The Bren Light Machine Gun
History of the Bren
In 1922 the British government began a search for a replacement for the Lewis gun, the light machinegun used during WWI. One of the models reviewed was the Czechoslovakian-made ZB-type light machinegun, which began its government trials in 1931. The ZB was accepted into service, and production began at the Enfield factory in 1937. It was given the name "Bren", which was a combination of the names of the cities where it was produced: Brno, and Enfield. During the war production was also undertaken at Inglis in Canada and Lithgow in Australia, both factories producing rifles and other armaments.
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Bren Mark II owned and used by the club
Later in the war the second major model, the Bren Mark II, was produced by the Monotype Group using a number of component-producing factories. Although essentially the same weapon, the Mark II took advantage of a number of wartime efficiencies, making it easier to produce.
;) Front View |
;) Bipod |
In July 1944 the Bren Mark III was approved, and production begun at the Enfield factory. It was a lighter, shortened version of the Mark II, and was intended for use in the South-East Asia theatre. After the war many Brens were converted to the NATO 7.62 (.308) calibre, and continued in British and Commonwealth service.
The Bren used a crescent shaped box magazine that fed from the top of the weapon. While the magazine could hold 30 rounds the training manual recommends loading a maximum of 28 rounds to ensure a proper feed. Just as with the rifle magazines, care must be taken when loading them that the rounds are not "rim-under-rim", which will keep the weapon from firing.
;) Magazine Change |
;) Top View |
For use in the anti-aircraft role the Bren could also use a 100-round drum magazine that lay horizontal on top of the receiver. The rate of fire is around 450-550 rounds per minute, comparable to the Sten gun. The effective range of the Bren was considered to be 600 yards, although this could be greatly increased with the use of a specially made tripod. The Bren could be clamped to the tripod and fired in a traditional or anti-aircraft role.
Using the Bren
The Bren was the tactical heart of the British section. The standard section was divided into a three-man 'Bren' section and the eight-man 'rifle' section. The two groups would use fire and movement to advance the Bren section to the flank of an enemy. Once the Bren had a flanking fire that could pin the enemy, the rifle section was to attack from 10 or 2 o'clock position. The Bren was a very accurate and effective weapon, and could hold its own against the German weapons. Veterans' stories and histories are replete with mentions of the Bren, showing how clearly it dominated the offensive and defensive thinking of the infantrymen. All men in the infantry section were to be trained on the Bren.
;) Cocking |
;) Barrel Change |
The Bren ejects its brass downward directly from the receiver. The brass is propelled quite rapidly, with the open mouth straight down, and of course the brass is very hot. Often when firing the Bren prone on its bipod the spent brass can be found buried up to an inch into the ground below the weapon. For this reason it is important to keep oneself clear of this hazard. Special care should be taken when firing while swiveling the gun on its axis or when firing from the hip.
;) Firing |
;) Firing |
Normally the Bren section would comprise three men, a lance-corporal in charge, a gunner and an assistant gunner. The assistant gunner would carry a pouch of spare magazines. These were in addition to the two magazines that every man carried in one of their basic pouches (the other carried Mills bombs or mortar rounds). The assistant gunner would normally position himself to the gunner's left with the spare magazines and a spare barrel. When a magazine was spent the gunner would remove the magazine and slide it under the gun. The assistant would load a new magazine into place with his right hand while retrieving the spent magazine with his left.
Extracts from the Manual
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The members of the 3rd Parachute Brigade reenactors own a Bren Mark II, manufactured at the Inglis factory. The group also owns the full complement of spare parts, pouches, and associated gear, including wartime manuals for the proper training with the Bren. Following are a number of interesting extracts from the manual: Infantry Training, Volume I, Infantry Platoon Weapons Pamphlet No. 6, The Light Machine Gun.Necessity for Correct Holding: (p15)
Explain that when the gun fires 'automatic' a certain amount of vibration, but not recoil, occurs. The hold must be firm so that this vibration is controlled and does not throw the gun off the original aim laid by the firer.
The Hold: (p15)
The shoulder. - The butt should be lifted up and the shoulder eased forward to meet it. The butt should not be pulled back to the shoulder, or the shoes [of the bipod], which were previously positioned in the ground, will be pulled out.
The left hand. - The left hand should grasp the small of the butt with an overhand grip of the fingers, and with the thumb underneath.
The right hand. - The thumb and last three fingers of the right hand should take hold of the pistol grip firmly, the forefinger being left free to operate the trigger.
The head and grip. - The head should be rested so that the chin lies on, or up against, the rear part of the left hand. Finally the left hand should exert a backward and downward pull in to the shoulder, with the right hand pulling the gun back, thus locking it.
Firing - Length of Bursts: (p20)
When firing a burst of two or three rounds, the gun is easier to control than when firing a longer burst. Therefore the normal burst will be a short one so as to ensure greater accuracy and conservation of ammunition.
Firing in Bursts: (p21)
Explain that the slow rate of fire in bursts in one magazine a minute. A normal length of burst is two or three rounds, but there will be occasions when there is a particularly favourable target, or when ranging, when it is necessary to fire a longer burst. Such a burst should consist of four or five rounds.
Rapid Firing: (p22)
Rapid firing implies firing in bursts as quickly as can be done with accuracy. Bursts will be of the normal length, with only such time between them as is necessary to observe and re-aim. With practice, a rate of up to three magazines in a minute should be reached, but accuracy will always be the first consideration.
Moving Targets: (p22)
When the LMG is mounted on its bipod, and the elbows are rested, it is almost impossible to swing with the target as taught with the rifle. Therefore a point in front, and in the line of the approach of the moving target, must be chosen. Aim should be taken at this point and, when the target reaches the estimated lead, a long burst of eight or ten rounds should be fired. The amount of lead will depend on the range to the target and the speed at which it is traveling. It is better to give too much lead than too little.
The Hold all and Wallet: (p23)[E]ach gun has a hold all which contains the following:
- Inside:
- Spare barrel and cylinder cleaning rod.
- Outside:
- Top left - Spare breech block (if issued).
- Top centre - Mop, wire brush and double pull-through.
- Centre - The wallet complete.
- Bottom - Oil, low, cold test (if required).
On active service the holdall may be carried under company arrangements. If so, the graphited grease or oil, low, cold test, if required, will have to be extracted and transferred to the wallet, which must always accompany the gun.
The contents of the spare parts wallet are:
- Top left compartment - Combination tool
- Top right - Oil can
- Centre - Single pull through, flannelette
- Bottom - Spare parts tin containing: clearing plug, extractor, extractor stay and spring, firing pin spring and wire gauzes.
The Barrel Group: (p12)
To remove the barrel. Explain and demonstrate that to remove the barrel, when the piston group has not been removed, the action will be cocked. The soldier should ensure that the gun is leaning on its right side; the barrel nut should now be disengaged by pressing inwards the bottom of the barrel nut catch and lifting it to its fullest extent; raise the carrying handle, push forward and lift off the barrel.
A spare barrel is supplied with each gun and can quickly be changed should the barrel on the gun become overheated owing to prolonged firing. Normally this change would be necessary if ten magazines were fired at a rapid rate, but in hot climates it will have to be done sooner.
Tripod: (p55)
The gun, mounted upon the tripod, can be used for such tasks as firing on fixed lines, and within fixed limits during darkness, smoke or fog, while the tripod also allows targets at longer range to be engaged with accuracy.
Proficiency Test 1: Filling Magazines (p66)
15 rounds to be filled from chargers into the magazine. Time allowed 30 seconds. Should any rounds be dropped to the ground and then filled without first being cleaned, or if any rounds are filled 'rim behind rim', the test is failed.
Proficiency Test 2: Loading (p66)
The firer is lying behind the gun, the gun unloaded, the butt on the ground and the magazines in the utility pouch beside the gun. The change lever to be at 'A' or 'R'. Time allowed is five seconds from the command 'Load' until the left hand returns to the butt.
Sources
- Infantry Training, Volume I, Infantry Platoon Weapons Pamphlet No. 6, The Light Machine Gun, 1948.
- Skennerton, Ian. Small Arms Identification Series: .303-inch Bren Light Machine Gun, 1994