Why not both M16s and FALs?
Posted by Mandalor527@reddit | ForgottenWeapons | View on Reddit | 20 comments
How common was the Aussies/Kiwis use of the M16s
Was it common that they did use both the M16 and L1A1s?
Dear_Mention_3305@reddit
Fairly common for the Aussies at least: https://www.battleorder.org/aus-rifleco-1980s
jimmy588@reddit
Interesting read. Makes sense for scouts and squad leaders to have the lighter option.
Dear_Mention_3305@reddit
Interestingly enough it seems the Aussies issued pistols to squad-level machine gunners, I am not aware of any other Commonwealth militaries doing this at this point? Possibly American influence (although there it may have been only in Vietnam, where the M60 was used on squad-level)?
Salt-Wish5140@reddit
I Was Only 19 ( by Redgum references both in the lyrics.
Dear_Mention_3305@reddit
True. But those lyrics can easily be interpreted as that the units at "home" used the SLR whilst the M16 was only issued to the Aussie units that went to 'Nam...
CommercialSpite@reddit
I dont know why, but I find it funny that out of everything there, the only two still in service in Australia are the Mag58 and M72
Dear_Mention_3305@reddit
I dunno, wouldn't that be the case for most Western militaries if you compared a 50 year old TO&E with a current one?
AngloKiwi@reddit
Fairy common to use both. Normally people like the radio operator and second man on the M60 carried the M16 as they also had other heavy stuff to carry.
mad_lad_of_alabama@reddit
At least at the section and platoon level, M16s effectively replaced SMGs in Australian service. At least, if my memory is correct
IlluminatedPickle@reddit
Kinda yeah, but it was a messy time of which units were switching over and which were dragging their feet.
mad_lad_of_alabama@reddit
Checks out.
Honestly I need to go take a gander at TO&E again
IlluminatedPickle@reddit
It's a mess for the Vietnam era, every few months they're like "But what if we switch this guy for that guy?"
mad_lad_of_alabama@reddit
And TO&E id imagine stopped mattering in the field for Australian troops much like it did US troops
IlluminatedPickle@reddit
Oh yeah for sure. There were dudes still bringing the Owen years after they were supposed to be packed up.
mad_lad_of_alabama@reddit
And then the shortages of replacements and chronic undermanning of infantry units I can only assume plagued Aussies just like Americans. Thus, task organization, undersized squads and in the field modifications of organization to fit the terrain
makk73@reddit
“So that’s what a circumcised penis looks like, Mate.”
TepacheLoco@reddit
Brits also ended up running a mix of M16s and FALs for jungle and counter insurgency
Chumlee1917@reddit
Probably spitball but money and logistics and cause the Commonwealth adopted the FAL and Australia stayed with the family
Efficient-Plane-6867@reddit
It is more common to see M16 in hands of scouts and section commanders. L1 were more popular though
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