Weapons Platoon, Company L, 110th Infantry Regiment

28th Infantry Division

Machine Gun, Cal. .30, M1919A4/M1919A6

Official name: Machine Gun, Cal. .30, M1919A4/M1919A6.  The M-1919A2, the predecessor to the M-1919A4 and M-1919A6, evolved from the Browning model M-1917 water-cooled machine gun.  The M-1919A4 was used as a company level flexible light machine gun on the M-2 tripod mount and as the A6 with a bi-pod.  The M-1919A4 had a heavier barrel with a ventilated barrel jacket, but developed a rate of fire of 400-550 cartages per minute pm.  The M-1919 series fired the Army's standard .30-06 round in fabric belts and latter in the war on metal link belts.

Browning machinegun, cal. .30, M-1919A6 (M2 tripod mount).

M-1919 Series Machine Gun Specifications

Browning M1919-A6 Light Machine Gun

The Browning M1919-a6 is a variant of the M1919-a4. One of the shortfalls of the -a4 was that the rapid movement of the weapon was hindered by the tripod. Although the M-2 tripod gave a good support base to fire from, its setup and teardown required another man and extra time. The -a6 was a standard -a4 with a lightened barrel, a shorter barrel shroud and a bipod that fit around the shroud

The above picture show the -a6 specific parts. At the bottom is the tapered barrel. The taper was introduced to reduce weight. It also had the benefit of increasing cyclic rate slightly.

Above the barrel is the butt stock. This item slipped over the pistol grip allowing the gunner to sight the weapon like a rifle.

Above that is the barrel shroud. Attached to the shroud on the far left is the carry handle. Slings were also used, but the handle is part of the stock -a6 kit. On the far right of the shroud is the flash hider (M-7) and booster. The cone looking device reduced the muzzle flash to keep the gunner concealed and also assisted in the operation of the weapon by providing additional recoil to cycle the bolt.

Just behind the flash hider is the bipod.  The bipod is slipped over the barrel bearing and is secured via clip.

The parts diagram below shows the completed 1919A6 weapon.

 The light machine gun is used –

(1)  To supplement rifle fires by placing short, concentrated bursts of fire upon grouped hostile personnel at medium or short ranges.

(2)  To protect flanks.

(3)  In defense, to supplement the fires of heavy machine guns.

(4) To engage lightly armored vehicles such as armored personnel carriers, armored cars, and scout cars.

c. 60-mm mortar. (1) The 60-mm mortar may be employed against targets up to its maximum range of 1,985 yards, but accuracy is materially reduced beyond 1,000 yards.

TYPES OF POSITIONS FOR LIGHT MACHINE GUNS AND 60-MM MORTARS.

a. Firing positions. (1) Firing positions occupied by the light machine gun and the 60-mm mortar to cover assigned sectors of fire or target areas are classified as -

 (a) Primary position.  The firing position offering the best conditions for the accomplishment of the mission of the weapon.

(b) Alternate position. A firing position from which the same fire missions can be executed as from the primary position. The route from the primary position to the alternate position should permit movement of the weapons by hand and afford concealment and cover from enemy observation and fire. The alternate position should be located at such distance from the primary position as to be outside the effective radius of fires specifically directed on the primary position.

 (c) Supplementary position. A firing position from which the weapon can accomplish secondary fire missions which cannot be accomplished from primary or alternate positions.

(2) An enemy will search for locations of machine guns.

Dust clouds caused by firing and muzzle blast disclose the gun location. Wet cloth, such as burlap, when available, or dampening the earth beneath the muzzle will aid in reducing dust clouds. Positions can often be found which afford complete protection from hostile observation except from the direction in which the gun is firing. Such positions are found on the sides of hills and behind mounds, in or behind buildings, brush, and similar obstructions.

(3) The curved trajectory of the mortar enables it to be fired from defilade. Because of its low relief, minor terrain features (such as shell holes, ditches, or small hillocks) afford some cover. Advantage is taken of vegetation to conceal the mortar from observation.

(4) Individual protection for weapons and personnel will be sought and improved, or prepared whenever troops are halted in a combat zone. This applies equally for all primary, alternate, or supplementary positions as well as temporary locations of men and weapons during the attack.  (See app. I.)

b. Cover positions. (1) Whenever practicable, leaders select cover positions affording defilade and concealment for men and weapons not actively engaged with the enemy.

(2) In attack, the cover position should be immediately in rear of the firing position of the rifle squad or the crew served weapon.

(3) In defense, the cover position is located near, and is occupied after, firing positions are prepared. Lacking suitable natural cover, appropriate substitutes may be constructed.

Sentinels are posted at the primary firing position to give warning of hostile approach.

c. Off-carrier position. The off-carrier position is the point at which the weapons of the weapons platoon, an initial supply of their ammunition, and accessories are removed from the carrier and from which these are moved by hand to the firing or cover position. The off-carrier position should afford defilade and concealment for carriers and men.

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Weapons Platoon, Company L, 110th Infantry Regiment

28th Infantry Division