The majority of our downloads and online versions are provided free-of-charge for the benefit of anyone that wants to know more about the use of the Vickers Machine Gun and read what the Machine Gunners would have known. Many are rare items not readily available so, if you find them useful, please support the development of this resource. The archive now includes a wider range of associated documents so indirectly related to machine gunner. We hope you find it interesting.
By supporting the Association through Patreon, you are supporting the website fees that will enable us to have high-resolution versions online as well as receiving extended previews of our uploads and access to the original image scans. All donations are truly appreciated.
If you’d prefer to only give on a one-off basis, then go to PayPal or BuyMeACoffee and make a donation there.
All of the manuals are sorted in date order, with some exceptions where it is appropriate to group similar manuals, such as the Small Arms Training series.
1920-1938:
Armoured Car Training, Volume I – Training
1930, United Kingdom
This pocket-sized book is 173 pages long and covers all aspects of training a crewman for an armoured car during their initial training period. It details the organisation and system of training, squad drill, dismounted and mounted drill, crew drill, training in map reading and reconnaissance – eye training, training in field operations, training in marching and movements by land and sea, saluting, weapon exercises, guard duties and military funeral exercises, and ceremonial drills. It also includes appendices on distinguishing marks, intercommunication, road traffic signals and the two-letter code.
Not yet available.
Armoured Car Training, Volume II – War
1931, United Kingdom
An interesting manual covering the tactics and training for Armoured Cars in 1930. They were being used for policing and reconnaissance operations around the world. Armed with a Vickers machine gun, with perhaps a light automatic for anti-aircraft use, they presented a mobile force similar to that at the start of the Great War.
JPGs and PDF available on Patreon – subscribe to access and support the VMGCRA
Tank Training, Volume II, Part III, Weapons – Sequence of Instruction
1932, United Kingdom
Tank Training, Volume II, Part III, Pamphlet No. 2, .303-in. Vickers Machine Gun, Marks VI, IVA, IVB, and I
1936, United Kingdom
Tank Training, Volume II, Part III, Pamphlet No. 3, .5-in. Vickers Machine Guns Marks IV and II
1936, United Kingdom
Tank Training, Volume II, Part III, Pamphlet No. 4, Machine Gun Mountings and Appurtenances for Use in Armoured Fighting Vehicles
1936, United Kingdom
Tank Training, Volume II, Part III, Pamphlet No. 4, Machine Gun Mountings and Appurtenances for Use in Armoured Fighting Vehicles
1936, Amendments (No. 1), 1937, United Kingdom
Tank Training, Volume II, Part III, Pamphlet No. 5, .5-in. Vickers Machine Gun, Mark V
1937, United Kingdom
Mobile Division Training Pamphlet No. 1, Notes on the Tactical Employment of a Cavalry Light Tank Regiment
1938, United Kingdom
This is a typed variant of the manual but it is unclear whether printed versions were produced or if this is a locally-produced copy. It includes an Amendment sheet for Amendments (No. 1).
Mobile Division Training Pamphlet No. 2, Notes on the Employment of the Tank Brigade
1938, United Kingdom
A manual that covers the establishment and organisation of the pre-War Tank Brigade as well as the typical tactics and methods employed.
Mobile Division Training Pamphlet No. 3, Notes on the Tactical Employment of A Royal Horse Artillery Regiment
1938, United Kingdom
A manual that covers the establishment and organisation of the pre-War Royal Horse Artillery Regiment, which was the main artillery capability of the Tank Brigade.
Army Council Instruction 389, 28 June 1939, identified a reprinted edition of Tank Training, Volume II, Part III, Pamphlet No. 2, .303-in. Vickers Machine Gun, Marks VI, IVA, IVB, and I was issued, incorporating Amendments Nos. 1 to 4.
Amendment No. 5 was issued on 1 November 1939 by Army Council Instruction 740 of 1939.
1939-1975:
Military Training Pamphlet No. 51, Troop Training for Cruiser Tank Troops
1941, United Kingdom
For the first few years of the Second World War, the Cruiser Tanks of the British Army were armed with Vickers Machine Guns, including the .303-inch Mk VII. This manual gives and insight into how the men were trained.
.303 Vickers machine gun (in Marmon-Herrington Mark III Armoured Car)
Unknown, Union of South Africa
The majority of our downloads and online versions are provided free-of-charge for the benefit of anyone that wants to know more about the use of the Vickers Machine Gun and read what the Machine Gunners would have known. Many are rare items not readily available so, if you find them useful, please support the development of this resource. The archive now includes a wider range of associated documents so indirectly related to machine gunner. We hope you find it interesting.
By supporting the Association through Patreon, you are supporting the website fees that will enable us to have high-resolution versions online as well as receiving extended previews of our uploads and access to the original image scans. All donations are truly appreciated.
If you’d prefer to only give on a one-off basis, then go to PayPal or BuyMeACoffee and make a donation there.
All of the manuals are sorted in date order, with some exceptions where it is appropriate to group similar manuals, such as the Small Arms Training series.
Sources
- The National Archives, WO 243/24 Army Council Instructions 1939.
