Machine-Gun Tactics

by R. V. K. Applin

TAKING UP A POSITION

Except under special circumstances, such as for covering fire or a demonstration, the battery will not move as such into position, but each section will be given its approximate place and move there independently, keeping touch, however, by signal or connecting files with the battery commander and acting in close co-operation with the other sections.

Positions are of two kinds, viz. (1) positions of observation, (2) positions of readiness.

The position of observation will usually precede the position of readiness, and the principal points are the concealment of the guns and detachments, the facilities for observing the enemy and for movement in any direction.

The position of readiness will be in the immediate vicinity of the fire positions, and the guns may be actually in position awaiting the target.

When moving alone on the march, scouts working in pairs must be pushed well out ahead and on the exposed flank or flanks, and they should be trained to use a system of signals to indicate the following: (1) “All clear”; (2) “Enemy in sight”; (3) “A good target in sight”; (4) “Cavalry” (prepare for); (5) “Artillery within range”; (6) “A good gun position.”

Six simple and unmistakable signals can easily be arranged and learned during peace training, which might prove invaluable in war, for “opportunity” is everything to the machine gunner, and is usually so fleeting as to demand instant action in order to obtain success. On moving to occupy a position as a battery, the guns will usually be in line at from 10 to 100 yards interval, with the section commanders leading their sections and the scouts well ahead; the flank guns must arrange for the protection of the flanks by scouts in the same manner.

Diagram III
TO SHOW FORMATION WHEN COMING INTO POSITION

aaa. The Position. B. Ground Scouts. C. Battery Commander. D. Connecting files.
E. Section Commanders. ee. Flankers. F. Guns & Detachments.

The Germans consider that ground scouts should never go into the proposed position, as they are likely to expose themselves to the enemy, and thus “give the position away,” and, as already pointed out, “surprise” is the essence of success. They say that the commander of the battery or section, whichever the unit may be, should alone examine the position and select the place for his battery or section to come into action—and this is the right method as a general principle; but in broken or hilly country, where cover is abundant, and where the position is extensive, a battery commander can do no more than indicate generally the positions to be occupied by the sections, and it will then be advisable for the section commanders to personally select the positions for their guns. If the cover is good, the range-finders may next occupy the gun positions and proceed to take ranges. They must be most careful not to show themselves in the least and should work from cover to cover, some distance from the gun positions and not on the same alignment. The ranges must be noted on proper range cards, and when complete sent to the section commanders. In open country, where there is no good cover in the position, the scouts will only approach it sufficiently to ensure that it is not occupied by the enemy, and will then halt and find a good position for the guns to be dismounted; the commander, passing through the scouts, will then reconnoitre the position himself, and select the place for coming into action. There are two methods of taking up a position, which depend for their choice upon the proximity of the enemy and the time at which fire is to be opened. The first is the “deliberate” method, when the guns are brought up and the range taken before the target appears. In this case cover is essential to success, and the guns must be most carefully concealed, the whole object being to surprise the enemy when the moment arrives, and thus concealment is of the first importance. The second method is used when the enemy is in the immediate vicinity, when the country is open and the position without cover, or when the position is within artillery range of the enemy. The guns unlimber and prepare for action immediately in rear of the gun positions, and as close to them as possible and completely out of sight of the enemy. The commander alone goes into the position, and having selected approximately where each gun is to go, he stations them immediately in rear of their intended places out of sight and then creeps into the position himself and watches for the opportune moment; when this arrives, a blast on his whistle brings the guns up with a rush, no concealment is attempted, but, fully exposed, each gun opens fire on the nearest target. If the moment has been rightly judged and the range properly estimated, 60 to 90 seconds is sufficient time to obtain the desired effect, and before the enemy’s artillery can get the range a second signal from the commander sends the guns out of action again as rapidly as they appeared. This is one of the most successful methods of employing machine guns: there is no risk of being seen before the target appears, there is no “giving away the position” by careless scouts, and there is no chance that a powerful pair of glasses will discover the guns in position before they open fire and turn the tables by surprising them instead. On the other hand, it requires very highly trained detachments and a vast amount of peace practice to ensure its success in war.

Alternative positions are always necessary when the deliberate method is used, and must be carefully practised in peace—the principal points to be observed being: (1) That the second position is suitable for bringing effective fire to bear on the enemy, and (2) that the gun is able to gain the position without exposure.

Scouts so often forget that they can work with ease where it is impossible to carry a gun; and unless the above conditions are fulfilled, the alternative position will be useless.

The place for dismounting the guns must always be as close to the fire position as possible without exposing the teams to fire or view; the reserve ammunition must be brought up to this spot, and precautions must be taken to prevent the teams being surprised from the flanks or rear if exposed. Machine guns should never be advanced for a short distance. If it is desired to obtain a closer range, nothing is gained by moving two or three hundred yards, while the guns are exposed to considerable risk. The guns are just as effective at 1,000 yards as at 800, and when a closer range is necessary they must await the opportunity for moving up to close range, i.e., 300 or 400 yards, where their fire may be decisive.