Second World War: Chindits

This guide details the operation of an M9 flamethrower at Drive Tanks, emphasizing critical safety procedures and firing techniques. Key instructions include maintaining proper wind direction, avoiding vertical firing to prevent fuel leaks, and managing the extreme heat generated by the device. The session highlights the differences between modern diesel fuel use and historical napalm, along with the historical context of flamethrower deployment.

This guide details the assembly and firing procedure for the Solothurn S-18/1000 anti-tank rifle, as demonstrated by an expert from Ordnance. It covers unboxing, component assembly, magazine loading, and the firing sequence, highlighting the rifle's immense power and recoil. The demonstration emphasizes safe handling and operational proficiency with this historical, large-caliber firearm.

This entry details the extreme dangers faced by WWII flamethrower operators, specifically highlighting Don Graves' experience with the 5th Marine Division at Iwo Jima. It underscores the role's high casualty rate and low survival expectancy, drawing on Graves' first-hand account as a primary historical source. The information emphasizes the immense bravery and sacrifice of these service members.

This video provides a historical overview and operational demonstration of various recoilless rifles, from the man-portable 57mm to the vehicle-mounted 106mm. Expert insights highlight the evolution of these anti-tank weapons, their technical specifications, and historical significance. The content is presented with a high degree of authority, showcasing practical knowledge of military ordnance.

This guide details the installation and functional understanding of the Krummlauf, a unique curved barrel attachment for the StG44. Developed by Rheinmetall-Borsig, it featured specialized sighting systems and gas relief ports. Expert Jonathan Ferguson highlights its limited accuracy and short barrel life, making it a niche, experimental accessory primarily for shooting around obstacles or from vehicles.

This entry provides an expert overview of the Sten gun, a historically significant and budget-friendly British submachine gun from World War II. It details its simple blowback action, 9mm Luger caliber, 32-round magazine capacity, and unique side-mounted feed system. The guide also touches upon its historical context, low production cost, and the existence of variants like the suppressed Sten Mk II (S), noting its reliability and ease of production, making it vital for resistance efforts.

Ian McCollum and Jonathan Ferguson of the Royal Armouries present a challenge to find three unique firearms based on appearance, mechanical oddity, and historical impact. They showcase experimental and rare pieces like the Charlton Automatic Rifle, Sterling 7.62mm prototype, Schwarzlose Model 1898, Gabbett-Fairfax Mars pistol, an SA80 prototype, and a BSA Machine Carbine, highlighting their unusual mechanisms and limited adoption.

This entry details the Knight's Armament KS-1 (L403A1), the British Army's new Alternative Individual Weapon, adopted under Project Hunter. Expert Jonathan Ferguson from the Royal Armouries provides an in-depth look at its features, intended use for specialized units, and its role in supplementing existing platforms like the SA80.

This guide details the process of arming an 11th-century Norman knight, as explained by an institutional expert from the Royal Armouries. It covers the sequence of donning essential protective gear, including padded undergarments, a mail hauberk, a nasal helmet, and a kite shield, emphasizing weight distribution and historical construction techniques.

This guide details the installation and operation of the Harston's Patent Mark IV magazine, a rare modification designed to convert the single-shot Martini-Henry rifle into a repeater. Expert Jonathan Ferguson explains the mechanism, its inventor Captain Charles Gravelle Harston, and the historical context of its development. The guide covers fitting the magazine, the cycling process for feeding rounds, and the use of the cutoff device for single-shot operation, while also noting potential reliability issues and the high conversion cost.