Weaponry and communications

Owen Machine Carbine

The Owen machine carbine gun was first introduced into the Australian Army in 1942, and quickly developed a reputation for being simple to operate, hard-wearing and reliable. It fired 9 mm pistol ammunition and was capable of fully automatic fire. The Owen's cyclic rate of fire was about 600 rounds per minute, but it was usually fired in two- to three-round bursts, as the magazine only held 33 rounds.

A short-range weapon, the Owen had been ideal for jungle fighting during the Second World War, but in the longer-range fighting of the Korean War it was less useful. It was best during the close-quarter fighting carried out by raiding parties and patrols during the stalemate phase of the war. Two Owen machine carbines were issued to every Australian infantry section (10 men).