Firing Bren gun team

[forrester]

In recent years I’ve put my 20mm WW2 infantry LMG teams on two man bases.  I think it just looks better. My British are older and on single bases. If I decide to change that, then what’s the correct position for a prone firing team? Loader on the left or right of the gunner?  Photos aren’t helping much and with it not being belt fed then it isn’t obvious. Thanks in anticipation

[SJWi]

I've seen wartime photos with what I assume is the 2nd crew member positioned on both the right and the left side of the gunner, so I assume there isn't a "correct" position. Indeed many photos show the crew a good 6 feet or more apart, probably making the most of whatever cover is available.

Don't know if this helps?

[has.been]

I agree with SJWI, as it is a magazine reload it could be handed (lobbed?) from either side.
I think it would depend on the preferences of gunner/loader and avail;ability of cover (as SJWI said).

[Silent Invader]

My recollection is that the BREN didn’t have a loader in the same role as for  many other LMGs. The no.2 was an assistant who positioned himself as close as possible to the no.1 (the firer) to provide assistance necessary to maintain the rate of fire. The no.2 therefore filled mags, passed mags, retrieved ammo from the rest of the section, and if necessary changed the barrel to avoid overheating.

IIRC therefore the no. 1, the firer, loaded and unloaded the gun. Whereas the no.2 loaded the magazines.

From a 1942 training manual:

(a) No. 1 will use one of the four magazines which he is carrying for the initial loading of the gun. The two remaining magazines will be kept as a reserve for use in an emergency.
(b) No. 2 will at all times keep the gun supplied with ammunition. He will place himself as near the gun position as cover will allow, so that he can carry out his duties of ammunition supply with the minimum movement and exposure, or, if required, act as a rifleman. He will collect full magazines from other members of the section and place them in his set of utility pouches within reach of No. 1..As further ammunition is required, No. 2 will collect more magazines in the other set of utility pouches. Empty magazines will be redistributed by him to the section.

Certainly on the few occasion I’ve fired a BREN I changed the mags myself and can’t imagine how someone else leaning over it would have been at all helpful and would actually have hindered.

[forrester]

Thank you. I’ll go with whatever looks artistically right!

[frank xerox]

In the 80’s the no. 2 on the bren was the guy who changed the magazine, so he would be on the gunners left, cos most of us are right handed. As the gunner we were also cautioned to be sure & roll to the right if hit, so as not to slow down no.2 in taking over.😕

[carlos marighela]

The relevant wartime manuals don't actually prescribe a position for the No.2

That said, the main task of the number 2 apart from ammo supply is changing the barrel and to that end the No.2 was issued with a spare barrel and wallet, which also contains the tools for the gun.

You change the barrel by manipulating a locking latch and use the carrying handle attached to the barrel to remove it (the barrel itself will be hot). As most folk are right handed, doing this from the left is considerably easier than from the right as the locking latch is on the left of the gun. Doing it from the right would be awkward as not only would you need to reach over the gun, you would be twisting and pulling the barrel out in a fairly unnatural manner even if laying at right angles to the gun. That's not to say you can't do it, you can, especially if the No.1 manipulates the locking latch but it would be a bit cack-handed.

Given a choice, I'd do this from the left. At least with the Bren you aren't in danger of hot brass pinging you in the chops as  the Bren ejects downwards. Alas, for some figure manufacturers, they don't seem to understand this and have figures carrying the gun with hands over the ejection port, which would be both mildly painful as well as potentially causing a stoppage.

[dadlamassu]

Though the Bren was out of service by the time I joined we were armed with LMGs which were Brens converted to 7.62mm.
The drills we were taught was that the No2 was on the left and the gun group commander usually the Section Lance Corporal on the right.
LMG stops firing. Empty magazine off by No1. No rounds in magazine. Safety on.  Fresh mag on by No2. Weapon cocked by  No1. Safety off. Carry on firing.
The gun group was 3 soldiers not 2.

Post war but our WW2 veterans taught us those drills

[has.been]

When I was a child my father, an ex CSM used to help out with the Army Cadets.
Amongst many happy memories were him bringing home a Bren Gun !!!
We were shown how to dismantle it, name the parts then re-assemble it.
He even timed us. Great competition with my brothers as to who was fastest.

[carlos marighela]

Here you go.