An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 15 I t was definitely 'Rising' weather, when on the 13th April 2016 on the ranges at Kilbride, the very same weapons that were used during the 1916 insurrection were once again fired, in tribute to those that struck a blow for independence. The day's events, the brainchild of Lt Col Jimmy O'Neill, saw battalion staff and unit commanders assembled to take part in this historic opportunity. The hands-on demonstration shoot gave all those present a chance to examine and fire the weap- ons that their predecessors used, and faced, that Easter week. Ordnance technical officer, Capt Alan Kearney, gave a briefing on each weapon and CQMS Robbie Walsh gave the safety brief. The weapons had been maintained to a very high standard as those entrusted with their safe keeping knew they were looking after an important part of Óglaigh na hÉireann's history. Brig Gen Michael Beary, GOC 2 Bde, was enveloped in a cloud of smoke as he fired one of the 1,500 Mauser 71s that were landed in Howth and Kilcoole in 1914. This bolt-action, single-shot rifle was considered revolutionary when first is- sued to the Prussian army in 1872 and a trained soldier could fire four rounds per minute. However in 1916, the rebels faced British soldiers trained to fire 15 rounds per minute from their Mk III Lee Enfield rifle. Some Volunteers also possessed this weapon, which when fired on the range, still demonstrated its accuracy as second to none. A Vickers regular heavy machine gun, used by British forces, was also fired. This water-cooled weapon was capable of firing 500 rounds per minute, using 250-round belts. During the Ris- ing, British troops positioned a Vickers on the fourth floor of the Shelbourne Hotel from where it strafed Irish Citizen Amy positions in St Stephen's Green. When the Lewis gun was demonstrated, Lt Col Pat Farrelly told the story of how his grandfather, who served under Séan MacEoin during the Irish War of Independence, had to hide his Lewis gun when pursued by British Forces before returning the following day to retrieve the weapon from its hiding place. Considered a light machine gun at the time, this air-cooled weapon, capable of firing 500 rounds per minute and weigh- ing 13kg (28 lbs) was a formable weapon. Though a very tem- peramental weapon, often subject to jamming, we were given an excellent, expert demonstration, with the gunner opening fire and clearing stoppages calmly and with great precision. Recruits from 2 BTC were also given the chance to fire these historic weapons, a welcome break from their rigorous training. Firing continued with the British of- ficer's standard issue sidearm, the Webley .455 Mk VI calibre, six-shot revolver. This is a top-break revolver with automatic ex- traction of spent car- tridges taking place when the weapon is broken for reloading. Included in the many weapons the Volunteers smuggled in from Germany were the Luger and the Mauser 'Broom- handle' C96, two semi-automatic pistols. Many senior Volunteer command- ers in 1916 were issued with the C96. Eamon de Valera loaned his to Lt Michael Malone, who would use it in the leafy, suburban Northumberland Road, to inflict heavy casualties on attack- ing British troops. The pistols and revolver were fired from 10 metres, and the devastating effect on the targets showed these weapons to be as deadly today as they were 100 years ago. Many of those serving today, including those attending this historic event, had family or relations that took part in the Ris- ing and the subsequent War of Independence, proving that the Irish Defence Forces has a proud and noble history and contin- ues its long tradition of defending, protecting and supporting. It is planned to put these weapons on display in Cathal Brugha Bks so that other members of the Defence Forces will have the opportunity to see them. A Blast from the Past, the Guns of Easter 1916 by PAUL O'BRIEN PHotoS by SGT WAYNE FITzGERALD Capt Alan Kearney demonstrating the Mauser 'Broomhandle' C96 weapon.

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