Canadian C1A1/FAL use during Twilight War

[HorseSoldier]

The Canadian Rangers are issued the .303 British calibre Lee Enfield No 4 rifle, with each user being provided with 200 rounds of ammunition every year. While the bolt action Lee-Enfield has been out of general service in the Canadian military since the 1950s, it has proven to be reliable in the Arctic environment. Canadian Rangers carry the weapon primarily for subsistence and protection against predators rather than with the expectation of engaging an enemy force. The Rangers are to act a guides for other military units operating in the Arctic.

Yeah -- I was thinking that in the run up to war, or certainly after the war breaks out and there is some possibility that Rangers (at least in certain parts of Canada) may actually face enemy contact, conversion to the C1A1 might be deemed desirable. (Bit of a hard sell to convince a lot of guys to go patrolling with SMLEs if they know they might have contact with guys with AKs and PKs -- even if the plan is to break contact and run like hell, that's not heartwarming.)

[rcaf_777]

Originally Posted by HorseSoldier

Bit of a hard sell to convince a lot of guys to go patrolling with SMLEs if they know they might have contact with guys with AKs and PKs

The Rangers are not a combat force I couldn’t see them operating alone with out conventional forces, once the balloon went up I don't see them going anywhere without Canadian Military Units, the plan was always for Canadian Units to move closer to Arctic to have a more rapid deployment. Given the limited area which any force could operate in the Arctic Circle, I could see the units setting up makeshift camps in Northern Alberta and B.C. this would mechanized infantry companies and Armoured (Tank) Squadrons mostly likely made into Combat Teams. The Airborne Regt would be used a Reserve and would be parachuted ahead of any advancing force to delay them long enough to allow other units to arrive. The Rangers would act as guides to these units who are unfamiliar with the area, and provide advice on conditions in the area.

Now on another note, having seen and worked with the Rangers, I can tell most of them are very good shots and very good at handing a bolt action rifle and 30.06 is very hard hitting round, the rangers will it taken hunting often. And any weapon and ammo that can take down a Bull Moose or Polar Bear is good enough to take on troops! Also let add that Rangers know the area and really good hunters, for some of them it’s how they live. So that soviet patrol that the rangers do run into might not want to give chase if the Rangers kill a few with long range shots.

Also outfiting the Rangers with a new weapon would be a huge under taking, by the time Twilight rolls around also many of the rank file of the army know the C7 not the C1A1, only the more senior soldiers could be used to train the rangers, in past the rangers were only given about two weeks of training and most of that was on the Lee Enfield Rifle. Unlike the 207th Infantry Group in Alaska, the Rangers are not members of any military branch, but at the time of the war they would have fell under the Chief of Reserves and Cadets who is under the Vice Chief of Defence Staff.

They are allowed to elect there own Patrol Leaders and Assistant Patrol Leaders, who wear the rank of Sergeant and Master Corporal. Support of the Military comes from a few Military Officers and NCO’s who oversee training and Admin and Pay. In short they more useful finding airline crashes and provided advice, they lack alot of military training, IE tactics, modern weapons, displine ect and they have no leadship behond the patrol leader. So given them moden weapons give their role and function dose make alot of sense

Anyway food for thought

[Cdnwolf]

Fascinating article about expanding bases into the Arctic.

The plan could result in remote bases and a small-but-permanent military presence in far-off communities.

Locations could include Alert, Inuvik, Whitehorse, Rankin Inlet, Iqaluit or Nanisivik, according to the technical memorandum prepared by the research wing of the military last year.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/a...ases-in-arctic

[Targan]

Originally Posted by rcaf_777

Now on another note, having seen and worked with the Rangers, I can tell most of them are very good shots and very good at handing a bolt action rifle and 30.06 is very hard hitting round, the rangers will it taken hunting often.

I thought the Canadian Arctic Rangers used .303 SMLEs?

[Cdnwolf]

Canadian Rangers are issued the .303 British calibre Lee Enfield No 4 rifle, with each user being provided with 200 rounds of ammunition every year.

While the bolt action Lee-Enfield has been out of general service in the Canadian military since the 1950s, it has proven to be reliable in the Arctic environment. Canadian Rangers carry the weapon primarily for subsistence and protection against predators rather than with the expectation of engaging an enemy force.

Owning to the decreasing availability of spare parts, the replacement of the Lee-Enfield rifle had long been expected and in August 2011 after user requirements had been determined, the Canadian Forces officially issued a tender request for a bolt-action rifle compatible with 7.62 NATO and .308 Winchester. Approximately 10,000 rifles were to be bought giving the system a service life of about 30 years. The new rifles were to be manufactured under license by Colt Canada and to be in service by 2015.