The men wear a special greyish-green uniform, and are armed with carbine and bayonet; the carbines are carried in the limbers. 87,300 rounds are carried with each battery.
Each company consists of six guns drawn by two horses, three wagons, and one cart. The detachment consists of:
1 lieutenant (in command); 3 second lieutenants; 9 N.C.O.’s; 74 men; 28 horses (7 saddle, 18 draught, and 3 spare).
All the officers and 3 warrant officers are mounted. The men are armed with automatic pistols. 72,000 rounds are carried with each company, as follows:
| With the guns | 18,000 | |
| With the wagons | 42,000 | |
| With the reserve cart | 12,000 | |
| Total | 72,000 | |
On going into action each gun is made up to 5,000 rounds. The infantry pattern range-finder is used.
Tactical.—Regulations for Machine-Gun Detachments in the German Army.
Para. 187.—Machine guns enable commanders to develop at fixed points the maximum volume of infantry fire on the smallest possible front. Machine guns can be employed in any country which is practicable for infantry, and when once they are unlimbered they must be able to surmount considerable obstacles. In action they offer no greater target than riflemen, fighting under like conditions, and they can in proportion to their fire value support far greater losses than infantry.
When movements over the battlefield are contemplated, and the machine guns (unlimbered as soon as hostile fire is expected) are pulled or carried forward, they can utilise all cover which infantry is able to use. Cover that is barely sufficient for a section of infantry can protect an entire machine-gun detachment. The construction of the carriage on which guns, ammunition, and men can be conveyed, and the capabilities of the team, enable machine guns to keep up with mounted troops on the march.