Victorian Scottish Regiment

One of the finest infantry regiments ever in the Australian Defence Forces, it was absorbed some years ago by other army units and so has passed into history. Can be found on Australian Army websites. Post-WW 2 comprised several Rifle companies, and a Support company made up of four platoons: Machine gunners, Signals, Anti-tank, and Carriers universal (aka Bren gun carriers). The first-named were equipped with Vickers 303 water-cooled, belt-fed, tripod-mounted medium machine guns (British) which were operated by a crew of three - the gunner sat at the gun (two hands), aimed it, and held the handles, firing by lifting the safety with the middle fingers and pushing the trigger with the thumbs. The no.2 looked after the ammo belt feed and cooling can, and no.3 took care of ammo boxes and backup water cooling. Firing rate was 600 rounds per minute, tracer-included. Contrary to comic strip ideas, the gun was not swung side-to-side but moved through small arcs by striking the handle one side. The gun could not be fired off the tripod. Their biggest drawback was said to be that, because they were a 'fixture' for a time, enemy mortar units would seek them out and lob shells on them. Safe to say, all the other armaments and gear used then has passed into the history books along with the Victorian Scottish, which by the way was notable for its ceremonial Trooping the Colour parade.