase 3, 2nd position IA.
Phase 4
18. State that if the No. 1 finds the gun is getting a series of Phase 3 stoppages, he will carry out the normal IA and in addition change the lock.
19. Tell the squad that if this fails to remedy the succesion of stoppages, the No. 1 will call for a No. 1 and No. 2 washer from the spare parts case and remove the lock. He will place the washers on the connecting rod, resting on the adjusting nut. The washers will be placed behind the adjusting nut at the first opportunity.
Conclusion
20. Questions from the squad.
21. Further practise in all phases and including occasional 1st position stoppages.
22. Sum up main points.
Note
23. In order to avoid “dead spots” in the lesson, whilst the instructor is setting up the stoppages he should question the class on the IA that have already been taught.
Lesson 21. – THIRD POSITION STOPPAGES
A INSTRUCTORS NOTES
Class and instructors
1. Squads under squad instructors. The squad should be seated on the right of the gun so that they can see the crank handle. The instructor should sit facing them on the left of the gun.
Periods
2. One 45-minute period.
Stores
3. Gun, tripod, condenser can and tube, liner and belt with drill cartridges, spare parts case, covering for cranks handle and landscape or natural targets.
4. One prepared thick rimmed drill cartridge is required. This can be made by an armourer.
Preparation
5. The gun should be mounted with liner and spare parts case in position. The landscape target, if used, should be set up in front of the gun.
6. The setting up of the various phases is below:–
Phase 1.– Half load and then pull the crank handle on to the roller and raise the rear cover. Pull the belt just sufficiently to move a cartridge halfway into the face of the feedblock. Allow the crank handle to go slowly forward so that is will remain in the third position and lower the rear cover.
Phase 2.– Proceed to load, but ease the crank handle forward the second time so that it remains in the third position. As soon as No. 1 has completed the IA, the instructor will repeat the setting up and say “Gun fires a few rounds and stops again,” at the same time disturbing the aim of the gun.
Phase 3.– Pull out the fourth cartridge in the belt about half an inch. Half load and pull the crank handle slowly back until the horns of the extractor have engaged in the steps of the cams. Draw the recoiling portions to the rear by forcing the knob of the crank handle and the tail to the rear, at the same time pulling the belt to the left. Allow the recoiling portions to go forward, draw back the crank handle and then release it and it will remain in the third position.
This phase may be simulated on the range by placing a liner at an angle to the feedblock.
Phase 4.– Place a thick rimmed drill cartridge as the second round in the belt. Fully load, easing the crank handle forward the second time. When resistance is met, give the crank handle a light tap downwards.
7. The instructor must practise until he can set up and remedy stoppages rapidly without fumbling.
B CONDUCT OF LESSONPreliminaries
8. Safety precautions will be carried out.
Revision
9. Revise the squad in second position IA.
Phase 1
10. Detail a No. 1 and No. 2 and indicate a target. Set up the gun and order the No. 1 to fall out, the instructor taking his place.
11. Explain and demonstrate that when the gun stops, the No. 1 will look and feel for the position of the crank handle. As it is in the third position, he will raise the crank handle slightly, pull the belt to the left and strike the crank handle down on to the check lever. He will then re-lay the gun and go on firing.
12. Practise the squad in this phase, checking aims and getting the squad to comment on the IA.
Phase 2
13. Set up the gun for the second phase, order the No. 1 to fall out, the instructor taking his place. Apply the immediate action for the first phase and then set up the gun again, and explain and demonstrate that should the failure recur the initial IA is performed again and the gun is then unloaded. The lock is lifted out and rested on the hinge of the rear cover. The No. 1 will then oil the lock, paying special attention to the extractor, replace the lock and lower the rear cover. He will then reload, re-lay the gun and go on firing.
14. Practise the squad in this phase.
Phase 3
15. Set up the gun for the third phase, order the No. 1 to fall out, the instructor taking his place. Tell the squad that if the No. 1 calls out “Feedblock” the No. 2 at the appropriate moment will depress the pawls, withdraw the belt and straighten any displaced rounds.
16. Explain and demonstrate that if, after carrying out the initial IA for the 1st phase, the No. 1 cannot strike the crank handle on to the check lever, he will feel the top pawls of the feedblock and if they are out and rigid he will call out “Feedblock,” pull the crank handle on to the roller, raise the rear cover, lift the extractor and put the horns of the extractor on the steps of the cams, and lower the rear cover again. The No. 1 will then draw back the recoiling portions by pushing forward on the know of the crank handle and pulling the tail to the rear while No. 2 depresses the pawls and withdraws the belt. No. 1 will then allow the recoiling portions to go forward while No. 2 is straightening the rounds in the belt. The No. 1 will bring the crank handle back on to the roller, half load, re-lay the gun and go on firing.
17. Practise the squad in this phase.
Phase 4
18. Set up the gun for the fourth phase, order the No. 1 to fall out, the instructor taking his place. Explain and demonstrate that if the No. 1 calls out “Extractor,” the No. 2 will take the clearing plug from the spare parts case, and when the front cover has been opened he will place the handle of the clearing plug on the top of the extractor holding it with his left hand, and will give it a sharp blow downwards with his right hand. He will then depress the feedblock pawls, withdraw the belt, remove the first round, and replace the clearing plug in the spare parts case.
19. Explain and demonstrate that if, after carrying out the initial IA the crank handle again will not go down on to the check lever and the pawls of the feedblock are in and slack, the No. 1 will call out “Extractor.” He will knock down the sights, open the front cover for the No. 2 to force down the extractor, and at the same time the No. 1 will pull back the crank handle, holding the crank to the rear. The No. 1 will then close the front cover, open the rear cover, lift out the block and clear the face of the extractor, while the No. 2 is withdrawing the belt and removing the first round. The No. 1 will finally reload, re-lay the gun and go on firing.
20. Practise the squad in this phase.
21. Explain that sometimes it may be necessary, during the immediate action for a feedblock stoppage, for the No. 2 to force down the extractor as in para 18.
Conclusion
22. Questions from the squad.
23. Further practise in all phases including occasional first and second position stoppages.
24. Sum up main points.
Note
25. In order to avoid “dead spots” in the lesson, while the gun is being set up the instructor can question the squad on the stoppages already taught.
Lesson 22. – FOURTH POSITION STOPPAGESA INSTRUCTORS NOTESClass and instructors
1. Squads under squad instructors. The squad should be seated on the right of the gun so that they can see the crank handle. The instructor should sit facing them on the left of the gun.
Periods
2. One 45-minute period.
Stores
3. Gun, tripod, condenser can and tube, liner and belt with drill cartridges, spare parts case, covering for cranks handle and landscape or natural targets.
Preparation
4. The gun should be mounted with liner and spare parts case in position. The landscape target, if used, should be set up in front of the gun.
5. The setting up of the various phases is below:–
Phase 1.– Load and press the thumb-piece.
Phase 2.– Load and press the thumb-piece. As soon as the No. 1 has performed the IA for Phase 1, the instructor will say “Gun will not fire”.
Phase 3.– Load and press the thumb-piece. As soon as the No. 1 has performed the IA for Phase 1, the instructor will say “Gun fires a few rounds and stops again”.
Phases 1 and 2 may be simulated on the range by inserting one and three drill cartridges in the belt respectively.
B CONDUCT OF LESSONPreliminaries
6. Safety precautions will be carried out.
Revision
7. Revise the squad in 3rd position stoppages.
Phase 1
8. Detail a No. 1 and 2, indicate a target and set up the gun.
9. Explain that when the gun stops, the No. 1 will, as taught, look and feel for the position of the crank handle. If it is in the 4th position, he will fully load, re-lay the gun and go on firing.
10. Practise the squad.
Phase 2
11. Set up the gun for Phase 2 and tell the squad that if the gun fails to fire after applying the IA, the No. 1 will shout for a new lock, unload and change the lock, re-load, re-lay the gun and go on firing.
12. Practise the squad.
Phase 3
13. State that is the gun has a series of Phase 1 failures, the No. 1 will unload and place a No. 1 and No. 2 washer on the connecting rod as in a 2nd position stoppage. He will then reload, re-lay the gun and go on firing.
Conclusion
14. Questions from the squad.
15. Further practise in all phases, including all position stoppages.
16. Sum up main points.
Lesson 23. – SPECIAL STOPPAGESA INSTRUCTORS NOTESClass and instructors
1. Squads under squad instructors. The squad should be seated on the right of the gun so that they can see the crank handle. The instructor should sit facing them on the left of the gun.
Periods
2. One 45-minute period.
Stores
3. Gun, tripod, condender can and tube, liner and belt with drill cartridges, spare parts case, covering for crank handle and landscape or natural target. A spare parts box is also required.
4. Two prepared thick-rimmed drill cartridges are required. These can be made by an armourer.
Preparation
5. The gun should be mounted with the liner and spare parts case in position. The spare parts box should be placed a few yards in the rear.
6. The setting up of the various phases is given below:–
Special A.– Half load and remove the fusee box and spring. Pull the crank handle on to the roller and the belt to the left. Replace the fusee box with the spring detached from the fusee.
Special B.– Place two thick-rimmed drill cartridges as the second and third rounds in the belt. Fully load but ease the crank handle forward the second time. When resistance is met, give the crank handle a light tap downwards.
Special C.– Unload and press the thumb-piece. Pull the belt until the first round is in front of the bottom pawls. When the No. 1 has carried out the IA for Phase 1, 4th position stoppage, he should be told that the gun fires two rounds and stops again in the same position.
Special D (i).– Give the order “Load.” As soon as the crank handel handle touches the check lever for the second time, say “Gun firing.”
Special D (ii).– Order “Load” and “Fire” followed by “Stop.” Directly No. 1 releases pressure from the thumb-piece, say “Gun still firing.”
7. The instructor must practise until he can set up and remedy the stoppages without fumbling.
B CONDUCT OF LESSONPreliminaries
8. Safety precautions will be carried out.
Revision
9. Revise the squad in one or two of the previous stoppages taught.
Approach
10. State that the Immediate Actions which have already been taught for the usual four positions will remedy most stoppage, but there still remain certain stoppages, when the crank handle may or may not stop in any one of these positions, which will not be remedied by the IA already taught. Hence there is a further series of four stoppages which are classed as “Special” and have their own particular IA. In these four special stoppages, the crank handle normally stops in one of the following positions:–
Special A
11. Detail a No. 1 and 2 and indicate a target. Set up the gun and order the No. 1 to fall out, the instructor taking his place.
12. Tell the squad that should the No. 1 call for a fusee or fusee spring, the No. 2 will get one from the spare parts case and pass it to the No. 1.
13. Explain and demonstrate that when the gun stops, the No. 1 will look and feel for the position of the crank handle. He may find it in any position, but it will most probably be right back. In any case he can easily identify this stoppage as there will be no tension on the crank-handle. The No. 1 will remove the fusee box and identify the broken part, calling for a replacement. The No. 1 will pull the belt to the left and return the crank handle to the check lever, replace the new fusee or spring and if necessary, adjust the spring to the correct weight. He will then re-lay the gun and go on firing.
14. Practise the squad, checking aims and getting the squad to criticize the no. 1’s IA.
Special B
15. Revise the squad in the IA for a Phase 4, 3rd position stoppage.
16. Tell the squad that if after applying the IA the failure recurs immediately, the IA will be repeated but with the difference that the No. 1 will shout for a new lock. After clearing the face of the extractor he will change the lock. He will then reload, re-lay the gun and go on firing.
17. Practise the squad.
Special C
18. Revise the squad in the IA for a Phase 1, 4th position stoppage.
19. State that if at any time the No. 1 calls for a new feedblock, the No. 2 will call for one to the No. 3, who will obtain it from the spare parts box and bring it to the gun.
20. Tell the squad that if after carrying out the IA for a 4th position stoppage the gun fires two rounds and stops again, the No. 1 will shout “New Feedblock,” change the feedblock, reload, re-lay the gun and go on firing. Explain that while waiting for the new feedblock the gun can be kept firing either by reloading and firing two rounds, or by the No. 2 pulling he belt through the feeblock fro mthe left, and so doing the work of the feedblock.
21. Practise the squad using Nos. 1, 2 and 3.
Special D
22. State that occasionally what is known as a “Runaway Gun” may occur. This may take two forms and requires an IA to remedy it.
(a) As the gun is being loaded and the crank handle goes forward on to the check lever for the second time, the gun starts firing and will continue until the belt is expended, unless it is stopped. To stop the gun, the No. 1 should pull a round out of the belt a suitable distance from the feedblock. When the gun stops, No. 1 will pull the crank-handle on to the roller and the No. 2 will remove the belt. The No. 1 will then change the lock, reload, re-lay the gun and carry on firing.
(b) This may also occur during firing, when the No. 1 releases pressure on the thumb-piece and the gun continues firing. The IA is exactly the same.
23. Practise the squad in dealing with a “Runaway Gun.”
24. Tell the squad that if at any time the gun cannot be stopped by releasing the thumb-piece and a stoppage occurs in any position, the IA will be:–
Pull the crank handle on to the roller, remove the belt and release the crank handle.
Stress that in the case of a 2nd position stoppage, extreme care must be taken that the extractor is kept down while the round if being removed.
25. Further practise in specials and all positions of IA.
26. Sum up main points.
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