The Bren Light Machine Gun
Based on a reliable Czech design, the Bren was introduced in 1937 as a replacement for the Lewis gun as the infantry's main firepower. Light enough to be carried and fired by one man, and lacking the Lewis's complexity and long list of possible stoppages, the Bren gained a well-deserved reputation for accuracy and reliability.
Tripod Mounting
The Bren was issued with a dual-purpose tripod mounting which allowed the gun to be set to fire on fixed lines (as seen at right), or alternatively as a light anti-aircraft mount.
The tripod was not popular; more suited to static warfare, it was heavy and bulky and not ideal for rapid deployment.
This lead to the original issue of one tripod per gun being reduced to one per three guns.
The AA mount was not regarded as being overly effective, shooting from the hip being the preferred method.
The tripod was compatible with some pillbox designs, although not all pillbox occupants seemed to be too bothered with them, as the following order issued by the Commander of the Newhaven Sub-Sector to 5th Battalion The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry:
Bren Gun platforms issued to all Coys 5 D.C.L.I. have in a great many cases not yet been properly affixed in Pill Boxes. All fixed lines and Bren Gun platforms will be affixed by 0900 hours on the 29th August 40. [5 DCLI War Diary, WO 166/4215 ]
The photograph below shows a reconstruction of how a Bren Gun could be set up on a tripod in the embrasure of a Type 24 pillbox; see my Pillbox weapons mountings blog for more.
