Bren at War

[TactAdv]

Attachment 46306

Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders in North Africa.
(My father far right)

Looks like your Dad is holding a Beretta Modelo 38A SMG.

[Peter Laidler]

We had a Valentine tank in the kids play area, as a bit of playground kit while I was at the big Ordnance Depot at Ngaruawahia on the North island during '68. IT was a job in NZ or off to Malaya ..... yet again - and then off to do a similar job in SVn. Well, I told the other bloke he needed the experience and a man has to take the rough with the smooth so I opted for NZ.

Anyway, I wonder what happened to the Valentine.

[mrclark303]

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...10/large-7.jpg

Object description:THE BRITISH ARMY IN TRAINING IN BRITAIN, 1944
Private J Burroughs enjoys a cigarette.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...10/large-8.jpg

Object description:ON BOARD A BATTLESHIP, NOVEMBER 1942
Sailor wearing a steel helmet, carrying a Bren gun.

P1908 pattern web equipment ....

[Woodsy]

Peter, I don't know about the Valentine at Ngaruwhahia but there was another in the playground at Ohakune (near Waiouru Camp) that has since been fully restored by a collector, as have several other field guns etc. that were once in public areas. Several are still on public display but many have been sold/given to collectors. Many district councils are a bit on the PC side (but not all!). Collectors take great pride is displaying their toys at MV displays around NZ each year.

[Peter Laidler]

We also had an old war time type Jeep Woodsy that could be used for unit approved 'recreation' at the weekend on a 'repayment' basis. I used it a couple of times, took my girlfriend over to the East coast for a couple of long weekends to Tauronga. Told the ASM me and a couple of the blokes were going fishing. He called me a 'lying pom' - but nodded his approval. Sadly the other two blokes couldn't make it.........

[Woodsy]

Tauranga is quite a nice place, but you wouldn't have noticed that!

[Luis Bren]

The 'Phoney' War, October 1939 - May 1940: Men of the Royal Fusiliers man a Bren gun position at the front near Saint Francois-Lacroix.




THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE (BEF) IN FRANCE 1939-1940 | Imperial War Museums

[AmEngRifles]

Wondering how the Bren and the SMLE worked in bitter cold? About as well as any weapon I suppose? Any special preps to keep them active and ready? Action covers?

[Paul S.]

As I recall from the Infantry Pamphlets, no grease or oil since both solidified from the cold.

The SMLE faired well during the winter of 1915 when my granddad was at Ypres when things suddenly got 'hot'.

[AmEngRifles]

Thanks Paul. That makes great sense. I did not realize weapons oil might solidify as well?? We only touched on a few degrees below freezing, but man, the grease in the gun slowed up the action significantly. Had to remove all grease and just oil the gun to get it to feed. The grease was in there as it was brand new from the maker and he greased it for the break in. Nobody mentioned not to try “ breaking it in” during sub freezing weather. 😉

Sorry. Should have replied privately I suppose? Don’t mean to start thread drift. I love all these historical images of the Bren in various theaters.

Did paratroopers go in with Brens? Any pictures of Troop’s kitted up for jumps?