Machine-Gun Tactics

by R. V. K. Applin

Where the tactical reconnaissance has already been completed and the principal object is to protect the force covered, machine guns will be found most valuable to support the flanks should an attempt be made to turn them, as their mobility enables them to be sent to a distant point with great rapidity, and their concentrated fire at once makes itself felt at a threatened point and turns the scale in a fire fight with astonishing suddenness. This mobility renders them particularly suitable for seizing and holding positions until the main body comes up.

When used for this duty the battery or section commander, as the case may be, should receive definite orders as to the importance of the position he is sent to hold and how long he is expected to remain there. The position should be carefully reconnoitred by scouts before the guns approach it, and steps should be taken at once to entrench the guns and teams against artillery fire if the position is to be held for any time. Alternative positions for each gun, with concealed approaches, should be constructed, and the guns carefully hidden by erecting screens in front of them, or by placing them behind bushes, which are then cut almost through the stem, so that they can be instantly removed to open fire. Ranges must be taken and carefully written down, with their compass bearings to conspicuous marks. The flanks must be protected, and dead ground made good by posting one gun to sweep it. The gun horses and detachment not on duty should be posted well to the flank and rear where they can obtain the best shelter from view and fire. Signalling communication should be established with the rear and flanks when possible.

Very definite instructions must be given as to when and on what targets fire is to be opened, and the temptation to fire at patrols or small bodies of the enemy must be resisted. Fire should only be opened in the first instance by the order of the senior officer present, and in all cases should be reserved as long as possible.

The battery of machine guns may also be used during the cavalry combat as already described in the last chapter, and when used as a reserve on a flank, should take up “positions of observation” if the ground permits, from which they can repulse a flank attack, while remaining ready to move off at a moment’s notice to any point where they may be required.

Machine-gun commanders with the Protective Cavalry must bear in mind that their object must always be to help their cavalry in attaining the end in view, be it reconnaissance, attack, or resistance, and that close co-operation with the cavalry commander is essential. The most brilliant action causing loss or defeat to a portion of the enemy is useless if it does not directly further the object of the Protective Cavalry; and if we are unable to give here many examples from recent campaigns, it is principally due to this want of co-operation and consequent inability to make effective use of the machine guns.

The report made by Captain Golochtchanov, who commanded a detachment of six machine guns attached to the 11th Orenburg Cossacks during the last few months of the war, contains a vivid description of the reconnaissance of the Japanese position made on August 14th, 1905, at Sitasi, by the regiment forming the advanced guard of Major-General Grêkow. “At about 4 a.m. the Russian cavalry attacked the Japanese outposts, consisting of three companies of infantry and two squadrons. While waiting for the situation to be cleared up, the machine guns were kept in reserve. Two and then four were sent against the enemy’s flank; the Japanese retired from position to position. At one o’clock the fight stopped; the Russians had carried three villages and determined the line and direction of the enemy’s trenches. Their task was accomplished. On the Russian side there were only 100 rifles in the firing line, with four machine guns.”[12]

“Instead of marching at a uniform rate and distance in front of the main army it may be advantageous at times for portions of the Protective Cavalry to move rapidly forward to some natural feature, such as a ridge or river, along which it will establish posts of observation, the intervening country being watched by patrols, the line being divided into sections with suitable supports for each. The remainder of the force will continue to maintain a line of observation in rear, until the new line of observation is taken up; it will then concentrate and move up to support the latter, or pass through it to form a more advanced line.”[13]

When this method of advance is used the machine guns working as independent sections should be used to hold important features, such as bridge-heads, defiles, passes, and villages in the line of observation. If positions are carefully selected whence effective fire can be brought to bear on points which the enemy must pass in close order, and the usual procedure as to cover, concealment, and range-taking is observed, the mounted troops may be spared much fatigue and given opportunities for resting men and horses.