Machine guns should never retire for a few hundred yards, except where absolutely necessary for covering the retirement of those in front. Once in position, they should only be moved to alternative positions when discovered, and these will usually be more or less on the same general alignment. When they retire they should move to such a distance in rear as to give them time to select, or if necessary improvise, good cover in the new positions and to replenish ammunition, etc. "The positions should be sufficiently far apart to induce the enemy, after seizing one, to re-form column of route before advancing against the next."[A]
General Alderson, speaking at the Aldershot Military Society in 1904 and referring to the South African War, said: "I had two Maxims with tripod mountings on pack-saddles, which belonged to the 1st Battalion Mounted Infantry. These guns had well-trained mounted detachments, and a pushing officer, with a good eye for ground, in command. They were most useful, and more than once saved the flank of their unit from being turned by galloping up and coming into action on the flank of the out-flanking Boers. . . . I am of opinion that if the most is to be got out of the guns, the detachments, even with infantry, should be mounted. . . . With the detachment mounted . . . there is no question about the guns not keeping up, and they can be sent quickly to any desired position. They can hold on to any such position as long as required to
