The primary weapon used by the WWII
Scottish Infantryman in Northwest Europe was the Enfield
bolt-action rifle, No.4 Mk.I. This fired .303 inch
ammunition (Mk.VII), and was issued with a small spike
bayonet, No.4 Mk.II being its designation. Out of a ten
man rifle section, eight soldiers were equipped with this
rifle. Its reliability and accuracy were renowned at the
time, and it has earned its place in history as a very
accurate and durable rifle. Ammunition for the Enfield
rifle was carried in a khaki cotton bandoliers, each of
which held 50 rounds.
The
automatic firepower of the section was in the form of the
Bren Light Machine Gun, Mk.I. This weapon had a firing
rate of about 400 to 500 rounds per minute, and it also
fired the .303 inch ammunition (Mk.VII), identical to the
ammunition used for the Enfield rifles. Ammunition was
stored in magazines which held 28-30 rounds each. Each
man in the rifle section would carry at least two
magazines for the Bren.
The section
leader, most often a Corporal, was equipped with a
machine pistol, the Sten Machine
Carbine. The Mk.II (pictured) was the most common in use
at the time, although there were a few other variants
issued to some soldiers. This weapon fired 9mm Parabellum
ammunition at a rate of 540 rounds per minute. Ammunition
magazines held 32 rounds each, though it was common to
carry less in each magazine. This item was issued to
officers and NCO's in most cases. Some soldiers, not
content with the Sten, opted for the more accurate and
reliable Enfield rifle which was less prone to jamming
and misfires.

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