(B.) Defense of the Position.
The machine gun emplacement should be carefully selected and constructed. The first consideration is a good field of fire; the second is good concealment.
Usually it is placed on a flank of the battery. Situated on the flank of the battery, a greater field of fire is obtained for the gun. Moreover when firing against hostile airplanes, the position of the battery will not necessarily be disclosed. In case the battery is shelled, the position of the machine gun on the flank renders it less liable to be hit.
The emplacement for a machine gun at a battery position differs from those generally built by the infantry in that it is designed primarily for anti-aircraft shooting.
There can be no overhead cover, all protection being provided by well constructed concealment. Camouflage must be arranged for and so placed that it can be instantly thrown aside for firing.
The plans for close defense of the battery should include the assignment of positions and sectors of fire for the automatic rifles.
The methods of fire and the technical points involved, in firing against hostile airplanes, will be considered elsewhere. A sentinel equipped with a pair of field glasses must be on duty in the emplacement at all times. The members of the machine gun squad are detailed for this duty by roster.