GPMG Ground role
GPMG Ground Role
118 x 39.5 inches, oil on canvas 2008
The GPMG, known as the “Mag”, is generally the heaviest weapon carried
by an infantry platoon section. It’s heavy and one person carries it, slogging
up hills and over fields, for years during training and manoeuvres. There is an
advantage in the end though to the
soldier who carries it: If there is a firefight they get to stay back and lay
down covering fire. However the Viet Cong made a particular point of trying to
take out the machine gunner during the Vietnam War. This is because it was so
deadly, firing 1200 rounds a minute. Apparently it sounds like a zip being
undone when it fires.