Ah yes, the ubiquitous MacBook, No.1 Mk.III pro*

aaaah, A day off, a hot cup of coffee, and a new episode of BML. :)

My dad was taught to shoot from the hip in his training for the Vietnam War. You'd be out on patrol for hours at a time, even days away from base, and having the rifle always up at your shoulder just wasn't practical unless you suspected enemy movement. However, most victims of ambushes were usually caught 100% by surprise, and being able to shoot accurately from the hip shaved off precious seconds, making reaction times far quicker. My dad got exceptionally good at hip firing to the point he could do trick shooting. I'll never forget as a kid, tossing up BBs into the air, and from about 7-10 yards away, my dad could shoot them out of the air with another BB. He told me the training method started with what were basically paper plates you'd shoot at. As training went on, the size of the plates would decrease, and eventually most of the trainees he trained with could reliably hit a plate about the size of a tea saucer being tossed up. They trained with BB guns for these exercises. My dad and some of the other more skilled shooters took it further, and would toss up a silver dollar, then they got to 50 cent pieces, then quarters, nickels, dimes, and finally a few of them were able to shoot BBs. It's amazing to see, and almost seems impossible, but people have don even more impressive things, such as that one fellow who can shoot an aspirin out of the air with a long bow (kzfaq.info/get/bejne/h56Jo5yEz6m5ZXk.html). Significantly more difficult than shooting a BB with another BB fired from the hip. Fortunately, my dad ended up being stationed on a base that directed artillery, and while they did suffer raids nearly every night, he never had to go out into the jungle on patrol. I will say, watching him play Duck Hunt from across the room and getting past level 20 firing from the hip was like watching a real life aim bot. Sadly, that level of skill wasn't passed on to me, though I am a natural marksman, just nowhere to that extent (I really suck with pistols, though, and need way more practice).

That Costa callout.

The Bloke's familiarity and skill with the Enfield is really on display here. Very fast and natural.

LOLL “Costa, you weren’t there first!” I got a chuckle out of that

That bloke looks like the kind of guy you'd see on a range

@3.38 - Strange, that landscape 'somewhere in England' looks somewhat similar to the breathtaking scenery to be found in the Realm of Canada.

It seems we have a difference in understanding of what the middle-finger technique is.

this feels like a change in priority from bayonet to shooting. The 1940 hip shooting maintained the rifle in "bayonet ready", while the 1944 variant puts far more emphasis on shooting the enemy rather than stabbing them. Very interesting stuff.

Legend has it, you can still see a yelling Canadian running about the woods, dressed in ww2 uniform, to this day

The current practise for Commonwealth armies in CBQ / instinctive shooting is NOT to use the weapon’s sights. The principles outlined here are essentially the same, the only difference being the change from bolt action to automatic weapons.

Another great video! Thank you for promoting the website. I’m glad the manuals are being put to such good use.

I WISH the English countryside looked as good as where you film

The “Alert” position is tiring, both physically and mentally. That’s why it wasn’t used much. In the memorandum, it specifically states in “town, village, or wood” and “when there is likelihood of meeting the enemy”. In France 1944 this wasn’t everywhere, and in many of these photographs, the men likely would be moving towards “contact” not expecting an ambush. However, as soon as the enemy took a shot, everyone would be on high alert or going to ground. That’s what I was taught in 1968.

This great rifle never ceases to amazes me. Certainly the best bolt action ever designed. And great show gentlemen.

The begining was awesome.

Well done Sir You humor is on fire today..

Hello love your work fella's , I was of the understanding alot of WW1 diggers used the middle finger technique and I imagine the brits and the rest of the Commonwealth would have been the same , but not so WW2 era soldiers, because there was Brens and smgs , I have a friend who is a former rifle range shooter he's around 75 yrs old he tells me when he was a boy in the fifties at the rifle club , the old diggers would occasionally show this technique off and the WW2 vets would stare ! they knew how to take advantage of the 60% throw of the SMLE bolt ,also there is a book published about a Australian sniper in the Korean war ( unfortunately I have forgotten the title , but it is recent publication ) and he explains a situation in where he and an officer found themselves in a Chinese dugout with over 10 Chinamen I think he accounted for 9 of them using the middle finger on the trigger ,he also recounted how he been taught by a NCO who was a WW1 vet to shoot from the hip reload after 6 rounds and easy charger clips . After the Singapore disaster in 1942 the Australian army included shooting from the hip , in their jungle training . I'm not sure they had manuals for that skill , but I have read about it in books about our jungle campaigns. R

Interesting stuff. Seemed more logical than the first technique that just looked uncomfortable!

I'm sitting on my couch watching this video from Australia, and I am pretty impressed over all. I know that I should love the Number 1 rifle as a golden rule of Being an Aussie, but it's the number 4 MK 1* that is my favourite. Great video mate

Off Topic; the mountains in the background are beautiful!

Very interesting indeed. For comparison, my reserves training in 2006 for patrolling at the alert was to have the rifle shouldered, sweeping the surroundings with your field of view and the muzzle I think (just not the chap in front!). In the event of incoming fire, the procedure was to reflexively fire off two shot in the generally direction, while dropping to the prone position while calling out "CONTACT LEFT/RIGHT/FRONT", before commencing deliberate aimed fire. Or that's how I remember it at least. I also recall that in our practice sessions the incoming blank rounds always seemed to occur while I was half way through a thistle/bramble patch!

Smashing video gents. Great to see a shout out for Richard’s hard work too.

This is a great example of experimental archaeology. Please keep up the great work.

That notification bell...The RSM has a new video up!

Very good video. Being ex forces myself. I did get taught cqb techniques which aren't too disimilar to what you have explained. Outside of the official pamphlet I was taught a side step/ghost step upon recieving effective enemy fire. This step was after 2 initial rounds in the general direction of threat. Which corresponds to what you were explaining about the enemy potentially following up a shot on yourself. So side stepping throws the aim off enough to break enemies sight picture. Very good and relatable

The tired running is the best thing I've seen all day. :P

The baggy battledress makes Bloke look very young

Really fascinating. Thank you both.

Enjoy your videos so much... well done

Bloody excellent video again, lads. Love these practical shooting videos. Keep up the good work, your attention to detail and faithful reproduction of the manuals is brilliant.

I love that first bit, love how you record multiple things together. That's great.

Very intresting video!

Very interesting stuff. I've read of this before but it's great to see the concept in action!

So much more than vaguely interesting! Thanks

12:15 2 shots in 2 seconds, that's brilliant, only could be matched by a semiauto

Excellent tutorial! and demonstration of the evolution of combat tactics...

Significant emotional event indeed. The Chieftain would concur.

My dad was in the Australian Army during the period where they adopted the SLR (L1A1 for you British types) they were taught a particular technique for close quarter engagement. I can't remember the name of it but the principal was really simple. When presented with a target at close range the idea was you looked directly at it with both eyes open, then raised the rifle up to a cheek weld keeping your head static and pivoting the body as/if needed into a shooting position, and then fired. It makes a lot of sense, by looking straight at your target you centre it in your field of view, then the act of shouldering and adopting a cheek weld is locking the rifle in with your field of view. It should be more or less pointing at exactly what you're looking at. My dad would talk about how part of their close quarters training involved patrolling through scrub where targets would present themselves and they would have to rapidly engage them in this way. He said it was good for getting a quick first hit on a man sized target for up to 25 yards.

So interesting, great work chaps

this was very interesting and totally awesome! Would love to see more collaboration down the track

Love the videos with the bloke

Really really good video!

Very cool vid. I learned allot. I will try some of these shooting exercises with my SMLE.

2 of the Channels I am really proud to support on Patreon, I wish I could do more for them!

Good work. Very funny. Thank you.

Hi, great two-part clip and subject. With the later war/2nd version Campaign wise in addition to North-West Europe (as mentioned), I believe the 2nd technique may have been born/influenced out of the Close-Quarter Fighting in Italy (Monte Cassino, etc) and Burma (Jungle Warfare), where the terrain/ranges were far closer, thus the requirement for a shooting technique in-between the traditional mid-long "aim and shoot" and the 1st early-war "shoot from the hip" as described. This may be purely Post-War, but the 2nd firing technique as I've heard it described is known as "Instinctive", i.e. point the weapon (the weapon is raised and against the shoulder, if it's a Pistol it's raised high), both eyes open as you described; etc. No doubt this is where it's come from. Up until watching your clip/s I assumed "Instinctive" firing only came after the general adoption Post-War of 7.62mm Semi-Auto Service Rifles like the FNFAL/L1A1 SLR, but as per your two-part series it was much earlier. The part of the drill where you fire "two shots" may also have been influenced by the Fairbairn-Sykes Pistol Shooting technique that was introduced in 1940-41 and taught to the Auxiliary, Commandos (Army & Royal Marines), Special Operations Executive (SOE) Agents, Special Air Service (SAS) and Special Boat Squadron (SBS) I assume, where after drawing a Pistol (from a holster for uniformed troops, a compact Pistol from a concealed carry/pocket for SOE Agents, etc), firing from the hip "Instinctively" (no time to bring the Pistol up to eye level/very close range, virtually point-blank) and then do the "Double-Tap" two quick shots. I believe that Fairbairn and Sykes (I'm not sure which one) observed in their Police service in Burma and/or China (or equivalent) that in street fighting whoever gets the first shot (or shots) off achieves dominance, making the other duck or hesitate, even if it doesn't hit them; kind regards.

A day on which a BML video is uploaded is a good day...

Oh there goes that inner smile again.... 😊brilliant.....

great video, makes me love my No. 4 even more.... from Australia.

Love the video you ever thought about pistol videos? Like with the webley or anything. And ever a Q&A. Iver way keep up the videos

HAPPY THANKSGIVIGN...also you fit to well as a drill sargent/instructor you should make it a series XD

Hm. 1944 England looks A LOT like Canada. LOL Great video! Very insightful and informative.

Simply amazing, happy thanksgiving - I know you don’t celebrate, but still :)

Having just bought a no4 mk1 ROF, I’m now giddy with excitement to practice this myself.

Good video, I perceive field feedback was coming from Sicily and Italy as they were clearing small towns and narrow alleways. Modern CQB fallows that form today. By the way you can skip the gym this week Rob

it is true that these shooting techniques are rather unique. while different (as in not british, and not with a bolt action), applied in a more modern setup, the training manual INF 512 or "reglement d'instruction du tir au fusil d'assault MAS 5.56, tome II: les aides visuelles" (MAS 5.56 Assault Rifle Training Instruction Rule, tome II: visual aids) of 1978 has two firing positions that remind me of those you explored in this two parter: first is the "tir au jeter" (throw shot) described as such: body: FACE the objective while fixing it, both eyes open. legs: naturally spread, knees bent, feet flat on the ground. arms: take the weapon away from the body throwing it foward, parallel to the ground, then bring the butt plate in the crook of the shoulder, the carry handle under the directing eye. hands: the left support the rifle at the height of the bipod. the right grips the pistol grip. index on the trigger. eyes: at the end of the movement, the directing eye at the level of the channel of the carry handle aims for the objective along this axis. this remind me of the position explored in this video here, where the rifle is held against the shoulder and aimed roughly above the sights, while the second is closer to the position explored in the first video: "tir au juger" (judging shot): body: face the objective by pivoting quickly (weapon-body ensemble) and gathering(?) on the weapon.

Smacking down those movie and reenactorisms at the end there. I'm sure as you know it's a huge argument all over and around. Contemporary stuff has quite led many to carry their rifles in very anachronistic manners no matter the impression (except the classic German one-handed running, which you can find in many places and armies from the Great War onwards). Often titled the "Low Ready" and such. I only take offense, though my training was Marine-centric, but "Alert is to the dirt" or that overused modern style of carrying. Meanwhile, the "Ready" has the weapon placed into the shoulder and ready to fire, similarly to the late-war technique illustrated here. "Low" was one looking over the sights, "High" was using the sights while searching. This "new" combat shooting was implemented in training about the time I entered in 2005 and was being constantly changed at least for the Marine Corps. We still used the "stock at the hip, muzzle at the eyes" "Tactical Carry" that had been in place since at least the 80's as well. Of course all of this also plays into posturing and levels of threat directly or indirectly perceived. Any sort of soldier in WW2 would be in some sort of "ready" position when a known and very close range threat was at hand, while their "alert" position seems to be more of the "Port," "Hip," or other styles of carry that would enable a quicker engagement, but ability to respond to threats from wherever should they materialize, just now what's in front of you. But as you stated, that final closure of distance would certainly see something more aggressive and ready to fire than the solely "threatened" postures you see in photos. Context as always with history, is quite important rather than dismissing things as modern out-of-hand without realizing that though what I call the "Alert" was most certainly not used, when in the final assault and possibly in CQB, utilizing what I call the "Ready" would make large amounts of sense, even in the context of history. No soldier is going to approach an enemy position, known to be occupied, in the last 25yds or so with their rifle held across their front or in one hand at the side, both too relaxed for what's going on. In another historical note, I have some bits and bobs here and there of snap firing being recommended in the US military through the war, a Marine officer even wrote an extensive article for the Infantry Officer's Journal in '44-'45 demanding the importance of snap firing as had been learned in close quarters in the Pacific and places like Aachen and other cities in Europe. And with similar conclusion that a soldier moderately skilled at snap firing should be able to score a modicum of accuracy and importantly establish fire superiority in CQB. ( www.easy39th.com/files/Snap-Shooting_in_Close_Combat_1944.pdf )

that modern way of holding the rifle has always been a pet peeve of mine i just hate seeing weapons held like that in movies an re-enactments

Indeed, where else would you put a bayonet ..... :D Practical 'archaeology' (if that's the right phrase). Great video! :)

Excellent work you two. It gave me thought on the much derided bayonet on a SMG. Fine charging in on contact but what do you do when you get on top of the enemy and the magazine is empty? 'Hang on a minute. I'll be with you directly!' Or resort to the pointy stick. Pointy stick is not good but better than trying to do a mag change amongst the naughty people whom you have just quite upset. 'Bayonet goes in with the weight of the body, not the weight of your arms! Run into him, don't take jabs!'

beautiful backdrop! did the commonwealth kit keep you comfortable in that climate?

Isn't it amazing how totally unlike the forests of Canada Kent looks?

0:35 Me, when they tell me to go over the top.

Are you both in Canada? I really enjoy the videos from both of your channels!

Is there any access to a PDF of this manual? I couldn't seem to find it on the museum's site.

Do you have a No.5 Mk.1 Jungle Carbine?

Would you be willing to try the late war techniques with the SMLE? The added weight and offset balance with the larger bayonet may change things up a bit, as would the sights. A lot of British Empire forces still used the SMLE up until the end of the war, should they have been given the updated training, they may well have performed the techniques.

I love the videos thumbnail 😂😂

Rob, any chance you could do something on shooting the No5? Was there even any specific training regime for it?

This would be a lot of fun to try in a 2-gun match like InRange’s

Well done , to you both very effective method, though would take nerves of steel to engage the enemy across short distances, great video though.

It says somewhere in England, but looks more like canadian rocky mountains around crowsnest pass area, between alta and bc, possibly forest trunk road

iam like you channel is very interesting . I have a question you are of Scottish origin because I saw you in many videos wearing a kilt ?

Man that intro gave me PTSD haha XD

Beautiful scenery, are you in British Columbia?

Your editing is suprub! What software do you use?

A bit of an odd request, but the scenery in your videos is quite remarkable and a tour of your country side would be much appreciated, or those mountains I see.

OMG this made me laugh my old Dad God bless him was a serjeant instructor then.😁 gave them hell no time for the niceties that the modern day recruits enjoy today. Funny situation as they hated him and respected him and very good to hid kids.

Anyone else imagine his neighbors on the other mountain seeing him run around in circles and think he is crazy?

I was waiting for the "It's..."

From what I've heard, people who aren't using the sights, tend to shoot low. They threat focus, which has them lower the firearm so they can see more of the person, which translates to gut shots

In a firefight some people starts running around as a reaction to adrenaline and such. Outher shooters stand completely still just focusing on the target (maybe because thats what we do in training). Side stepping might be useful to break that focus apart from just moving away from the line of fire? And I personally find carrying a old time rifle in a modern ready position quit uncomfortable without a good pistol grip like on a "assault rifle". Just my two cents... or what ever currency..

Was the technique developed informally in the Italian campaign? That seems to be the only environment that would justify it in the first place - one thinks of Cortona ....

I see the makings of a retro-ww2 bolt gun only assault match.....maybe a handgun stage...

At the end of your video you said that the Alert Position wasn't quite really much use.....So this make me think that they maybe using the Hip Shooting till the end of the Bloody War because if you look at some of the photos they were on Port Arms or High Ready postion which is quite almost like ready for a Bloody Bayonet fight and if the Hip Shoot is more evolve from the Bayonet Onguard position so they may really using the Hip shoot towards the end the war and i saw one video when a British Troop hip shoot a No.4 and i believe in maybe 1944 or maybe early 1945

Bloke looks so young in this video holy moly

all-in fighting captain Fairbairn .has the rifle combat -close quarter. with practice "15 mins aday and daily firing" you should be able to get 5 shots in 4 seconds , hits. That's a lot of ammo

Could you add a link to the document which shows the middle finger technique from 1944?

Have you thought about doing the New Zealand land wars? More specifically the invasion of the Waikato 1863?

Nice job on no dislikes

Interestingly there is some very late war footage of men firing their No. 4s from the hip, bayonets fixed, supposedly advancing through a Dutch town but I understand the general consensus is that it's staged for the camera. Looks brilliant though.

Where could I possibly aquire a WWI era uniform for a 5th Royal Highlanders of Canada? I want to make a WWI living history persona

So the alert position is similar to the low ready position but...The question is do they use that position always?

Can someone explain to me the background of the Costa comment?

Is it me or does Bloke On The Range looks like Pvt. Gripweed from How I Won The War

I know this is off the subject of the video but I have always though that the Pattern 1908 web equipment was better suited for troops armed with the No. 1 and No. 4 rifles than the Pattern 1937 web equipment. I understand the reasoning behind the Pattern 1937 equipment was to have "universal" ammunition pouches. Maybe i am just use to the US Army's specific belts for M1903/M1917/M1 clips and another belt specific belt for M1918 BAR magazines. Care to comment.

Now +britishmuzzleloaders +Blokeontherange a question I had for you guys is here in the United States we often have the conversation of “if you don’t or can’t have an ar15 (not saying it’s the best for defense just saying jt seems to be the standard) what manually operated rifle or carbine do you go with?” Given y’alls experience with the Lee Enfield, would you recommend it over something like say a Winchester 1873? (For those who read this comment I’m not intending for this question to be political, this is simply a would you rather pertaining to the Lee enfield series verses the Winchester 1873 in the modern context of defensive shooting or general purpose rifle).

How many random people who have seen you doing this out in crownland gone: WTF?!?!