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Unknown airfield; defensive position

13 Feb 2009 17:42 #1 by TommyUSA
Unknown airfield; defensive position was created by TommyUSA
From the US Library of Congress. Unknown airfield defensive position:

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13 Feb 2009 19:47 #2 by canberra
Replied by canberra on topic Unknown airfield; defensive position
Interesting picture, the Airamn is wearing battledress. Battledress wasnt issued to the RAF until 1942, also no Regiment flashes (aka mudguards) or I cant see any shall I say. Also the rifles look like springfields, I think the machine guns are Lewis guns but I could be wrong. All in all an interesting picture.

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13 Feb 2009 20:28 #3 by P Bellamy
Replied by P Bellamy on topic Unknown airfield; defensive position
Aircraft pattern Lewis Guns (modified for ground use) and P14 Rifles.
I thought Home Guard at first, then spotted the RAF eagles on the gunner's sleeve.
Paul Bellamy
Archive & Collections Manager
ARG Archive, Alconbury

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13 Feb 2009 21:57 #4 by Alex Brown
Replied by Alex Brown on topic Unknown airfield; defensive position
Presumably that harness arrangement is braced against something, or he is braced against a solid support that is not visible in the photo, as otherwise I would imagine the recoil would send him flying? :shock:
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16 Feb 2009 07:27 #5 by PETERTHEEATER
Replied by PETERTHEEATER on topic Unknown airfield; defensive position
I think the question is what is supporting the MGs. I can't see a pedestal so there must be something behind the gunner. Either that or he's a strong lad!

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16 Feb 2009 16:07 #6 by Peter Kirk
Replied by Peter Kirk on topic Unknown airfield; defensive position
Is he inside the mounting, if so is that a standard method?
No Amount Of Evidence Will Ever Persuade An Idiot (Mark Twain)

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17 Feb 2009 13:19 #7 by Alex Brown
Replied by Alex Brown on topic Unknown airfield; defensive position

I think the question is what is supporting the MGs. I can't see a pedestal so there must be something behind the gunner. Either that or he's a strong lad!


That's what I mean, there must be a mounting post hidden behind him - just the guns and heavy iron frame would be bad enough without even thinking about firing them!
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17 Feb 2009 18:05 #8 by lee999
Replied by lee999 on topic Unknown airfield; defensive position
If you look in the background you will see 3 or 4 soldiers in a trench with rifles....aiming pass this position....strange 'defensive' tactic???

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17 Feb 2009 18:53 #9 by canberra
Replied by canberra on topic Unknown airfield; defensive position
Not really, the machine guns are I think for ant-aircraft use. The troops in the background are supporting the MG post.

Its really only a problem if the troops forget to aim properly!

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21 Feb 2009 12:27 #10 by lee999
Replied by lee999 on topic Unknown airfield; defensive position
Yes I 'assume' the post is for anti-aircraft but shouldnt those guys in the trench be in a position passed this post to give them support...not from behind them? Just an observation. Maybe this is a staged pic? Food for thought ;0)

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