German Machine Guns of World War I by Stephen Bull

Author:Stephen Bull
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
ISBN: 9781472815187
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2016-04-09T04:00:00+00:00

ON THE WORLD WAR I BATTLEFIELD

Early actions

Advice to the German machine-gun detachment of 1914 was that to shoot well at the opportune moment, having gunners full of initiative who were led by commanders with ‘tactical insight’ was the best guarantee of success. Teams were encouraged to take full advantage of ground, and measure or estimate distances as accurately as possible. In theory at least, guns were viable on any ground ‘practicable for the infantry’ and the target they presented in return was little greater than that offered by men in skirmish order; while an established machine-gun detachment had ‘nothing to fear’ from cavalry, they were advised not to engage ‘well sheltered firing lines’ of enemy infantry, this requiring an expenditure of ammunition out of proportion to the result, and often machine guns were better kept silent and ready for the ‘decisive moment’ (Longstaff & Atteridge 1917: 156–57). Artillery was the best antidote to enemy machine guns, and where German machine guns were called upon to engage artillery they were to be pushed as far forward as possible, preferably to flank an enemy battery. Machine-gun commanders were encouraged to think in terms of maximizing their own fire first, and maximizing cover second. As a rule it was expected that machine guns would be deployed ‘about 20 paces’ apart, though not evenly in line at equal intervals (Longstaff & Atteridge 1917: 159). Rather, individual weapons were to be located where they had best field of fire and best cover. Care was to be taken not to open fire prematurely, but to wait until a good target was presented at a good range. However, once fire was opened it had to be sustained until the effect sought was achieved. Shorter bursts of really effective fire had the greatest practical and moral impact on the enemy, while at the same time conserving ammunition.

Basic tactical use of the machine gun was summarized in a privately produced Prussian manual of 1915:

Lying behind the gun the Richtschütz [gun No. 2] presses the trigger piece and the gun gives an unbroken succession of 250 shots, a belt in 30 to 40 seconds. Fire can be interrupted at any time. Delivery of a single shot is possible, but in combat not advisable. The fire effect of a machine gun is equivalent to a war strength infantry platoon. The fire pattern is, however, about three times denser than that of the infantry. The fire effect must also be greater if it is possible to bring it on target. The combat use of the MG company is by platoons, alone, or as part of the line.

Guns may move so long as they are out of sight of the enemy. Whenever the MGs come in sight, or range of the enemy, they and their ammunition must be prepared. The MG is carried or drawn by two other ranks. Two other men carry two ammunition boxes each. In each box are 500 rounds ready for use lined up in long belts. The NCO is the gun commander, his function being equivalent to that of a section commander.

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