Used By: Laurie Williamson
Leslie Williamson (likely, but not known for sure)
The Short Magazine Lee Enfield No.1 Mk.3 (SMLE) was the primary rifle for the British and commonwealth forces during the entirety of World War 1, and the first part of World War 2. The rifle was also used by lower priority soldiers throughout the entirety of World War 2, with the rest being equipped with a Lee Enfield No.4 Mk.1. The SMLE entered service in 1904, coming after the Magazine Lee Enfield Mk.1.
The rifle uses a bolt action, designed by James Paris Lee. It is known to be one of the best models of action compared to rifles of the time, such as the Mosin-Nagant or Mauser Systems. The rifle holds 10 rounds of ammunition, double the amount of most other rifles, and you could chamber a round without having to lift your head, thus increasing rate of fire (as you did not have to re-adjust your sighting), as well as the fact that it would be easier to maintain a low profile, with little movement, making it difficult for the enemy to spot you.
Probably the most famous thing about the SMLE (and the Lee Enfield family as a whole) was its ability to use the 'Mad Minute' technique, in which you can extremely quickly fire off many rounds by using your middle finger on the trigger, and using the palm of your hand to cycle the bolt, rather than finger and thumb, which was standard. In one case during World War 1, the German Infantry believed that the British had a machine gun in a specific location, when in fact, they did not, it was just multiple men using the 'Mad Minute' technique.