Quote:
Originally Posted by runequester
They can't. I'm not sure if the British army maintained that practice past WW1.
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It is my understanding that they did. Were it not the case, they'd not cart the extra materials around for effecting said fire missions. Things like aiming posts, plotting boards, lamps for illuminating the posts, and various other components.
Take a look at
www.Vickersmachinegun.org and look at the sections on transport. You'll find kit for the indirect fire mission stowed on both the 15cwt trucks AND the Bren Carriers.
Moreover, from the British Training Pamphlet:
Notes on the Organization and the Tactical Handling of MEdium Machine Guns
Military Training Pamphlet No31
1940
Quote:
4. Characteristics
2. Range With accurate range taking and correct application of the fire control rules, medium MGs can fire with effect up to 4,500 yards. Medium MGs ranges are defined as follows:
i. Close, up to 800 yards - the range up to which, on level ground, the trajectory is sufficiently flat to hit a standing man at all points between gun and target.
ii. Intermediate, up to 1,400 yards
iii. Long, over 1,400 yards. At these ranges two sections will generally be necessary to produce effective fire
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.9. Indirect Fire. Medium MGs are capable of engaging a target which is not visible from the gun position, but is visible from an OP. Flexibility is limited, but concealment is more easily obtained, and the chance of guns being neutralized by enemy artillery is minimized.
In cases where the target is not visible from an OP or where it has not been possible to range on it in daylight, the necessary data can be obtained from a 1/25,000 map. The accuracy of map shooting depends chiefly on the accurate pin pointing of the gun position and target on the map. Artillery units who possess methods of surveying can often be of assistance in this.
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The more or less work out like mortars in this regard and they are aimed just like a mortar section is.
Note 1 section is 2 guns. Each section had 3 carriers, 2 MMG carriers and one carrier for the section commander. The Platoon had 2 carriers (one with a PIAT).