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THE GENERAL SERVICE SCHOOLS

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THE COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLLEGE

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CallNumberM_4O4T_H7Af73Call NumberM_4O4T_H7Af73Accession NumberAccession 7321Number 7321

GGSC Form154 (Rev) 22Oct 52GGSC Form 154 (Rev) 22Oct 52USA CGSCPB015519Jul575MHA/. \USA CGSCPB0155 19 Jul 575 MHA/. \

\\ForTranslation See ClassFor Translation See Class

99G. S. Schs., FortLeavenworthB1527 25M

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9THE COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLLEGE

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CallNumber JL4O4H7 A%7_3Accession Number 41927

CGSC Form164 (Rev) 22Oct62USA CGSCPB0155 19Jul576M

WARDEPARTMENT,Washington, May26,1917.

Thefollowingreprint ofMachineGun Notes No.1ispublishedfor the informationofallconcerned.[2608038,A.G.o.]

Order op the Secretary opWar:TASKER H.BLISS,

MajorGeneral, ActingChiefofStaff".Official:

H.P.McCAIN,TheAdjutantGeneral.

3

WarDepartment,The AdjutantGeneral's Office,

Washington, June 19,1917.ToallofficersoftheArmy:Youare advised that this and allsubsequent documents of a simi-

lar character, which may be furnished to you from this office, are to be regarded as strictly confidential. They are to be kept at all times inyour personal possession, and are not to be copied, nor are any parts of their contents to be communicated either directly or indirectly to the press, nor to any persons not inthe militaryornaval service of the United States. InEurope these documents are not to be carried into the front line trenches, nor farther to the front than the usual post of the officers to whom issued.

Strict compliance with this injunction is enjoined upon every officer into whose hands any of these confidential documents may come.

order of the Secretary of War: H.P. McCain,

The Adjutant General. 5

TABLEOF CONTENTS.

GENERAL.Page.

Noteson the employment ofLewis guns indesert warfare 9

Notesontheemployment ofmachine guns, 37mm. guns, and

Methods of layingmachine guns in the direction of invisible

7

Infantrymachinegun company training 33

lightautomatic weapons byCavalry 115Methodof instruction inthe Lewis gun 149

targets bymeans ofmaps, compass, and traversing dial 180Somenotes onLewisguns andmachine guns 183French notes onmachine guns 203OrderoftheSixthBavariandivisionregarding machineguns. 206

DETAILEDTABLEOF CONTENTS.Page.

Noteson the employment of Lewisguns ha. desert warfare 11Employment ofMachine Guns inDesert Warfare

inEgypt.

Control 19Stoppages andactionofsand 19Prolonged stoppages 20Transport 21Ammunitionsupply 21Combinedsights 21Indirectfire 21Cooperation betweenmachinegun companies and Lewisgundetachments 21

Overhead covering fire 21Emplacements 22Horsemanship 22Sparebarrels 22Sledges 22Fire 23Command 23

HOTCHKISS ANDLEWIS GUNCOURSES.Part I.Instructional : 24

11.Classificationpractices 10,11, and13only 25111. Fieldpractices 26

Notesonmethodofconducting thepractices:Part I.Instructional 26

11. Classification practices 28111. Fieldpractices 28IV.Advance fieldpractices 30

9

NOTES ONTHEEMPLOYMENTOF

LEWISGUNSIN

DESERT WARFARE INEGYPT

ISSUED BYTHEBRITISHGENERALSTAFF

DECEMBER,1916

11

NOTES ONTHEEMPLOYMENTOPLEWIS GUNSINDESERT WARFARE.

1. The general experience seems tobe thatit isnever possibletocontrolmore than two guns inaction, and thatit isusuallynecessary tocontroleach gunseparately. Thisbears outthegeneralexperience ofLewisgun officers duringthe war.2. Very littletrouble seems to have been experienced from

stoppages except from the action ofsand. Thisresult appears tobedue totherealizationbycommanders ofLewisgun detachments

"ofthe necessity of"Care and cleaning, and also tothe simplicityand speed withwhichthe guns canbe stripped for thispurpose.Itisnecessary tonote thatpartssuch asthe gas chamber and barrelmouthpiece should be veryrarelystripped, as the fine threads bywhichthese parts are'connected together easilybecoming damaged.On the other hand, the gas cylinder and gas regulator must befrequently stripped, as otherwise it isimpossible to clean themproperly. The latestpattern ofbothgas cylinderand gas regulatorhave muchstouter threads than earlierpatterns.As regards prolonged stoppages, the breakage of the cartridge

guide spring appears tohave been themostcommon, buttohavebeen veryquicklyremedied. Plentyof "spares" forthepurposearekept withthe gun. Instances arementioned ofguns firingasmanyas 3,000 rounds withoutastoppage. Aninstance occurred ofabulletcarryingaway the gas regulator keyand at the same timeturningthegas regulator. Thiswasnotnoticedbythegunnumbers,andthegunwasinconsequence out ofaction forabout 15minutes.This accident would usuallyhave theeffect of turning the gun intoahandoperated magazine firer,since the action of the gases isdestroyed. This fact should be a useful guide toLewis gun detach-ments under similar circumstances. Several separated cases are reported/ The fact that no clearing plug has tillrecently been carried made this stoppage verydifficulttodeal with,if,as sometimes happened, the separated portion was not extracted fromthe chamber by the next round. A clearing plug is now being supplied for each gun.

Difficulties from the action of sand were experienced in a greater or less degree by most detachments. The general experience

13

14 MACHINEGUNNOTES NO. 1.

appears tohave been that the amount of troublemet withwasproportionate to the amount of care taken. For example, onedetachment commander gives his experience as follows: "OnAugust 5 the gunwasinaction forashort timeonly,asdifficultieswereexperienced withsand inmagazines and inthe gun,makingitimpossible tofirebursts ofmorethan three orfour shots. OnAugust 9wewereinactionmost ofthe day, asgreatcare was taken"tokeep the gun andmagazine free fromsand.The followingpoints werefoundofassistance byvarious detach-

ment commanders and should be noted: (1) Guns when not inuse should be kept in the covers which are

now being issued. Magazines, too, should be kept in the carriers tillthe last moment.

(2) Too much oilshould notbe used tokeep the gun clean. Only a slightlyoiledrag should be used when the gun is not actually firing.

(3) Suction of sand into the mechanism was prevented by laying a coat or ground sheet under the gun and occasionally by wetting the ground under the forward part.

(4) A magazine which has been dropped in the sand should not be used untilithas been unloaded and thoroughly cleaned.

(5) Special precautions must be taken should any windbe blowing. 3. Pack transport appears to have been general and to have been

most satisfactory. 4. Combined sights were only\used cm one or twooccasions, owing

to the fact that guns weregenerally used singly. Itshouldbe remem-bered that combined sights are useless for ranging purposes, that they are only needed at long ranges, and that the Lewis gun is primarily a short-range weapon. Still, occasions may arise when combined sights can be employed usefully.

5. Indirect fire was not used and appears not to have been suited to the particular actions described. Itis on veryrare occasions that Lewis guns can be used for indirect firebecause:

(I)Indirect fire can notbe directed froma bipod, and (II)Indirect fire is usually sustained fire for searching woods,

approaches, and reverse slopes, and the Lewis gun is unsuited for sustained fire.

6. Cooperation between the machine-gun companies and the Lewis gun detachments was sometimes maintained, but was not suf-ficientlygeneral. One excellent example isgiven of the Lewis gun detachment commander not only cooperating withthe M.G. section in his vicinity,but also obtaining ranges for the artillery forward

15MACHINEGUNNOTES NO. 1.

observing officer bymeans ofbursts offirefromhisguns.1 Itcannotbe toostrongly impressed onallconcerned thatcooperation be-tween the Lewis gun detachments and the machine-gun companies both before and during action is essential if the best results are to be obtained.

7. The establishment of one N. C. O. and six men was found ade-quate for infantry units. In the case of mounted units, an increase of two men, to act as leaders of pack animals and horse holders, appears necessary.

8. The usual methods of "Indication and recognition of targets" appear to have worked satisfactorily.

9. The followingpoints seem worthy of consideration: (a) A pair of field glasses would be of the greatest assistance to

each N.C. 0. incharge of a detachment. (6) Regimental arrangements should be made to insure that an

adequate supply of oilis always available withthe guns. The pro-vision of ammunition and oilinaction isone of the special duties of the battalion Lewis gun officer.

(c) Company commanders should be taught toappreciate the value of their Lewis gun detachments. They can only do this if they have some knowledge of their tactical employment. The firepower of a well-handled Lewis gun is certainly not less than that of30 rifles.

(d) Numbers 5 and 6 should be trained regimentally in their duties of scouts and range takers.

(c) To aid invisibility and facilitate transport, ithas been found .useful to cover the radiator casing of the earlier pattern guns with puttees, etc. The more recent pattern guns have, however, been painted service color before issue.

1The use of Lewis guns for findingranges for the artillerymust be considered very exceptional, c.g., forranges of notmore than 1,500 yards when artillery range finders arenot available.

t

NOTES ONTHEEMPLOYMENTOF

MACHINEGUNSIN

DESERT WARFARE INEGYPT


DECEMBER,1916

17101S62 ol70 17 2

NOTES ONTHE EMPLOYMENT OP MACHINEGTJNS INDESERT WARFARE.

1. Control. Thegeneral experience has been thatthe controlofmorethan twoguna inaction isalmost always impossible. Thisbears out thegeneral experience ofmachine gunners throughoutthewar.

2.Stoppages and action of sandVickers. With the Vickersguns the only trouble experienced was thatwhen the guns weremounted inthe "Lowposition," sand was sucked up intothemechanism through the ejection opening ontheunderside of thebreech casing. Thiswasremedied insome cases byputtingacoatunderthe gun.

Maxim. A careful consideration of allthe reports receivedfrom the differentunits shows that the amountoftrouble experiencedfrom stoppages was by nomeans excessive. Inmany cases notrouble whatever occurred, and where difficultiesdidoccur theycouldalmostalwaysbetraced totwocauses:(1)Theactionofsand, and(2)Thecondition ofthe locksand thelackofspareparts.

Asregards the actionofsand asinthecase oftheLewisguns

itwas obvious that where the trouble from this cause had beenforeseen and specialprecautions had been taken, itsilleffects werelargelyminimized. The followingquotation isof interest as bearingout this statement: "No special difficulties were encounteredowingtotheaction ofsand inthemechanism, as wewereable tokeep theguns practicallyclear of sand byexercising areasonableamount ofcare. The guns wereexamined and cleaned oneverypossible occasion."Except whenactuallyinaction guns should invariablybekept

covered whetheronthemoveorincamp. Bagsmade fromlightcanvas orany other suitablematerial canbe improvised forthispurpose. Itshould beremembered, however, thatguns kept inthis wayforanylengthoftimeneed frequent attention; otherwisethey veryquickly rust. Inemplacements, blinds,where provided,should be kept down whenever possible. Special precautionsshouldbetaken whenever thewindisblowing.

19

20

PRUPtirtTX OF U. S. ARnMACHINEGTJN NOTES NO. 1.

The troublecaused bysand canbe considered under three head-ings, viz:

(1) Its action in the lock; (2) its action in the feed block; and (3) itsaction in

the belt. (1) The lode. Locks should not be kept dry but covered with

a thinfilmof oil. A wipeover withan oilyragisallthat is necessary. The spare lock should be kept inits wallet untilactually required. Anyloss of timeinchanging locks isamply repaid by the fresh lock being fitfor use.

(2) The feed block. The above remarks are equally applicable to feed blocks, special attention being paid,as faras oilisconcerned , to the action of

the slide.

(3) The belts. The greatest care should be taken to keep the boxes and belts free from sand. Thisprecaution is specially neces-sary just after a belt has been fired. What usually happens is that the used portion of the belt is allowed to fallinto the sand on one side of thegun, whilethe box when empty is thrownaside on the other, getting half filled withsand in the process. The belt is then at once refilled and put back into the sandy box. More sand is worked into the belt in the process of refilling. Itis from this source that sand finds its way into the feed tjlocks causing sluggish feed and trouble withthe upper pawls, and hence stoppage in the fourth position.

Too much care can not be taken in the correct fillingand over-hauling of belts. The latter duty should be carried out by Nos. 3 and 4 during action. Itmust be remembered that, however accu-rately a belt may have been filled before moving off, itis quite possible for a fewhours on a pack saddle torender itquite incapable ofbeing fired without stoppages.

Prolonged stoppages. These were generally caused by broken cotter pins. This stoppage seems to have occurred toan absolutely inexplicable extent, supposing that the right sized cotter pin was used. It must be remembered that when washers are taken into use the correct size cotter pin must be used with them; this pre-caution is most essential, otherwise breakages are sure tooccur. The length of the connecting rod should be continually tested by the artificers.

Inthe event of a No. 3 stoppage occurring and of the cover being opened to investigate the cause, the horns of the extractor should always be forced down to remedy this defect. Any attempt to pullthem up may lead to an explosion of the cartridge and aresulting accident.


Every effortshould bemadeby company commanders toinsurethat the sections are as complete as possible inspare parts andparticularlyinspare locks. In the event of failuretoobtain thenecessary articles, the company commanders shouldreport the facttosuperior authority.

3. Transport. Pack transport was generally used and appearstohave been satisfactory. The weightahorse ormule can carryinheavy sand and thebestmethod ofpacking toavoidany dangerofchafing arematters towhich company commanders should paytheclosest attention.

4.Ammunition supply. Pack animals supplemented whennecessary bycamels and limbered wagons appear tohave beengenerallyused. Careful arrangements seem tohave been made byallcompany commanders toinsure the continuityoftheirsupply,and the results appear tohave been successful inallcases. Toomuch emphasis cannotbelaidonthenecessity for these arrange-ments by allM.G. officers.

5. Combined sights. Combined sights with two guns were used with good results on several occasions. Two instances occur illus-trating a right and a wrongmethod of using this formof fire.

(a) Indirect fire with combined sights was used by one section tosearch the reverse slope of a hill. This proceeding is very sound, and the officer notes inhis report that though observation could not be obtained "the Turks came out."

(6) Another officer reports that he used combined sights "to obtain the range." Combined sights are useless for this purpose.

6. Indirect fire. Indirect fire was seldom employed, but oppor-tunities for the use of this method of fire willoccur in future. All" " sections should be instructed inthe "Graticule and "Spirit level methods which are very simply and quickly employed in action.

7. Cooperation between M.G. companies and Lewis gun detach-

ments. Cooperation appears to have been attained inseveral cases, but is not yet sufficiently general. M.G.. company and section officers should give the most careful study to this question both in attack and defense, foritis only by the complete cooperation of all arms that success can be attained. This cooperation should nowhere be closer than between the machine gunners and Lewis gunners, whose methods, up to a certain point, are similar, and therefore make mutual understanding easy.

8. Overhead covering fire. Overhead covering fire was used on many occasions, the "Tangent sight method" being that most commonly employed. Allranks should be instructed in the use of


thismethod, which is of the greatest assistance whenever the controlpasses fromtheofficertotheNo.latthegun. Itshouldberemem-bered that the "card and string" method, used inconjunction with it,enables the section officer toinsure that his No. l's are preserving the correct "angle of safety."

9. Emplacements. Great care must be taken in deciding whether overhead cover should be provided or not. It must always be remembered that although such cover is of the greatest value against shrapnel and bullets, itis useless against a direct hit froma heavy shell, and that an emplacement which has been detected, either from the enemy's position or from aircraft reconnaissance, will most certainly be subjected to bombardment and probably destroyed. Several instances of this actually occurred during the operations of last August. Many officers mention in their reports that the scrubby "tumps," which are common in some localities, can easily and quickly be converted into emplacements in which guns are quiteindistinguishable, and they say that guns which have

" been brought forward to a "position of readiness are far safer when kept in these than when on the reverse slopes of hills or in valleys, both of which were always heavily shelled. Light overhead cover on which pieces of scrub were planted would in these cases be of great protection against hostile aircraft reconnaissance. Great care must be taken in cases where emplacements are furnished with overhead cover that the latter is high enough for the cover to be lifted and the lock and feed block removed if necessary. This should always be tested at once on taking over emplacements from other troops.

Loopholes should be blinded when the gun is not actually inuse. Care must be taken that they are of sufficient size not torestrict the fieldof fire of the guns.

10. Horsemanship. Since rapid reconnaissance is essential in all machine-gun tactics, officers commanding companies should insure that alltheir section officers are sufficiently expert horsemen to enable them to make fulluse of the chargers at their disposal.

11. Spare barrels. Several extemporized methods of carrying the spare barrel were observed. It is absolutely necessary that some dust-proof covering or box should be provided for this article whenpack transport is employed.

12. Sledges. Frequent attention is drawn in officers' reports to the long distances whichguns had tobe carried owing to the lack of cover for transport animals. It is thought that some light form of


sledge mightbeofuse indesert warfare, and experiments inthisdirectionmightwellbeworthundertaking.

13. Fire. Anidea appears tohave arisen insome quarters thatthemachine gunisbest adapted forenfilade fire,theLewisgun fordirectfire. Thesecondpartofthe theoryisentirelyfalse. Machineguns of whatever description should always attempt toobtainobliqueorwhenpossible enfilade fireforwhichtheyarepeculiarlyadapted. Themistakemayperhaps have arisen fromthe fact thatthe arrangement ofguns advocated forthe defense ofa positionis

"thatthemachineguns should formthe "Beltoffire while theLewisguns cover avenues ofapproach whichare, fromthe conformationof the ground, protected from the fireofthe former. This oftenleads totheLewisgunshavingtobeemployed tobringadirectfiretobear downsuch approaches, but this is always amatter ofnecessityand notofchoice.

14. Command. As some doubts seem stilltoexiston thematterthe followingdecision as regards the command ofmachinegunsections maybeofhelptoM.G.officersand others: "M.G.sectionsdetached from theircompany and ordered tocooperate withanybodyoftroops areunder the orders ofthe officercommanding thosetroops,and thecompany commander cannotmoveortakeawayanysuch sections withoutthepermission ofthatofficeroradirectorderfromthe brigadier. TheM.G.company commander maygivehisadviceas totheuse ordispositionofsuch sections, butthe responsi-bilityas to whether ornot he takes that advice rests with the com-mander of the troops. Sections heldinreserve ordetailed for special duties are under the orders of the M.G. company commander."


HOTCHKISS ANDLEWIS GUNCOURSES.Part I. Instructional.

arangea y gunners.Lewis gunners.

MACHINE(MACHINE ( X.X.

Part ll.^ClassificatioPart ll.^Classificatio praci '.ices'.icespraci 0, 110, 11 andISand only.ISonly.toto

Nature ofNature of Target.Target. MethodofMethod conducting.ofconducting.No.No. practice.practice. IIYds.Yds. Sees.Sees.

RangingRanging Plates, iron 400400Plates, iron 2525 Thefirerwillobserve hisThe firer willobserve hisfalling,falling, ownfire,withoutoutown fire, without outplaced soplaced so sideassistance.side Burstsassistance. Burststhat theythat they offrom5to10 roundsof from 5 to 10 roundscannot becannot be (unspaced) will(unspaced) bewill beknockedknocked fired. Whenfired. ranging,When ranging,over.lover.l the sights should bethe sights should be

altered betweenaltered eachbetween eachburst, ifburst, necessary.if necessary.The firer should sayThe firer should say"Range" when"Range" found,when found,andceaseand fire.cease fire.

1010 ApplicationApplication Screen 3'X10.Screen 3'X10. 400 The time allowedThe400 time allowed includes loading.cludes Burstsloading. Burstsof about 5 roundsof about 5 roundsshould beshould fired.be fired.

1111 Distribution ofDistribution of Screen3'X2o'.Screen3'X2o'. 300300 40 10rounds willbe1040 utilizedrounds willbe utilizedgroups along forrangingpurposesforgroups asranging purposes asalongaline. inpracticeina 6.practice 6.line.

Twomagazines orstripyTwomagazines or stripyof25rounds each. Thisof25rounds each. Thistimeincludestime reloading.includes reloading.The first25rounds willThe first25 rounds willbe fired fromleft tobe fired from left toright, the second 25right, the second 25rounds from right torounds from right toleft. (Firedin Durstsleft. (Fired in Durstsofabout 5rounds.)ofabout 5rounds.)

1212 DistributionbyDistribution by Screen3'X3o\Screen3'X3o\ 50 Twomagazines orTwo50 strips.magazines or strips.swinging.swinging. 18spaces. The firstof20The18 rounds,first of 20 rounds,spaces.

thesecond of30rounds.the second of30rounds.The time includesThe time includes reloading, the firing ofloading, the firing ofeach swing must beeach swing must becontinuous.continuous.

13 Snapshooting. .Snapshooting.13 . Figure3Figure 3 100100 1515 3 The figure willbeThe3 figure will be ex66 3 posed for3secondsposed3 atfor 3 seconds at

a time. Ateacha time. At each exposure 3 to5roundsposure 3 to 5 roundswillbe firedinthecasewillbe firedin the caseoftheLewisgunandinof the Lewis gun and inthe case oftheHotchthe case of the HotchMss gun, 2 roundsMss gun, 2 rounds(single shots).(single Hitsshots). Hitswillbe signaled as inwillbe signaled as inriflepractices.rifle practices.

iSeeMusketryRegiSee Musketry Reg llations, Part11,pllations, Part 11,par.ar.** 201.201.**Lewisgun.Lewis gun.Hotehkiss gun.Hotehkiss gun.

Total rounds perman:Hotehkiss guiTotal rounds perman: Hotehkiss gui i, 169 rounds; Lewii, 169 rounds; Lewiis gun,170rounds.is gun, 170rounds.CLASCLAS HFICATION.HFICATION.

The firerwillbe classified on the resiThe firerwillbe classified on the resi Itsofpractices 10. 11, and11,Its 13.and 13.ofpractices 10.Pointswillbeallottedas follows:Practice 10(application),20rounds, 2points perhit.

26 MACHINEGTTN NOTES NO. 1.

Practice 11 (distribution),50 rounds, 12:Practice 11 (distribution),50 rounds, 12:spaces, 4spaces, points4 points sperspace hit.sper space hit.Practice 13 (snapshooting), 3exposures,Practice 13 (snapshooting), 3 exposures, ,4points per fi|,4points per fi|gurehit.gure hit.For"firstclass" gunner, 70points.For "firstclass" gunner, 70 points.For"qualified"gunner, 45points.For "qualified" gunner, 45 points.

Note. Practice 12 may be omitted iftiNote. Practice 12 may be omitted ifti [me is[me ihsufficieis ihsufficie jnt for the complete course.jnt for the complete course.rhe "swingingtraverse" shouldonlyberhe "swinging traverse" should only be taught foruseitaught foruse iinemergency, e.g., forthein emergency, e.g., for therepulse ofa frontal attack at short range.repulse ofa frontal attack at short range.

Part lII.Part JlII.J %eld practice%eld practice !S.!S.

PracPrac Nature.Nature. Target.Target. Range.Range. Bounds.Bounds. Objects.Objects.tice.tice.

Yards.Yards.1414 AttackAttack 15faUingiron 600 to60015faUingiron 400to 400 Sufficient toSufficient to i.Quickchange ofpositioni.Quick change ofposition

plates onplates aona show effect.show effect. and rapid opening of fire.and rapid opening of fire.15yard15yard ii.Concealment bytheuseii.Concealment by the usefrontage.frontage. ofexistingof cover.existing cover.

iii.Methodofcarrying theiii.Method of carrying thegun.gun.

iv.Ammunitionsupplybyiv.Ammunition supply byNo.2.No.2.

v.Replacement ofv. Replacement of casualties.ties.

1515 5iron5 fallingiron falling About600About 600 do i.Rapidity inengagingi.do aRapidity in engaging aplates per target when ontargetplates thewhen on thepergun ona march.march.gun on a5yard ii.Use ofii.5yard handcart.Use ofhandcart.frontage. iii.Use ofexistingiii.frontage. cover.Use ofexisting cover.

iv.Quick and correctiv. Quick and correct applicationofplication fire.of fire.

v.Ammunition supplybyv. Ammunition supply bycarts andcarts dumps.and dumps.

vi.Speed ingettingoutofvi.Speed ingetting out ofaction.action.

NO1NO1 iSOiS O METHOMETHO OF COF C NDUCTINiNDUCTINi THEPRACTICES.THE PRACTICES.PactI.Instructional.

1.General. Since PaxtIisprobably the firsttime anewLewisorHotchkiss gunner fires withservice ammunition, careful andthorough instruction isnecessary throughout these practices. Thebest results willbe obtained by criticizingeach portion of apracticeafter itscompletion.In these practices thefirershould learn, as hegains experience,

thepeculiaritiesofhisgun anditsmounting, and afterfulltions and criticism,should be able to compensate for them bysuitableholding. These points shouldreceive carefulattention andnationbythe instructor, and each group firedmust beaseparatelesson inviewofthesmallnumber ofrounds available fortionalpurposes.

27MACHINEGTTN NOTES NO. 1.

2. Holding'practices, 1 and 2. (1)Object.These practices teachanddemonstrate the following:

(i)Thepeculiarities ofthebipod;(ii)Anypeculiaritiesofthemechanism;(iii)Thesightingofthe gun;(iv)Correct tension ofthe return spring, and setting ofgas

regulator, which should give a rate of fire of10 roundsper second;

(v)Correctholdingandpositionofthefirer.(2)Pointsfor criticism. The instructor watches the firerto see

thatheholds and firesthe gun correctly. Criticisms should takeplace,bothatthegunpositionandatthetarget onthe completionofeach group.

3.Grouping practices, 8 and 4. (0 Object. Having acquired aknowledgeof the peculiarities ofhis gun, thefirer in these practiceslearns how togroup shots consistently, and obtains further experienceof correct holding,sighting, and adjustment ofmechanism andmounting.

(2)Points for criticism. Each group should be fullycriticizedas itis fired,both at the gun position and at the target. Inpractice4theresultofeach ofthe firsttwogroups shouldbe criticizedwiththeaidoffieldglasses fromthe gun position. The firershould betaught howtocorrecthiserrors.

4.Application,practice 5. (1) Object. Having been taught how

togroup correctly, the firernowlearns howtoapplyagroupratelytoagiventarget, tochange thepointofaimquickly,and tocorrectanyerrorsofelevationanddirection. Theintervalbetweenthe firstand second groupwillbe onlysufficient forafresh targettobeindicated.

(2)Pointsforcriticism. The instructor should take noteof therateof loading, laying,and firing. Theprevious practice gives thefireraguideas tothe elevation. Atthe target errors due tocuracies inlayingandelevation shouldbecriticized.

5.Distribution,practice 6. Pointsforcriticism. Atthe target thefollowingpointsshould bediscussed aftereachpart:

(i)Application;(ii)Lengthtraversed;(iii)Densityofeach group;(iv)Elevation;and(v)Spaces missed.

6. Swinging, practice 7. Points forcriticism. Atthe target theevenness ofthe distribution ofthe fire, and itseffectiveness, will


be discussed. Attentionwillbe directed toelevation, and spacesmissed.

PactII.Classification practices.7.The practices ofPart IIwillnotbe fireduntilthe man has

firedPartIsatisfactorily. Intheclassification practices 10,11, and13, the firerwillreceive noassistance, and the time limitandmethodsof loadingmust bestrictly observed. Anofficerwillalways bepresentatthebutts, and the usualrules formarking, signaling,etc.,willbe followed. Failure to fire fromwhatever cause, other thanfectivemechanism, willcount against the firer. Inthe case ofabreakage ofmechanism, the practice willberepeated.8. Battlesights willnotbeused, exceptinpractice12,whentheir

employment is left to thediscretion of theconducting officer.9.Practice 9. Afallingplate, orother aimingmark, should be

placedwelltoaflankof each applicationtargetandinlinewith thebottomof the target. Only the actual number of rounds required tofindthe range should be fired. Rounds thus saved should be usedforPart 111.

10. Practice 10. The targetshouldbenamed, butthepointofaimmustbelefttothefirerandnoassistance giventohim;thepreviouspractice shouldhaveguidedhim as to elevation, wind,etc.

11. Practice 11. Only50 rounds are to be fired at the target.Anysurplus ofthe 10rounds allowedforranging willbeallottedtoPart 111. In filling theBtripsfor the Hotchkiss gun, the firstfivespaces willbe missed inthe first strip and the last fivespaces in thesecond strip.

12.Practice 12. Thispractice willbe fired froma sandbag orpetwithoutusing thebarrelrest^rbipod;anypositionsuitable totheavailable coverwillbeadopted.

13. Practice 13. Thefigurewillbe exposed forthree seconds atatime,and fromadifferentpartofthe trenchateach exposure.

Part 111. Fieldpractices.

14. Practice 14 Lewisgun. The gunner lies down50 yards inrearof the firstpositionwhich should be about 600 yards from the target;No.2willliedownabout50yards tohisleftrear. Onthecommand""Action No.1willpick up the gun and double forward to thetionindicatedand open fire. The gunwillbecarriedinthemostinconspicuous manner, and themagazine willnotbeon thegun. Onfirebeing opened, No. 2 willdouble forward withtwomagazineriers having fullmagazines and liedownunder cover to the leftrear

29MACHINEGTJN NOTES NO. 1.

ofNo. 1. Thepractice willbe continued asabove, each advancebeingabout100 yards. Before the finalposition,No.1should bemade acasualty, and onthe command orsignal toadvance, No.2willpickupthe gunashe doubles forwardand fireitfromthe finalposition.

Pointsforcriticism(i)Thepace ofthe advance, whichshouldberegulated by

the distance, andphysical condition ofthe firer;(ii)Themethod ofcarryingthe gun, whichBhould combine

freedomofmovement and inconspicuousness;(iii)Theuse ofcover,andspeed inopening fire;and(iv)The method of supplying ammunition by No. 2, and his

use

ofcover.15. Practice 14 Hotchhiss gun. The team(Nos. 1, 2,and 3)will

beformedup,mounted, inorder ofmarch, 300 to400 yards fromthefirstfiringposition.Onthe command orsignal "Action"theywillgalloptoaconven-

ient position, affording cover for horses, inrear or to the flank of the firingposition. No. 1willdismount and run to the firingposition with the gun and open fire. No. 2 willdismount, take offthe ammu-nitionbox, and run withitto No. 1, when he willassume his usual position on the rightof the gun. The remainder of the practice will be carried out as withthe Lewisgun, except that No. 2 should be on the right of the gun when inaction. No. 2 willreplace No. lat the last range.

When the ground is favorable, on the signal "Out of action," No. 3 willbringup the horses at the gallop toNo. 2, whowillrepack the gun, mount, and gallop back to the position originally selected for the led horses.

Points for criticism. (i) Selection of position fordismounting; (ii)Quickness inopening fire, and use ofcover infireposition;

(iii)Method of advance and use of cover; (iv) Ammunition supply and use of cover by No. 2; and (v) Speed

ingetting out of action. 16. Practice IS Lewis gun. The detachment, with handcarts,

willbe moving incolumn of route when they receive word to engage the enemy on their flank. They willmove as quickly as possible withthe carts to a position which is under cover and is as close to the fire position as tactical conditions allow. A gun and magazine carrier willbe taken out ofthe cart by each No.1, and two magazine


carriers byeach No.2. The guns willbemounted inapositionofferinggoodcover tothe firer. No.2 willtake covertothe rearand leftflankofNo.1.

''Nos.3and4willarrangeforammunitionsupply,formingdumps

wherenecessary between carts andguns."Cease fire"willbegivenonobtaining effect, and ammunition

supplywillbepracticed. No.1maybemadeacasualty toenableothers tofire. On "Outofaction"beinggiven, carts willbepackedandmarchberesumed.

Pointsforcriticism.(i)Timetaken tocomeintoaction;(ii)Undue exposure incomingintoaction;(iii)Use of cover;(iv)Method ofammunitionsupply; and(v) Speed incomingout ofaction.

17. Practice 15 ffotchkiss gun. Asimilarpractice tothatof theLewisgunmay befired,substituting ammunition supply frompackhorses, instead offrom"dumps." Alternatively, if the ground isfavorable, apracticemaybeframed foraretirement frompositiontoposition, two guns working inmutual support. Inbothcases,themain objectistogivepractice inbringingthegun intoactionfrom thehorse, opening fire,and remounting thegun again.

Part IV. Advanced fieldpractices.The more advanced fieldpractices willtake place inclose

operation witha trooporaplatoon.Totalammunition allowedperman.

HotchHotch LewisLewiskisskiss gun.gun. gun.gun.

artartII'art'art IIII

170170169169

IKIK17(17(

tepetitians,tepetitians, PartsPartsIIandand IIIIartart 111111'art'art IVIV

313180805050

4!4!

TotalTotal

INFANTRYMACHINEGUNCOMPANY TRAINING

(PROVISIONAL)

1917

TOBEREADINCONJUNCTIONWITHINFANTRYTRAININGANDMUSKETRYREGULATIONS


31

DETAILEDTABLEOF CONTENTS FOE INFANTRYMACHINEGUNCOMPANY TRAINING.

17.Elementary .dxill .

34 MACHINEGUNNOTES NO. 1.Sec. Page.20.Roughground drill 5121.Trench, drill 5122.Section tacticalexercise 54

Chapter V. FireDirection.23.General remarks. 5624.Traversing fire 5625.Searching fire 5726.Combined sights 5827.Overhead fire 5928. Indirect fire 6029.Nightfiring 6730. Indirectoverhead fire 6931. Searching reverse slopes 72

Chapter VI.Machine Guns inBattle.32. Introductory 7333. Characteristics of machine guns and Lewisguns

pared 7434.Theemployment ofLewisguns 7535.ThetacticalhandlingofInfantrymachine guns 7536.Machine guns intheattack 7737.Machineguns inthedefense 7938.Machineguns withanadvanced guard 8039.Machineguns witharearguard 8140.Villagefighting 8141.Occupation ofvarious positions 8242.Signals 83

Appendix A.Table I.Tangent elevation, angles ofdescent, etc 84

lla.Trajectory table 84llb.Trajectorytablefornegative quadrant angles 86

Ma.Quadrant angle

Targetabovegun 88angle Target below gun 90lIIb.Quadrant

IV.Windallowances 92V.Allowances foratmospheric influences 92VI.Timeofflight 93VII.Searching reverse slopes 94

Appendix B.Indirectoverhead firesheet 94Plates 96

Chapter I.ORGANIZATIONANDDEFINITIONS.

1.Organization.

LAmachinegun company consists ofHeadquarters.Sections, each of4guns.

The gunsmaybe either VickersorMaxims,butallthe guns ofthesame companywillbeof thesame pattern.2. Amachinegun company iscommanded byamajor orcaptain

withacaptainorlieutenant assecond incommand.Each section is divided intotwo subsections, each commanded by

asubaltern withasergeant as second incommand. Thesenior ofthe twosubalterns also commands thesection.3.The machine guns of a section are carried intwolimbered

G.S. wagons. Each section has also one limbered G.S. wagon forammunition.4.Further details as topersonnel and vehicles are given inWar

Establishments.2. Definitions.

The followingdefinitions are added to those giveninInfantryTraining:

Bandoffire. When amachine gunisfiredso thatthecone offireisdirected onafixedaimingmark,whilethegunisso sighted thatthefirstcatchis at themuzzle and thecone neverrises above theheight of aman, abandoffireisformed inthespace between thefirstcatch and the firstgraze. (SeePLXVII.)Forpracticalpurposes onflatground, thetrajectory limitsthe

lengthoftheband to600yards.

Detachment (inamachinegun company). The number ofmendetailed for the service ofone gun. Each detachment is num-bered from1to 6, permanent duties being allotted to each number. (See sees. 16 and 17.)

Fighting limbers. Those limbers detailed to carry the guns, tri-pods, and first supply ofammunition.

Inaction. Amachine gun is said to be "inaction" when itis mounted, loaded, and laid, butis not necessarily firing.

Indirect fire. Fire directed at an object or area of ground which is invisible from the gun position.

35


Laying. The process of elevating and traversing a gun until itsaxis ismade topoint inany givendirection. On completionofthisprocess thegun issaidtobelaid.

Machine gun. A gun ofthe Vickers orMaxim type. Lewis gunsarenot includedinthetermmachinegun.

Position ofreadiness. A position inwhich guns and personnel areassembled preparatory tocomingintoaction.

Ranges, terms applied to. These are the same formachine gunsas forthe rifle.

Screen offire. Ifmachine guns are sitedonanygivendefensiveline so that no portion of the gound infront of thatline is unsweptbyatleastoneband offire, thatfrontissaid tobeprotected byascreen offire. (See PI.XVIII.)

Chapter 11.PRINCIPLES ANDSYSTEM OFTRAINING,

3.General instructions.The principles and system oftraining laiddown inInfantry

Training, Chapter I,apply to the trainingof the personnel ofmachinegun companies.

4. Annual training.

1.The details given inInfantry Training, section 8, requiremodification tosuitthenew organizationofmachinegun companies.2. (a)Theestablishment giveninparagraph loftheabovequoted

sectionhas been superseded.(6)Paragraph 2.There willbe nobrigade machinegun officer,

butwhen necessary thecommander ofthemachinegun companyattached tothebrigade willactas such.3.Machinegun companies will,ifavailable,bepracticed infield

operations withinfantrybattalions, sections beingalso occasionallydetailed to cooperate withcompanies ofinfantry during theirtraining.

5.Elementary training.

Thepersonnel ofmachinegun companies are trainedas Infantrysoldiers insquad drill,as laiddown inInfantryTraining,beforebeinginstructed inthe special formations necessary formachinegun companies whicharegiven inChapter 111of thismanual.

37MACHINE GT7N NOTES NO. 1.

Chapter 111.

SECTION ANDCOMPANYDRILL.SECTIONDRILL.

6.General rules.1.Asectionwillbeexercised inallthemovements of squad drill,

thewordsectionbeingsubstituted forsquad.2. The rules laiddown inInfantryTraining,Chapter 111, for

section andplatoondrillwillapply. Itmust beremembered thatamachinegun section corresponds to aplatoon,and asubsectiontoanInfantrysection.3. The normal positions of the units ofamachinegun section

formed up on parade for inspection are given in Plate I,but ationparading by itself for inspection willfallinwithone paceintervalbetween subsections.

COMPANYDRILL.

7.General rules.1. The object of and rules for company drillofamachinegun

company are the same aslaiddowninInfantryTraining, ChapterIV,for an Infantry company,withtheprovisos laid down insection6(2)ofthismanual.2.The normalpositions ofthe units ofamachinegun company

inline and incolumn of route, are given inPlates I,11, and111.3. The detailofsomespecialmovements isgiveninthefollowing

sections.

8.A company in linemoving to a flank in column of route, "Actionexpected.'11

Movetothe right(or left)incolumnof route. No. Sectionleading.

1.The company commander, company sergeant major, andnalers willtakepost on theflanknearest the directionofmarch.2.Thesection commanders willgivethecommand No.Section,

FormFours, Right (orLeft),QuickMarch, on which the gun limberiInthisandthe followingsections thetitleofthesection orofthemovement is

shown initalics,and is followed inthe next line by the caution or executive word ofcommand inboldface type. Thebodyofthe section contains thedetail. Cautionsorwordsofcommand referred tointhedetailareinitalics.


nearest theflankofmarchwillwheelintocolumnofroute,followedbyitssubsection and insuccession bytheremaining gun limbersand subsections inthatorder.3. The ammunition limbers willfollowthe rear section inthe same

order as theirsections. Theywillbe followedbytheheadquarters'limber, water cart, cook's cart, and traintransport in rear inthatorder.9. Acompany in linemoving toaflankincolumnofroute, "Action

notexpected."

MovetotheRight(oiLeft) inColumn ofRoute, Detachments

ing;Sections, Form Fours,Right (orLeft).1. Thecompany sergeantmajorand signalers willtakepostatthe

head ofthecolumn.

QuickMarch.1. Themenofthe detachments willactasinsquad drill.2.When the rear of the detachments are clear the subsection

officerof the leading section willplace himself at the head ofthe gunlimbernearest thedirectionofmarchandgivethecommand, No.

Section, Walk March. Thislimberwillbe followedby the othergunlimber,whiletheNo.3limberwaitsuntilthe gun limbersofthe remaining sections have passed .The remaining subsectionmanders willactinalikemanner insuccession.3. The ammunition limbers, headquarters' limber, water cart,

cook'scart, andtraintransportwillfollowinthatorderinrear,visedbythesecond incommand andthetransportsergeant, whowillride inrearofthecolumn.4.The corporals and other details, as shown inPlate 11,willact

as brakesmen to thefighting limbers andothervehicles, respectively.10. Acompany inlineadvancing incolumnof sections.

Advance inColumn ofSections fromtheBight (orLeft).1.The company sergeant major and signalers willtake post in

frontof thesection commander on the right (or left)of the line,distances as inPlate I.2.No.1section commander willgivethe commandNo.1Section,

by theRight,Quick March. The remainingsection commanders insuccession willgive thecommand No.Section, QuickMarch,onwhichtheywilllead theirsections intotheir places incolumninrearofthepreceding section.

39Machine gtjnnotes no. i.

3.The ammunitionlimberswilltakepostin rearofthelasttion, the limbernearest theflankof directionleading followedbytheheadquarters' limber,watercart, cook'scart, andtraintransport.

11. Acompany incolumn of sections forming line in the same direction.AttheHalt,on the Left(or Bight),Form Line, Remainder Left

(orRight) Incline.1. Theleadingsection commander willgivethe command No.

Section,Halt. Theremainingsections willinclineasordered, wheneach section is immediately in rear of its position in line it willreceive fromitscommander, Left(orRight)Incline,and, whenonalignment,Halt. Thesection commanderwill,ifnecessary, givethecommand Right(orLeft)Dress, onwhichthe wholewilltake uptheirdressing bytheflankofdirection.2.The company sergeant major, signalers, ammunition limbers,

watercart, etc.,willmove totheir places inlineduringthement.3.Thismovement willalwaysbedoneatthehalt.

12. Acompany incolumnofroute, "Actionnot expected," forminglinefacinga flank.

Atthe halt, line to the left (or right), company halt, left(orright) turn.1. Themenofthe detachments willactasinsquad drill.2.The subsection officers and the transport sergeant willlead

theirwagons totheirplacesin lineduring themovement, andwhenthemovement iscompleted willtakeuptheirplaces inline.3.The company sergeant major, signalers, servants, cooks, etc.,

willtakeuptheirplaces inlineduring themovement.

13. Acompany incolumn ofroute, "Actionexpected," forming linefacingaflank.

Atthe halt, facing left (or right), form line.The leading gun limberwillwheelinthe named direction and halt,

followedbythe remaininggun limbers, whichwillwheeland haltinsuccession as theyarriveat the correct interval. Theywillbefollowedbytheirrespective subsections, whichwillbeled totheirplaces in linebytheirsubsection sergeants, whowillgivethemandHalt,left(orright)turn.


2. The company sergeant major, signalers, ammunition limbers,headquarters' limber,water cart, cook's cart, and train transportwillmove to theirplacesin lineduring themovement.14. Acompanyincolumnof route, "Actionexpected," formingline in

thesame direction.Atthehalt, ontheleft (orright),formline.

The leading gun limberwillhalt, the remainder disengaging tothe left(orright)and takingup theirplaces in line. As thegunlimbersarriveat theirplaces, theirrespective subsections willengage by the right. On reaching the correct distance infrontofthegun limbers,each subsection sergeantwillgivethe commandAtthe halt,ontheleft(orright),formsubsection.2. The company sergeant major, signalers, ammunition limbers,

headquarters' limber,water cart, etc.,willmove totheirplaces inlineduring themovement.15. Acompany incolumn ofroute, "Actionnot expected," forming

linein thesame direction.Atthehalt,ontheleft(orright),form Company.

1.Themen ofthe detachments willactasinsquad drill.2.The gun limberswillbe led totheirplaces in lineby their

respective subsection officers.3. The company sergeant major, signalers, cooks, servants, etc.,

ammunition limbers,headquarters' limber,water cart, cook's cart,andtraintransportwillmovetotheirplaces inlineduringthement.

. Chapter IV.

MACHINEGUNDRILL.Note. The followingsections 16 and17 are substituted for

tions102 and103, respectively, inInfantryTraining, Chapter VII.Additionalsections, 18 to22, are added formoreadvanced training.Inorder that trainingmaybe progressive, the sequence ofthesesections shouldbe adhered to.

16. Allocationofduties.1.Theduties ofthesection commander aretocommand the

tioninaccordance withhis orders and the tactical situation, toselect gun positions, toobserve and tocontrolfiregenerally, to

41MACHINE GUNNOTES NO. 1.

late the ammunitionsupply, and togiveinstructions regarding themovements oflimberedwagons.2. The duties ofthe subsection officerare toassist the section

commander and toact as second incommand ofthe section. Heshouldbeready toreplace the section commander should thelatterbecome a casualty. Normallyhe willcommand one subsection inactionand supervise the transport ofhissection inquarters and onthe lineofmarch.3. The duty of the sergeant is tosupervise guns coming intoaction

asthesection officermaydirect. Hemustbeprepared to takecom-mand of the section inthe event of both the officers becoming casu-alties. He is responsible for replacing casualties among the gun numbers when they occur.

4. The corporal is responsible generally for the packing and con-tents of the gun limber. On the line of march he marches behind itand works the brake as required. On the order to unpack he will superintend the unpacking, and take command in the absence of the section officer or sergeant. He willhave the spare parts box handy, .supervise the ammunition supply and fillingof belts, direct the gun limber as required, superintend the fillingof sandbags, and watch for signals from the section officer. He willbe prepared to take the place of the sergeant should he become a casualty.

5. The followingare the duties of the various numbers: No. listhe firer. He willpersonally clean and look after his gun

and insure that the mechanism is working smoothly. On going into action he willcarry the Mark IVtripod and place itin a suit-able position and assist No. 2inmounting the gun. He repeats all orders received, observes his own fire when possible, and makes the necessary alterations of elevation and direction.

No. 2 assists No. 1at the gun, carries the gun into action when No. 1is carrying the tripod, and mounts itwith the assistance of No. 1.

On going into action he willsecure the tube of the condenser to the gun and take the first-aid case. Inaction he willattend to the feeding of the gun, watch for signals from the section or company officer, and generally assist No. 1.

No. 3 is responsible for keeping the gun supplied with ammuni-tion, seeing that the condenser (half filled withwater) reaches the gun position before there is any chance of the water inbarrel casing boiling, and carrying out minor repairs while the gun is in action.

No. 4 assists No. 3in his duties. He is responsible for keeping No. 3 supplied withammunition, water, and spare parts from the spare-parts box as required.


Nos. 5and 6arespare men. These numbers and the scout andrange taker,ifdetailedtothesection, actaccording totheordersofthesectionorsubsection officer.6.Section officers willinsure that eachman ofthe section is

thoroughlytrainedinthe duties ofeach "number." Asystem of""changinground willbearranged, sothateverymanwillperformthe several dutiesofthesection inturn.

17. Elementary drill.

Note. Elementary drillconsists ofthe following:(a)Mountingthegun.(6)Loading.(c)Sightsetting andlaying.(d)Unloading.(c)Dismounting the gun.(/)Comingintoaction.(g)Comingoutofaction.(h)Taptraversing and verticalsearching.(%)Use ofcondenser tubeandbagwithwater.(j)Elementary drillwithgunmounted inlowest position.

1.The gunsof asubsection, withtripodsand ammunition boxes,willbeplacedonthe ground,muzzles tothe frontand inline,legstothe rear,and clamps sufficiently tighttoprevent the legs fromhangingloosewhen thetripodisliftedofftheground. Theingclamp shouldbesufficientlyloose toenable thegun tobeflected by a sharp tap withthe hand on the rear crosspiece; guns ontheright,ammunitionboxes 3paces in rearoftheguns. Thegunsshould beaconvenient distance apart,butnotcloser than 8paces.2.On the commandFallin,the subsection willfallinintwo

ranks, 5 paces infrontofthe intervalbetween the twoguns, thesergeant on the leftof the frontrank, covered by the corporal in therearrank. The frontrankwillprovidethe rightgundetachment,the rear rank the leftgun detachment.Onthecommand Number, thesubsection willnumber fromright

toleft.On the command Take post, detachments turn outward and

double to theirrespective guns (the sergeant andthecorporalontheouterflank,where theycan superintend). Nos.1and 2fallinonthe left ofthe tripod and right of the gun, respectively,No. 3 on theleftoftheammunitionbox. Ifthe ground issuitable, thesebers shouldliedown.


Nos. 4, 5,and 6 should take uppositions aadirected bythestructor.3. Before commencing drill,each "number"willexamine the

gun andequipment as follows:No.1willexamine thetripodandsee that

(a)Thelegsarecloselyfoldedandclamped.(&)The traversingclampissticky.(c) Thepinsareinand turneddown.(d)Theelevatingscrews areexposed the same amount.

No.2willexamine thegun andsee that(a)The lockisinand thelockspring isreleased.(6)Theslidingshutter isclosed (intheVickersgun).(c)The feed block is inand the front cover catch of the

Vickersgun turned down.(d)TheTfixingpinisscrewed upandvertical(Vickersgun).(c)Thecorkplugisin.(/)Theslideofthe tangent sightisadjusted to600 yards.(g)Theauxiliarymountingiscorrectly fixedandinworking

"order.No.3willexamine thebeltandsee that

(a)Thecartridges arecorrectlyplaced.(b)The belt ispacked correctly in the box and the lid

fastened.Nos. 2 and 3willreport toNo.1when they are satisfied that allis

correct.4.Ineach stageofthedrillthecorrectmethodwillfirstbe

stratedby the instructor,andwill thenbepracticed byeachberoftheteambeforeproceeding tothenextstage. Duringdrill,thesparenumbers willbebroughtupnear the guntowatchandlistentothecriticism. No.1willalways repeat the wordsofcommandloudlyandclearly.

5.Mounting the gun. A machinegun instructional target orlandscape targetwillbeplacedabout 25 yardsfromthe guns. Theinstructor willpointout aplace fortheguns tobemounted, notmorethan 5yards fromwhere theyarelying. Hewillthen givethecommand Mountgun.No.1picks up the tripod, carries itto the spot ordered, and placesit inposition. Inadjusting the tripodhe must insure* that thesocket isupright and that the legs are clamped tight. Hemustlearnbyexperience theadjustment thatsuitshimbestfor thepositionordered andforthe nature oftheground, so thathewillnotbecrampedwhen firingand willnot have to alter the tripod after the gun has beenmounted.

44 MACHINE GUNNOTES NO. 1.

Assoon aathe tripodisnearly inposition,No.2picksup thegun(withVickers gunpushes thesliding shutter to therear),andcarrieait totherightside ofthetripodholding therearcrosspiece with thelefthand with thegunmuzzle tothe rearunder therightarm. Hethenkneels ontheleftknee, facingthe tripod,andsupporting thegun onthe rightknee places itonthe tripod,drives inand turnsdownthe crosshead jointpin,and removes the corkplugfromthesteam escape hole. No.1fixes the elevating jointpin, and directsthegun toward themark. MeanwhileNo.2liesdown and placesthe ammunitionboxinposition.No. 2should timehisadvance so as toreach the tripodat the

moment itsadjustment iscompleted.WhenNo.3sees that the gun isnearlymounted, he carries the

ammunition box forwardand places itwithin reach ofNo.2. Theammunition must beathand directlyNo.2isready forit.No.3then retires toa position not immediatelyinrear ofthe gun. (Stand-ard time, 20 seconds.)

6. Loading. On the command Load, No. 1pulls the crank handle on to the roller. (Maxim: Turns the crank handle on to the buffer spring.) No. 2 passes the tag of the belt through the feed block. No. 1withhis lefthand pulls the belt straight through to the left frontas far as itwillgo and releases the crank handle. Relaxing the strain on the belt, No. 1pulls the crank handle on to the roller (Maxim: Turns the crank handle on to the buffer spring), pulls the belt to the left front and releases the crank handle. Each motion should be clean and distinct. (Standard time, 5 seconds.)

The gun is now loaded and ready to fire. 7. Sight setting. For ranges not exceeding 500 yards the fixed

sight willbe ordered, except when firingat a very small target, when orders willbe given as inthe case of ranges over 500 yards.

For ranges over 500 yards, on the command (Range), c. g. "900." No.1raises the tangent sight, repeats the order for his owngun, and adjusts the slide to the elevation required for the distance ordered.

8. Laying. On the command At (naming the aiming mark), No. 2 adjusts the traversing clamp iftold to do so byNo. 1, and No. 1lays the gun, maintaining the same pressure on the handles while layingas he would when firing.

When tne gun islaid, No. 1raises the automatic safety catch with theforefinger, and prepares tofire. When No.lisready, No. 2 holds outhis lefthand and armhorizontally.

9. As proficiency increases, the pause between naming the range and the aiming mark should be slight. (Standard time for sight


setting and laying,12 seconds; taken fromthe timethe range isordereduntilNo. 2holds outhishand.)10. Onthe command orsignalFire,No.1presses thethumbpiece

ordouble button.11. Onthe command orsignal Cease fire,No.1releases the

sure onthethumbpiece ordoublebutton, andremains steady.12. The points for criticismwhen the gun is mounted should follow

adefinitesequence.(a) Tripod:i.Position of legs withreference to the ground,ii.Clamps of leg tight.iii.Socket upright.iv.Traversing clampsticky.v.Allpinsinand turneddown.vi.Elevatingscrews equidistant.vii.Rear leginprolongationof lineofsight to the target.

(b)Gun:i.Muzzletoward the target.ii.Corkplugout.iii.Shutter back.iv.Belt box inlinewith the feed block.v.No.1withholding taken and elbowssupported onthighs.vi.No.2inposition.vii.Gun fairlylevel.viii.Tangent sightset to600yards.

(c)Thefollowingpointsshouldalsobenoted:i.Loading; the cleanness ofloadingmust beinsisted on.ii.Accuracy ofsight testing.iii.Absoluteaccuracy ofaim.iv.Firing; thatontheorderorsignalbeinggiven, toopenfire,

the double button or thumbpiece is immediatelypressed, withoutdisturbingthe laying.

13. Unloading.Onthe command Unload,No.1lowers thegentsight,ifithasbeen raised, andleaves thesightas lastadjusted;hepullsthecrankhandle twicein succession on to theroller, lettingit fly back each timeon to the check lever, and finallydepresses thelower pawls (Maxim: He turns the crank handle twice in successionon to the buffer spring, lettingitflyback each time on to the checklever)whileNo.2withdraws thebeltand packs itinthebox;thismust bedone correctly, and the lidclosed and fastened; No.1leases thelockspringbypressing the doublebuttonorthumbpiece.(Standard time,5seconds.)

46 MACHINEGUNNOTES NO. 1.14.Dismounting thegun. Onthe commandDismountgun,No.1

removes theelevatingandcrosshead jointpins.No.2passes the ammunitionbox toNo.3,replaces the corkplug

whenthe condenser isnotinuse, removes thegunasinmounting,and replaces itinitsoriginalposition in rear. Onreaching thisposition,he closes the sliding shutter (Vickers), and readjusts thetangent sight to600 ifpreviouslyaltered.No.1carriesback thetripod,replaces thecrosshead andelevating

jointpins,takingcarethattheyareturneddown,and thenfoldsandclamps thelegs. (Standard

time,15 seconds.)

15. Coming into action. As proficiency increases, the gunnersshould be exercised inperforming allthemovements required tobringthe gunintoaction.Onthe command orsignal Action(followedbyrange and aiming

mark)thegunners will,fromthepositionsdescribedinparagraph 2,combinealltheforegoingdetailsofmounting,loading,andlayingthegun, No.2 signifyingwhenNo. lis"ready" tofire. (Standardtime,35seconds.)

16. Coining out of action. On the command or signal Out ofAction,the gunwillbeunloadedwithoutwithdrawingthebeltfromthe feed block. No.1willseize the rear leg and rapidlywithdrawthegun and tripodunder cover ortothe originalposition,withtheleastpossibleexposure. No.2similarlywillwithdrawthe ammuni-tion box. The gun willthen be dismounted in the usual manner. Ifthe cover is some distance away,Nos. 1and 2 willcarry the gun, tripod, and belt box in the most convenient "manner to cover.

17. Tap traversing. Frequent instruction willbe given in travers-ingfire. The firermust first insure that the traversing clamp is just sufficiently loose to enable the gun to be deflected by means of a sharp tap with the hand on the rear crosspiece. Each man must learn' by experience the exact degree ofclamping he requires, and before firinghe should insure that the clamp is correctly adjusted to suit himself.

Traversing fire is applied by means of a series of groups firedat intervals withincertain limitsindicated by such figures on the ma-chine gun instructional target as may be ordered by the instructor.

The procedure forhorizontal traversing is as follows: The instruc-torhavingdescribed the figures between which fire is tobe directed, willgive the command Traversing followed by the signal to fire. The firer willlay the gun on the flank figure named and press the button, then tap the gun approximately to the center ofthe interval to the next figure, again press the button, then tap, and so on, until


thelimitorderedhas beenreached. Thefirershouldbe taught tofiregroups of about eight rounds bymaintaining pressure onthebutton for about one second at each group. By thismethod he willlearn to tap the gun withthe necessary force inorder to avoid firingmorethan one group at thesame place, and also toavoidleavinggap inthe line he is traversing. (Standard time, 2 seconds for eachcompleted series, i.c.,agroup and completed traverse.)Asproficiencyincreases, instruction shouldbegivenindiagonal

traversing. Inthiscase the target willbe three bands each withthree figuresas forhorizontal traversing. Thebandswillbejoinedso that each of the outer bands is inthe same vertical plane as thecenterband and forms anangle of120 withit.Inthis case the firer istaughttocombine theuse ofthe elevating

wheelwithtapping for deflection, the same principles beingap-plied as inhorizontal traversing. Instruction should be afforded in traversing fromright toleftas wellas from leftto right.

During instruction, fire should be stopped at least twice in order to check the layingand also to measure the distance traversed. Bycomparing the distance traversed withthe groups fired, an esti-mate can be made as to the value of the traversing fired. For example: Traversing fire is ordered from the firstto the sixth figure; fireis stopped after the fourth group. Ifthe traverse had been cor-rectly carried out, the gun should be laidon the interval between the second and third figures. (Standard time, 3 seconds for each completed group and traverse.)

18. Swinging traverse. Against dense targets at close range, the normal method of traversing is too slow, and fire is unnecessarily" concentrated. The "swinging traverse willtherefore be employed for this purpose. This consists of rapidly traversing a given line with the traversing clamp loose, the limitand speed of traverse being controlled by the action of the gunner.

Elementary instruction in "swinging traverse" willbe given on the machine gun instructional target. The gunner willbe trained to traverse evenly and smoothly the breadth of the target from out-side figure to outside figure inabout 5 seconds.

As proficiency is attained, practice willbe afforded in traversing various types of targets which are suitable for this method of fire.

18. Combined drill. Instruction in machine-gun signals (see Infantry Training, sec.

164) must be given before combined drillis commenced, and these signals should henceforth be used whenever possible.


Combined drillisbest carriedoutwithfourormore guns.densers willalways be attached and bags filled. Barrel casingswillalso be filled. Competitionbetween detachments should beencouraged witha view to increasing proficiency inelementarydrill. The followingsubjects are taught during combined drill:

(a) Theexecutionanddeliveryoffireorders.(6)Theuse ofcombined sights.(c)Indicationandrecognition of targets.(d) Immediate action.(c)Thereplacement ofbreakages.(/)Casualties.

The instructor should take times, correct mistakes, and carefullynote theperformance ofeach detail. When combined drillisriedonoutofdoors infineweather, allnumbers should liedown,3and 4 formingashort chain, and the remainder representingserves intherear.

19. Auxiliarymounting drill.1. The auxiliary(light)mounting isnot intended to replace the

MarkIVtripod. The gun canbe placed onthe Mark IV tripodwithout removing thelightmounting.

It is intended for use in(a)Thefiringline.(6)Rapidadvances,(c)Trench totrenchrushes.(d)Fighting incaptured trenches when hurried changes of

positionareessential, etc.(c) Trench fighting,when the gunhas tobe firedhurriedly

fromapositionother than thebattleemplacement, orwhen theMark IVtripodhas been destroyed.

The gun can be carried byeither one or twomen, as desired.The leather straps, oneonthe rearcrosspiece and oneonthe frontclipband, enable Nos. 1 and 2 tocarry the gun between them.They shouldmoveinsingle file,thus concealing the gunfromthefront. Inthis waythe fact that amachine gun isbeingbroughtupwillbemoreeasilyconcealed fromthe enemy.When inaction intheopenwith the lightmounting,No.1should

lieon his back, withhis legs to the left of the tripod, No. 2 beingonhisrighthand side, supporting the fixer'sback and neck withhislegs. (SeePI.VII.)2. Whenitis desired tohave the gun carriedbyoneman, Nos.

1and 2shouldmoveextended totwoor three paces, but

49MACHINE GTTNNOTES NO. 1.

ingas far as possible to neighboring infantry extensions, No. 1carryingthe gun andNo.2twoormore boxes ofammunition andfirst aidcase.3. The followingmethod willbe taught inaddition to other

methods whichmay be suitable on special occasions. The gunwillbe carried verticallyonthe righthand side,muzzle upward,the righthand grasping the rear leather band, back of the handto the front, and taking all the weight; the lefthand steadying themuzzleendbymeans ofthelightmounting clip.The method of carrying the gun on the shoulder leads to

posure, and is unsuitable in trenches orwhen in close contact withtheenemy.Thecondenser tubewillbe attached throughout.4.(a)Fordrillpurposes about 3seconds afterNo.1has opened

firehe should pullthe crank handle ontothe roller, thus allowingthe short length ofbelttobe pulled through the feed blockandthewebbeltinserted.(b)The fixedsight is invariablyused inlightmounting work;

consequently the tangent sightwillnotberaised.(c) Stoppages shouldbe practiced.(d)When thisdrillis carriedout onrough ground the necessary

precautions for concealment willbe observed whenbringing thegunintoandout ofaction.

5.Drillwith"twoman load." The gun, withlightmountingattached, legs closed and engaged inthe clip, willbeplacedon theground 20 yards inthe rear of the selected position upon whichthegunistobebrought intoaction.Themuzzleofthegunwillbeplaced tothe front.Nos.1and 2, each withanammunition beltboxcontaining a

fewdummy cartridges at theend ofthebelt,willassume theproneposition,No.1behind the rear crosspiece, No.2onthe rightofthe gun. No. 2 willhave also ashort length ofbelt withtwo dummycartridges inits leading end, and the first aid case.The condenser bagwillnotbecarried.

6.OnthecautionPrepare toadvance. No.1will(a)Pullback the slidingshutter.(b)Perform thefirsthalfofthe loadingmotion.(c) Throwthe shortlength ofbeltover the feed block tothe

left.(d)Release thelockspring.(c)Turnthegun on its lefthandside.10186217 4


No.2will(a) Insert the short length ofbelt inthe feed block.(6) See thatthefrontleather strap istothe top.(c) Open the tripodlegs after(c).

7. On the command Action, the numbers spring to their feetseizing the appropriate straps, and, each carryingabeltboxinthedisengaged hand, willmoverapidlytothepositionselected. No.1has the strap inhis right hand;No. 2 inhis left hand.

8. Onarrivalattheposition,No.1willcalloutActionand(a) Steady the tripod and liedown, placing the belt box ina

convenient positionforNo.2.(ft)Throwthe shortlengthofbeltovertothe rightand

plete theloadingmotions.(c)Adjust therear leather strapifnecessary.(d) Open fire.

No.2will(a) Turndownthefrontleather strap.(6)Liedownandsupport No.1.(c) Open thebeltboxandholdanewbeltready.

9. On the cautionPrepare toadvance, preceded by the commandCeasefire, No.1willunload;No. 2 removes theweb belt and insertstheshortlengthofbelt, iftherehas been timeto replace it.10. On the command Out ofaction, the gun willbe unloaded

withoutremoving thebelt from the feed blockand willbe withdrawn

untilcover isreached, whenNo.1will(a)Depress thepawls andrelease thelockspring.(6)Close theslidingshutter.

No.2will(a)Pack away thebelts.(6) Adjustthefrontstrap.

Bothwillthen jumpupandretire,carrying theboxes andgun.11.Drillwith"singleload." As fordrillwiththe twoman load,

except thatNo.2willcarrybothbeltboxes.12. Onthe cautionPrepare toadvance, the sameprocedure willbe

followedas forthe twomanload,except thatNo.2should see thatthe frontstrap isatthe bottom.13. Onthe commandAction,as forthe twomanload,except that

No,1carries the gunalone;No.2the beltboxes. Inmovingward,No.2shouldextend tothe right,and closeinagainonNo.1onnearing the position.The remainder of the drillfollowsthe same linesas forthe two

man load.


20.Roughgrounddrill.1. The gun willbe mounted throughout on asteep slope, for

firingineach ofthefollowingdirections inturn:(a)Down.(6)Up.(c)Horizontally tothe right.(d)Horizontally tothe left.

Nos. 1, 2, and 3 with the gun, tripod, and ammunition box, and 4withwater bag(full)and another boxofammunition, willbeinapositionofreadiness notmorethan 10yards fromthe selected posi-tion. The instructor having marked the position and pointed itout, the gun numbers, on receipt of a target and range, will,on the order Action, mount, load, and lay the gun on the target indicated. The same procedure willbe followedfor each of the fourpositions.

2. The followingpoints are important: (a) Correct setting up of the tripod, the rear leg always downhill. (&) The positions adopted by Nos. 1and 2 (as regards fire effect,

exposure, and comfort). (c) The position of the ammunition box to insure correct feed. (d) The position of No. 3 (minimum exposure with facility for

supply). (c) The position ofNo. 4. (/)The gun must be properly inaction, and alldetails of elemen-

tary training must be observed.

21. Trench drill

1. The object of trench drillis to practice: (a) Posting and relieving sentries and No. 1. (6) Relieving detachments. (c) Action in'trenches. (d) Preparing to advance and coming into action. (c) Quick change to an alternative position. All the above should be practiced on the barrack square before

drilltakes place inthe trenches. 2. Posting andrelief ofsentries and No.1. The principles involved

are identical with those of posting and relief of an infantry sentry on guard or outpost duty.

3. At a gun position in trenches: (a) By day only one number need be on duty at the gun position,

and he willbe the sentry.


(6)Bynight twomenwillalwaysbeonduty;onebeingthesentry,whoiskeepingalookout,and thesecond beingtheNo.1forthetermofduty. Thelatterisactuallyat thegun,andmay sitdown,butmustbeawake.. 4.Agun number (ifbynight,usually the last number ongun

duty)willbeposted as asentry by daywithaperiscope orataloopholeifno periscope is available; bynight, lookingover thepet. Hewillbeacquainted withthepositionofallemplacementsallottedtohisgun, andwillhave a thorough knowledge ofthelowing:(a)The section oftheground covered by the gun whichitishis

dutytowatch.(6)Points shown onthe range card.(c)Specialordersforhis gunpositionduringhisrelief.These may

includeactionasregards patrols, wiringparties,etc.(d)Standing orders forthesentryonmachinegun emplacements.Hewillbeinformedofany unusual circumstances noticedbyhis

predecessor.The relievingNo.1willinspect the gunandinsure thatthe gun

is infiringorder, also that allnecessary equipment isinplace. Hewillbeinformedof any special fireorders whichmay have beenissued forthatgun.Allthe foregoingisapplicable tointernalreliefwithinagun

tachment. For reliefof sentries when sections orcompanies areconcerned see paragraphs 5and 6.

5.Relief ofdetachments. The guide withthe relievingment willlead them to the dugout of the detachment tobe relieved,and report to the gun commander of that detachment that theingdetachment has arrived.'

TherelievingN.C. 0.orman incharge will(a) Ascertain the positions of the gun, the sentry, alternative

emplacements, his officer's headquarters, the nearest telephone,and the latrine.(6)Takeoverand giveareceipt fortrench stores.(c) Receive a report fromhis No.1when his gun, etc., is present

andcorrect.(d)Ensure thathisNo.1understands hisorders, range card, etc.,

forhisgun,andshowhimthealternativeemplacements.(c)OrderhisNo.1tomounthis tripod(and gun, ifreliefisby

night),and see thatthisisdone correctly.(J) Detailhis first sentry, and instruct him to take over.(g)Report tohisofficer,"Reliefcomplete,"(h)Drawoutadutyroster.

53MACHINE GTJN NOTES NO. 1.

6. Therelievingsentry willascertain theorders forthesentry asdetailed in paragraph 4, and, inaddition, willfindout

(a) Whether thegunhas been firedduringtheprevious relief.(6)Ifso,atwhattarget,and fromwhatemplacement.

7. The officerin charge of the relievingdetachment will(c)On arrivalinthe trench sector tobedefended byhisguns,

reporttotheofficerofthe gunstoberelieved.(6)Remain withhimand receive reports fromhis gun com-

manders. (c) Receive any instructions or information with regard to the

situation, other than those he has learned duringhis previous recon-naissance.

(d) As soon as the relieved detachment has moved offhe willgo round allhis guns and make sure that his gun commanders have carried out their work correctly. Atthe same time he willsee that any special orders he may have issued withregard to work to be done, standing fire orders, etc., are being complied with.

(c) Report "Relief complete" to his machine-gun company com-mander and to the company commander of the trench sector in which he finds himself.

(/)See that his arrangements for communication are on a satis-factory basis.

8. Officers in charge of detachments relieved willnot move off untiltheir detachments are reported closed up and complete.

ACTION IN TRENCHES.

9. (a) By day. On the command Action, the sentry runs to the dugout, wakes the other members, takes the gun to the emplace-ment, mounts, loads and lays; No. 2 follows immediately withthe ammunition and first-aid case, and the remaining members stand by in the dugout. When the occupants of the trench are qrdered toStand-to, the above procedure is carried out by the machine-gun detachments, except that the gun is onlyhalfloaded.

The loophole (ifblinded) wouldhave tobe cleared before fire could be opened; the actual moment when this should be done depends on the nature of the situation.

(6) By night. On the command Action, No. 1willcomplete the loading motions. The sentry willwaken the men in the dugout and return to his post.

(c) Practice should be giveninmounting the gun on the auxiliary mounting inalternative positions during drillby day to represent theMark IVmounting having been destroyed.

54 MACHINE dtflTNOTES ITO. 1.Practice willalso begiven with,thepivotand ammunition boi

mountings.PREPARE TO ADVANCE.

10. (a)Byday. Thesentrywillruntothedugout and warntheother numbers. Nos. 1and 2willcarry out their dutiesas laiddownforthecaution Prepare toadvance in"AuxiliaryMountingDrill."(Sec. 19 (6).) After this is completed they willcarry the gun fromthe dugout to the correct place in the trench. No. 3 willcome upand dismount thetripod.

(b) Bynight. Nos. 1and 2 willbe in their proper positions (seepar.3),spare parts, shortlengthofbelt,andtwobeltboxes intheemplacement, spare numbers inthedugout. OnthecommandPre-pare to advance, No. 1willunload, withdraw the web belt, insert the short length, perform half the loading motions, throw the short length over the feed block and release the lock spring; whileNo. 2 warns the spare numbers in the dugout. The latter then returns to the gun, helps No. 1todismount, opens the auxiliarylegs, and both adjust the leather straps. The gun is then brought to the easiest place from which to climb over the parapet, two belt boxes, spare parts, etc.,beingbrought withit. No. 3 dismounts the tripod when the emplacement is clear, and awaits further orders.

(c) On the command One-man load, Action, or Two-man load, Action, either by day or night,Nos. 1and 2 willact as laiddown in section 19, (7) and (8). No. 3 willassist Nos. 1and 2 with their equipment over the parapet.

(d) At this stage the instructor may either (i) Give the command Out of action, on which the gun num-

bers willretire withthe gun to their originalposition, or (ii) Order No. 3 to advance withMark IVtripod and mount

itnear Nos. 1and 2, taking care that there is no crowd-ing of men.

22. Section tactical exercises.

1. Section tactical exercises willinclude all details of training that a section of machine guns should receive from the section offi-cer. Ifthese exercises are carefully prepared and executed, the section officer on service willbe relieved from the necessity of supervising the detailed execution ofhis orders, and willbe leftfree to devote his attention to the general situation, whilemaintaining control of the movements and actions of his guns.

55MACHINE GUNNOTES NO. 1.

2.Exercises withone gun.Thepositionof readiness willbe notcloser tothe gun position than about 50 yards. Instead ofindi-cating the exact position on which the tripodwillbe set up the in-structor willmark two points about 30 yards apart, between which the gun willcome into action. The ground selected should afford practice in firingin the positions described inrough ground drill (sec. 20). Whenever possible there should be only one small por-tionof the prescribed frontage from which the objective can be seen when the gun is inaction. By this means the detachment willbe practiced inselecting suitable gun positions to meet the particular requirements of the situation, and thus develop an eye forground.

Inthese exercises attention willbe paid to the followingpoints: (a) The use of ground to obtain the greatest possible concealment

inapproaching the gun position from the position ofreadiness. This should be kept inmindby the instructor inselecting positions.

(6) The method of approach to the gun position as regards carrying the gun, tripod,and ammunition box. Concealment is of greater im-portance than rapidity within reasonable limits.

(c) Proficiency in the lessons taught in rough ground drill. Ob-servers willbe sent out to note visibilityinthe approach, inmount-ing, and when the gun and detachment are inaction.

3. Exercises with two guns. The entire subsection willbe exer-cised withtwoguns on the same progressive lines as those laiddown inparagraph 2. The actual position of each gun willbe marked by the instructor inorder to bring out the handling of the section with reference to the ground and the requirements of the situation. The tactical situation should be described ingreater detail than isneces-sary for elementary drillpurposes inorder toemploy scouts and range takers in a realistic manner. A simple tactical situation should be givenand ranges actually taken. The positionof the gun limber, of which the corporal willbe in charge, willbe represented by ahand-cart or indicated by a flag. The supply of ammunition willbe ac-tuallycarried out, empty boxes being returned. The men willbe changed around at intervals so that each may be exercised inthe du-ties of the various numbers.

4. The points to be attended to inrough ground drill(sec. 20) and in tactical exercises with one gun (par. 2) should be carefully ob-served and the performance criticized.

5. Further instruction should be given by carrying out a certain number of elementary tactical exercises, involving all duties of machine-gun section or subsection establishments, with a view to

56 MACHINE GTTNNOTES NO. 1.

developing cooperation between the gun numbers and initiative.These exercises shouldcomprise movements ofvariouskindsoverawider stretch ofcountry than hithertoattempted. Complete exer-cises should be prepared in detail, with maps, instructions, and points for criticism.

When possible, trained men should be used to demonstrate the methods employed.

6. Schemes should also be framed for the purpose of training machine-gun officers inthe tactical principles laiddown inInfantryTrainingand Field Service Regulations, as wellas those giveninthis manual, and inNotes forInfantryOfficers onTrench Warfare. These exercises should involve the rapid appreciation of a situation, the issue oforders tomeet the situation, and the controlofmachine guns.

The actual presence of guns on such tactical schemes is of value, inorder to test tosome extent the feasibilityof the execution of the orders given. The presence, however, is not essential for the con-duct of the exercise.

Chapter V. FIRE DIRECTION. 23. General remarks.

1. The theory of riflefire and itspractical application discussed in Chapter 111 of the Musketry Regulations is equally applicable to the fire of machine guns, due regard beinghad to the greater concen-tration, or closer grouping of shots produced by the fireof a machine gun than by the fire of an equivalent number of rifles.

2. The principal methods of machine-gun fire are dealt with in Infantry Training, section 163. Some further methods are given in this chapter.

3. Itmust be remembered that these methods are not suitable for Lewis guns, but only for machine guns fired from a fixed platform, such as theMark IV tripod.

4. Various tables for use in these methods of fire are given in Appendix A.

24. Traversing fire. 1. The principles of traversing are taught during elementary gun

drill and during the annual and general machine-gun courses. (See also Infantry Training, sec. 163 (1) (iii).)

57MACHINEGTTNNOTES NO. 1.2. Thismethod ofengaging alinear targetpossesses certain, dis-

advantages. Itis a slow method and requires careful training, and the regularity of the groups may possibly detract from the effect produced on the target. The former can. be remedied to a great extent by seeking opportunities for oblique fire, thus reducing trav-ersing toa minimum. Fire effect from this very systematic form of traversing may be lost owing to the enemy anticipating where the next series of groups willfall. This can be overcome if the gunner is trained to apply series of groups at different parts of the linear target inturn.

3. Analternative method is the "swinging traverse," the travers-ing clamp being kept fairly loose, and the gun swung evenly and smoothly from side to side. This method may sometimes be found necessary against dense targets at close range, when the normal method wouldbe too slow.

Using thismethod, a gun can distribute fire over approximately 30 yards of frontin five seconds at close ranges.

25. Searching fire. 1. The principles of searching are demonstrated inPart Iof the

Annual and General Course for Vickers, Maximand Colt Guns. It is used when only one or twoguns are available orcombined sights willnot overcome ranging errors. Itrequires much skillon the part of the firer toaVoid gaps. The size of the groups fired willdepend on the nature of the target engaged. "

2. When one gun is being employed in"searching the sights are adjusted so that the firstgroup willinclude the lowest limitof range to be searched, which is dependent on the probable error to be ex-pected inestimating the range. The gun is then laidon the aiming mark, and the sights adjusted withoutrelaying, so that the last group willinclude the highest limitof range. The line of sight willnow strike the ground short of the aiming mark. (See PI. XXII.) A group willnow be fired, after which the elevating wheel willbe so turned as tocause the next group tostrike sufficiently far beyond the first to insure an overlap. This is continued untilthe line of sight is again brought on to the aiming mark.

3. When using two guns the leftgun willact as described above; the sights of the rightgun willbe adjusted inthe firstinstance to the highest limit, and willwork down to the lowest limit. (See PI. XXIII.)

4. Searching willbe discontinued if observation of results is obtained.


5. Theeffectofground risingwithrespect tothelineofsightmustbe considered when combined sights orsearching is employed.(See Musketry Regulations, sec. 187.)6.Combined sights, searching, oracombinationofbothcanalso

beusedforengaging targetsofgreatdepth,such asroads, bridges, etc.

26. Combined sights.

Combined sights isamethod of increasing thebeaten zone byordering twoormoreguns toengage the same target withdifferentelevations. Itcanbe used toengage targets ofgreat depth, oritmaybe employed toinsure that the target shall fallwithin the

ieaten zone, when therange toieaten zone, when the range to the targetisuncertain. (See PI.the target is uncertain. (See PI.CXI.)CXI.)The table below shows the mThe table below shows the mimber ofguns required, and theimber of guns required, and theiifferences for 5 per cent, 10peiiifferences for 5 per cent, 10 pei rcent, and 15 per cent errors inr cent, and 15 per cent errors inanging. The tableisnot extencanging. The table isnot extenc ledtoinclude alarger number ofled to include a larger number oftins thanfour,asonservice a se

59MACHINEGUNNOTES HO. 1.27. Overheadfire.

1.Overhead firewithmachine gunsmaybeemployed under cer-tain conditions. The followingfactors, allof which tend to increase the difficultyand risk, necessitate the working out of a reasonable margin ofsafety:

(a) The state of the barrel. (6) The condition of the tripod and the nature of the ground on

whichmounted. (c) The degree of visibilityof the target. (d) Errors due toranging and climatic conditions. (c) Accuracy of layingand holding by the firer. 2. The flat trajectory of modern ammunition necessarily restricts

overhead fire at the closer ranges, ifthe gun position, friendly.troops, and the enemy are approximately in the same horizontal plane; whileat long ranges the dispersion of the cone of fire and difficulty inranging make it necessary to insist on ample precautions being taken toinsure safety.

3. Overhead fire, therefore, may normally only be employed under the following conditions:

(a) When the distance to the target has been obtained accu-rately; that is, by a highly trained range taker, who is able to guar-antee the distance within5 per cent of error.

(b) When the No. 1at the gun is an expert firer. (c) When an angle of not less than 30 minutes is formed by the

intersection of imaginary lines drawn from the target and friendly troops to the gun, the distance to the target being 1,000 yards or under. Ifthe distance to the target is over 1,000 yards, the angle thus formed should be not less than 60 minutes, ifover 1,500 yards not less than 100 minutes, provided always that fire must cease whenever the friendly troops reach a distance of 2,000 yards from the gun, since the position of the lowest shot over this range is uncertain.

The above angles give a sufficient margin of safety at 1,000, 1,500, and 2,000 yards, respectively. At distances within 1,000 yards, between 1,000 and 1,500 yards, and between 1,500 and 2,000 yards, the margin of safety continually increases. In order to obtain these safety angles, itwilloften be necessary to seek commanding positions for the guns, i.c., rising ground, upper stories of houses, etc.

4. The foregoing instructions may be modified provided accurate and reliable observation is insured. This, however, is a matter for the exercise of judgment and common sense on the part of the machine-gun commander. Too much reliance must not be placed

60 MACHINE.GTJN NOTES NO. 1.

on the abilityof an observer topick up the cone of fire during anattack. Thefireoftheattacking troops, the supporting troopsandthe artillerywillprobablybe such that themachinegun coneoffirecannotbeobserved correctly.5. Thesafety anglesmay beobtained as follows:(a)Fromprismatic fieldglasses, graticuled forMarkVII

nition. Inthiscase the distance between thezerolineand the 600yards graticulegives the required angle for1,000 yards andunder;thedistance between the zerolineand the1,

machine gun notes no 1

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