My Great Uncle was a machine gunner and died 21st march 1918 His memorial stone is at Albert Pozires cemetry and some kind gent did send me photos of said stone. As a novice in war history what type of machine gun would he have used on the day as I noticed several different makes were available

I also think it was operation Michael events that killed him but as a say, a novice am I

Many thanks in advance

Dave






FOR GREAT UNCLE ARTHUR EASON MGC AND ESSEX REG DIED 1918

Generally the Vickers machine gun:

http://www.machineguncorps.co.uk/vickers.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vickers_machine_gun

Lewis guns were used by machine gunnners within Infantry battalions. The Vickers machine gunners were also within Infantry battalions until the foundation of the Machine Gun Corps in late 1915. Men started to transfer to the MGC in early 1916.

http://www.1914-1918.net/mgc.htm


Steve.

Hello Dave

Here are some websites to consult. Regarding the soldier of interest; during Operation Micheal it is most likely he was associated with the heavy Vickers machine gun rather than the Lewis machine gun. The most likley scenario for his death would be either by artillery in the initial heavy bombardment or in holding a defensive position and being overrun and killed while the remainder of the battalion staged a semi-organized retreat.

Regards
Borden Battery

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Training, Multi-National Formations, and Tactical Efficiency: +
The Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigades in 1918
Conference of Defence Associations Institute in collaboration with the Centre for International Relations at Queen’s University and the War Studies Programme at the Royal Military College of Canada. Conference paper presented by Mike Holden, U of New Brunswick, Canada. [CEF Study Group]
http://www.cda-cdai.ca/symposia/2003/holden.htm

The Machine Gun Corps Old Comrades' Association
The Old Comrades' Association was formed by Veterans of the Machine Gun Corps after WW1 and. There are only six MGC Veterans, however, most members nowadays are relatives or descendents of MGC men or those simply interested in the MGC specifically or the Great War in general. The Association provides research assistance and commemoration services. [CEF Study Group - July 2006 - Updated]
http://www.machineguncorps.co.uk/index.html

The Vickers Machine Gun
At present this is the premier website regarding the Vickers Machine Gun was used by most units in the BEF, CEF, AIF and ANZACS. This website includes a specialized discussion forum, information on the machine gun, machine gunner training, detailed training manuals and photographs. The British Mk. I .303" Vickers Machine Gun was introduced into the British Army on the 26th of November, 1912 by List Of Changes 16217. This was the beginning of its long life with the British Army. It was finally declared obsolete on the 7th of March, 1968. [A Richard Fisher Website][CEF Study Group - Feb 2006]
http://www.vickersmachinegun.org.uk/

The Lewis Automatic Rifle
Van Nostrand's Lewis Gun Manual – 1917
The van Nostrand book includes a description of the breakdown and care of the weapon. However, it also contains an extensive discussion of the use of the weapon in trench warfare. The book gives a unique insight into the concepts and practices of trench warfare in 1917. [CEF Study Group - July 2006]
http://www.fenrir.com/free_stuff/lewis/

The Complete Lewis Gunner
A short and simple website with a distillation of the use and control of the Lewis Automatic Rifle/Machine Gun. [CEF Study Group - January 2007]
http://www3.sympatico.ca/wmburns/Lewis.html

Dave, you might be interested in getting the following book:

'Machine Guns: Their history and tactical employment' by Lt-Col Hutchinson

You can pick up a copy from Naval and Military Press. Hutchinson describes the problems experienced by the machine gunners involved in defending against Operation Michael. You might find this section will help in your understanding of what might have happened to your Great Uncle.

Robert

MANY THANKS TO ALL


GOOD STUFF.