Title
Colt Vickers M1915 in Battle of the Menin Road Bridge
Subject
Colt Manufacturing; Connecticut Firearm Production in World War I
Description
Soldiers put Connecticut manufactured weapons to use after Colt received their government funding for Vickers machine gun production
While few Vickers machine guns were ready for the start of 1917, many began to reach the front lines by September of that year. During the Battle of Menin Road Bridge, machine guns were used by several infantries in an attempt to clear areas of German troops.
For many soldiers, this would have been the first time firing an actual Vickers machine gun, since training was usually conducted with "dummy" machine guns that didn't actually fire rounds.
While German infantries had machine guns of their own, the Vickers model was considered far superior to the Browning machine gun, and was in high demand to gain tactical advantages.
The production of the Vickers machine gun led to increased factory employment in Hartford and Meriden, Connecticut, and a dramatic stock rise during the war.
While few Vickers machine guns were ready for the start of 1917, many began to reach the front lines by September of that year. During the Battle of Menin Road Bridge, machine guns were used by several infantries in an attempt to clear areas of German troops.
For many soldiers, this would have been the first time firing an actual Vickers machine gun, since training was usually conducted with "dummy" machine guns that didn't actually fire rounds.
While German infantries had machine guns of their own, the Vickers model was considered far superior to the Browning machine gun, and was in high demand to gain tactical advantages.
The production of the Vickers machine gun led to increased factory employment in Hartford and Meriden, Connecticut, and a dramatic stock rise during the war.
Creator
Ernest Brooks
Publisher
Public Domain
Date
21 September 1917
Contributor
James Annunziato
Rights
Fair Use
Format
.jpg
Language
English
Type
Photograph