Vickers machine gun crew, 1944 (c)

Photograph, World War Two, Italy (1943-1945), 1944 (c).

The water-cooled .303 inch Vickers was famed for its reliability and could fire over 600 rounds per minute and had a range of 4,500 yards. With proper handling, it could sustain a rate of fire for hours, providing a necessary supply of belted ammunition, spare barrels and cooling water was available. First introduced in 1912, the Vickers remained in service with the British Army until 1968.

From a collection of photographs relating to World War Two, Italy (1943-1945).