Second World War
Battle of the Atlantic  - Weapons and Technology

Combatants in the battle of the Atlantic relied on weapons and technology to attack the enemy, to defend themselves, to communicate, and to rescue friends and foes.

.5-inch Vickers Mk III Heavy Machine-gun

This widely-used inter-war British designed machine-gun formed part of the armament of many Canadian corvettes and was also fitted to other warships.

Originally intended for anti-aircraft defence, this weapon's relatively short range and lack of stopping power made it less effective against aircraft than heavier weapons like the 20mm Oerlikon. It did prove useful as an anti-personnel weapon to stop German submariners from using their surfaced U-Boats' deck and anti-aircraft guns. Fitted in twin mountings to Canadian corvettes, the .5-inch Vickers was often replaced by weapons like the 2-pounder "pom-pom" as they became available.

Heavy Machine-gun, .5-inch Vickers Mk III
CWM 19780274-067