Chapter III: Front Matter (3)

(_b_) Grasp receiver firmly with left hand and stock or pistol grip
with the right. Push stock forward about ⅜ inch and then
bring it straight down, separating it from receiver. This
combined movement will be learned after a few trials.

Firing gear (sear, sear spring and trigger) remains with guard.

4th.—Withdraw recoil spring from receiver.

5th.—Remove recoiling mechanism.

(_a_) Insert cocking handle in piston and push it forward as far as
it will go, knob inclined at about 45 degrees to right. When
home, turn knob to vertical position so as to engage lugs at
forward end with piston.

(_b_) Draw cocking handle to rear, and with it the piston, breech
block, extractor and firing pin.

6th.—Remove feed spring.

(_a_) Disengage feed spring from button at top of feed piece,
springing it up with forefinger of right hand by means of the
hooked portion projecting to rear.

(_b_) Dismount feed spring by pushing it to rear with left hand by
means of knurled button, at the same time springing it up
sufficiently with right hand to clear pawl from rear feed
guide.

7th.—Remove feed piece.

(_a_) Throw open feed piece cover by means of knurled knob.

(_b_) Lift leaf of rear sight.

(_c_) Lift feed piece to its highest position and turn through an
angle of 180 degrees so that lever points to rear. As
flattened portion of axis is now opposite corresponding slot
in upper bearing, feed piece may be removed to rear.

8th.—Remove ejector.

(_a_) By means of key unscrew ejector cap and remove it.

(_b_) Lift out ejector spring and then ejector.

9th.—Remove barrel.

(_a_) Unscrew barrel locking nut one-sixth of a turn to a stop with
right hand, using dismounting wrench.

(_b_) Remove barrel by drawing it straight to front.

10th.—Remove hand guard.

(_a_) Turn locking nut to left sufficiently to free its stud from
engagement with hand guard. (This stud serves to hold hand
guard in place while barrel is being mounted or dismounted.)

(_b_) Remove hand guard by drawing it to front.

11th.—Unscrew and remove locking nut.

12th.—Remove fermeture nut.

13th.—Remove firing pin.

Reverse breech block and firing pin will fall into the hand.

14th.—Remove extractor.

(_a_) Grasp breech block with left hand and hand extractor with
right; insert hook portion of latter between last and before
last coil of extractor spring, compress the spring, tilt the
end out of its seat and remove it.

(_b_) By holding breech block upwards, extractor will fall out.

15th.—Remove firing gear from guard.

(_a_) Hold stock between knees, the guard to the front.

(_b_) With right hand lift hooked arm of trigger sufficiently to
clear it entirely from vertical lever of sear.

(_c_) With left hand catch knurled button forming outer extremity of
sear axis and draw to left sufficiently to free right hand
end of axis from its pocket. Now lift sear vertically from
guard.

(_d_) Lift trigger upward and forward, separating it and sear with
spring attached from guard.

(_e_) Detach respective ends of spring from sear and trigger.

16th.—Remove cartridge stop.

(_a_) Unscrew cartridge stop holder by means of the dismounting
wrench.

(_b_) Withdraw cartridge stop spring and cartridge stop.

ASSEMBLING.

1st.—Mount in order the following parts: fermeture nut, barrel nut, hand guard, barrel, ejector, spring and cap, feed piece, feed piece spring.

2nd.—Assemble the trigger, sear and sear spring, and then mount them in guard.

3rd.—Mount the recoiling parts in receiver.

(_a_) Assemble extractor with breech block.

(_b_) Mount the firing pin, bringing it to its rearmost position and
turning head to left behind shoulder in breech block.

(_c_) Engage piston tang in the under slot of breech block. (Rear
face of tang should abut against the rear wall of slot, and
under tang of firing pin should engage in corresponding
groove in piston tang.)

(_d_) Turn fermeture nut to the open position by passing first finger
of left hand in ejection slot of receiver. (When in the open
position the ejection slot in the fermeture nut coincides
with the ejection slot in the receiver.)

(_e_) With the right hand grasp rear of piston assembled with breech
block, placing thumb on head of firing pin so as to hold it
turned to left behind shoulder of breech block.

(_f_) Insert piston assembled with breech block in rear of receiver
and push it forward with right hand until it comes to a stop.
(Its rear face will now be about 1½ inch in front of rear of
receiver.)

N.B.—It is imperative that the head of firing pin be turned
completely to the left, and that fermeture nut be at the open
position. The mechanism should slip into place easily,
forcing being neither necessary nor permissible.

(_g_) While pressing on the lower end of feed piece with the right
hand so as to bring it to its highest position, push forward
piston with left hand until breech is closed.

4th.—Insert recoil spring in piston and push forward, allowing a few inches to project to rear of receiver.

5th.—Mount guard.

(_a_) Grasp pistol grip with right hand as for firing, making sure
that firing gear is properly mounted by pulling trigger
several times.

(_b_) Engage projecting end of recoil spring in its seat in the
guard.

(_c_) Bring the guard to a position under receiver so that the two
lugs on its head are opposite their mortises in rear of
receiver, the trunnions at the front being below and slightly
in advance of their sockets in the bottom of receiver. In
order that the end of recoil spring remains engaged in its
seat in the guard it may be held in place by means of the end
of the cocking handle shank.

(_d_) Engage lugs in their mortises and trunnions in their sockets by
raising guard vertically.

(_e_) Draw guard to rear until solidly seated in receiver.

(_f_) Screw up locking screw.

6th.—Mount cocking handle.

(_a_) Insert shank of cocking handle in opening in guard, the knob
inclined at 45 degrees to right, and push forward to a stop.

(_b_) Throw knob to left to a stop.

(_c_) Push cocking handle forward until home, and then throw knob to
right and down as far as it will go.

In order to replace a defective extractor or firing pin proceed as follows:—

1st.— Close breech.

2nd.— Remove cocking handle.

3rd.— Remove guard.

4th.— Withdraw recoil spring.

5th.— Remove recoiling mechanism.

Replace defective part by a spare, and mount by reversing operations.

The extractor and extractor spring can also be removed without stripping gun as follows:—

1st.— Insert an empty cartridge case in the ejection slot,
perpendicular to chamber.

2nd.— Close breech gently, i.e., by holding it back with cocking
handle, on to empty cartridge case, thus giving access to
extractor and extractor spring.

3rd.— Remove extractor spring and extractor by means of hand
extractor.

Replace defective part by a spare, cock the gun and withdraw empty cartridge case.

POINTS TO BE ATTENDED TO BEFORE FIRING.

1. Cock gun.

2. Pass cleaning rod down the bore to make sure that barrel is clear.

3. See that regulators of all available barrels are properly set.

4. Oil mechanism. A moderate quantity of oil will suffice. It is useless to flood the mechanism. As the essential parts are sufficiently accessible through the ejection slot and by opening the feed piece cover, dismounting is not necessary.

5. Test action of both ejector and cartridge stop by pushing on their points. They should work freely, their springs being elastic but without stiffness.

6. Test action of mechanism by rapidly opening and closing breech several times. It should work freely and smoothly.

OPERATING THE GUN.

In firing, the prone position will be taken ordinarily, the barrel rest being used to steady the gun.

In high grass or under conditions where more height is desirable, ammunition boxes may be placed under the barrel rest so as to increase height.

In short, any sort of rest available may be used, for instance, the top of a parapet or the limb of a tree.

In going into action the following operations must be performed:—

(1) Set barrel rest.

(_a_) Free legs from their catches.

(_b_) Turn legs forward until at right angles to barrel.

(_c_) Open legs with a sharp movement such that the separators catch
in one another.

(_d_) Place the feet in desired position and force points into the
ground.

(2) Mount elevating mechanism.

(_a_) Place elevating mechanism foot on ground in such position that
it is at right angles to axis of gun.

(_b_) Bring gun to approximately the required elevation by turning
outer elevating screw.

(3) Take firing position.

(_a_) Take prone position, resting on the elbows.

(_b_) Grasp pistol grip and trigger with right hand, pressing stock
well into hollow of right shoulder.

(_c_) Grasp outer elevating screw with left hand.

(_d_) In case elevating gear is not used, left hand grasps stock to
rear of receiver and pulls shoulder strap down solidly
against shoulder.

(4) Cock gun.

(_a_) Throw cocking handle knob to left to a stop.

(_b_) Draw cocking handle to rear as far as possible with a sharp
quick movement.

(_c_) Return cocking handle to its original position, and set at “R”
for single shots, “A” for automatic and “S” for safety.

(5) =Loading= is ordinarily performed by a second operator, who takes the prone position to the right of gun, with ammunition conveniently at hand.

(_a_) Raise feed piece to its uppermost position by pushing up on its
lower extremity with left hand, placing thumb on feed piece
cover.

(_b_) With right hand introduce a feed strip into guides, cartridge
side down, and push home until the pawl catches.

N.B.—If gun is operated by but one man, loading will be found more convenient if the elevating mechanism is not used; the firer performs both operations of lifting the feed piece and introducing the strip with the right hand, the left hand meanwhile steadying the gun by grasping the stock.

(6) =Firing.=—The gun is fired by pulling the trigger.

(_a_) Single shots: Set cocking handle at “R” (repetition). One shot
is fired each time trigger is pulled.

(_b_) Automatic firing: Set cocking handle at “A” (automatic). If
trigger is held back the entire strip of 30 rounds is fired
automatically.

(_c_) Volley firing: Set cocking handle at “A” (automatic). The
trigger may be released after some 3, 5, or 10 rounds, as
circumstances require, aim quickly altered and firing
resumed, _i.e._, the strip of 30 rounds is fired in volleys,
as required.

(_d_) Safety: Set cocking handle at “S” (safety) and remove strip,
unless firing is to be promptly resumed.

N.B.—The trigger must be released at the end of each strip, so that the sear will hold the piston at the cocked position during the introduction of the following strip. Otherwise, as soon as the feed piece is raised preparatory to loading the breech will close, necessitating recocking the gun before continuous firing.

(7) Unloading.—In order to remove a partially spent strip, proceed as follows:—

(_a_) See that breech is open, cocking if necessary.

(_b_) Hold claw of pawl free from strip by pushing upon lower
extremity of feed piece with left hand while withdrawing
strip with right.

N.B.—As a live cartridge never remains in the chamber the mere presence or absence of the strip shows whether the gun is loaded.

RAPID CHANGE OF BARREL IN THE FIELD.

In prolonged firing it is sometimes desirable to replace a hot barrel by a fresh one, so as to allow the former to cool.

This operation, which is performed without dismounting any part of the mechanism, requires some 10 to 15 seconds.

Proceed as follows:—

Suppose the gun in the firing position.

The firer unscrews the locking nut one-sixth of a turn with the right hand, using the dismounting wrench.

While the second operator grasps the legs of the barrel rest, quite near the barrel, No. 1 separates the barrel from the receiver by drawing the latter to the rear.

Resting the butt on the ground No. 1 now mounts the fresh barrel and pushes it home.

Meanwhile No. 2 handles the hot barrel by means of the barrel rest, which he then detaches as follows:—

(_a_) Fold the legs.

(_b_) Turn the legs forward until in line with the barrel.

(_c_) Pivot the legs half a turn around the lug of the front sight
carrier, thus permitting the separation.

The fresh barrel being mounted, No. 2 attaches the barrel rest and resets it.

A hot barrel may be carried by means of dismounting wrench.

COOLING BARREL.

To reduce wear of rifling, the barrel should be kept cool if circumstances allow.

Water is not harmful, and when available may be copiously applied to barrel by means of a sponge or rag.

A hot barrel may be dipped in water, but all traces of latter must be removed from barrel bore and gas cylinder, by blowing through same, by means of cleaning rod, or by firing two or three loose cartridges.

Until all water is blown out of gas cylinder, the gas pressure may be insufficient for ensuring automatic action.

USE OF THE REGULATOR.

In order that the working of the gun may be regular, sufficient power must be available to ensure complete recoil of the piston. The amount of power necessary must vary because of insufficient oiling, dust, or fouling in the mechanism, &c. Then, again, pressure of the powder gases may vary because of temperature, deteriorated powder, or badly worn rifling.

The regulator affords means of varying the power which works the gun. Under normal conditions it should be set at 25.

To test the automatic action, fire several shots with regulator set at 25 and cocking handle at “R,” and observe:—

(_a_) One shot should be fired at each pull of trigger. If more than
one shot is fired at a time, it shows that piston does not
recoil sufficiently after each shot to catch on sear.

(_b_) Claw of pawl should catch in the opening in strip at each shot.
If pawl rides on top of strip instead of catching, it shows
that piston does not recoil sufficiently to throw feed lever
through a complete stroke.

(_c_) The ejection should be regular and energetic.

If these three points are not satisfactory it may be concluded that there is a lack of power, and regulator should be screwed up from 5 to 10 divisions.

On the other hand, too much power is not desirable, as the vibration due to the violent action of the mechanism necessarily affects accuracy.

ACCIDENTAL STOPPAGES IN THE AUTOMATIC ACTION OF THE GUN.

In case of a jam always proceed as follows:—

(_a_) Open breech completely by means of cocking handle.

(_b_) Remove jammed cartridge through ejection slot by using hand
ejector or cleaning rod as the case may be, and see that
chamber is clear.

(_c_) Withdraw the strip if some remedy is to be applied. Otherwise
push it forward, bringing the next cartridge to the loading
position.

STOPPAGES AND THEIR REMEDIES.

(1) =Jam on the first round of a strip.=

The strip was probably not pushed completely home before trigger was pulled. Always push forward strip until pawl catches, so that both strip and cartridge are positively held in loading position.

(2) =Missfire.=

Eject defective cartridge by cocking gun, and continue firing.

N.B.—A loose primer falling into the mechanism may cause repeated missfires. Dismount the piston and breech block so as to remove primer, which will usually be found either in the piston cams or in the fermeture nut near the entrance to the chamber.

Missfires may be also due to a weakened recoil spring. In this case replace the spring with a spare.

(3) =Bad introduction.=

The cartridge jams at entrance to the chamber when being pushed forward by breech block. The bullet of the cartridge in question may have been imperfectly seated due to defective crimping, or the cartridge insufficiently held by the clips of the feed strip.

In the latter case the strip should be put aside for re-sizing.

Another cause of bad introduction is incomplete feeding due to lack of power. In this case screw up the regulator 3 to 10 divisions.

(4) =Incomplete ejection of the spent cartridge case.=

This is due to lack of power. Screw up the regulator 5 to 10 divisions.

CLEANING AND CARE.

This arm requires the same care as the service rifle. It must be kept clean and free from rust, and all parts lightly oiled. No gritty substances or emery should be used.

As soon after firing as practicable the barrel should be thoroughly cleaned and oiled, particular attention being paid to the chamber.

The gas cylinder should be kept free from fouling by means of the cleaner so that the regulator can be easily screwed up without using the dismounting wrench.

When the gun is not in use the breech should be kept closed so as to avoid weakening the recoil spring.

FEED STRIPS.

The feed strips hold 30 rounds each. There are three rows of clips which hold the cartridge near the base, the middle and at the neck. A stop lug which catches behind the head of the cartridge case prevents longitudinal motion.

FEED STRIP FILLING MACHINE.

The feed strip filling machine is constructed for clamping to a bench or plank, as, for instance, the lid of a cartridge box.

The hopper and clamp are removable for compactness in packing.

The machine must be so placed that the crank can be conveniently turned with the right hand.

Proceed as follows:—

(_a_) Fill the hopper with cartridges.

(_b_) Push a feed strip, stop lugs to the rear, in its guides on the
machine until the feed tooth catches back of the first middle
clip.

(_c_) Turn the crank. At each complete turn of the crank first a
cartridge is pushed forward into the clips, and then the feed
strip fed ahead one notch into position for the succeeding
cartridge.

(_d_) When filled remove the feed strip.

This machine is operated most efficiently by two men. One supplies the machine with feed strips, turns the crank, and removes filled feed strips; the other supplies the hopper with cartridges.

N.B.—The feed strips may also be readily filled by hand; care should be taken that the rims of all cartridges bear back against their stop lugs.

RE-SIZING THE FEED STRIPS.

When the feed strips have been used repeatedly, the middle clips sometimes lose their curvature to such an extent that the cartridges are not firmly held. This is quickly remedied by passing the strips through the re-sizing tool so as to restore the middle clips to their original form.

As a rule, very little re-sizing is necessary, slight contact between the re-sizing roller and the top of the middle clip sufficing.

General.

DUTIES.
(Referring mainly to the Maxim and Vickers’ Guns.)

Section Officer.

To command his section in accordance with orders and the tactical situation.

To select gun positions.

To observe and control fire.

To give instructions to range taker.

To act, when brigaded, under instructions of the B.M.G.O.

Sergeant.

Supervise guns coming into action as the section officer will direct.

Be prepared to take command in the event of the officer becoming a casualty; in fact, act as the officer’s understudy.

Corporal.

Responsible for packing, and contents of limbered wagon·

On the march he will be in rear of it and work brake as required.

Superintend unpacking, and take command in the absence of officer and sergeant.

See that rifles and packs of Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are put into wagon.

Have spare parts box handy.

Supervise ammunition supply and belt filling.

Direct limbered wagons as required.

Superintend filling of sandbags and cutting of brushwood.

Watch for signals from section officer.

Take place of sergeant in the event of him becoming a casualty.

No. 1 Firer.

Will personally clean and look after his gun.

Carry tripod into action, place it in position and assist No. 2 in mounting.

Repeat all orders received.

Observe his own fire.

No. 2.

Assists No. 1 at the gun, carries it into action and mounts it with the assistance of No. 1.

Attends to the feeding.

Watch for signals from the section officer.

Nos. 3 and 4.

Ammunition carriers.

No. 3 takes first supply to the gun assisted by No. 4 and arranges that spare parts wallet is brought up to gun position.

He is also responsible that the condenser is in position before water boils.

No. 4 takes ammunition from limber to No. 3 when a further supply is required.

Takes condenser complete, and half filled with water to No. 3.

No. 5—Scout.

Acts as ordered by section officer.

No. 6—Range taker.

Takes ranges and prepares range cards.

The other No. 6, is a spare man and acts according to orders from his officer.

Drivers.

Remain with wagons and must act on signal from the officer. They should be taught to fill belts by hand or machine and to act as ammunition carriers.

SECTION DRILL (WITH TRANSPORT).

Drill with Limbered Wagons.

The detachment will be formed up in two ranks six paces in rear of the wagon, facing outwards.

On the command or signal “Action,” the driver dismounts and stands to his horses. The sergeant and Nos. 5 and 6 double out to the section officer. The corporal lowers the tail-board and superintends the unpacking. The remaining numbers ground arms on the word of command of the senior number, and fall out to the wagon to perform the duties detailed above.

The corporal selects a suitable covered position for the limbered wagon, if necessary.

On the command or signal “Dismount guns,” the procedure for unpacking is reversed, and when completed, detachments fall in and take up arms by word of command.

Drill with Pack Transport.

Normally mules will be led by Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8.

On the command “Prepare for action,” Nos. 2, 3, 7 and 8 will link their mules to those immediately in front of them.

Nos. 7 and 8 will lead Nos. 1 and 4 mules. Nos. 1 and 2 will march on the tripod and gun sides respectively of No. 1 mule and loosen straps. Nos. 3 and 4 will march on either side of No. 2 mule.

On the command or signal “Action,” No. 1 will off-load the tripod and No. 2 the gun; No. 3 will off-load the leading ammunition animal.

The corporal will select a suitable covered position for the pack animals. The other duties of the various numbers are as on pages .

On the command or signal “Stand to,” Nos. 1, 2 and 3 will reverse the actions of off-loading. The detachment will then form up for marching.

SECTION DRILL (WITHOUT TRANSPORT).

Guns, tripods and ammunition boxes will be placed on the ground, muzzles to the front and in line, legs to rear, straps round rear legs buckled, clamps sufficiently tight to prevent legs from hanging loose when tripod is lifted. Traversing clamp sufficiently loose to enable gun to be deflected by a sharp tap with the hand on rear crosspiece, guns on right and not closer to each other than eight paces, ammunition boxes three paces in rear.

=Fall in.=—Detachment for the two guns will “fall in” in two ranks, five paces in front of the interval between guns, sergeant on left of front rank, corporal covering him in rear.

Front rank will be right gun detachment.

Rear rank will be left gun detachment.

=Number.=—As in squad drill.

=Take Post.=—Detachments turn outwards and double to their respective guns (sergeant and corporal on outer flanks, where they can superintend). Nos. 1 and 2 fall in on left of tripod; No. 3 on left of ammunition box. (If ground suitable these numbers should lie down.)

Nos. 4, 5 and 6 fall in, in single rank, in rear of No. 3.

The gun position and point of aim is then indicated, followed by command:—

=Mount Gun.=—No. 1 picks up tripod, having previously seen that both elevating screws are exposed the same distance, carries and places it in position indicated. In adjusting, he must ensure that crosshead and sights are upright, and legs clamped tight. No. 2 should so time his advance that he will arrive immediately the tripod is adjusted. He will carry gun to right side of tripod, holding rear crosspiece with left hand, gun muzzle to rear under right arm. Kneels on left knee, facing tripod, and supporting weight of gun on right knee, places it on tripod, drives in and turns down crosshead joint pin, and removes cork plug from steam escape hole.

No. 1 fixes elevating joint pin and directs gun towards the mark.

No. 2 kneeling and placing ammunition box in position.

No. 3 when he sees gun nearly mounted, will carry ammunition box forward and place it within reach of No. 2. He then retires to a position not immediately in rear of the gun.

=Load.=—No. 1 raises tangent sight, No. 2 passes tag of belt through feed block. No. 1 turns crank handle on to buffer spring, pulls belt to left front as far as it will go, and lets go crank handle, releases strain on belt, then turns crank handle on to buffer spring, again pulls belt to left front and lets go belt and crank handle. The gun is now ready to fire.

=Single Shot Loading.=—Carry out first half of loading motions, then, without touching belt, turn crank handle on to buffer spring and let go.

=800 (Range).=—No. 1 repeats the order and adjusts slide to elevation required.

=At (Object).=—No. 2 adjusts traversing clamp if ordered to by No. 1, who lays the gun, raises automatic safety catch with forefinger and prepares to fire.

When No. 1 is ready No. 2 holds up his hand.

=Fire.=—No. 1 presses the double button.

=Cease Fire.=—No. 1 releases automatic safety catch and remains steady.

=Traversing Fire.=—No. 1 will lay gun on flank named, press button, and tap alternately, with the hand, on the rear crosspiece in the required direction, until limit is reached.

=Unload.=—No. 1 lowers the sight (not the slide), turns the crank handle twice in succession on to buffer spring, letting it fly back each time on to the check lever; then presses up finger pieces on bottom pawls, No. 2 withdrawing and repacking belt in box. No. 1 clears ejector tube and lock, and releases lock spring by pressing double button.

=Dismount Gun.=—No. 1 removes crosshead and elevating joint pins. No. 2 replaces cork plug, passes ammunition box to No. 3, and removes gun to its original position in rear, No. 1 following with tripod, joint pins will then be pushed home, legs folded and clamped.

Prone Position.

=Mount Gun.=—No. 1 crawls into position, pushing tripod forward with right hand, having first adjusted front legs by turning it over and moving legs round so that they remain in a slightly backward position over the elevating wheel.

When in the position ordered for mounting, he turns legs down and adjusts so as to secure a low, upright position of the crosshead.

No. 2 will then move into position, on his back, carrying the gun across his body, muzzle to the front. On reaching tripod he will push muzzle towards No. 1 who will assist in mounting, and insert crosshead joint pin, No. 2 inserting elevating joint pin and removing cork plug.

No. 1 will then turn into position for firing, supporting himself against the legs of No. 2.

Adjust sights, load, and fire as ordered.

=Out of Action.=—No. 1 will unload, Nos. 1 and 2 (in prone position) will take hold of rear leg (No. 1 with right hand, No, 2 with left), and draw gun out of action until under cover, when gun will be dismounted in the usual manner; No. 2 having drawn ammunition box back with the gun.

TESTS OF ELEMENTARY TRAINING.

─────┬───────────────────────────┬─────────┬───────────────────────────
No. │ Nature of Test, with │Standard │ Remarks.
of │ Commands. │ Time. │
Test.│ │ │
─────┼───────────────────────────┼─────────┼───────────────────────────
I.│To erect tripod and mount │ 20 sec. │
│ gun. “Mount Gun.” │ │
II.│To load the gun. “Load.” │ 5 sec. │All motions distinct. No
│ │ │ slurring.
III.│To adjust sights and lay │ 12 sec. │From range being ordered
│ gun “At ... (Range) ... │ │ until No. 2 holds up his
│ Object ...” │ │ hand.
IV.│To unload the gun. │ 5 sec. │Motions distinct, belt
│ “Unload.” │ │ correctly repacked,
│ │ │ Lockspring released.
V.│To dismount the gun. │ 15 sec. │All points as at beginning
│ “Dismount Gun.” │ │ of Test I., and cork plug
│ │ │ replaced.
VI.│To bring gun into action │ 40 sec. │All points for Tests I.,
│ (Range ... Object ...) │ │ II. and III. to be
│ “Action.” │ │ fulfilled. Time taken
│ │ │ until No. 2 holds up his
│ │ │ hand.
VII.│Horizontal Traversing │ 3 sec. │
│ (Limits of Traverse). │for each │
│ “Traversing Fire.” │complete │
│ │ series. │
VIII.│Diagonal Traversing (Limits│ 4 sec. │
│ of Traverse). “Traversing│for each │
│ Fire.” │ series. │
IX.│Rectifying Stoppages. “Gun │ Correct │Correct remedy applied and
│ Stops.” │procedure│ gun relaid after remedy.
│ │begun, 3 │
│ │ sec. │
X.│Belt Filling. │ 1 min. │25 rounds.[1]
│ │ 12 min. │ 250 rounds.[1]
─────┴───────────────────────────┴─────────┴───────────────────────────

Footnote 1:

Placed in a heap. Pass for inspection when filled.

CHARACTERISTICS OF MACHINE GUN.

The fact that the gun is mounted upon a platform and the personal factor thus reduced, results in a close grouping of fire, and practically the same results are obtained in war as in peace, the beaten zone being about half the area of that of rifle fire. This gives the following advantages:—

Surprise effect.

Observation of fire for ranging.

Overhead covering fire.

Other advantages of the machine gun are:—

Narrow frontage (a machine gun only occupying the same frontage as
two infantrymen).

Difficult to locate.

Normal rate of fire about 500 rounds per minute. All-round
traverse, which allows gun to be turned in any direction without
moving tripod, and with little exposure.

Mobility: It can go wherever a man can go on foot.

It has, however, the following drawbacks:—

Overheating, and consequent stoppage through too prolonged fire.

Noise of firing, and steam from barrel casing reveals position.

Narrow and scattered objects are unsuitable targets.

=It will be seen therefore that the machine gun is a weapon of opportunity particularly adapted for surprise effect, but not for sustained fire action.=

FIRE DIRECTION.

The following methods should be used:—

Ranging Fire.

Bursts of fire limited to from 10 to 20 rounds.

It is unlikely that observation will be obtained with larger bursts.

Rapid Fire.

In groups of from 30 to 50 rounds, the firer pausing slightly between each group to confirm the alignment of sights.

Traversing Fire.

Distributed laterally, and applied in a series of small groups, the object being to cover as wide a front as possible, with a minimum of volume. (Groups should consist of from 5 to 10 rounds only.) A belt of 250 rounds should cover a frontage of 25 yards in one minute.

Swinging Traverse.

For trench warfare, and against dense targets at close ranges, the traversing clamp being kept fairly loose and the gun traversed evenly and smoothly from side to side, both hands retaining their hold on the traversing handles.

Combined Sights.

When two or more guns are working together, the depth of the effective zone can be increased by ordering different elevations for each gun, both, however, using the same point of aim.

The respective depth and width of effective zones may be taken as being:—

───────┬───────────────┬───────────────────────
Range. │ Mark VI. │ Mark VII.
───────┼───────┬───────┼───────┬───────────────
„ │Depth. │Width. │Depth. │ Width.
───────┼───────┼───────┼───────┼───────────────
Yards. │Yards. │ Feet. │Yards. │ Feet inches.
500│ 150│ 4│ 220│ 2 6
1,000│ 70│ 8│ 140│ 5 0
1,500│ 60│ 13│ 70│ 10 0
2,000│ 50│ 19│ 60│ 17 6
───────┴───────┴───────┴───────┴───────────────

From this it is apparent that, allowing an error of 10 per cent. in ascertaining the range, the flatness of trajectory within 800 yards will insure the target being included in the effective zone, therefore with Mark VII ammunition combined sights should not be used at less than 800 yards.

Bracketing.

When only a section is available and the “combined sights” method does not give sufficient assurance of fire effect, “bracketing” should be used as follows:—

The range estimated, probable error determined, and the limits between which it is necessary to search with fire, the maximum and minimum elevation will be allotted to right and left gun respectively, who fire a burst and then work inwards (one higher, one lower) by altering their respective elevations 50 yards each time, eventually passing each other. If observation of the fire can be obtained, correct elevation should be immediately ordered.

With Mark VII ammunition this method would not be necessary at 1,000 yards, as with a 10 per cent. error the “combined sights” method would give a satisfactory result.

Vertical Searching.

The range to nearest point of objective is taken, sight adjusted and gun laid on this point.

Sights are then set for the farthest point of the objective. This will bring the line of sight short of the aiming-point. A series of bursts are then fired, care being taken that each burst strikes just beyond the former one, but does not leave any gap between groups.

Overhead Fire.

Can be employed normally from or at a commanding position, or across a valley, but not when own troops and those of the enemy are on same plane.

Range of target must be accurate. If 1,000 yards or under, angles of sight to enemy and own troops must not be less than 30 minutes. If range is between 1,000 and 1,500 yards, the angle must not be less than 60 mins.

Overhead fire should not be used at 1,500 yards and over.

The following method of sighting can be used.—

Adjust backsight to correct range of target and lay gun on mark. If gun is nearer than 900 yards, raise sight by 400 yards, and if further than 900 yards, raise sight 250 yards.

The new line of sight gives safety angles.

When heads of own troops come into line of sight, cease fire, or continue to elevate gradually, keeping pace with advance.

Indirect Fire.

Firing from concealed positions at an auxiliary aiming mark.

A machine gun protractor, or graticules cut across the focal plane of prismatic glasses are most satisfactory. By this means indirect fire can be applied as easily as direct fire.

Night Firing.

The gun may be laid by day and left until required, or by use of the “night firing box,” as follows:—

A stick is placed in the ground 10 yards in front of gun in a direct line with the target, and at night the stick is replaced by the “night firing box”—the sights altered (but not the gun) until aligned on the lamp at the point where the lines form the true centre.

Searching and deflection can be satisfactorily carried out with this apparatus.

EXAMPLES OF FIRE ORDERS.

Normal Fire Order using One Elevation.

Range.

Aiming mark.

Fire (signalled).

Cease fire (signalled).

Changes in elevation (up or down 100), as required.

Combined Sights.

Range and differences.

Aiming mark.

Fire (signalled).

Changes in elevation (left gun up 200, right gun down 200) (or more, as required).

When Brigaded within Hearing.

The B.M.G.O. issues fire orders direct to the Nos. 1 as above.

When “differences” “by sections” are required the fire order will be as follows:—

B.M.G.O.

(_a_) By sections—Range—Differences.

(Pause for section officers to name the number of their
sections and the “range” for their sections; they do not
repeat the “differences.”)

(_b_) Aiming mark.

(_c_) Fire.

Traversing Fire.

Range.

Target (naming right and left limits to be traversed).

“Inwards traversing.”

Fire (signalled).

The same method is employed when laying on the centre, the caution
“Outwards traversing” being given.

When brigaded within hearing orders are issued as follows:—

By B.M.G.O.:—

Range.
Limits of traverse.
Fire (signalled).

Section officer repeats limits to be traversed, and immediately issues orders respecting ground to be traversed by their own sections, corresponding to their own positions.

Vertical Searching Fire.

Range.

Aiming mark.

To “range” vertical searching.

Fire (signalled).

Bracketing Fire.

Ranges—bracketing.

Aiming mark.

Fire.

SIGNALS.

In many cases observation will be impossible from the gun position and it will be necessary for observers to signal results from a flank.

The following semaphore code is used in signalling the results of observation of fire:—

P— Plus: meaning fire observed at least 50 yards beyond target.

M— Minus: meaning fire observed at least 50 yards short of target.

T— Right: meaning fire observed to right of target.

C— Centre: meaning direction of fire correct.

U— Unobserved: meaning no observation obtained.

Q— Query: meaning fire observed, but its position uncertain.

R— Range: meaning range correct.

The signaller at the observation post should give the “call up” to show that the observers are ready. “P” and “M” may be repeated for multiples of 50 yards; thus, “PP” would mean, “Fire observed at least 100 yards beyond target.” Signals should be repeated from the gun position if this can be done without disclosing the position to the enemy.

On all occasions when guns are firing, the following signals should be used in controlling fire:—

Signal for “Action.”—Both arms fully extended, raised from the sides to a position in line with the shoulders and lowered again. This motion to be repeated until it is seen that the signal is being complied with. Note.—A machine gun is said to be “In Action” when it is mounted, loaded and laid, but not necessarily firing.

Signal for “Out of Action.” Arm swung in a circular motion in front of the body.

By No. 2.

Hand up—Gun ready to open fire.

By Controlling Officer.

Hand u— Preparatory to opening fire.

Hand dropped—Open fire.

Elbow close to the side, forearm waved horizontally—Cease fire.

GENERAL MACHINE GUN COURSE.

Extracts from War Office Letter No. 9/General Number/4976 (M.T. 2), dated 14th May, 1915.

1. PERSONNEL.

The following table shows the establishment of the Service Machine Gun section to be maintained in the following units:—New Armies, Reserve Units, Territorial Force Units, Colonial Contingents.

───────────────────────────┬──────────┬──────────┬──────────┬──────────
Unit. │Officers. │Sergeants.│Corporals.│Privates.
───────────────────────────┼──────────┼──────────┼──────────┼──────────
New Armies (Infantry │ │ │ │
Battalions):— │ │ │ │
Service Section │ 1│ 2│ 1│ 24
Reserve Section[2] │ 1│ 2│ 1│ 24
│ │ │ │
Reserve Cavalry Regiments │ 1│ 1│ 1│ 24
│ │ │ │
Territorial Force:— │ │ │ │
Yeomanry Regiments │ 1│ 1│ 1│ 24
Infantry Battalions │ 1│ 2│ 1│ 24
3rd Line Depôts │ 1│ 1│ 1│ 24
│ │ │ │
Special and Extra Reserve │ │ │ │
Infantry Battalions:— │ 1│ 1│ 1│ 24
2nd Reserve Infantry │ │ │ │
Battalions (supplying │ │ │ │
3 Battalions)[3] │ 1│ 1│ 1│ 24
2nd Reserve Infantry │ │ │ │
Battalions (supplying │ │ │ │
2 Battalions)[3] │ 1│ 1│ 1│ 18
2nd Reserve Infantry │ │ │ │
Battalions (supplying │ │ │ │
1 Battalion)[3] │ 1│ 1│ 1│ 12
│ │ │ │
Colonial Contingents:— │ │ │ │
Cavalry Regiments │ 1│ 1│ 1│ 24
Infantry Battalions │ 1│ 2│ 1│ 24
───────────────────────────┴──────────┴──────────┴──────────┴──────────

Footnote 2:

See paragraph 3.

Footnote 3:

Until the Second New Army goes overseas, 2nd Reserve Infantry
Battalions will all be considered as supplying one Battalion for the
purposes of this Letter.

In draft producing units, the personnel of machine gunners will always be maintained; a reserve of men thoroughly trained in mechanism, drill, etc., must be available to fill the gaps in the service section caused by drafting.

2. AMMUNITION.

300 rounds (Territorial Force Units, Mark VI., other Units, Mark VII.) will be fired in the General Machine Gun Course by each Officer, N.C.O. and man of the existing service section or on his appointment thereto, as soon as he is fit to fire.

Exceptions:—

(_a_) Men who have already fired a complete course:

(_b_) Men who have commenced a course previously approved will complete such course.

Machine gunners of New Army Battalions, other than 2nd Reserve Battalions, will not commence the course until authority is given to do so.

Ammunition allotted to Machine Gun Sections is not to be expended for rifle firing.

3. GENERAL MACHINE GUN COURSE.

PART I. Rounds
allotted.

Practice 1.— Grouping 10

„ 2.— Single shot, traversing 10

„ 3.— Application 20

„ 4.— Vertical searching 20

„ 5.— (Omitted).

Additional Practice.— Swinging traverse 30

Repetition 20

———

110

———

PART II.

(Range 400 yards for all Practices except Practice 14.)

Time. Rounds

Seconds. allotted.

Practice 7.— Ranging 20

„ 8.— (Omitted).

„ [4]9.— Application 20 30

„ [4]10.— Traversing 50 60

„ 11.— (Omitted).

„ 12.— (Omitted).

„ 13.— Observation 20

„ 14.— Fire at successive positions
(range 600 yds. to 200 yds.) 40

—

Total 170

———

Part I. 110

———

Part II. 170

———

Surplus for repetition of indifferent shots to be pooled and
used at the discretion of the Commanding Officer 20

———

Grand total 300

———

Footnote 4:

Classification practices.

Notes.

PART I.

1. ADDITIONAL PRACTICE.—For trench warfare, and against dense targets at close range, the “Swinging Traverse” has been found necessary. It in no way replaces the method of traversing by automatic tapping, which should still be considered the normal method. The swinging traverse is taught by teaching a man to traverse a machine gun instructional target evenly and smoothly in about 6 seconds.