Page:Machine-gun tactics (IA machineguntactic00appl).pdf/207

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mounting (70 lb.), which can be adjusted to two heights, either 1 ft. 6 in. or 2 ft. 6 in. above the ground.

Organisation.—At present (1909) every brigade, both of cavalry and of infantry, has a two-gun section attached. It is intended to provide every regiment with a section as soon as possible.

With cavalry the detachment for each gun consists of 24 men, who are all mounted. The carriage carries 16,500 rounds of ammunition in addition to the gun.

The infantry section is commanded by a lieutenant, who has under him one N.C.O. and 23 men, armed with rifles. There are two gun horses, which each carry a gun, tripod, and one box of ammunition; and eight ammunition horses, which each carry seven boxes, three on each side and one on top. A box contains 150 rounds, so that each section has 8,700 rounds. The "Souchier" telemeter is carried.

Tactical.—The French Regulations are at present under consideration, and the tendency seems to be to follow the principles laid down by the Germans.

M. le Commandant Niessel, in his preface to Les Mitrailleuses à l'Etranger, by Lieutenant M., says: "There is one principle which should dominate the whole subject and never be lost to view. It is that machine guns are condensed infantry, and that therefore it is as infantry that they should be used in battle. Together with