The Bren is a British 7.7 mm light machine gun from the interwar period, World War II and the post-war period. The first prototypes of this weapon were made in 1931, and serial production began in 1937 and lasted until 1971. The initial velocity of the projectile fired from this weapon was up to 730 m / s, and the theoretical rate of fire - up to 500 rounds per minute. The weight of the empty weapon was 10.25 kilograms. The effective range of the shot did not exceed 550 meters, with the maximum range of the weapon reaching about 1700 meters.
The Bren rifle was essentially a modification of the Czechoslovak ZB vz.26 machine gun, which was to be manufactured under license at the Royal Small Arms Factory in Enfield. Compared to the original, the Brn differed in its caliber, the design of the breech chamber and the simplified process of unfolding the weapon. It was also more accurate, although this was achieved at the cost of a decrease in theoretical rate of fire. During World War II, similarly structured versions of the Mk. I, Mk. II and Mk. III. In 1959, however, the L4 version appeared, which used a 7.62 x 51 mm cartridge standardized for the needs of NATO. The Bren rifle was considered a very successful and effective weapon on the battlefield. It was used in combat not only during World War II, but also during the Korean War (1950-1953) or during the Falklands War (1982).
During World War II, the British Army formed a total of 43 infantry divisions. At the start of the war, the division's staff numbered approximately 13,800 officers and soldiers, while in 1944 this number increased to approximately 18,300 people. This significant change in the number of employees resulted primarily from the increase in various types of support units, and not the increase in the number of infantrymen themselves. In 1944, the British infantry division consisted of three infantry brigades, each with its own headquarters, a staff platoon, 3 infantry battalions, and engineering divisions. It is worth adding that a single infantry battalion had approx. 780 officers and soldiers and had numerous support units (e.g. a mortar platoon or a reconnaissance platoon). The division also included a de facto artillery brigade with five artillery regiments (including one anti-tank and one AA), a battalion of machine guns and mortars, as well as reconnaissance, communication and sapper units. An important element increasing the mobility of the British infantry division was its full motorization. The British infantryman's primary rifle was the Lee Enfield No.1 or No.4 rifle. As machine weapons, among others, Sten submachine guns, Bren manual machine guns and Vickers machine guns were used. The most commonly used anti-tank weapons were the 40 and 57 mm 2- and 6-pounder cannons, and later also the 76-mm 17-pounder cannons. In turn, the main armament of the field artillery was a very successful howitzer Ordnance QF 25-pounder.