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 Post subject: "The Rifle in Close Combat" P N Walbridge
PostPosted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 5:38 am 
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Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant

Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2008 3:21 am
Posts: 515
I found the following recently.
Its an excerpt from FairBairn's "All-In Fighting".

It was converted to text only so theres no illustrations.
The text only conversion programs often result in mispelled words or out of place symbols in place of obscured lettering on the original pages.

7. THE RIFLE IN CLOSE COMBAT

by Captain P. N. Walbridge
From the work of Captain W. E. Fairbairn you will have obtained some wonderful methods of attack and defence. He will have instilled into you a real fighting spirit and a willingness for close combat. I write only of the use of the rifle and bayonet-a weapon regarded by far too many people as almost obsolete. Many manuals have been written on the methods of firing, most of them suited only to peace-time conditions and to slow shooting, It is, therefore, the intention of these pages (in as few words and as few lessons as possible) to help to bring back the rifle to its rightful position and real use, and to enable any man to reach a standard of efficiency in handling that will surprise even the expert. The reader will appreciate that it is necessary to explain a few points about elementary work before advancing to rapid firing. The rifle is a far more efficient weapon than is generally recognized, and can be used with deadly effect at short ranges in the manner of a sub-machine gun, besides being the best friend at longer distances. The use of the Short Magazine Lee Enfield (S.M.L.E.) will be assumed, but the same methods may be applied to the Pattern 14 (P. 14) or the .300 American rifle. It must be borne in mind that the rifle must shoot 'straight'. Errors in elevation can be corrected by backsight adjustment or by aiming up or down. The rifle must never have a lateral err?r. Test it at a short range, either 25 or 100 yards, and if it is shootmg to the left or right, the foresight must be moved. This adjust~ent is very easily carried out provided you remember that tht}foresIght must be moved in the same direction as the error, i.e. if ,the shot~ are to the right, the foresight must be moved to the nght; an VIce versa.

112

--""""I11I

THE RIFLE IN CLOSE COMBAT Preparation of the Rifle
Remove the bolt, magazine, and magazine platform. With the aid of a pull-through and flannelette, dry-clean the barrel until all trace of oil is removed. With a stick of suitable size (Fig. 143) and a piece of flannelette, clean out the chamber. This is a most important part in preparation, as the presence of dirt or oil in the chamber will prevent the cartridge from being easily withdrawn, and cause unnecessary delay in re-loading. Remove all trace of oil and dirt from the body of the rifle and the inside of the magazine. Clean the outside, ensuring that the foresight and backsight are free from oil. Thoroughly dry-clean the holt. Lightly oil the bolt and along the inside of the body of the rifle. Keep the face of the bolt dry. The rifle is now ready for use. Note.-Care should be taken in the cleaning of 'browned' metal parts. Rub lightly to avoid the browning being removed.

r....

t i'
Fig. 143

113

THE RIFLEIN CLOSECOMBAT Aiming
With the S.M.L.E., aim should always be taken by having the foresight in the centre of the' U' of the backsight and in line with the top of the shoulders (Fig. 144). With the aperture backsight, the foresight must be seen in the centre of the aperture (Fig. 145). With this type of sight, ignore the backsight and concentrate on the foresight. The eye will automatically tend to centre it in the aperture, which is generally so small that it permits of few errors. With both sights, aim will always be taken at the centre of the target.

114

---1

THE RIFLEIN CLOSECOMBAT Aiming

I
I

Fig. 144

Fig. 145

THE RIFLEIN CLOSECOMBAT Aiming
To enable you to practise aiming on your own, fix your rifle in any convenient way (such as between two sandbags, or on a folded coat) and aim at a prepared target with a hole made at the point of aim (Fig. 146). You are then able to go behind the target and glance back at your sights through the small hole, thus obtaining the view from the' bullet end'. Errors in aiming will be easy to detect. Fig. 147 shows a correct aim. Fig. 148 shows a low left aim. As a result of this error, the shot would go low and to the left. Fig. 149 shows a high right aim, and in this case the shot would go high and to the right. Constant practice in aiming is necessary to eliminate faults. Occasionally practise aiming with both eyes open, as the left eye is seldom closed' in quick firing.

116

THE RIFLEIN CLOSECOMBAT Aiming

Fig. 146

Fig. 48 1
I I

Fig.149

THE RIFLEiN CLOSECOMBAT Loading
For quick, clean loading, careful preparation of the charger is essential. First, ensure that the ammunition and charger are clean; then place the rounds in as shown in Fig. 150, 'one up?, 'one down', Remove and replace them quickly to ensure that the charger works freely. Ninety per cent of jams that occur in loading are due to bad filling of the chargers. To load, push forward the safety catch, pull out the cut-off (if any), place the charger in the rifle and the right hand and thumb in position, as in Fig. 151. Push the rounds into the magazine in one movement, close the breech, and apply the safety catch. If the rifle is to remain loaded for a very long period, it is advisable to push the top round down and close the breech on an cmpty chamber; press the trigger and apply the safety catch. This will avoid the bolt main spring being compressed. When required for use, push forward the safety catch, open the cut-off, and open and dose the breech.

118

.J

THE RIFLE IN CLOSE COMBAT Loading

Fig. 150

Fig. 151

THE RIFLE IN CI,..OSECOMBAT

Firing Positions
The basic firing position from which to teach yourself quick and clean manipulation of the rifle is the lying position. This should be adopted as shown in Fig. 152. Notice especially (I) the relative closeness of the elbows, and (2) the forward position of the rifle. Careful attention to these particular points will enable you to Use the elbows as a pivot to bring the rifle to the aiming position. No other movement of the body is then necessary. The position of the legs (open or crossed) is immaterial so long as the firer is comfortable. In the aiming position (Fig. 153), hold the rifle firmly back into the shoulder with the left hand, press the cheek firmly on the butt (producing a locking effect), and hold lightly with the right hand. This allows quick and delicate handling of the trigger.

Trigger Pressing
After the rifle has delay take the first ready to fire. Then your right eye open of your shot. been brought to the shoulder, without undue pressure, breathing naturally until you are lightly restrain the breathing, and fire. Keep the whole time' and try to observe the strike

120

THE RIFLE IN CLOSE COMBAT Firing Positions

Fig. 152

FIg. 53 1

THE RIFLE IN CLOSE COMBAT Quick Handling
Let me stress at once that, in rapid firing, each shot is fired in exactly the same manner as a slow shot. The number of rounds you are able to fire in one minute will depend on the length of time it takes you to open and close the breech. When re-loading, only the slightest movement of the right hand and wrist is necessary. Hold the knob of the bolt firmly between the thumb and forefinger; raise it, at the same time tilting the rifle slightly to the right; draw the bolt fully to the rear, and at once close the breech with a sharp forward and downward movement. All these actions should be continuous, and carried out as quickly as possible after the shot has been fired. The action of tilting the rifle will assist the opening of the breech and the ejection of the empty case. The head must be kept still throughout. To enable you to get correct bolt manipulation, practise in the following way. Tie the trigger to the rear (Fig. 154). Then, in the lying position, practise the correct movement of the right hand and wrist in opening and closing the breech. Place the right hand in its correct position and the finger on the trigger each time. Note.-Tying back the trigger will make practice in manipulation easier, and will prevent unnecessary wear to the face of the cocking piece, and avoid weakening the bolt main spring. On the P.14 and .300 American rifle, it will also be necessary to remove the magazine platform and spring. When you have mastered the wrist and hand movement so essential to good manipulation, remove the string and practise firing. Each day will see a great change in your ability to fire a large number of accurately aimed shots. Quick inaccurate shooting is of no use. Each shot must be fired by taking the first and second pressures correctly. Only in this way can you hope to become an expert in rapid firing. Try and keep to the suggested programme. 1st day-l hour: manipulation, with trigger tied. 2nd day-l hour: manipulation and slow shooting. 3rd day-l hour: practise firing 15 accurate shots in one minute. 4th day-l hour: increase to 20 rounds in one minute. 5th day-l hour: increase to 25 rounds in one minute. 6th day-l hour: increase to 30 rounds in one minute. 122

THE RIFLE IN CLOSE COMBAT

Quick Handling (contd.)
The above standards are set assuming you will not be able to obtain dummy cartridges. If you train to fire thirty aimed shots in one minute in this manner, you should be capable of firing twenty to twenty-five rounds of ball ammunition in one minute and maintain reasonable accuracy. Get a friend to assist you. He can correct your aims either by (1) glancing through the small hole of a prepared target as described in 'Aiming', or (2) by letting you aim at his eye, previously making sure that the rifle is unloaded. It will be observed that the above programme allows you only six hours to become an expert in rapid fire. This is not impossible. Provided reasonable efficiency bas been attained in slow firing, you should now be ready to quicken up.

Fig. 1;,4

123

THE RIFLEIN CLOSECOMBAT
Close-Quarter Fighting

In close fighting, such as ,in streets, clearing woods, etc" speed is essential. You will seldom be given the opportunity to adopt a comfortable firing position, but will have to fire either from the hip (Fig. 155) or from the shoulder whilst in the standing position. In firing from the hip, you must be very close to your target if you are to obtain a hit, whereas from the shoulder, firing is much quicker and accuracy is not so much sacrificed. When approaching an area where your target is likely to appear suddenly, e.g. stalking a mortar post or machine-gun nest, etc., carry the rifle as shown in Fig. 156. This will enable you instantly to bring the rifle to the shoulder and open fire. To increase your speed of firing to a rate previously imagined unattainable, you will have to press the trigger with the first or second finger while retaining your hold on the bolt (Fig. 157) and ignore the fact that the trigger has two pressures. In this way, you should, after a few hours' practice, be able to fire five shots in four seconds. For close work or crossing a gap, you will find it invaluable to be able to fire at this speed with reasonable accuracy. I have frequently fired at a much faster rate when demonstrating this method. Fifteen minutes' manipulation and firing daily will increase your handling ability and speed by 100 per cent.

124

...

THE RIFLEIN CLOSECOMBAT
Close-Quarter Fighting

Fig. 155

Fig. 156

Fig. 157

..

THE RIFLEIN CLOSECOMBAT
The Bayonet
The bayonet will be used ,in close hand-to-hand fighting where you have no time to reload, or more probably when your magazine is empty. Otherwise you would shoot from the hip or shoulder. Except when in close formation among comrades, keep the bayonet point low. Carry the rifle as shown in Fig. 158. In this position there is less chance of your thrust being parried and you are able to deliver a point in any direction. To make a point, lunge forward on either foot and drive the point of the bayonet into the pit of your opponent's stomach (Fig. 159). Most of the upper part of the body will be covered by equipment. To withdraw, take a short pace to the rear as you wrench out the bayonet. You are then in a good position to deliver a second point, should this become necessary. If you are close to your opponent and unable to deliver a point, smash him on the side of his head with the butt (Fig. 160) and follow up with the bayonet or any method previously described.

126

THE R1FLE CLOSECOMBAT IN The Bayonet

,I

Fig. 158

Fig. 59 1

Fig.160

THE RIFLE IN CLOSE COMBAT

Cleaning the Rifle after Use
Strip the rifle as already explained in the lessonon Preparation of the Rifle. Clean the barrel with dry flanneletteuntil most of the fouling has been removed. By means of a funnel or a kettle with a thin spout pour either cold or hot water through the barrel. Boiling water should be used whenever possible (about two pints is sufficient). Dry-clean the barrel until all trace of fouling has been removed, and when the barrel is cool, it must be oiled. Clean and lightly oil the outside of the rifle. Special care and attention should be given to the rifle for a period of five days after firing, as during this period the barrel will 'sweat' and will be liabk to turn rusty. The barrel must be dry-cleaned and again re-oiled each day. If water is not available, immediately firing has ceased the rifle-barrel must be well oiled, and the first opportunity taken to

clean it as already described. When putting the rifle away after
cleaning, it is advisable to stand it upside down. This will prevent the oil from the barrel entering the bolt, and avoid the possibility of a splash of oil from the cocking piece ~etting into the firer's eyes. If linseed oil is obtainable it should be lightly applied to the woodwork. Note.-Care must be taken to ensure that water does not enter between the woodwork and the barrel


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 Post subject: Re: "The Rifle in Close Combat" P N Walbridge
PostPosted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 7:13 pm 
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Brigadier General
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Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2007 9:26 am
Posts: 18522
Location: Minnesota , USA
great read , thank you for posting that , i enjoy these kind of informational posts ,


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