Mobility: It can go wherever a man can go on foot.
It has, however, the following drawbacks:—
Overheating, and consequent stoppage through too prolonged fire.
Noise of firing, and steam from barrel casing reveals position.
Narrow and scattered objects are unsuitable targets.
It will be seen therefore that the machine gun is a weapon of opportunity particularly adapted for surprise effect, but not for sustained fire action.
FIRE DIRECTION.
The following methods should be used:—
Ranging Fire.
Bursts of fire limited to from 10 to 20 rounds.