I just came across the following in a 6th Airborne (2nd Battalion Ox and Bucks) war diary entry. It does suggest the independent deployment of Brens and "Bren groups". I share this only because it's interesting and relevant; as I understand and agree that the SP scale should really only go down to sections/squads, with the occasional exception.
6th July 1944
Place: Bréville
This morning 'D' Coy standing patrol spotted five enemy in the area of the buildings 147750 who were firing on one of the Commando patrols on our left.
'D' Coy brought up two Brens and three 2" Mortars into the area of their standing patrol at 143750, and arranged with the Mortar Pl to put down a three minute conc just behind the located enemy at 1045 hrs. As soon as the Mortar conc came down the enemy got up and started to run back to their own lines.
'D' Coy then opened up with their Brens and 2" Mortars and claim to have inflicted at least three casualties on the enemy. It is hoped that the 3" Mortar fire inflicted further casualties as the enemy were not dug in.
It was not until 10 minutes later that the enemy reacted to our fire when he opened up on the area D Coy had fired from with small arms fire - by this time 'D' Coy were back in their main posns.
This afternoon 'C' Coy sent three Bren gps and some snipers into the SOUTH of FOX WOOD 147747 with the object of shooting up the enemy, who were believed to move up into the wood during the evening and occupy it by night. At about 1730 a section of enemy came into the wood from the NORTH and 'C' Coy claim to have inflicted two casualties on the enemy.
This evening the short spell of fine weather broke and we had some thunder and rain. Enemy mortaring and shelling has only been slight and we have incurred no casualties.
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6th Airborne War Diaries found here:
http://www.pegasusarchive.org/normandy/war.htm
cheers,
Cross