Where instruction in billets is carried out on a properly organized system there would appear to be no difficulty in training considerable numbers of new men. In certain brigades, brigade machine gun courses are held under a selected Officer; the men attending these courses are kept out of the trenches for the duration of the course. This would appear to be by far the most satisfactory arrangement. Many Officers complain that as soon as they train a reserve team it is placed in the ranks, the men fighting as ordinary riflemen. Thus after an action when reserve men are required to replace the casualties in the gun team, it is generally found that many of these, on whose training as machine gunners much time and trouble has been spent, have been killed or wounded. This is a mistaken policy. In conclusion:—
1. Trained machine gunners are too valuable to be risked on any work except their own particular job.
2. All trained reserves should be kept out of danger as much as possible until required to replace casualties.
3. At ordinary times four men per gun are ample for work in trenches; the remainder should be kept in reserve.
4. A proper system of training should be established in each brigade.
PAINTING OF GUNS.
It is suggested that guns should be painted on the rainbow smudge system, in order to make them less conspicuous and visible.
KEEPING OFFICERS IN PRACTICE.
It is very important that all Officers, when trained as machine gunners, should be given opportunities of practice and of handling a section. Thus they will be ready to take over the section at any time, if required.