1951 Vickers MMG Manual

Part I – Mechanical Subjects

Part I - Mechanical Subjects
LESSON #LESSON DESCRIPTIONPAGE
INTRODUCTION
Scope of the pamphlet1
Layout of the pamphlet1
Method of Teaching1
Organisation of MG Platoon2
Organisation if training in technical handling3
Safety precautions during training3
CHAPTER 1. – THE GUN AND TRIPOD
1General Description7
2Characteristics10
CHAPTER 2. – STRIPPING
3General Points13
4Stripping the Gun15
5Stripping the Lock16
6Stripping the Feedblock19
7Stripping component parts19
8Changing the barrel without draining the barrel casing21
CHAPTER 3. – GENERAL MAINTENANCE OF THE GUN AND TRIPOD
9Cleaning22
10Examinations, tests and adjustments (1)24
11Examinations, tests and adjustments (2)25
12Examinations, tests and adjustments (3)27
13Preparation for firing29
14Points during firing32
15Points after firing33
16Barrel life34
CHAPTER 4. – SPARE PARTS AND REPAIRS
17Description and packing of spare parts38
18Repairs41
CHAPTER 5. – IMMEDIATE ACTION
Introductory Notes43
19Introduction and first position stoppages44
20Second position stoppages47
21Third position stoppages49
22Fourth position stoppages52
23Special stoppages53
CHAPTER 6. – MECHANISM
Introductory Notes56
24Firing action first shot and action on recoil56
25First action in the feedblock58
26Backward rotation of the crank and second action in the feedblock59
27Backward movement and cocking of the lock60
28Forward movement of the lock62
29Subsequent and ends of bursts63
CHAPTER 7. – CAUSES OF STOPPAGES
Introductory notes64
30Causes of first position stoppages65
31Causes of second position stoppages66
32Causes of third position stoppages67
33Causes of fourth position stoppages68
34Causes of special stoppages69
CHAPTER 8. – INSTRUMENT AND AIMING
35The sights, aiming and loading71
36The Dial Sight73
37Aiming post, aiming lamp, zero post and direction dial75
38Aiming with the dial sight by day76
39Aiming with the dial sight by night77
40Paralleling with the dial sight78
41Elevation with the dial sight79
42Recording the QE and measuring an angle of sight80
43Director81
44Resector Protractor84
CHAPTER 9. – INSTRUMENT TESTS
45Testing the clinometer87
46Testing and adjusting the dial sight88
47Testing the director89

Part II – Drills And Training

Part II - Drills and Training
LESSON #LESSON DESCRIPTIONPAGE
CHAPTER 10. – GUN DRILL
Introductory notes1
48Layout and inspection of carrier stores2
49Preliminaries to gun drill4
50Action and cease firing from the carrier7
51Clear gun and stand clear10
52Laying and firing11
53Consistency of tap13
54Traversing and swinging traverse15
55Application of direct fire orders17
56Controlled corrections, indirect (elevation)19
57Controlled corrections, indirect (direction)20
58Emergency action22
59Prepare for carrier action23
60Tests of elementary training25
CHAPTER 11. – ADVANCED MACHINE GUN HANDLING
Introductory notes30
61Man-handling of loads – short carry30
62Mounting the gun on exposed gound32
63Mounting the gun on uneven ground33
64Bringing the gun into action making use of cover35
65Bringing the carrier into a hull-down position37
CHAPTER 12. – VISUAL TRAINING
Introductory notes39
66Indication and recognition40
67Observation of fire and ranging44
CHAPTER 13. – SECTION DRILL
68Dismounted action and cease firing48
69Carrier action51
70Fire discipline52
71Replacement of breakages54
72Obscuration of the target55
73Changing from direct fire to night firing and vice versa57
74Relief of guns by night59
CHAPTER 14. – INDIRECT FIRE DRILL
Introductory notes60
75Mount gun and cease firing62
76Paralleling64
77Obtaining direction and elevation66
78Application of indirect fire control orders67
79Fire control charts70
80Changing from indirect fire to night firing and vice versa71
81Coming into action by night and cease firing72
82Obtaining direction and elevation by night74
CHAPTER 15. – BATTLE PROCEDURE
Introductory notes76
83Reconnaissance of platoon and section areas76
84Occupation of platoon position direct fire, dismounted action by day84
85Modifications for direct fire, carrier action90
86Modifications for indirect fire90
87Modifications for reorgansation92
88Modifications for defence98
89Inspection of a section area in defence101
90Modifications for the occupation of a position by night when a daylight reconnaissance can be made105
91Modifications for relief in the line108
92Modifications for withdrawl109

Part III – Fire Control

Part III - Fire Control
LESSON #LESSON DESCRIPTIONPAGE
CHAPTER 16. – GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF FIRE CONTROL
Introductory notes1
93Characteristics of machine gun fire2
94Elevation6
95Range tables and climatic influences8
96Errors in direction and elevation12
CHAPTER 17. – DIRECT FIRE
Introductory notes14
97Fire orders, direct14
98Point targets17
99Traversing targets21
100Depth targets25
101Moving targets31
CHAPTER 18. – FLANKING AND OVERHEAD FIRE
Introductory notes33
102Flanking fire34
103Overhead fire, direct38
104Overhead fire, indirect44
CHAPTER 19. – PROTECTIVE FIRE – FIXED LINES
Introductory notes46
105Laying a fixed line (flanking fire)46
106Laying a fixed line (overhead fire)50
107Laying a fixed line when no daylight reconnaissance has been possible52
CHAPTER 20. – NIGHT FIRING
Introductory notes53
108Reconnaissance and preparation of a night firing position54
CHAPTER 21. – INDIRECT FIRE
Introductory notes57
109System of indirect fire control58
110Fire orders, indirect61
111Paralleling63
112Targets of equal or less width than the gun frontage66
113Targets of greater width than the gun frontage68
114Depth targets70
115Crest clearance72
CHAPTER 22. – MAP SHOOTING
Introductory notes74
116Map shooting – direction75
117Map shooting – elevation, crest clearance and safety77
118Fire control charts80
APPENDICES
IBlank Firing Attachment92
IIMMG range courses and safety precautions114
IIIMMG skill-at-arms – conditions of qualification131
IVLoading carriers139
VManhandling of loads – long carry141
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