World War II Database

1.  Bill says:
1 Jul 2012 07:29:58 PM

ITS A TURN DOWN DAY:

Looks like Boris and Sergey are manning the
Maxim M1910, 7.62mm Water-Cooled Machine Gun
for winter use, the wheeled carriage is mounted on skies, and weighted in at 70lbs.
The weapon was feed system was a 250 round cloth belt. I don't see any rifles in photo
but they could also be armed with pistols, revolvers and hand grenades.

NAVAL INFANTRY:

The Red Navy didn't have a special force of Marines but used (the crews of surface ships ratings) who had undergone basic infantry training.
Uniforms for naval infantry, are black greatcoats, he's been issued felt boots
Boris on the left, has been issued the M40
winter cap. Sergey manning the maxim is wearing the wool service cap issued to both Officers and NCOs insigina is a Red Star with
hammer and sickle in the center.

The Russians had a special winter glove for the trigger finger and thumb were used in operating weapons, the other three fingers were seperate in the mitt, look closer look at the photograph.

Did you know the Russians modified the Maxim
by adding a larger water filler cap, during the winter, the crew could pack snow into the water-jacket to keep the barrel cool However, I don't see this modification on this weapon.

BACK TO THE SNOW: PROPAGANDA SHOT?

Photograph shows weapon without its armored
shield, I don't know about this fighting position, as it looks to open, and its field of fire is limited by the snow pack behind the crew anyway that's my guess.