Machine Gun Battalion: AB Figures

Representative Machine Gun Battalion of 2nd Middlesex Regiment finished and ready to provide some much needed firepower options for my British infantry in Normandy.

MACHINE GUN BATTALIONS

British Machine Gun Battalions were reestablished during mobilisation in the 1930s, along similar lines as the Machine Gun Corps (MGC) of the First World War. Machine Gun Battalions were formed by converting regular infantry battalions to the new establishment, with eight Regiments having battalions converted including the Middlesex Regiment.

Given my focus on Sword beach and family links to the MGC, I had to build a representative unit!

2ND BATTALION, MIDDLESEX REGIMENT

The 2nd Battalion (MG) Middlesex Regiment started operations during the campaign in France of 1939/40, where it operated as part of the General HQ Troops. From late 1941 to the end of the war it remained as the MG Battalion in support of the 3rd Infantry Division, thereby supporting 3rd Infantry Division during the landings on Sword beach and subsequent campaign in Normandy.

MG BATTALION ORGANISATION, 1944

After a number of changes during the early and mid war period, in February 1944 the establishment of a Machine Gun Battalion was changed to include a Heavy Mortar Company..

Apart from the usual HQ Company with Admin and Signals platoons, a Machine Gun Battalion consisted of four companies:

A, B, C Companies

Each of 3 MG Platoons. Each MG Platoon holding 4x Vickers Medium Machine Guns (MMG). Transported in Universal Carriers with specialist brackets fitted for the Vickers.

Heavy Mortar Company

Composed of 4 Mortar Platoons. Each platoon holding 4x 4.2 inch mortars. Transported by Loyd Carriers and GS trailers. You can read more about Loyd Carriers in one of my earlier posts here.

This establishment gave an impressive amount of available firepower, 36 Vickers MMG and 16 mortars. Additional weapons included PIATs, Bren Guns and the usual small arms. 

You can read more about the detailed organisation of these units at the excellent Vickers MG blog here: https://vickersmg.blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/ii_240_1-11-february-1944.pdf

READY FOR THE TABLE!

Here we have my representative unit for 2nd Middlesex, though without the vehicles these figures could represent any similar unit.

HQ

A pair of AB Figures for the observation team and a pair of Fizzer Johnson’s Men of Metal for the PIAT team. PSC Universal Carrier with my DIY conversion to wading carrier, as covered here.

Vickers MMG Sections

AB Figures. The rangefinder is a nice touch. PSC Universal Carriers, one with S&S Models wading screens fitted.

Heavy Mortar Section

AB Figures 4.2 inch mortar and crew. PSC Loyd Carrier and Airfix GS trailer.

I’m really happy with how these have turned out, and having learned a lot I am ready (confident enough!) to crack on with a few platoons of British infantry.