Skip to main content

Elephant-mounted machine-gun, 1914

Elephant-mounted machine-gun, 1914


An American corporal aims a Colt M1895 atop a Sri Lankan elephant. The reason why the corporal is atop the elephant is a mystery but elephants were never a weapons platform adopted by the US Army.

It’s probably a publicity picture, not something the army would actually try to employ. The elephant would not respond well to the sound of that machine gun a few inches from his ears.

The gun is John Moses Browning’s M1895 Colt-Browning machine gun, nicknamed “Potato Digger”.
The M1895 was developed by John Browning during the 1890s, it was a belt-fed, air-cooled, gas-operated machine gun with a cyclic rate of 450 rounds per minute.

As the weapon was air-cooled it did not require a water-cooling system, as a result, it was much lighter weighing just 17 kg (35 lbs).

Gas pressure generated by ignited cartridges could be pulled from the barrel through a small opening leading into a cylinder.

This force could provide an “automatic” mechanical action that drove a lever-action type arm. 

The movement of the arm required some eight inches of clearance at the underside of the weapon, lest the gun dig itself into the dirt.

It was this action that gave rise to the weapon’s popular nickname of “Potato Digger”. The gun was moderately successful, but not outstanding.

Elephants have been used in war since ancient times, but with the advent of gunpowder warfare in the 15th century the advantage of war elephants on the battlefield began to change.

War elephants were usually deployed in the center of the line, where they could be useful to prevent a charge or to conduct one of their own. 

Their sheer size and their terrifying appearance made them valued heavy cavalry.
Off the battlefield, they could carry heavy materiel and provided a useful means of transport before mechanized vehicles rendered them mostly obsolete.

Into the 20th century, non-battle-trained elephants were used for other military purposes as late as World War II, particularly because the animals could perform tasks in regions that were problematic for modern vehicles.

Don't forget to leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THE LEGEND OF TRAPPER NELSON.

THE LEGEND OF TRAPPER NELSON. As you ride up the Loxahatchee River from its mouth in Jupiter, the canopy of slash pines and cabbage palms eventually starts to close in on you. Wildlife hides in the gnarled thickets of mangrove.  Everything about this place feels prehistoric. The turns become more and more hairpin, deceiving and disorienting you, as turtles and alligators eye you wearily before slipping beneath the murky water. Nearly eight miles up the northwest fork of the river, a weathered, wooden boathouse juts out into the dark water: the first sign of human existence seen for miles.  Alongside it is a dock that leads through a bamboo thicket into what was once the heart of wild Florida: Trapper Nelson’s homestead, zoo and jungle garden. The biggest attraction, though, was Trapper himself. Known as Tarzan of the Loxahatchee, he’d wrestle alligators, trap wildcats, and dazzle guests with his infallible good looks and stories of the wild.   He was a man who lived witho...
Post a Comment
Read more

During the Vietnam War, one of the most dangerous jobs was undertaken by a select few known as "tunnel rats."

During the Vietnam War, one of the most dangerous jobs was undertaken by a select few known as "tunnel rats." These unsung heroes were American, Australian, and New Zealand soldiers specially trained as combat engineers, who crawled through Viet Cong underground tunnels to perform perilous covert search and destroy missions.⁠ ⁠ Tunnel rats gently prodded for armed mines in order to disarm them — and prayed that they survived with both their legs intact. Most men were volunteers and tended to be of smaller stature, making it easier for them to maneuver through the cramped subterranean spaces Don't forget to leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
Post a Comment
Read more

A Waffen SS soldier belonging to "Der Füger" SS Division walks ammo up to the front lines during the invasion of France during May, 1940.

A Waffen SS soldier belonging to "Der Füger" SS Division walks ammo up to the front lines during the invasion of France during May, 1940.  The Waffen SS played a crucial role in the invasion of France, they were the spearhead of the infantry.  The Waffen-SS quickly gained themselves a reputation for being ruthless and effective killers on the battlefield. Civilians and combatants alike for their effectiveness and brutality.  They used this fear as a weapon and manipulation tool convincing many that the Germans were the right nation and they had better futures there.  This fear also gave them great control over the population and allowed them to do whatever they wanted which included rape, murder, and executions.  Since they were the most fit and capable soldiers in the entire Wehrmacht the were used as the poster-boy for the German army which gave them even more of a false ego.  Many of their songs like "SS Marschiet in Feindesland" glorified their brutal a...
Post a Comment
Read more