Lee-Enfield Rifles captured in Afghanistan 2006

[Sentryduty]

A few months ago I was discussing with Robert (Seaspriter) about Long Branch Lee-Enfields that I had encountered during my tour of Afghanistan in 2006. There were various details that I recalled that made these rifles somewhat unique, such as one had a blond stock. Following up on this thought I spoke with a close friend who has become the unofficial photo collection manager and he too recalled these various captured rifles.

Recently he was able to search through the terabyte of collected photos, and while he was unable to find any of the exact rifles we captured, he did include 3 photos of ones captured by other members of our Battalion.

The one I closely examined was a 1944 Long Branch in worn but serviceable condition, with a blond stock and covered in a large amount of decoration, which we called “Jingle” after the local “jingle truck” phenomenon.

The irony of Canadian Wartime manufacture being used to shoot at Canadian Soldiers 62 years later is not lost on me, and a LE would have a distinct bark when compared against the stacco racket of an AK on automatic. These Lee Enfields were not common, but they showed up often enough to stand out in my mind.

I have included these photos below for interest and examination by the forum members and for historic reference. They have been slightly cropped to omit elements of the background that are irrelevant or may be considered of an operational nature.







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