Lewis Gunner
Our lewis gunner is based on a member of the 1st Australian Light Car Patrol in the Middle East
The Lewis light machine gun was a deadly innovation on the battlefields of the Great War from 1916 onwards. It is a distinctive weapon as it has a very thick tubular jacket over the barrel. The jacket protects a series of ribs projecting from the barrel to disperse the heat generated when the weapon is fired rapidly. Ammunition for the Lewis gun is contained in a distinctive disc-shaped magazine mounted on top of the weapon. This Lewis gunner is holding spare magazines between his feet.
The Lewis gun revolutionised infantry tactics during the Great War. On the Western Front it became an integral part of every infantry platoon. Capable of automatic fire, this light, portable weapon even inspired experimental units and tactics.
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On this day
On this day
3 June
1942 — Battle of MIDWAY began. This decisive victory by the US Navy over the Japanese Navy shifted the balance of sea power in the Pacific and forced Japan to abandon plans to attack New Caledonia, Fiji and Samoa. Japanese losses were 4 aircraft carriers, 1 cruiser, 248 aircraft, and over 3,000 sailors. American losses were 1 aircraft carrier, 1 destroyer, 150 aircraft, and 307 men
1944 — 78 Squadron, RAAF, carried out the last major air combat by the RAAF in WW2, off BIAK Island, New Guinea. 10 enemy planes were shot down for the loss of one Australian plane and pilot
1969 — HMAS MELBOURNE collided with USS FRANK E EVANS in the South China Sea. EVANS was cut in half and 74 of her crew were killed