The SMLE & the Musketry of 1914 (Pt.1)
Rob at Britishmuzzleloaders returns with another outstanding documentary look at the British Army’s Musketry of 1914. Rob opens with his now customary cinematic masterpiece before getting to grips with the background of how British musketry became what it was in 1914.
1914 was arguably the peak of the British infantryman’s prowess with his rifle, the BEF was made up of experienced, professional soldiers who went through rigorous marksmanship training and an annual qualification course of fire.
Rob discusses the impetus behind the British Army’s focus on marksmanship and the changes brought about after experiences during the Second Boer War and other colonial campaigns which saw controlled volley fire become less and less useful. Rob also examines the contributions of several figures key to the implementation of improved marksmanship training.
He uses archival footage and recordings of original interviews with troops to bring his discussion to life. With each video Rob seems to up his game not only in production but the scope of his research, I’m looking forward to the rest of the series!
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