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Miniatures Adventure => The Great War => Topic started by: smirnoff on 18 August 2010, 12:18:38 PM

Title: Aussie Lt Horse LMG's
Post by: smirnoff on 18 August 2010, 12:18:38 PM

Does anyone know how the Australian Light Horse Units carried their Lewis and Hotchkiss guns whilst mounted please?

Title: Re: Aussie Lt Horse LMG's
Post by: Stecal on 20 August 2010, 05:06:10 PM

Here is how the Vickers were carried.  I assume Hotchkiss would be similar.  Lewis guns the yprobably just slung like rifles.

(http://www.diggerhistory.info/images/lt-horse-pics/horses-pack.jpg)

Title: Re: Aussie Lt Horse LMG's
Post by: smirnoff on 20 August 2010, 05:27:59 PM

Many thanks.
The Hotchkiss was the bipod mount, 3lbs lighter than a Lewis IIRC.
I have carried a Lewis and it is very heavy (well, I thought it was), slung across the back it could possibly be a fairly destabilising weight (but that is my, an amateurs, view).
Just wondered if a modified rifle bucket was used for the Lewis or Hotchkiss.
I have contacted the ALH Association to see if they can throw any light...

Title: Re: Aussie Lt Horse LMG's
Post by: former user on 20 August 2010, 06:51:21 PM

the Lewis gun weighs 13 kg, slightly heavier than the 11,5 kg MG 3 which I carried,

and I would agree, I wouldn't want to carry it on horseback

Title: Re: Aussie Lt Horse LMG's
Post by: smirnoff on 21 August 2010, 07:35:52 AM

From the lads at the Society of the Military Horse forum, Hotchkiss:
(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u26/scotsbrigade/xPlate06Original.jpg)
(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u26/scotsbrigade/xPlate04Original.jpg)
(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u26/scotsbrigade/Hotchbucket1.jpg)

Title: Re: Aussie Lt Horse LMG's
Post by: Sheerluck Holmes on 21 August 2010, 08:01:50 AM

The Lewis gun was only used for a few months by the ALH... they went to the Hotchkiss because it was more reliable.

Title: Re: Aussie Lt Horse LMG's
Post by: smirnoff on 21 August 2010, 08:12:32 AM

Yes, but some were retained by some troops I hear. No doubt phased out over time. Be interesting to see how the Lewis was carried on horseback...

Title: Re: Aussie Lt Horse LMG's
Post by: former user on 21 August 2010, 05:45:34 PM

probably in a similar way....

just an idea:

german cavalry in WWII would have MG carried with them too

maybe You can find a suitable inspiration there?

Title: Re: Aussie Lt Horse LMG's
Post by: Stecal on 23 August 2010, 10:04:22 PM

I had no idea Lewis guns weighed that much and more than the Hotchkiss. 
Nice find on the hotchkiss carrier.

Does anybody make a 25mm Hotchkiss?  Only one I know of is the Pulp Mini's Chinese Hotchkiss HMG.

Title: Re: Aussie Lt Horse LMG's
Post by: starkadder on 23 August 2010, 10:34:38 PM

The field manual for carrying the Hotchkiss:

http://alh-research.tripod.com/Light_Horse/index.blog/1830030/hotchkiss-machine-gun-pack-for-cavalry-page-3/ (http://alh-research.tripod.com/Light_Horse/index.blog/1830030/hotchkiss-machine-gun-pack-for-cavalry-page-3/)


Lots of other material here as well.