Use of the L42 in the Falklands Conflict

[mossin]

Here are the markings on my L42 transit chest from what I gather it should have been in the Falklands as the unit was the Scots guards and the sniper who's name in the box was there

[mrclark303]

It's hard to visualize any situation in which a British Army Soldier would throw away his issued firearm, let alone a highly trained Sniper...

The only situation I could conceive is if he was compromised and his weapon was U/S, thus he was forced to drop it and pick up an alternative to defend himself.

I have never really understood the point of full auto on a light barrel standard Fal ... Rounds 1 and 2 on target, then 3 to 20 fired into the clouds!

[55recce]

How about you are getting shot at and are holding a useless weapon? I think that would be sufficient motivation!

However, I would like to respectfully point out that I am not endorsing this story. Merely suggesting that its origins are in a book somewhere and not the imagination of a forum member.

[Gil Boyd]

55recce,
Having trawled here is the thread from elsewhere on the site where it was mentioned:

DanL96a1
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01-07-2018 @ 01:25 PM

The book referring to the Falkland conflict, and the L42 being dumped in the stream is “Out of Nowhere - A history of the military sniper” by Martin Pegler on page 289 references 278. I agree with Peter and with Gil, not handing in a rifle you were issued with, broken or not is the worse kind of crime in the MOD armed forces.

As Peter correctly states the L42 had done two life times, 1945 – 1992 in the case of my the L42’s.


Who has this book, and can check as to which unit or individual is alledged to have chucked it away please!!!

Simon,
I am sure will corroberate the fact that there is only one of the L42's showing as written off/missing off his list during the Falklands War, and that is Nigel Ayres rifle of 2 Scots, who was hit in the back on Tumbledown Mt and his L42 action took a direct hit. I know that as I have that rifle now and he got to shoot it last year.

[Roy W]

I think the whole 'throwing the rifle away' is called 'artistic licence'

[Peter Laidler]

Agree wholly with Roy and others. Another choice phrase is 'total bxxxxxxs'

[Gil Boyd]

Peter,

Ironically, it is your name that was placed on the official lists as the ONLY entry for Falklands War L42's written off or lost/damaged next to the the L42 I own which was Nigel Ayre's in 2 Scots, and you and I have discussed this subject before.......before......before

Official L42 Records show: P.L. (Peter Laidler)- Scots Guards Falklands Loss.

Nigel,
had it slung across his back, and the strike probably saved his life, but he was using the Sterling on the attack his secondary weapon.

[Simon]

Simon,
I am sure will corroberate the fact that there is only one of the L42's showing as written off/missing off his list during the Falklands War, and that is Nigel Ayres rifle of 2 Scots, who was hit in the back on Tumbledown Mt and his L42 action took a direct hit. I know that as I have that rifle now and he got to shoot it last year.

I concur, only one L42 listed as a a Falklands loss.

Unconnected I know but there's also an entry regarding one of the converted Savage rifles which states "written off 5 Queens (run over)" wonder how many times he mopped up the rain on the Parade Square for that one?

[Gil Boyd]

I wonder if someone used a throw away comment down south like "I'd chuck it in the river for two pins, can't seem to get close enough" and from their the legend sprung!!!

[Surpmil]

I see to recall a photo of a survivor from the Sir Galahad on the beach with an L42.