"Action!"

Am I right in saying the following (ie. I don't want to go into too much detail, but I need to be right in what I do say):

In SVN, the main armament was loaded and both the .30cal coax and .50cal RMG, were half loaded, when leaving the perimeter at Nui Dat. When 'Action' was ordered, all guns were readied for firing.

Many thanks, Bruce

G day Bruce
My recolection was as the operator on 4A for six months ,in 70, was to Load the Main ,Safety switch tripped and only half load the remainder,it took just as long to remove the safety slide on the .30 and longer to engage the thumb piece on the RMG than to simply cock both guns.
Didn't have to worry about cutting the driver in half either. They dont like that.
Bruce , you would have to look at SOPs but for us it was personal preference.
It will be interesting to hear other operators views.
Have fun Stay Well
Maxi

Hi Bruce

Your take on the subject seems to be supported by Routine Orders dated 4 March 1968.

Cheers

Barry D

Of course the command ACTION was the preliminary and things were as stated. The Commanders first word AFTER action determined the position of the Loader's Safety Switch; eg, "Cannister", "Co-Ax". After that things became somewhat hectic as usually the C/C was toggling HIS .30 cal for want of something better to do.

Thanks everyone.

Barry, I checked the ROs. Originally, I'd been thinking along the lines that Max referred to, ie. MGs half loaded with rounds on the feedtray. But it seems that we were suppoded to go to loaded when we left Nui Dat (ie. rounds chambered, safety on).

This would mean that my statement should be:

"In SVN, all guns were loaded (with safety catches applied) when leaving the perimeter at Nui Dat. When 'Action' was ordered, weapons were readied for firing." How's this sound?

My reason for enquiring is to finalise my draft of Binh Ba to make available for those attending the Commemoration. The footnote applies to the late John Harvey ordering action and what Peter Chapman would've done if he hadn't been hit by the RPG. As we know, John reverted to his commander's MG.

Thanks again, Bruce

Bruce, the 30s by then would have had fixed firing pins, they would have been cocked, bolt to the rear, safety bar in place.

Thanks Nick.

For a tank crew, it's a bit like ordering 'Action' twice....once on leaving Nui Dat and again prior to an engagement. I think I'm right now in saying:

"In SVN, all guns were loaded (with safety devices applied) when leaving the perimeter at Nui Dat. When 'Action' was ordered, weapons were readied for firing."

Cheers, Bruce

Hi Bruce,

I agree with Max; I'm pretty sure we in 1 Tp 70-71 loaded main armament with safety switch tripped and placed a belt of ammo on the feed tray of the MGs with the feed cover closed. It was only on 'action' that we cocked the MGs.
Regards,
chris

Thanks Chris...it's a long time ago. Unfortunately I can't remember what the order was on leaving Nui Dat...'Load'(?). This doesn't seem right.

The one thing I do seem to recall was that 'Action' was ordered when contact with the enemy was thought to be imminent.

If mgs were loaded, ie. working parts to the rear, round on face of breech block etc...how were weapons cleared...did a round have to be fired?

Mind you...put a .30cal in front of me and I still think I could strip and assemble.

Cheers, Bruce

Saftey bar applied, round manually removed from the face of the bolt. Belt removed, bolt let forward under control.

Try that again, safety bar applied, cover open, belt removed, round removed. Bolt forward, cover down.

Thanks Nick.

I think I remember now...working parts to the rear, lift up the extractor and the round drops off.

It'd be great mental therapy to be able to go through the motions with a DP weapon. Probably only take a couple of goes to wake up the dormant cells.

Cheers, Bruce