How do we all use the bren gun? Shoot it in semi-auto or full-auto? Use it as a close range weapon or long range weapon?

To me, the bren gun is an excellent weapon. On semi-auto it fires just as accurate and deadly as a regular bolt action rifle, while shooting in a much faster speed. At close range it can shoot like a SMG on full auto without ironsighting, although it's much more difficult to hit your targets.

The only downside about the gun is that you have no pistol or grenades as backup, with the machinegun being your only weapon.

What does everybody else think about it? It also seems like the weapon is not used that often. Most people prefer the rifle and thompson over the bren gun.

Now, a machinegunner, directed by his squad leader, was the primary firepower for any squads, in real life. I've tried doing so with my squad, having myself spotting targets and commanding my machinegunner, while the rest of my squad, riflemen, would be positioned around us, to protect any infantry that attempts to flank us. With the MG42, it works somewhat well. (especially on maps like PDH) The massive machinegun fire could supress any infantry and kill whoever that is foolish enough to walk infront of the bullets.

However, with lighter machineguns, like the Bren and the BAR, it doesn't work so well. I don't know if it's the same in real life, but in FH2, a rifleman can easily pick off machinegunners who reveal themselves with their tracers. At the same time, their firepower doesn't seem to be sufficient to effectively supress the enemy.

The only thing I can think of is to position the gunner in a well concealed position, and being far away from the enemies as well. Then, I use my binocular to an advantage and spot for my gunner. It worked pretty well once in Purple Heart Lane. I was able to use my machinegunner to supress the enemies with a BAR, although, the supression seems to be more effective than actual damage dealt, not to mention the fact that my gunner had to constantly reload due to the small magazine capacity with the BAR.

So, does anybody else actually use the machinegun with a spotter? It seems that most of the gunners I have seen are alone, or at least, not being assisted by a spotter. Also, is it actually a good idea in FH2? It is quite a fast paced game and sometimes real world tactics like that one simply wouldn't work.