Machine-Gun TacticsApplin, R. V. K. (Reginald Vincent Kempenfeldt)
History
Machine-Gun Tactics
Applin, R. V. K. (Reginald Vincent Kempenfeldt)
Machine guns
found for concealing the gun in a position from which to enfilade
the pursuing cavalry at short range, or for bringing a cross fire
to bear from both guns on a defile. Such an opportunity skilfully
utilised, when the range has been accurately taken, and fire
reserved until the main body is within close range (600 yards or
less), should be so decisive in its result as to check the pursuit
altogether and possibly turn defeat into victory, if the retiring
squadron has had time to re-form and is in a position to launch a
counter-attack at this moment.
To make full use of machine guns with a squadron, it is necessary
for the squadron leader thoroughly to understand their power and
capabilities, and to anticipate their action and the result likely
to ensue; otherwise he will be unable to do more than passively
accept their support, and will fail to reap the advantage of their
principal characteristic--their ability to surprise and their power
suddenly to overwhelm with fire a superior body of troops.
Should the enemy’s squadron be reinforced or be so superior in
numbers that an attack appears inadvisable, it may be possible with
the assistance of machine guns to equalise matters by concealing
the guns in a donga or behind a ridge, a clump of trees, or group
of rocks, and then manœuvring the squadron so as to draw the enemy
across the front of the guns at close range. The best method of
doing this is to lead the squadron, formed in column of troops,
past the cover selected at a sharp pace, the guns being concealed
on the outer flank or behind the rear troop as circumstances may
require. As the squadron passes the selected spot, the machine guns
will be dropped; and the squadron at the same moment wheeling into
line towards the enemy, will hide the guns from view until they are
concealed by the cover.
The gun horses and the rest of the detachment not actually required
to fire the guns should move on with the squadron, so that no
indication is given the enemy that the guns are not still with the
squadron. If this manœuvre is successfully accomplished, it will
not be difficult to draw the enemy across the guns at close range.
It is a manœuvre well worth practice in peace, but an opposing
squadron should always be used to try to detect the guns and thus
ensure that the concealment is properly carried out.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account