That photo is an obvious joke/put on. there is no tie downs or mounting equipment or a way to control the poor beast. Can you imagine his reaction at the first burst of fire, and what would become of the Marine and his gun?
Great picture, couldn't agree more! Adaptive, innovative... Who else would mount a machine gun on an elephant.....?
Little known historical fact - Machine Gun elephants were used for the straight ahead frontal assaults....Marines riding Tigers with 1911's in each hand executed the flanking maneuvers. Marine Artillery manned the catapults lobbing the Elephant by-product onto their heads.