PURPOSE The purpose of this note is to inform the Minister of Militia, as of May 24th 1915, of the drawbacks Canadian soldiers are undergoing on the battlefields and trenches of the Western Front, due to the complications of the Ross Rifle, and to present a solution that will expel these issues.
ISSUES
The Ross Rifle is compromising Canadian soldiers’ safety and success when attacking due to characteristics that are inappropriate for trench warfare in a modern day war.
BACKGROUND
Since April 22nd, the first day Canadian troops saw battle at Ypres, there have been re-occurring issues and high Canadian casualties on the battlefield, which may be in affiliation with the Ross Rifle. More than several complaints have been expressed by those issued with this …show more content…
On top of that, the rifle tends to take up too much space in the confined trenches. The rifle is very easy to assemble incorrectly which may result in the bolt blowing back in the shooter's face causing disastrous …show more content…
Instantaneous firing often causes the rifle to overheat and seize up.
These issues should be addressed as soon as possible, keeping in mind that the Canadian army is already fighting in the Great War.
CURRENT SITUATION
High casualties amongst Canadian troops have been a result of the Ross Rifle and its characteristics that are unfit for trench warfare. As of right now, three main issues are prominent in the rifle which put the users at higher risk than those with the Lee-Enfield:
The Ross Rifle is too long and heavy to attack with when in combat.
The rifle is extremely delicate and inappropriate for the brutal conditions of trench warfare, as it often jams up with mud and other debris.
Instantaneous firing often causes the rifle to overheat and seize
ISSUES
The Ross Rifle is compromising Canadian soldiers’ safety and success when attacking due to characteristics that are inappropriate for trench warfare in a modern day war.
BACKGROUND
Since April 22nd, the first day Canadian troops saw battle at Ypres, there have been re-occurring issues and high Canadian casualties on the battlefield, which may be in affiliation with the Ross Rifle. More than several complaints have been expressed by those issued with this …show more content…
On top of that, the rifle tends to take up too much space in the confined trenches. The rifle is very easy to assemble incorrectly which may result in the bolt blowing back in the shooter's face causing disastrous …show more content…
Instantaneous firing often causes the rifle to overheat and seize up.
These issues should be addressed as soon as possible, keeping in mind that the Canadian army is already fighting in the Great War.
CURRENT SITUATION
High casualties amongst Canadian troops have been a result of the Ross Rifle and its characteristics that are unfit for trench warfare. As of right now, three main issues are prominent in the rifle which put the users at higher risk than those with the Lee-Enfield:
The Ross Rifle is too long and heavy to attack with when in combat.
The rifle is extremely delicate and inappropriate for the brutal conditions of trench warfare, as it often jams up with mud and other debris.
Instantaneous firing often causes the rifle to overheat and seize