Just because they were never issued BD trousers doesn't mean they didn't get their hands on some




Beware of absolute statements Rob As soon as you say NOBODY did something you will get get people posting pics that show the contrary

The bren weighs just under 23 pounds and the FN Mag 26 and I have carried both over long distances. In the end I liberated some webbing tie down straps from a truck and fashioned a sling for the FN MAG but my memory is that on long marches I switched the the Bren around from arm to arm and shoulder to shoulder to ease the load.

A couple of years ago I showed a figure holding a bren by the carrying handle here on armorama and I was told categorically that it was never carried that way and it wasn't a carrying handle but a barrel changing handle

I know nothing about Commonwealth equipment so this thread is really getting good for me. Thanks guys,
J

Hi Francois,

Many thanks. As Pat pointed out it is a soldiers duty to liberate anything useable when in the field (or elsewhere!). The Aussies where good at that I believe, and with stuff in short supply during the siege I don't think it impossible. Many get more info from our Aussie friends.

Nice Picture Pat.

Cheers

Al

Alan and Pat

Yeah, OK, fair comment. I just thought it may look better a bit further forward - I accept that it was carried on the shoulder, and was definitely shared around among the section.

As for Australians "liberating" such things as BD - highly likely, as Aussie troops had a reputation for being able to "acquire" almost anything, anywhere, anytime. Many were the quartermasters who were less than impressed at being based in anything like close proximity to Australian troops (and I'm Australian!)

Regards

Rob

Hi Rob,

No worries, input welcome. This is progress on the other 4, one of whom I thought I'd do as an Officer.



Cheers

Al

My only thought regarding the bren gunner, is that if the patrol was just coming back through the wire his corporal or more likely his platoon sergeant would throttle him for carrying it like that...

Having carried one around (back in the bad old days!) I agree it is a pain to lug about...however, there is no way you would carry it over your shoulder like that when there is any prospect of action occurring...

just my two quids worth...

Very nice work on the figures though

Hi all,

A little more fuel for the fire. The photo below is of a Ghurka rifleman in Burma late in WW2. The Bren gun looks to be about as large as the man carrying it.



Ghurkas aren't physically big but they're tough.

Cheers,
Dick

Some info about Australian uniforms in the Middle-East here

H.P.

Whilst generally a good book some of the Plates leave a lot to be desired but these are more the SW Pacific ones. BD was never officially issued but they had the WW1 Wool uniforms which look very similar in the trousers but dont have the FAD pocket. A lot of italian clothing was worn during the seige and you are correct in the Aussies ability to "acquire" which was 9and still is) second only to our Kiwi cousins.
Having Lugged around L4 Brens, M60's and MAG 59/L7 I can agree with carrying it over the shoulder out of action. Slings were considered a nn no on MG's eccept for obstacle crossing where we used a toggle rope. I have see a few pics from New Guinea with Aussies carrying Brens in that fashion and Mnay British ones.
Great looking set of figures there Al

Cheers
Al

I agree Al, being an ex-infantry soldier and being used to the 'no sling' on weapons when out bush and in open country. The only exception most of the time was for the section gunner....Im not sure where these figures will be depicted but it is rare to see Aussie diggers carrying weapons over the shoulder, I know there are images from Kokoda during the 'Tactical withdrawal'. Australians have always had a rigid patrolling policy with weapon readiness from early days to present. So be careful when placing Aussie diggers in dio's with weapons slung, or over a shoulder....exception being, back in their defencive position in the rear behind the wire when in from a patrol etc.

Hi Jason, James, AL, Henri, and Richard,

Thanks for the input and the thoughts. The defensive positions at Tobruk didn't have the opposing sides sitting on top of each other. After any assault the Germans/Italians would pull back so I don't have a problem with the Bren on the shoulder pose as they will be returning through their own lines. Similarly the DB trousers should be fine as scrounging/liberating kit is a soldiers second nature, although if I don't like the final look then removing the map pocket and a repaint will satisfy there.

From what I can tell each unit would have had FO post to warn of any Axis approach and once passed that things would most probably relax.

The no slings on weapons rule would apply on the outward leg but depending on the return situation (prisoners/liberated items) you'd go with the need. I don't ever recall not having the rifle sling either on me, in my kit or on the weapon, as it's a very handy bit of kit to carry.

I haven't settled on the final placement/scene but neither of the thoughts link the troops to imminent contact.

Thanks again, working on the second 4, got a little more done.

Cheers

Al

Edit:

I just had a look through all the NA pics I have for reference, can't see a rifle without a sling either 'in action' or otherwise?

Hi folks,

A bit more work on the remaining 4.



Al

Still following. Nice progress. Any chance of getting closer pics?
J

Hi Jerry,

Anything closer than the length of my hand just comes out blurred.

Cheers

Al

Hi folks,

Almost done, some slings to add a a little touch up here and there.

These make for a nice range of walking desert troops. I was thinking they might also be fairly easily adapted for SEA.












Cheers

Al

I found this pic on the digger history site while looking for something else and the full verswion when I grabbed an old magazine to read on the loo
Both captions describe the soldier/s as Australian and they are wearing ....puttees. Could be a mistake but maybe not

Hi Pat,

Many thanks, fits the bill.

Cheers

Al

That is a cool pic.
J