Bren at War

[Peter Laidler]

That was pretty observant..... If he is using it pulled out, square to the gun then it's because someone has told him that it could be used like this when fired from the waist. NOT SO! It will soon pull your arm out at the socket!

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[CINDERS]

Another for you all

[henry r]

the other (to me) iconic bren pic
(well discounting the ivor hele "taking old vickers position" painting)



“ A Bren gun team of 2/8th Australian Infantry Battalion support an attack on Mount Shiburangu, near Wewak in Papua New Guinea. ”


the grenade launching no1 mk3 is interesting too. what is the shiny bit on the fore end between the magazine and the binding?

edit. totally off topic, but i love the way that in any pic you see of an australian in the field, thier slouch hat has been totally reshaped.

[desperatedan]

the grenade launching no1 mk3 is interesting too. what is the shiny bit on the fore end between the magazine and the binding?

I'm pretty sure that's the reinforcing bolt in the fore-end.

[tankhunter]

I'm pretty sure that's the reinforcing bolt in the fore-end.

That is correct. The Indians carried on fitting a variant of this. As a Standard fitting to all their .303" Rifles. And also the postwar SMLE in 7.62mm.
They used a woodscrew, as the head could be screwed down flush with the side of the forend. Making for a smoother & more comfortable grip.

The purpose of these componants, was to prevent splitting of the forend during recoil. Particularly violent when firing ballastite cartridges when discharging Grenades! (NEVER EVER from the shoulder though! It would break your shoulder bone!)..........

[browningautorifle]

an Australian in the field, their slouch hat has been totally reshaped

They call them a bush hat at that point. They all have two, one for garrison and one for field.

the grenade launching no1 mk3

I can't recall seeing one in hand before.

[Peter Laidler]

As a bit of an aside. I'm sure that the reinforcing nut and bolt for the EY rifle and the strengthening screw for the standard rifle were in different positions according to the old EMER which I can't seem to find. The wood screw was just to prevent the fore-end splitting longitudinally and the 1/4" bolt was to reinforce the breech area. Same meat, different gravy as they say!

[Vincent]

Interesting picture Henry. I like the way he's holding the Bren. I was told not to hold it that way, but.....

[henry r]

Korea
"Vince Gilligan on Hill '355 gun position
Note mortar exploding in rear/left"


Bluey Clark manning his Bren gun sans magazine on The Hinge in October '51.

[henry r]

"Armed and dangerous. 3RAR elements wait on hillside for the enemy."
Korea '51



"One of the baggy arses. Bluey Clark 1951"

the last three photos taken by Ron Cashman 6 Platoon, B Coy, 3RAR, Korea '51-'53