A good Machine Gun Officer, by keeping himself thoroughly in touch with the situation, must have an opportunity to use his guns with effect.
4. This lack of co-operation is seen both in the open and in trench work. All this points to the fact that co-operation between the whole of the machine guns taking part in any action is not sufficiently studied.
GUNS BRIGADED IN ACTION.
On many of the occasions brought to notice in which machine guns have been brigaded they have achieved marked success, but on the whole not sufficient use has been made of this method of obtaining the combined action of a number of guns.
“Brigading” guns does not mean “massing” them. It means the “brigaded” guns are employed with some definite plan under the direction of one Officer.
In all cases where the action of brigade guns has been successful there has been:—
1. A thorough understanding of the plans of the Brigadier by the B.M.G.O.
2. Conference between the B.M.G.O. and the Section Officers at which the arrangements for the employment of the machine guns were fully discussed.
3. Definite orders to the Section Officers.
4. A proportion of the guns held in reserve under the B.M.G.O.