German Stormtrooper 1914–18

35 Pages·7.709 MB·English

by  Ian Drury, Gerry Embleton

WARRIOR SERIES 12
c
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EDITOR: LEEJOHNSON
(·"'4;11.
\\".\RRI()R SERIES 12
MILITARY
G RMA STO MTROOPER
1914-18
Text by
IAN DRURY
Colour plates by
GERRY EMBLETON
s
GER TORM ROOPE
·i Ipubli..hed10UfC"JtUnumin I : h~ \uthor'_ d di uri n HISTO ICAl al.h"anceu Jl :m cqu311~ .~r ni.-hing rc. fh miJd:l\
oiJ1rc~•.10100prinl01 Rc dCon UnlerB k! Lid, J'or 'ue,Jame. and 'ophi 1n:0 'member the le.ldin!! tnrmlrnop h.1 Ig.linctl
\lienhdelllinn.I\i\o,uhcR,R') Flllh~01Ro~J. BACKG OU D fi\\: mill' .
.1Ild \u ~l.ind.\I lboum~, lIlg:tpore:lnd or nw \cl..nrJ\\lell~en, nt.· l nit 01. (I/NfI/!'PI'II hall f ught in Frallce he
'hi hoo!..could lUll h:1\ Icen enmplcl d lI'ilh 1Il th
• reo hut ne\er in u h numher , \lany mol' \\ould
'P~ri hI 11)95Reed Inlern:uilln;1! &\(IL Ltd. a. uance rDa\ld I~b~, "hn trad,cu cl \m u m3n~ \1 6,10 a.m. on _0 O\emhnl( 17, thUlI..Illd gun h:1\eben .I\ailahl\.: r L' rhl.' Cmnr r-!\Irole .11
u cruJ OW·C : Herherl \rlluuencl.1I1d Paul IIi Jl Ihe
afl\hen11c\dirpePi\u3\g,rlh.p1lcl~n!)tr~pcceo.'\rclCmr'\Ipl,ctrtd1ic,1,ad.1l.<\cu"!,tnJnJtdu'uledrfp~rat.hrIIerICIola>fnoll'~3hpJ~l'cahn.ipgruhdrblicltiaiDCclii~inlu0Io1gTnfoolrr o~m~1\t\baoPrguaagrmthctren.lRDbocm,tilltl:hoRepim\crhc:nm.ttsl,rSn\r\ehForoI..hns;:tla.,endhIehlpemuedmarbiefr~. hntopo\em\nnheadonfJfmir'e;\nortnn.b3rIi1hli"e. tGaLenmrlm:k.11r1IlImLtlr1e\llc'lrre'Jhoea.LfT(dt}hc~i:f·.cnft(cJhrOn.\g\h;ilotllhli·c· CinrJlIl1ialblpr~•,o•ir\,\chtbtcuont.:mnILh~o.c"l~rtl~h'tilOk1nl'pmulditlri~onco~dl:1iftluaerl~myatrotolukltlliun~rtwhlheecrelm"atIiil'tl,
m:l~ bereproduced,.IlIrcd '"aretric,31 ~ tern,or LIn I, pC;lrl1calling.l '1Il"J ri 'all.lel th;lI .I11:1·hl;: 1 ilnu (,.' Illp lIin' Bri(ain i1l1cl Fr:\llC 10. nd f)J'c1~
etr1aenCtrmunm.c•ueliln',rrnr'aflo.mh'efmirhi;\J.In~\ mchca;l,"llc'.al.opli ai, Publi h f' t Ihrllll!h th> rm;ln line'. ft>" thrc' ~c:lr: or needed di\isi n. to shore-up (h ltalian from. How
phOltlCnJl~ing.rc'IIrdilllrnrmher\\i.c,\\ithuu(Ihe R .dr'may\\i hto.tud~ thi tilleincon;ul1eri nIIith tfend1 \\":lr ar.. the Briti'h '\rm~ h'ld .11 1.1 I de\ l e\ 'I' Ihl' \I 'Ior~ at ';lmllnli 'uume I or 010... H Ih'
priorpcrmi ion(rthl'cop~righln\\ncr. nquiric, lhe fullo\\ing rc~ publit"tion'; op II rhe m'illl" to crack (pen Ihc \\e tcrn Front. l'rman l11iJilar~ lcadcr~hip.It I1'0\cd thai Ihe cr
hnuld b lddl'c:.cd IIIthe Publi hel'~. Elil .H The' OM IIII/('/IIP'IIb11' The '!l'rc n neld: bcyon l' \\cre finally in :ight. man 3rm~ had thc capability to ruplure the \\ cr;tern
I 'B"\ I .$._.n_l) .E\11i.t\·.\-6UTfliltl.W, CItlT{m11a1n1..J11r/llIll,t)t'' /"9(//r4Mj", Ir. run'10i'0n1' t~h11el'lliarn:Jt r1i0mcedlII'bInthnee\.1\amr.aj'ohrur\cih'IlOrc~l.l H\\c\r\e ~Frriol\nlL:I.~ \(wepaelellnerr3Itrtatlhi'eJn~defbeuntce0s11.'0nUlfoltlhle~ Borfittihhe
.\I.\A 'I The 8,,11.<h 11"1/11' II}", I,'
Filnl'c1 '" rl'llt Britainb~ "'e~:pooL LId. e\cr, Il'n dit) . later the l'rm;\I1 counH:r-3tlO1 le I, rmy it.·clf. nl! lInle,Ii erm;lll~ 'ould achie\e
Printed rhrough HOH"'huildcJ"!o rd.. HongKung \1-\.\ 245 Bnll." Tan'"ml ( IIIUIf J.I 18 The\ ...\\"ifrl~ recaptured pan of Ihe nl'\\I) create I dctnr) in the "c t h~ the followin\{ .ummel'. it \\a.
O1mp:tign 1\ Am "Ur/II It, NI,'
ali nt, :lnd in 0111e pl,lcc", PCnl:(1':1[1.'0 be~ond rh doom d to .:c:rt;tin dc:fc:at. in c rh Lnited 'latc-'
Ani 1 nOle lIn~inal Briti h fronlline. 'I CI th -crman. haJ no enlr) mill th \\ar h:tJ gl\ nth .\Hie, 0\' f\\hdminrr
r
Rader rna, care « nllte thai the Imgin.1 Ilalnlln. Ian"". Thcir.tlI:H.:k ".1:- led b~ ullit elile inr:lIHr~: indu tri.11 ilnd 11llll1Cric,I ~url'riori ).
1'1'lm \\Itich the (lour plale' in rhi, bUll'" \\ere pre ,'!m.'(mppl'l/ ur 'turmtruop". Fightln in :m;ll1 n.' J)ecl'1llh '1' II lithe D I h \ik Icader \\erc
or
pared an: \ liable Ii I' pri,ale ale. \11 reproduction ~roul . 'l111pl~ uipp d \\ith 1ighr machinl' gun', c(\mp II d toucc pl;tn:lI"mi Ii ,mking Ru iaout
Op}ri!hl \\ha 0"" er I rcuined b. the publi"hl'r.. II mortar., g-fen:ldl:-bun-her' and hanJ rcnad rhey Ihe \\ar_ Jerman infunln. di\i i n. \I re alrcaJ.\
cnquiri" hluld beaddre scd \0:
ur~ £mblcwn
Time.\lachine
H- 142: nil n
\Iitz rland
he publi h I' regret lhal tll'~ c n enter intO nil
orr' p I1d nc upmthi mauer,
I 'ou \\()uld IiI. 111rccci\cmureil1lcml1~t.i()11 :thoul
"Ilre~ \lililJr~ bnok .Th pr ~ \le ngeri. u
r frul,lr n'w-kn r"hithtom'lin"anic!' .newrill I'll ~ ,di' , ,/lU'J., frllll/l1O
infurmutil n,ll1d pc mlolTer .To join freellfchurge l'11l/1/u.Icdb.1 fIll' GITnl.lIJ
plca.e "nleIn: hI 11)1:. II \ still \I'carrhc
,(i.""·n 'lil'I'PicklclJ'lUbcr
er.
,mdurI.'1.lden \I;'11
!:fl'lI:ltil'., \Iin:currcrs,1//11
Ilt"itlgil1~ cl/uipm 'nl.
( .Emll/cron}
3
Iilin~inwIr.lin 10h'~';n Ih~ Inn~journc~ home,,ln I troop . rhc~ C;ll'neU thl.'ir di"'Linclion ,lOti e'\lr.1
h~ Ihe prtng of 191,' lhe '1'm;\n tim:c on Ih' rollHlIl - h~ prmen 01":111.'1"\ lIll IIll' o.llLleti'Id. TheIr
\\ stan l'ront had ,,,ino.:d+00.000 l1'c...h troop~ Iht.: IrJII1Inl! cmphJ.i ed indi,illu,ll inili.llhe.:. '\on-l'um
la Irelllfur 'cmelll Ihc, \\oull! c\cr re(.C1\e. n1l". IlIncu IllJieer \\cre no lonl,!cr Ihcre lU I cn
\(I
The Jcrman ...oJdie rc uming from the caOl lorec the on; 'CI ' ;lulhnrill. hut III prll\10 I,tcric.tl
h;l I f(ju~hl.1 c1'~ JilTcn:Ol \\.11' rom Ih<.:ir comt"IJc... !c.ldl. hip hI' U. hi LI t1H: pl.l\lIIJIl.
in the IH:.1. ,lndlhc~ had J ::TCJI dcal III learn hl'fufl I[cm Ih' -erm.lIl tnll.' \(l dc,c1op IhClr hJuk
(he~ could parlll.:ip.IIC in the "rrc.1I orfi:n il (r 191.' \\illning intanll"\ 1.11.'1Il· \1.1 .1 ml t~r~ to Iht: \lIi
Thc German inranlT~ (Il the \\ I.' to.:rn I mill had he rili·h \came 1Ihn ll\!h hili.,. npcrlC:m:e ho\\
bet:n lranloflrnwd. one \\I:rc Ihl' lInirormh :Irnll.' I m:ct: rlll Ihe erm.lll...' ddclI...ile I;Iuk... had hc-
or
:IIlJ ·lJuippt.:d rinc comp;lnic II)H. The I(Ih tomc. JmJ in 191.' thc~ bq~an10rClJl'!.!unJ calon!! Iht:
l.'Cntur~ I~Ie .~irmi h lin' Illplo~el Ih.u t~ltcrul :ame.: hnl' . BUI wrmlroup and Ihcir melhod' \\er~'
:lUlumn had he 'ome .1 Ji.lanl memor~. Inralllr~ nt:lcr fulI~ under~\(lml.'I he dl'cll~ of.heir ;n;llon
l'ompan1l.'.no I(}n~er IOllg'lll.1 monolilhie bloc, hut \\cre paiJlrulI~ de.lI", hUI elen 1\hen il .Ime tn IHit
Jilldnllntll platoon. Ih,1t \\CIT thcm.chI.'. :plil inlU in~ the ofli ial hi t()r~. Ih be I L''\pl.ln,llion thl'
,ub-ullil •each \\ilh :l tli crele laclic:IJ role B~ I.He llriti.hcould offer \I;l!> Ihal Ihc .erman.h.ll! ·opll.'d
191() Ihe IH1!ani,lIion 0 'crman inElIllry halmllOn Ihl' Idea from:1 Fren h pamphlcl.'
on IhC' \\ . Icrn 'nmt i,HI hegun to lim.''h;ldcIII Ih.11 Thi hll I.. i .1 wm:i.~' glliuc II •~'fm;ln storm
)1'\\orld \\ar It. Imoper in Ih \\mld \\Jr I. In thc lorerrulll of
In Iheir ·can..:h !<lr lactical progrc..... (11 Ihl' \\ l'...1 t,Klier! dc\c1opmClH Ihl'lllllXholil (hI.' mnnkl. lhe~
ern Fronl.lhe. 'f"S,l'(I'lIPPCllcfrccll\c1~inll'ntcd lllod \H:re lill;] OL,'i:llcd \\ilh Ii "Ill':- CI 'n arler ' rl11an~
'1'0 inEllltr~ lacliCl>. Tho:c emplo~l'tl al CJmhra, .1011 plunged to dcll';lt. Jn Ihl: 'hall'; lhM 1<11111\\cd Ihat
Ihr U~hlllll It)J,' in\ll!\t' I indi\idulli qU~ld... of:01 d IC:lI m:my par;lmilit,lr~ !ITOUp" mod Lkd them
uil:r: u:inl.!.1 'ombin:nion of \\t':Ipon . The m,I!!<1 ,ellc ill Ihe "lOrmlr(l0p~' il1lagl'. nl.' t:len hijaclt: 1
7inc loadingrille rhe 01, \\capon of Ihe inflll11r~ in Ihe n.IIllC. \\ hCIl Lhe Lhen-oo 'url: erlllan \\urI. !"S. In 1'1/4Ill' '" "rmlltl 1111Jl. 8e:l"I1I-e:tr;lilliJll! III'"
"'J!imt:nt, limulu in (I ,(·(·ntrn/ist·u..·nmt·,;nil.·
1~14 hJd heeline ju.I (ne d menl in an Jrr;l~ of PJn~ or::-~tni 'd a g;lIlg of Ilugh III leal \\ith il
'u·-"e:.'i\{·Iin;...;1If' c-mplo,'I'd11I1I.'t'r
ll1uluall~l:lJ11l1 liment:lr~ \\capon .\\ hile Bril' hand opr nell[ on Ihe ,II" et. il (,;, lie I th~'m the -l..irmi"/lcr- IIil/lTIllmarL' fflt'nlar;On rlwn 01/1l'r,.
.rcnch I.H;:f1' h;ll JJ\aneed 1)\ • thc~ h;1I.1 not tr:ll .'fllnllLlI'fftllllllg (. ' I) ('a'i ault Icmchment") io '00- ,hln,IIIlcerl'/ll""1'l'TIC1'I, (Prj\,I/e ',,11 'I.'Iwnl
dled;l f:lr 01'.1 fa"l; b~ IJI h· erman .,Illrmlruop dUll imiuui ln, The '.\ \\d. to be' me thc Iron ign Ir~tnl II G 'rm:\Il inrenlioll ,th F1''n h, I3d~ian
h:lualinn were lnng th am' Orl of !lun croup' .Irm cr the ":v.i part) ut1lil \dolf Ilitlcr :.H.:hlelt..d .Inu Ru~si,lIl 0\ernmenl. ha(1 Jill'lilll' I th 'ir frnn
Jnd 'riOe groul . minur t<lt:lit:.\ IhaL _nd Pa,J u.cd dl 'upre",e pc 1\er LiLT.... ~uJrdin I ilJl road .In I rail junt:tion, \\iLh
100.t.: (In.:en In 19 2: Indecd. Ihe inf3ntr~ bartlc on modern l.':l Lit: f· mcrete :md Leel. \\ hilt.- Ihe
Ih· d olale mJgdlne JI 0\1.' Dal'\lin \\ould prllhall~ erman \rm~ had :u:quircd the heal~ anilll:r~ and
CREATING AN
haH: 'ccmcd rem;lrktthl~ C:lmlliar 10 .1 \\. rid \r.lr I peciali Icngin er uni! III "'lrlrm LIl.:h lrongpoint,
.tormtn oper (Jhhou!!h Ih~' lad uf .millen \\uuld it h,ld nor:lI11i ipalcd th... la!cI1l:JlC thaI \\;h 10liJllo\\
ELITE
h;1\'c .1.11I1li.h '~I him). Tr~ncht:: \\ rc uppre d h: ir. t.liILlr·w d' C'Jllhe french -\rnl~ in IC)14.
m, 'him: gun lire, Ihen J.sault d \\ith grenadc (in .\lachinc gun!> IIere al lh he.rt ofth pre hi m.
\9J' IhI.' ..,wrmlroup u...eu cm-dlm0 I Ul'>.lall field The IiI' I ulnci:ll cm1an I rmlruup unit wa' :lU ,Il'n morc . tecm"c Ihan pre-war .-1udlc' had •L1~
~ns .JIld rifle !!rco:t<k ); parlinllarl~ lil i'ult hllll lhun ed on _ \Iareh )1)\:, OJ IL~ ordereJ the \ fIl ge t d, lhc~ Iw\\cd I n:marl.::lble 1lbilil~ 10 unilc
ker' \\ TC L:lclled \\ilb heal~ \\C;II nil , Corp 10 limn J J t:1chmeol till' the le~ringof p ri anill r~ l umb:lrdmclll ill lIrti icnt number to mo\\
Lile the Parad1utt: Rel;imcnl. thc.lornllToopcr... menlJI \\c:lpon, :lIlU the de' JopmcnJ ofJPPnJl riare It",nail:! '''in!! inl: IIIr~. -\II :lrmil' ha Ic\pcrien '('d
had :1 ...lwllgt'.~pl"/ftil' Illr/,,\. 1il and ;Iggre' ill: hod LaLlic"> Ihm t:ould Ire:l~ the deadlll 'I.. on lhe \\ c'l'rn Ihil>, hUI the armamcnt l.'Ompao~ "-rupp. in Icr
1'\'I1Il1. II \\:1 con idered ;1 natural job fi,r lhc Pi l mall~, wa~ firsl \() offer a lechnical .nlurion. Ifhc:ny
Kni.~t:r 1\jIIrdmJI11II" :;uLwrt/i/lllC.!!"'IJI n 'cr -11ll.'llnl~ dellll'nl (lilhe prl'-\\.Irarm~ C\pel"i arliller~ could nOl ~uc ccd, \\h.\ not It'~ Ih oppo.ilc
:weIlnUe:rl:1!1n\l':1lmllf\eI1ll1l/1rl~'(.,~.III till;' (/1r11e1ert/Ll'llmll'UUU(JrIa</:loIl'iUr/lnti,,t/1'J1l//it'.1 L'IlCt:d \\ilh hand p'co,lde ,til 1 Iraillcd lor ...iegc I:lck? "rupp dc igncd Ihe Itmllk,'IIIIIIIli' - ,I J.i (,:m
DL'.~Ilitcrhcirll/nll'" cfen:l(lpmcnr nL'\I \\Jrf:rr , lighl '311nlll1 Lhal '(Juld be ca ily Illanu 'UIre I in the
cli"rri0l'1/lIIunrmc.ilIiP"/"l,~1I"llm:c.,lie (1t..l:l.·'li\l'':'I'//;I,Im1L,','1''''lc,J.,~d.liH:.~) For 'e\eral dc'aLle.thc erlll:ln \rm:- had \:It:cn fron line- and 101'';1 it the fir 1< ItII'/ltIt/lft'il/Ul/g \\,,:
/t'lIut"r,,"irtr.1I .,Ildr pt'l:parin~ to in,:\dc it-. neighbour.., III ,ntird~ 'rcJted, 'omm.lIlded b~ a Pionc'r ()ffit.:er, \bjor
5
TheGernl,hlf,,I,,.lrnn IlJ
(IIIC.'ofrl/e.' m.,/llr
F.urllJ' './11,Irnllc. If'i....lle.·
m ,dlineJwn 11/linc.
mtirnrn re.':!Jn1c.'IH,. IJdllr.:
I IJ. ~"e.'him·U'U/'" 1\CI'..
n rric.-re.'d rIe."il.1In .l1Icl
J:ll{cr h"rr:rli.m" 1I~·rc.·,,I
Ja!{&!r nl.U.:luut.·.~lJn h.l.Ian1
prepare." flJl'11..'/i...,d/Jnn~
;1pre.-"III'cH'rd,,'
(/~ri\,/I..' ,..I1c.',,'Ii/m)
'a I \\ ofthe \'th Pioneerbalt<lh n.thedelachment 'fOrmt... p. Impre',et.! b) an honour -,uan.l li'om
became I-no\\n a '1IIrlll/vlt'lI/IIII" KII,I/lITr. Iher ,'IIIrm/ldlcJIllmr RO/II he had in:pt:elcu al the '1'''n
equipmenr thc~ c\alwltccl included reel hdmer. :Jnd Prince' hcadquul'lel', I,u IcnJnrff non became
b d~ armour, ,\1'1 'I' llm.:e mcmrh' Ir:lining lhe unil :1\\,'1" ,h;\I Ihc crnl:m :,nnic in r;,n" an I Bd
\,as 'm imo a·Iilln. par''Iled OUI in dClachment [() I!ium had ehun~cd t:Onsid 'rabl~ in lhe rwo )ear~ h'
,ariou' frontline ball:lllon.,Thek.rupp <TUIL pnw J hOI I been Jway III Rus,ia, By lhe beginning of I
cumbersume amI \ulm:rablc. and rhe unil urreret.! cember ]l If Ihe Lt, 2nd and .-Ih erman JrmlC
0\cr.'0 p rcelli I .,e, ill:\ cri . ofminor :mad., ch.:h h:l Ian.1 ;\lI1t baltalinn. ;lI\d the uther 1-1- er
l(:d \\ \\, repl.....1I in u II t \ ~I.- b~ 'Iptain Ill.m ;lrmIC' c,t.lhli hc I oe durin\! Ihe l:llur'C Ilflhe
\Yill~ Ern.t R hr , .i-~ear-old care'r soldi r from month. II "C\er, man) ofthe e n'\\ '/11/mIJa/IIi1/flU
lhe pre tigiou Glm//.'- dllll-t'll ( •u3rt.! Riflc) I \\cre r at d b~ amal~ mating '\i lin_ :tomltrolp
tali( n, nder hi' d~namic Ieatler hip, Ihc J aull unil Ihat hJd :prun'T up Jmlll1g Ihe ui,i ion.. \\"hile
delachmcnt \oh'cd ne\\ la Ii It br ':II. into an Rohr', battalion \\al. 'reated b~ Ihe high 'ommand Cummunh'ntiun'IIererile: bllmlmrumcnt, L lh \"'1' I ro 'C' or parallel ue' lopm I1t tcml1ll'U from thl'
enem~ lren h ~ "lem. Thc lurlllh/ll/IfJilt' \\crc fI: (:Inu ( n \\1111 J "c.:l'rul friend, including lhc gbrae.n'ullcc-f,i,'Ipdr..o-bolcf.I·tmo/d)IuIIht1e,Ir fp!;rraon~rcd.lfdrt,:ar1l1..'t'r(1ji.-.c'r.·lclc11lumnl fIJ Ir,linin!! method nd I 'rrin of Ihe pre-\\ar cr
pl. 'cd h~ 'ut-I \\n Iield l!lln~ caplllrl'd from Ihe r()\\n Prinl:e, \un ral"enh, ~n amI ultirnatd~ 1:ell;, re.'e.TlJt" entrenched 1t1C.~11cllmlJllnd\',-..,n'lIin" m:1Il .\nn). In J1I other majorarmi ,. training m th
Ru'siam., and the 'uldicrs ad;\ptc I Iheir uniform' Ludcndorfl). it had nu monopol) of n ,,' raeli~l.t1 ..'(,ettrlmdCIn\pee.'oNmIJI}n1:J);n/d\Cpomsmr /f 1in11;Ire;llI,,r';iIr'(i'l/;(0/iI\lliceJtlIJIll,....'/IC'cof od~" rc d'l rmined by Ihe high C Immand, OU, th
and personal eljuipmenr to .ujr Ih ir ne\\ melhod. , id~'a,', :in micl-1915 ,me . rm. n r gim nr h.ld ofit, rd 1>lw/I lin ...cur rdillblc.·comml/llic-:I/il/ll'. L CI>q di lriel ot"lh... Imperial 'I'mal1 rm~ were
'llmbal UI crotliun!l III the' 0.ge!l thaI aurumn .U<T ]pen 'reatin_ .mall unil!lof hOl:I- truop ffllm"Ilhin b.' r/l..·lir~/ en..'m.\ ft. trill,' i"""I 'orp,) Ii r'c1~ independent. While Ihe r 110\\ned General
gc·t d Ruhr" idl':l \\ 're "uund and, in "lrI~ Febnl their u"n r. III- . The'c cicCI Iroop~ OPl'fl.llI:d in a ml leI for Ihe re, t ofIhe arm~, On l: rhi had been 'tal' plaon d G rrnan .rralc~~. pl.'lH:Clim' lro I'
ar~ I 16 '1/1rm(l/Jlt'l1/11II)!. RII/" \\;\ lran Icrred to cetilln • II:uoon anu e\en "h I' r: mpanie , :\I1U :lChic\ d, lhe t rl11m 'p f rmati n, \\"r t I di ap m 'cmelll, \\t'r lI:rl elllir'I~ r the rp comm,nd-
, 'rdun, it \\.' 'p:lnued tl) ballali n tr ngth on ] enj ~eua\ari f~ frill ,. \lan~ fa\" lUred.'tUrl/llrupp pCJr. (n l'4uenll~,thl.' .LOrmtr I 1,l\lalion, \\(~r cr.• \\ho repunell dir'cll~ to th K:tLcr. Thi Iradi
\pril and in ,\1ay HL ord rcd all arrni , un th ,r :lull lr p), bur mhL:r includ d .7l1fld/"·/lIIIIJIIIII.!/i nc\er incorporated into the peal'cLime arm~ ;'fruc tion r tal:lil,:t1 independcnc paid hand'lIme t.!i,i
I"
\\e't...rn Fronrlo end I\\oulll 'cr, Jnd fi ur' I (hulllln!! ommand I) Jnd PlJlmUlllt'Jllrupp (r,lI I ture and"ere ne\ I' .':.igneu h me barrac"~' or r dent! a I'r) I,t The ~t:neral.tllr~ ther arrni
Rohr': 'omman I 10 learn Ihe ne\\ lel·hni4ue. troop). \\ hen the Ill',t flamethr \\ I' unit \\ rt:.l - Lruilingarl'a~ in rman~. Th ~ \\ re n 1;\ ci,leu \\ r~ d cquall~ hard I(l, he the lactical pro ICllls or
•'llm/lbtllfltlltlll RII/" \\;1' II be an in trucri In:ll unit 'mhlcd in C:lrI~ I I', unll r .Jplain R ddem.nn. \\lth hi'll ri ';11 ret-riment, rom rh ]/th 't'ntllr~ in the \\C!ltcrn rom, bUI man~ hanoi, PI t! Ih m-
wi,hahigh turno, I'in p rsonne! no' an c1irt:fi rma- he called hi. men .'lussfruPPt'/i ('Il>rmlroop..), Thl rhc \\;\~ n;~ul.lr regim nt~ cmbl'J "d lheir military ", b~ tr~ingI mil:r manag: the fmnrlinc h:lItlc.
i( n thal .impl~ creamed ff [he m t capabl 01 c:lughl Ihc ltlicr' im<lg1nation and, r('-,anlle., of hcrila'c; nordid rhe~ recehe ' lours. crnlan rCl!imenral ofliccr , a eu 10m rl LO Ie" in
dier from line rClTim nl!l. their unit' acmal tirle, the men or[h~ c fir I;\. .IUIL H~ . 0\' mbt:r 11)1 morc lhan () erman di\i- lcrfercm:e in rheir f3 'Ii had III re li,ted m lO
or or
uC:I;H;hmenl. hc:gan 10 refer I Ihem h IIJn in lur.Jcd :ome:ort S'atdt r.Jelaehm'llI, ' \ nperimcnt. .\s a re ult, b~ tht> ummel' 1~1l:
F rmati n of to 'truppen 'lfJSslruppt'll, eral indcl 'ndent e rp.. /./IlJdu'c'hrrJi\ision and e'en LOrmlr00!l unirs "cr' 'pringing up throughout th
11 _? clOb'r 1 ]) 'cncral LudendorfTordercd all IIL did nOI intend th' IOrrntroop: I hl rh 'a'1.\1 di\i'ion had al u e'tabli'heu. t rm Jern,an ,rmi in the \,c.t.•'IIIrm/I/iI/1illlll/ Rohr
l'rm;m armie' in tht: \,ca 10 lorm :l battalion of permanent calurc ofthe erman ruer fh:lllk h trooper unit on tht'ir0\\n initiati\1.', Thi, remarbblc \\( lIld be lhc mO'1 ramou'. and W' in tTurn nutl in
6 7
\\innin!!: offici. I :lppro\:11 lor .wrmlrool <', hut the srrucl10n ofthe \11lJl.--p.lIlern Pit'Ndlllll/'(' re\eaJ ;1
or
.imuhanc tL appl'aranec a.sault lktat:hmem" in :e'ond influenl:c on thl' 'erman oldicr,,' appear
so man~ di\·i.ion ucmun. trate" ju,I ho\\ ULl'C.full~ .1nc.:e:. an I onc Ihat wlndd prO\e: almu:-.I a Il.:"nific.tnl
lhe 'crmall milit:lr~ 'Y'rcm cneour,gcd indi\iUllal a:-. th' Icmand lIr tren 'h \\ar!lm.~· the clTe·t of the
iniliali\c. \lIicd hlnd.:auc. The P,d'kltallhl' was :uppo..;cd to be
made fl'llll1 boiletl kather, but fe:lt, thin me:l:tl and
c\e:n ·omprl.'Jo cdC<lnlho:lrd \\ere tri d:1. ...uh titllte..
UNIFORMS
The ...1 rmlnlol lll-la ·hmenr. in It)15 "ore
·ltIndard .,enicc uniform, During Ihat ~car, Ihe
c,'man in(ann'ym n b l1::111 \\ 01'1 I War 1in one f appc~lrance of the I' 11tlinc troop dilrcrc.:d onl~ in
Ihe mm prauical unir()rm~\\orn b~ th rind annie. minor derail IrOIl1 that of I H, In a chan!;!c :tg:rce:d
.\Ithutl!!h the 'l~k c(lhe erman fi Id ~el'\i 'C dre. h fore 1IH.: \\aI', • h·im:,/,(//I (:wne g:I'C~) II' user" \\cre
harked back to lhl' ~Ior~ d.l~' uf I'iO, lhe 1))0 intro IUl:ed to repla'C rhe Ft'It~!!./'(II/ ones tccau.c the
pattern.Ide/grail uniform \\;l' emin 'ntl~ 'uilabl' (or lattn 'cem II h;l\c f:Hled lOllqui ·\..I~. Th \l19(), 10
the op ning campaign. of 1914. HO\\t'\'cr, on'c the tunic \\;\.' 'up 'l"scdetl b~ ;l more utililarian \er iun ~
erman rm~ \\' IIIcnrh dd' n i\' in th we:·t, [hc th listincri\'c 'uff' \\"en: n:placcd b~ plain
oldi r apr lIr. n' began w l:han~ .On orthe lirst IlIrnb.I·I.." :tllli Ihl: llllsc lirl pm:\..1.:l nap' Ji ap
l
c ualti ,w: the Pickdhtluf,,, il.el ,It. pike ~cl'\cd p .11''d, uldier" \\ 'rc .uppo.nl to 11~1(:l..cn Iheir
no practical purpo c I ut wa' lhe fir. t p.lrt CJr .1 It.:alher e:\luipme:nt, inc:1uding their hoor<;, hell. :1n I
('\'Ill,ln Idi I' to eCo!l1e \'i'il It iI'he pcerc I ()\er eanridgeI luche..;, hlltlhi' \\a~not al\\a~ .pos:ill'in
the p:lI";lpct, :111 I fronrline , IIJilr: ~o n di p n. d Ihe: fl'Ontlin ,3' '1prul'cd equipment -h \\',
with it. Th \11915 f'II'~'dl/(fIl/}C ('alllred a delach a11.1p,and thl'•houldcr trap~are de:t.u.:h,lble. \ 1:111\-1 •'llll'lllrt'/wIR"'".In' F""/I:,eI,~,1It1/1cll("1'1111",',..
,1bll' pike and thl' drab dOlh CO\ T \\ rn \er it I I "arrim 'quiI'm nt (:Il'ltlretl in ;1 dar\.. Iidd ~''''\'~, il ha a 1:III-d\l\\n r:ollar Ihnillpel('('(hcdel;l,lrll"c"-"idin,!'!1"/1iIn.:,wrn',1 :rIenpdlhrnlJ:futl"11r1I1I'p,Ir'I~UI/lI:,l.r
the red rcgim mal number on the front. The con- f'rom I 1- Idil'r \\cre j..; ued \\ith:1 ncw piece of l~lccd \\ilh green, "\ hcfilrc, the jac\..·1. or.7t1.~I'r ~lI1d rIlL'IiIlL', \ fICL"~/w ':""lin!!. it,d.hlll/f:>.(111 \I)
d fen:i\C 'quipm nt - one that \\:1.'; to prO\ indi:-. ,'(/1Ii"t.:'t'J/ regiment. \\erl d~ d.1 much gre:en I' h.l Ie hll/:!i"!!\IifII"id .
or
p·ns:lhlc \\hen rhe German :cienti·t· introduced orFeUf.!.ftlII. \\el~hcd 1.2 kg-. ',\1 ndin~0\er Ihe ear:-. and bad
their s()- 'all'd 'highcr filJ'm ufkilling. The \lJ91: The \I119~ knap ad, \\ilh it. di,tinl'li\l' '1\\ IhL ned., il uffered heller I rolt:l'linn Ih;1n either the
n:spiralClr had a !'llh erised filbrie: r~1 'l' pi c :tnd;} hide bad, \\a" wo cumber.,oml· 1'01' Irench \\.lrt'.lrl·, I ren(h \lll)l~ mild- leel '.-\drian' hdn1L'l or Ihe:
lklachablc: filttT ( uldil'r, carried a ~p:lrc). Th . in- \rhilc: it remaine:d un i~ ue until If)l.' :tnd \\a. \\orn re\i\ed medic\al desilrn fil\IIl11'ed h~ the Briti"h. II
crease in lh u of poL'on g:;}' hy both side '(1Il1- ill ~1(;lion on the Rll:~inn I"ront. by bte 1915 J\:rm'1I1 \\:1 pauded in iJ and adjll. ted h~ lealher, rrap, II
p II d :oldi I' t rr~ re. I iraror,' and to rig: lip lr:t. infan r~ in Fran 'e: and Hcl~';um had hegan III tiC an iiI each indi\idllnl. Thi 'I.. IuS. )rojeclcd froln either
nlarms in lheir frontline po:iriCln., It al.-cJ addl't1 a 'a ·.:ltIlt pac\..', Thc~ \\rapped their!:!re:HCI :11 ill .1 tel1l ,:>idc 10 .,uP) 01'1 ,111 ;Idditional ...1eel pl:lle :IeI'll. Ihe
uniquee1eme:nl ufhon 1'1 Ih balll,lield. HO\\l'\ r, clOlh ami wiled il arotlnd a me.-.- lin. lTe:atin:r :1 fr nl uf thl' helmet. Thl' ,'(l/lt/ltdJII \\:1 i :ued llJ
for aU the ufTering itcall cd, this \.d1:tStl~ :lppliC:llioll 'mallcr, h:lI1die:r pad., more suileu 10 Iheir need'. nlrie :Ind 'nipcr ,hut \\US rarcl~ cen h~ on1innr~
ofindu:tri:llle:chno)og) failed to hreak Ihe d adluc\... Their old kn:1psad would b\: UM:d \\hl:n marebin. rillcmcn.
n 21, q I mher 1915 the em1an ;Irm~ inlr) he:hll1d rht' line.... bllr \\t're often put inlO battalion From iIi, in 'ellion, .""fllll/hil'd/IlIt.!!. NohI' \\as
Ull 'C Iacomplc:le!~ ne\\ inl;lI1rr~ uniform, ThcBIll,\(' ",lorr, \\hile: the infantr~ \\e:rc in lhe: frol1llim', II 'cd III Ie I b d~ armllur lhat mi",hl 1e crrccli\c in
(ll u:e) \\.1: suppo.e:d to l'q 1:Il:C both earlier lunk , The lir. I article: urunifill'm thaI Ji:lint!ui:-.hc.:d a IJ-\Lln'· J.and. I'I1L' e.lrl~ 'wnnlruup' nplTi
although rhe IJO-/ to and 19H pl111 rn~ remnineJ in 'l\Irmlr np r li'omaregular infantr~manappeared in mel1lcd \\ilh hicld ralher likc tho c' L'cd tnlhl~ for
u euntilthce:nduflhe:\\'ar, til liqhtl~ In .er.ith:l:-' earl~ 191 . Tn rilllt', ir \\otlld Iecol11c Ihe Ir:H.lcI11;}I-k riol COlliI'( I; but in rho. pre-Kc\Iar day, Ih 'er
1\\ hlrge '!anl') p d.er: al the front. and loo\.. orIhe -crman .,oldier in I nh \\"orld \\'ar . II' \ 'J'~ man .~hic1J:-. \\cr mad' fr m ,olid 'ir I and pro\cd
ralh " more likl: ~1 mmlern combat jal'l..ct than thL ...hape has ul:h ,Ill mUllon,l1 ch'lrl{c Ihal rhe: lOll hC.1\~ 10 u:-.e during .1n allacl... The I rolecrion
1 rh- 't:nlllry t~Ie 01" rhe earlicr lunic, The Fronl \rm~ agoni'cd LJu-oughoul thc 19iO: he: ure: intro Ihe:~ offered l:ould nul 'omp('n ale for the 10 of
buttun' metal. painled gr ~ - nr conl:'aJcd h'hind dm:ll1U' il lmilarl~ 'haped kc\Inr helmel ~oon m(Jbilit~. lcel hrca Ipl:llC \\l'rl' imJl:trl) rC,>lricti\l"
'Iurmhtlluillun Rohr CIIfiglll ill. hi dablwarl duhh'd the Fritz'.The\11916,'(tllt/hellll Wn~ pal'l of :tntl rcndcd to he \\orn h~ 1001..- lit" or mherc\po. cd
rr:'reel:iCIcrn/r.l"p •.or bn'l/scpIIlIC\I.,.... ~I r'lI1ge ofIod~ :lrmOllr le..;r d by Ihe: -erman \rm~ pCI'.,mne! in .I;Hie I ).ition..
1lief, :I,nWllrin 11)/.-, ubsequcll'1.1 issuedIII from II)I~. Duhh d by Ihe Brjli~h the "0011 -; ·ulIl·' The Terman \rm~ 's prc-\\ar iml'"c~l in ,ic"c
n:jccringallbur Ihc,lcd .<;,IIIIC•.;nipe,-.;amI.;t'"rrh
hdmt'c;J:-;monrmb,·,...;um,' (1II \I) hdmet, il \\a: made I'rom'ilicun-nidel 'te:e! and \\.Irf:lre: paid an lIllC\pce:led bOllU in lhe :lUtumn of
8 9
Ph'I('S, 1JII/tl/ tI!!fII}'t't! iii/hI' "CI!III/C'I/f, sC'rr:,wlll-I1It1/lIrf' ....plil1lt.'l'in~ Ihe n:lil in ~our h:.l..,le 10 gt:t Ih rill' h,ltk
I.eurnin~ h:.lt the man h;I'" iu...rrCIllrJ1l.'U from.1 ...wnn mIll ;H:lilll1, ( \I till' olhl'1' h.md ht:cause il I~ ·lIcl..eu
h. H.llinn. the l':lpt:lin l. Jdi!;thl 'd, .tnt! plall'" J \\huk 1111 lIrenin~, th \I.IU '1' hIli i k_ u !cralll oj Ioor
phtlllolloLt aultfro P', But Rellll ill1pJie...th.lt lime ljll.Jllt\ .lmmunllion .lnd dirt arollnd rhe oreill'h. ) Oll
:c
lin 'ulfi 'cr...\\crc1101 oe Illc:\wt! \\Ith n:lum 1..1111101 I' r.lln ~OUT i~hl plI':lllre \\hill.' \\orkin1! tht:'
tnt! lO Ihe balt,u. n \\ilh pt:r UIlJli ctlllnil( I'm, ano \!.IU,cr·... al't1on. Jl1lllhe m. ~lIinc ()nl~ hold... lull".1.
J ne\\ ,ense r Ihcir ()\\n Iml 01'1.1n<.: ' Renn',' redl milll~ round ;l ,In:\ILLThl' erman .lllemplcd
11.lm .\\:1 \mold,on G II· t:n.lU, ,Ill Ihe \\.1 ,Icareer 10 mlTC.l"'<,' Ih· \\.tll cr' nrcp()\\cr b~ l' UIl1l:!;t _:
I nicer \\h}I1U~ h.1\l' cncounl 'ret! ueh In JlIituuc I' unll m.II.!::17inc. bllt il Ilnl~ J( pe:m:J m limircd
amlll1!! hi colle,lgue numhl:r and \\ol' rather;l\1I..\\Jrd \CI h:mLlIc. \\ ilhib
I.1<.:1.. ighr 1)\\n, IhI: \\I lJ \\.t, ...ighl<,·d to _( II me
Ire. and il <.:ould bcdc\,net! b~ 50-l11l:tn: in ·n.:mcnt:
or
WEAPO S to .1 111,1\1111U111 2.00 !nCtTl:.-, \\cighin: 4 kg
unloaded, .ll1d I._50 mm long rhe \lle'( \\;\,' ,I
rohu I and .ICl'Ur.lle \\capon. idt'all~ uiH.'d to Ihe
Riflc~ ;lnd ,;lrbin . III en \\,tr(Jrc orII)H. bUI n I f I' Ihl' Irench li~hlin!!
In I( 14 Germ,Il1 il1f3nrr~ regimenl \\<.:1'\: unifiJl'll1l~ lhal fullO\\ d,
,Irmed \\Ilh the I '<),-p:lIlern \lau er rifle, 'h,lm The jl.'rmall \rl11~ IS, u tI carbil1t:.- lU :111 uthel'
bcrl'd for thl: ' .57 111m riml '" ';Inritll! .it helll fin~ ,1m, : ca\,t1r~ ,'l'\il1t:I'~. pioneer,. indt:pl.'nLlent 111:1
mUll) in an in! 'rnal hm l11ag;l7;nt: Ih.ll \\,\'0 loaded chine!!UnLOl11panic'and mowrIran.pon unir" The
I( H: till: .11' en: I uf i( lorder !ilnn:,.e \\l:r~' nit" Crull11 Princcin pccr.. Pid.ldlll/lw.lInell/lI: Ihrou)?h Ihea'tion I~ Irlt'; strippereli) ,'rtll' ide\)1' on)~ illljnll'~ unit,; to use lhem at Ihe teginnin~ or
upa'Clkb'yI \t\hiethgh.lalTnidonrr,'l,'naTdhl'"e:corwigeirneall~hiipnptcdnd1'0d IlIi/wI' ,u&.r/r,I.(.tw'',l"l':IomI nIr(reJmnrnlliWl''cbll0dl1lil'1Jll'n1ll1:i'.UJ'.InC (h1I/me1idnm,e(u'rInI'Iif/rl!ril/nHll1hfI;jt/('tt/h/hI(ec'hpl'.oI:C.l'iIdUeI.r..". Ihueldi'ietOr 1I0.. \\l.i1tle<I.:hutt:;<l\.:\;Jtr~lridogn<.'Ihiell n\:\:irr1hlt.thall'luO\:\\lin~fIhhie t"ht:emL\1.l1a1r'd\\ ''.rltr:bIihncJeli~\l\!.tI'~I'I.hmeu\ll'd,'ltl)ilI.':.m\Zb(.I/-l.Il,Itrlti1olln11,tTTh98
I"rontlin', \\here lhe~ g.1\C th<.· German, a u'd'ul \11/(''I'Ill('IIl7in'r ..rill (/11\1) thumb, rJther Ihan pu h lhl'l1l do\\n \\irh Ihe: tip,
II(~Irimttilt:IItIl-d.HCll
alhant:.l!!: durin: the fir, t monrh.' oftrench w~lrr,lrc. • hi ha. a practical ad\,mlag<.' mcr lnl' Brili, h L c I,IlIr1ll1l'III1/1(''''11/'.111.' (" lu/1/i'I"d 'rt'n:nll;/I
•'1111:1:onl~ the Pioneer...h;,) II en rl'ained in their 1I c. <':1',1\\llllg:. Th. fir I \\:1\ 0' 'I' the WI :11 \ l'nlun \\J I-,nfield ( \ 11.1-:)in \\hieh y IU ha If() pre,''; hOl11c Ih ((lI11/)t/"1l.!l!i',rr:p1IJg'drtulUrinlf!, 191 "It r/1if1l0cn\uJ'n.'IIbuta;n1di;U'dnut'd\/..G...
indi\idu:lI Pi neer \\crc pOl-tell 1 inr:lnlr~ IJll.ll pnnl,ll'1l~ ,lrml:O "nh hand ~rrcn;lul"". "0 lhl' m'n round" \\ilh the end 01" ~ )ur thumh, .(lmelil11~ i ,"I' ~ rl/lln h.rlr;r~ '0 /1-, (III \lJ
ion:l UfCI'\i ur , lJminr Il)l~ (\\U nc\\ l~pl'- 01 l-.Irfll.:d their rillcs 'Iun~ :lnd UIU nol \\I::lr Ihl' l--UI:
grcnad cnrcred IroLluction ltm]. on h c:.Imc -illlnd hell';lnt! hould I' hal'll .rh:)[ UPPOl'\ct! theammu-
aru \\capon:: h' DaftI1It/~rtJ/ltJll'( ogo gr nlll .):.Ind ni i n p uchc•. E. 11':1 dip ( I, J_ mm I.";)rrridg:
Ihe.'Itdlttll1d'r'l/IlI/(' (Slid ;rr nad ). \\ I' .lrricd in durh bam] licr',. ca'h holding III
~ brll;lr~ 1 II, \\ht:n Ihe Cl'ln:tn \rl1l~ I' !lin I
bUlll:ht:J il' ~eal oni'n h :.11 '·erdun. 'I mllr()op 13~ Ihemd 0 I(I niciaI lormtroop attaJi n'
uct:lI.:hm 'Ill h,ld bcg:un w a' ume ,I r.llhcr difrTcnl "cre e,labli hnl Ihroug-huUl the \\C lem .•I'm\(.: .
appt: ranee from Idier in regular inE1I11T~ h:1I\:11- .- Itlier "cr' 'clel'l cJ frum reg,ul:tr balt:tlion .
i n.-,.'wrmtr))p. \\ re among rh 1'.-1 I I''C i\l' Ih~' po ted 1lI:\ tormtrO(Jp rurm:ni n r)r ;\ p riot.! anti
n~\\ ...led helm '1; mo, I of Ih ,-lh erm:.ln \rm~' Ih n return d III theIr original unit. -\ I~pi ~IJ int.m
inf.1I111'~ \\erl;' :lill \\ ';lrin" the PltA-kltatlbt' \\ith th<.' tr~ .lll.llion I" mltl-I(l'i \\ould ha\e indudt.:d .1
.pi~c I'cm \cd, The llJrmlT up Ie,ll'hendin~r Ihl: num I' ul tll<.:er and junior \\ho had 'cncd
,Iliad \\l'n: \\(:11 equippnl \\ith tid grenade, . I:ltch in a '1 )rmtrool form,\Iil n. E\;tclhgure. arcimpu i
carr~ ing ;] dozen 01' mnrc in a ,'andbag lung acro:' hIe to bt:tin, in ea high proportion orthe Il11pen.\1
Iheir ·hesr. C:.II f. in Rohr" men h,d ,llso,ul ~tilut 'd \rm~' I' 'nrd \\,h dc II' ~ tl h~ R\1-' Uomhlr
:m~le huol :ll1d pUllee: fur Iheir I 6u-pauern IC:lIher :OI11ml1ntl in 194:,
jaeUlflol' - ,\I ulh<.T pnletil'l: lhat I\a' to .pn:ad .\kn \\ho h:td ,cn"cd \\'llh thc ~lol'mtl'00p Ill.l\
thrOll)?h lit Ihe .,' <lUll unit 0\er thl' fiJIlII\\in~ twu \\ell h;]\c retumetl \\ilh difli.:rcntunir rms ,IS \\cll.l
~ ';11'.', The. lormlro pel''\ hild ;II 0 lart d , \\ing di I' 111 la<.:til,;t\ ilea. In hi...aurobiographi 'al nuvel
I :\Ihcr p.m:he, nth irelbo\\'.' and kn ,- hi Idinz 1\llt'l!., LudwigR nn h,l an~\\Iy:lrrhc Iuf/ker ':\\ til
thcirmO:1 \ ulner;lblc i inl. 1'1' m rhe" I'.ll1d rearor .\11 C(:') '11/ liT(' III'flrlll!!. PIII/c!t',~tllld !fltflta ~·ltct
10 II
"/I'
II(//,/clll'- IIlId /./lSclll/ll/tll.~("~""rTl,II'/lII!.!.),\\hich C:hamol'rl' I for I) mm P3rJhcllul11. Ihe \IPII' fired
\\.1 I,OC)O mm lon~and had ,I :10 mm h.lrrcl m te,ld from Ihl' opcn Iolt: I ullin. Ihl' Iri~!!cr, ...eOl tltl' toll
IIf Illl' £lOll 111111 Il( the,; \11, IJ,'. 'I \\tJ much ...honer 1'01'\\.Ird, \\l1l're 11 ...trlpped Ihe uppermo'i mund
',Iroine Iud heen re~t'd odim.' Ihl' \\ar. hut \\crt· rl'lllll II\(: 1ll,1~,lIinc. L'h.lmher·d 1\ Jml fin:d it, II'thc
rcjcL'led bCL'au.c the munk-ll,l h ,\Ild rCL'oil (1'0111 a Iri~ger \"1 hl'ld b,ll:\.... hL' loll conunued 10 c~dc,
-U: mm barrel prmed un,ln:ept,lhlc driH'n dircllh b,ll.\.. h) Ihl' JropdlJlll g.1 Jlld nUll\!
•""r/l//lcll,II/l1I1 N/lhr ,Idpptnl the ~.t) L'.lrhim' filn\.lnl ,1~,lin h) th~ n:lurn prinl! It \la l1leChalll
durin~ It I:, and il 11mI~ bee,lme Ihe t,m IJn.l '.III) Impk, ,tnt! highl) 'fTcniH:. (her 30.000 \Icre
armaml'n1 or t Irmtroop tClI'm.trion throughoul IIll' IIPI lied to Ihe: l'l'm'lI1 \rm~ during- 141 .,hUI mo.I
Gern13n armie: in the \n:"t. It \\.1'. i~nific:lntl~ of them alTi\cd aftcr rhe: ~Te:al \lJr 'h IIffen,i\c.
.horter, ami rhu" Itan lier in Ihe L'(lllfin' tlf thl' 'ener<11 Luuentlorrfloo\..e III Iht' \\PI to inne,l,c:
I
lI'cllL'hc : but ;11 prl'\,Iilinlr comhal ranl,re, . it w;\ no thl' dden, i\c 10"er of Illl' crl11an inl:\Iltr~ a, tht.'
J' ....accurateor hard-hIlling, \\ hcn it ..lme t< I' -Jrm \lIic heg:1I1 their;\ ':lllit on Ihe Ililllknhup" inc,
in Ihl,; )l 30 ,Ihl' l'mlal1 ..\rlll~ adllplL'1 .J nl''' ,'Ollll' "oldiers in Ihl' lormtro lp b<1tl<1lion haJ
\!:luser "ilh .,imil:lr dimen~i()n lu Ihe K.9S fill' ,III h.\(1 C\pcrienL'l' "ith rapid-til' "capOIl., irIlot ,lUlc
inl:lI1rn' unir , malic. :\ :), in charg' of 111;\L'hine l{un or mllrtar TilL':.randarcl ('f/lllIn tilc:lrhine',/t/rirn/;!"!,chL'11111' Ih.tn in Ihe: opl'n field, IOrllllrooper" a"saultin~
rl'am... "ere Ofll'n l't)uiPI\I:d ,,1111 pi 101 l'apabk of il/filllrn /'ilk 11;1'IIIL' (hlllCllm), \UIL' ch(' parlil'ltlarl~ "t.'II-ddl'nde:d po.ililll1 tcndcd 10 lape
.\utofnmi \\ c; I on douhling,I a carl inc. 1301h Ihl' P, 0, LUg'lT and Ihe: Irl1l:o\\pesllrIIIt)Tl(!1i11.1''u),c/d1mIIi/IIIIII,1'/Il'L' hh.;1")uIi.l..Il/itr/nI~IC1_lII1In'11.1e1e1l/1,.'uI<Ll·," balL'he, of tiLk ~rcn:tdc log th r alld Ihen P()~I
Thl' ...IormlrlOp ballalion... Jbo rl'cclH:d the \\orld\' 'Broomhandle' \lau"l'r "ere '3pilhle o( recei\ing :l lT../.l.lil.l,'lIlIhain~cr"I9/Ilal:l(fm/llipeIldLl'de)h,) 1'i1JI.lJ'1r1;'IlI/Ir'unu,pl~~r1\11I1.1i1,. the l'lk.ldl~ p:lcbg .0\ I'the encm~ p.lrapctor LillO
fir~1 t.'ff(.'cliH' uh-m:ll:hinl'gun. Ihe \IPI,'. c Igncd ...houllkrtoL'\.. \\hit:h ga\'(: th 111 ,In ·f/cl'li\c r;lngc tlf til(:""rJlltnJOpL'r". lind (P:Jrccrn U,Wlll ( ../InIi"n) the...111" or 'on Tl'l 'blll1\..CI'
h~ Ilugo :ehmit.:..er, Ihe \1 I,' inlrodueed mu 1111 O'lT 100)ard ,\lor pr3 'IIC,III~. II g.1\e Ih '\C :1 -linlCG,IJ' II('1'<:emilerl('(1
Ihl'le,HUre Ih'll \\cre 10 l11a\..e Ihe uh m:lL'hine gun hand~ ...df-ddcncL' \Ie::llon th,lt ",I~ much bCller \la hin un.
11\l' \..C) doc-t)uarlcr \\l'ilpln of \\orld \\,11' II. th:ln :1 riOe \Ihcn enel11) bombing- panic' \\elT dos enahlim, it lb' ,ItI,Il'lwd to .1 hell. II al 0 h:ld a The 1cl'm:tn \rm~ liu not t:t\..e lfl m:llhinl' gun
in~ in. 1'01' do~ '-lJuancr fighting in thc (IICI11) hollc}\\ "0 den ImJ\\ing handle 1-5 mm Ion\.:. \ \\ilh the :lmc re.ldinl'" :l rhe I rili h and I'rcll~h
trenchL' ,.n \rtiller~ ..\10i I I.ugcr "ith :1 ..'_-nJund l'OI'd projl't:lcd from the bulboll: end: pulling: il ill'mie :f1nl~ in 191. \\ 're lhe~ i"...lIed lolinc infJnlr)
'''lui\, l11ag3;fine 1l13dc much mor 'en c Ihan a holt il!nileda fricrion tube Ih.1t deron,Hed the1113inchar!!e n:g;mCnl ,II \\e\er. \\arlimcc\j1l'ricncl' ...0011 \indi
.1 'rion rill \lilh ,\ the-round maguine. \:, Enyin -, l' 'lll1d lall'l'.• ()Jne "cre I.:>uetl "ilh 7- eL'ul1ll cited Ihe maL'him: ~un lohh~ or Ihc pre-\\ar <1rrn~,
RJI11md ob cncd: '/11 II /11111/-111-/1/11/1/1'.11" ,lit'//'II/1ll'r fue,. other "llh:- L' 'ont! I'll e: : Ihc t)pe or ru,,' and Ihe nllmhel' of maL'hinc gUll c0l11p3nic" 1'<1 C
1-'ht' rr//II IIc1~1I1It' IIIIIn' /'fI/llld11I//1' /IIIIgII:'11/(" ,; ".1 'tampl'don Ihl' handle, Tberc ",I'.11"'0a perClI"'- rapid" In I~14 c:lL'h inElntr~ regiment in 'Iud-d :1
lon-ru'\ed \er ion, dewn:ll d h~ a pring-p(l\\en:d ...i\-g:lIn l11,lchlllC g:un t:Omp,lI1~ l1uring llJj: I' gl
Ilanu rcnnd' ' tri\..er "hen it hit till' l!round. men\. reL'ein.'tI :ull Icl11cnlar~ l11achine ,un cL'lion,
The Pioncl'r ' hand ~rcnadl's (f Ic14 \Icre Ml 1I1 In 1910German 1ll1:1l1Ir~ bl'gan In rccei\e a nl''' of:! () men :tnd threeorfuur machine ~uns,and h~
repbced b~ 1:11' 111 n: crrccti\l' "e:apun , The: \11 JI: ,rr'nauc, Ih 1./I,rlllll/tI'.!./,clllcll,' or 'cgcr !..Tnalll··. the: cnd III' Ihe )c:tr l11,lI1~ l'cl.illlCnr" had '\\0 fllll-
or
•'"dlll/I/I~~nlllilfl' i. rhe mo, I Elmous, :\Ild it he 'all1l' \\ l'tghing 31/) graml11e~ (II o/.) il \\a~ madl' CI...I trl'ngth 1113l'hine I!un l'Ol11p:tnie:-, III Ihe: \\illlcr llr
aIm l I the Irim3r~ "eap n f the ;\'-.ault h.lIt:llion . il'Oll, p.lill1etl I bel.. :Ind \\;1 Ihe ...in.' anti '\h:l]1e 01';\ I(Jl5/lh 'peciali!.t machine gun unit:, \"no\\n ;1"
\\ hcn ,torllllroop dct:ll:hrncnl~ leu Ih :llt:lc\....1t hen\ q.t!!, friclill1 lighler igniled :1 :.-... 'l'ond I'll"', m:1l"hiIlC gun l11ar\""mcn (l1c1.\d/l/lLII~"I1't'hr •'"IIt1r!,
'''erdun in 'chruar~ 1< J6, Illan~ 0 Ihem \lent inr ,Illhough:m .'-'en nd rll:C "a...:1\.tilableifil "3. tired ~dllll~t'll '/1'1I/1/1-') "cre l"l'c:ued. Tr.llned ...pecific~t1I~
:lL'tion \Iith Iheir nfle lun~, lea\ing Iheir hand free frllm d \!rL'n.lde 1,ltInchl'l', Thi. Iill) ~.,..en.HIe L'ould Ie till' ofrcn...i\e u l' of n1.l 'hinc ~lIn.... Ihl'ir per Ollll ,I
to I)b tic\.. grenade into uni\ing French po-iuon . lhnl\\11 ;l~ far .1, 50 metre b~ an c\pL'riel1ct:l1 ~ren,l undcl'\\enL :t I' lIr- I' fi\e-\\ec\.. in. Ii'll 'lion 'Our.l'
Toe tic\.. grcnade c n i..rl'd 0 ;1 hc IIcm c~linder dll'r. bur it... e\llo~i\e crfect \\a f:Ilr1~ 1Jmlled. ThL' and \\cre lilnned into imkpemknt l'llmpanic III' j\
ab ut 100 mm I n and I:' 111111 in dial11 tel' Cl nt,lIn l'!!g ~.,..cn:ldc \\<1. iiI' 1enL'( lllllel'cd h~ tl1l' Irili h 1111 gun ,The~ "creiiI' I nill Ihe fi-cll1t1ine.1t \ l'nlun,
ing 3n ('\plo'j,c mi\lure or poms:iulll pcrehlor,lte, Iltl' 'omme: tormtmop olllHcr-;lIl;l 'ked north or B~ mid-llJ1 )the:td hocde\c10pml'nlllfmJL'hine
h:lriul1l nill'ale, ll.lL'\... Jo"der and pO"lkred ,llu Thlt.'l)\al in.Iul~ l' j), hurlil1~ the Ill''' !:-'Ten,lde, into gllll 111111'> ha IIcrt ,omc rq;imenr \\ilh a" l11an) as:C
minium. The l:linder hud a metal dip on Ihe Illc. captured IrcnL'hc, and re t.t\..ing 111 ,I uf Ihe t rigin.t1 m.lL'hinc ~un .•In IOlhcr \\ilh Iheir re:!.(u1:ttilln i\,
(Ierman fronlllne. In \ugu Ia ne" 'Ian lard ur~ani ,ILIOn ,Iduptn);
rhl.!Ih!lJr11,111I ,hr,,"<:1' t"lrl\ model"hac/toIrL' III \\.1
II;I.!>IJ;)L'rllCl'IlIl,1 11I111/lL'1/: 1I111l;uulJ,I, IIiii Itprmcd BOlh main I)p .... of L'rl11.111 gr l1alk r lied pri all machine gun companie "erc III t:on'i:'t of .j\
IIIInILll' <~:,urnrli"l!ne:l~l~h<l:'(C1J,lInIlC.no'~rLr'un,d idn"cn,!;r!lp'rtlJ/rI/I(L:,<1I:1afn('r,\lU'Cn-Oilmlna,llc 1ll,lril~ on bl:hl rather th:ln r;I=,lllcnl.lIion, ,\Ild Ihc~ \\ ,.lpon. :llld ,Ill inf3ntr~ rc,imcnt: \\cre to ha\c
Ihl!mlrcraimedIIrch ,_'c. itrniliell1S.I Icm,(flnl) "l're far mllre crrecli\l' in Ihl' 'cmline... Ill'3 trcl1l'h three: "uch 'ol11pani .... nne .1Il:tdle )10 c:tL'h inr:ll1lr~
12 13
Thc \1I~I \I,,"/Inc(II'the
/il.' ul-mwl,i"l! Ull~1"
III:w.l!cIill,II" ;1111. \ou'(lit·
.l!-ruund',n,I;I'III12,17.;11(',
cJul'1(1I'CcJfi,rr11l' I;" iIfc,:
\/lIdd/.u~,·r,,lIlcJi,..,
ItmefiflJ! Wtll. fll<-' ,11.,
IWI "l/;lIl',If1i..('/..
"II/ane,"o(tlw 1/1'//,
(~IfJ'in!fl1,c"l!'l1un
IlJIrpl,\ te.,I,,:lefi l" en
"I,e,/ a)l/)(.'.(f'''/I''rn
RlJmn (',l1h·(',iunl
h:malion, The m,t:hinc "un mark mcn l:ompal1lC :upporlCu h~ •'11I1'I1I/'lIlIlIlflll/ RlJllr "el/ed Iht· \ill:1gl'
\\ere ~roul cd illt mad1ine ~lln delal:hmcnl. OrFll'ur~ •nd broughl up2.J. \I ,'0". til n~hl it \\,1\
( IIIISd/l/lt'11- S('/rl'!lr 'd1l/rl,;'dll1(~1'11-~//f('tlllIlI.~I'I1) Ihrough Ihe ruin...
or
cach threl' t:ompanic nc :uch Jl'l:lchnll'l1l \\a
norml1l1~ ;u1l1chcd t/)c;lch di\i'inn cngl1!,rcd in llt:li\c Li ht .\lachine Guns
opcnl1ions at Ih' front. \"h'l1 the di\i, imal The 'ermJn \rm~ rlTogni eu the need for a Ii rhter
•'(III'IIlIJI/fItlIlOllt'\\erc formed in Del:cmber IlJIfl. ea 'h ma 'hine gun 111 IfJl.-, Jnd \\Clr~hCJ;an on a modifica
ball.llion h.ld l·ilher one or l\10 machine !!llll l'Ol1lP:I lion C) the \1 ' 'Or' dc'i!!n, In the meanlime, ~inec
ur
nIl.' , 1110. I crnllIl1~' 'ncmi, \\crc :tlrc..L1~ lIsinl.! li"hl
The numb 'I'of ~crl1l;lnm;lchinc ~un unil"(on 111a'hine gun, [he German arm~ ormed 1et:ial
linu d II) in 'I' :'1:1; during 1( IJ. :l1rhough Ihe numher balwlion [0 ll~ l:JplUl'cd en'm~ \\" .1p n .Th fir:1 The Brilish I'm,\ \\:1 ah'cad~ u inlT Ih· I. \\I f,lJlIIl;n ',1 1-1,:,'mIrcllI, (Icwn Ifilln(Ir,/l<' 'hdl
of ma 'hine ~un l'ompanie, Ier regiment rl'lllaine1 I/u,~A't'ft'JI RI/frll11111I1, \\t're t:rl'Jt'd in \lIgu, I Il)l: gUll: J hC:1\i'1' \\C,lpon, \\ ighillg'do I.'rIII 15 ~l!. hut 1\,1,1i1l1/'C11I1I\lHl''urfucrne(o"/'d/rlcllfoildl.f:,l1.. ,Ef.,\(l'TcJeln/nu~I'.c'orfll.d' iIn1awC~i<nI<!ce,lI'L'
Ihe amc. \ lat:hjnc~un companit· \\Crt'C\)1anJeJ tel and l'omm;ncd lO Ihe :hal11p"'!l1c h,mlt- in clle01 far c ~jcr til m:lllOCUH'Ihan ,111 \IG '(I, \\ ilh:l -f/ r"I',' U",'.,t>I'II/II~tlJ'IU";" Il:IrrL'l..,brit/Ie.( " 1rnII
eight. ten amI finall~ 12 \Iea n per t:Ull1pan~,an] her, Thcl' UllIls \\l're armt'd \\ilh ,\Iad en lig-ht round urU111 mag,lzilll', itcould110tdclh I' tl1l' -on ,I' (lUinl! ,,,prcnJ!lfun' 'i~m'l IIrl") ,
or
Ihe numheroflIldepend nt comp;tni \\';1 incre,lcd machiIll' gun , Llplurl't1 from Ihe Rli'>"ian . The u,I:\Ined lire a bl'lt fed \\capOll, bUl il gall: ~111 III I c'ember 1l)11 the erman -\rm~ inlru-
IUO, \ .l rmll'O( p I:Hr.l1ion 'mlld hJ\e Jn~lhin. J Jlli..h- le..i~'1lcd \btl en \\;1 a lrue li2:h l1lJchin inlJl1lr~ I !;\loon the mean 10 urrre ,111 encm~ t1l1ced il 'olhu,ll' li~hl machincgun. 'hc \ todd 'n, I
from )_ It 14 m. chine ~lIn \\hile iOlkpenuellt gUll, air-cooled. hiplld-mollntcd Gnu \\eighing ill,' po ilion \\i,hout rcl~ing on h'.\~ \Icapon further 15 - hJ iL11I~ .111 _\1 '0,' ml unteJ nn .l hipod anJ
•'I1lrlllkll//lplll[/IW/ had their 0\\n machin• ~un 1'1,1 under 10 kg, it \\,1 fed b~ • 2 -round 1U\ IllJ!!.ILin " hJl~. H~ theend the omme hallle. cnuu\!h LC\Ii nUl'll \\ilh a lIt I)Jen rine hun:lnd pi,101 g-rip, It \\.1
r
won ,f1\\0\\~1pon . Thc Ru ..1311 \rm~ hall b uorhr Ihl' .\lad en fur il ~un had all n inw emun han ]- lI' llll' \Imh'/i'/l "lill \\.Ilcr-'uoled, I Ul Ihe ';l'in'" \\.1 llolrTO\\Cr.
\ lachinc gun l:l)mpanie~ \\' orccquipi cd \\ilhlh ca,alr~ heforl' the \\":11' allll it 10111.. lillk l'flim to h.lllalion to rc- quip \\ith thclll. \I~() re- lumhered \\ 'i~hin~ II,: ~g (4: Ih) il \\,1 l)nl~ 'li1!hl' in thc
11"'("lIIm-CI'ul'''' '0,',:1 rnmJifi·d \I:l\im gun d ' 1'1:-'0 mher Ihe \\capon . Llch \/wA'tIt'II-BaftHIIIIII lor (Jerman ammulliriun, the Ll'\\i. ~!llll rl'nl.line I irnagin.ltion of it- J(" igncr.. <. n Ihe other h:1l1d, il
i~n,Th ' rlln it df\\eigh 'd _: kg(5: 11 );unit'~IIIUI 'on,i leu oflhr en mp:lJlic •c,lch \\ilh fl urllni~.1'.... In u.Cul1lit Ih· 1111,.-1:('/1'/1 hall;lholh \\el'l' l: ",crted \\:1. ar....uabl~ th' \\orld' fir. I g n ral pllrpo C111.1
III tal ~b)~ and 1\ilh il~ \\:Hcr-jad.el (illcu, il J(11Iorolher nm~·.md :0111.1·hil1l' ~un , \ rour-m.m II' 11,f.,r!IIIIl'J/- JI'fT'd,r . llt"rl;d/ll/~'1/ banali"n, in I:hil1l: gun ( P\I ~l. lig-hl enouroh to b rnanh.mdk I
\\eighc Ifl.l.flk. (l.J.OIb)ami \\a. J1( [ the1110.'tm hill' .lU:ld rpcrarcd each \\capon .lIld the uldilT al~o \pril 1~h. IJ~ rhen, ;111 (Jerman inf:lI1lr~ rcgimcnr 11\CI' \h' haul>Iicld, hUI hl'a\~ ellOlI!!h to lll'liH~r
,f infall(r~ \\capon, \llhlJu....h Ihe \ I I () I \\a 1I l::ll'ried 1\..)',-, h~c Ihe reg-illlcntal machine ~un I:om l'llntaineJ : 1l11any li~hl I11.Khine gUllS. Ih 're \\;1 nO 'u:lainnl til", 1\'L1 \1) Ill/)- or _50-round belt..., 'hl'
or
e'o'l ;, fearful 1011 \lIi d in allll'~n1l'n. il \\a p;ll1ic. , purpose III ha\inl;- ,I handful of ball.llion.. armed _\lG'/) II) could \n"idca much gl'l:;llcr \olumc or
pril11;lril~.\ kf'n:i\l: Ile:lpon, h di InOl hrc;l~ dO\\11 Th' IIIIS/h/('I/-Bllflld'"II< W I'C u. d lurin~ [he n-lll i\c1~ \IJlh them, 1l0\\CIl'l', thl' .lormtrOOJl lire lhall lhe L wi. ()J' 'hauchal lighl m.lehin "'unl'
or
[() l11an;l~l'abk' load lInd it \\.I~ a s£rug~lc 10 nUl\c il oalll' the,'omllle a p, rI of lhc 'rm:.ln.C'ollli b;lllalioll', 'cm 10 h,1\ ·liJ..cd he Ll'\li"i Tlin ,0 much hcing u~·J h~ Ihe \!lie, and, dc. pin: ils \\cighl, II
,Icr/)". thehca\il~ cralered banldi td. orthc \\e tern line, \\ hen a brca~throu h oc 'url'ed, lhc~ \\lTe thill l11:m~ n:taincd them in pref'crence to th \;n I' .Imi'ip;ll d Ih' laCli'al roll'oflh' \1 -' in \\orld
ronI. c\crlhclc, \\hen the .erman ,-th arll1~ ru:hed to plugIheg-ap. machine-g'lInninl.!Ih .k'ldlllg IIg:hl machin gun. pl'Odut:cd hy the 1'111;\11.... J, \1i.. \\arll.
made il ~upn:l11c cOrm <It \ crdun. in Jlll1' I 11, \llieu units :lnd in\iling the incIit"II' ,lllenlHIIl of ~un~ remained in fronrline senice IIIIIit 1he 'nu of Th' \ \ '0, /15 \I:l" IiI' , el1l:oun \.'l'ed n lhc
;ulat:\..ing I'c~il'11CIl1 pul Iheir machine ~un '0111\ a Rriti h:u,till r~. The~ ulT red henyc:l:u:lhil' ,:lnu Ihe \\:11' \\ilh 'aplurc1 \\capon rcp,urcd i1nd nm \\el'rnFronrinth 'pl'ingofl()\j \\h('11 l.'rnl;111
nle.. in Ilw fronl lilll,:, h· B;l\.lri:1n Life 'u,lrd, 10,•,lllthcir \ \, d~l'n I) th 'nu (l thcl'ampall;n 'en' Iin a ;1 'IOr~ in Bru.,:d . inlillllr~ cumpanie: ca h rceei\ J lhrCI;. Thi In-
14 IS
l:n:a~l'd to i'\ mel' the cou.....t· of the ~e:lr. .llthllUgh II 14 Ihe PillI1ClT... had thrn: t~pt' ,I' \IlI/fII/I'ofeT .11 rcinforn' ;\ hard-pre cd eel r..\ 1l/1/I'IITrt!I'/,'r hal
unit~on the I.m..lern front \H.rt';\ Ic",cr pl'ioril~,,llld their di~po:..;tl: lhe 7./ (m light m, !"t.lr thai rhrc\\ .1 t:llion h;tt! I'lllit' e mpanic.. ach equipped \\ilh si\
ml)',! made do \\ilh ,I p,lil' of \l(i 'OX/I:;, untlllhc ,( kg loml OUt ru 1,050 m; rhe m dium 1/ 'Ill he.l\~ In I four lighr mOrl:lI' ,
Ru 'ian l..L.lIl1pai....n \\:1 II\CI', Tht, \1 j'IV/I: \\l're mOrlal' th.ll Ilretl ;l 4- ,.- kg' h01111 lJ(){) m; ;11\ I Ihe.: SIOl'l11lrOO\ ba\lali()n~ u lI;1l1~ indu led :1 mOrt,lr
iniri,l1l~ organi etl .1'.. di...ncl .unil'" efli:cli\d~ rorm hea\~ _1CJ11 lllort;\1' Ihat tidi\ercd :1 tOO kg: bomh up c()n1pan~ of th 'ir 0\\n. independent '(/11'1/1
ing- a fourth phllllon 111 e:lch l'il1l.' eomp;ln~ r;llhcr ,I' III 5511 m. Tht' Ialll.'r \\:l oritrin;IJI~ int~.'ndt'd for Ihl.' ~'(J1II11II!!1I1t'1I2L ener;llh• had aset'lion ofup tI follt' li/I:r'hl
Ihe British inCmlr~ pIawon. ,Iddcd ar.\?\\i:.. cction w defencc lit for I'C.'Ic.::. and \\'oU the de;ldlit 1 \\capon mortar....
their lhrec inlanlr~ celion., .\' Ihe numl cr III' on Ih \\I.' tern f'ront. It... \Cl'~ hi\;{h tl',ljcl'tor~ .111(,\
\IG 'U.'II.i il1l;rca.;ed,lhc~\\crl.' inlqrralcd ;nlo thc hC:1\~ charg '0; 'ould hring Jbout lhe colla} ~. of Flam lhr \\' r'
oe
\\holcccti m. tl'l.'l1I.:h. The morlar': noi't', and okl; T'i from lhe: Pionecr unit· \\tr alrcad~ incor
phtloOn'i. !!i\ing phlloon commamkrs Iht· :Ibilil~ to
manOCl"rc Iheir ritlc 'cclion, 'o\tTl.'d h~ the ...up 10\\. rcmor:eh:" Ia 'a!?"c throu!!h the ;.ir addcd I) p )rated intI lhe .-wm1twop detachment., n I,
pre:.1\Clin:ofIhe Illachinc!!"ltn . ~TIIlllI'Iu("ier(r1moa;/e1n,i1c1'e/1,1;1i."'/lliII:1'i rt:l"I"u,'utinl(''cl,t\"-,I~lIll{f'1'InlI"it·u,·l.l·t·l";' iInhermleJrurOceI'.I "in1.'\1\9\He;r..tihoen..;.eohr:1adllmIhulc'l:hc l1olln0gl'etilU''Srawngeere... J\\a.n1u.:lI'c~reIalJt1ed- :Intnallo-\polru.lnIet lt'hfeormnaetliloIn~ d,Pc\i lnopeerd
r 'nlldc-Iaullchcrs IhePh,llll .'n.'.fJ ·Ilt·,. ,"tllC.'lllt·Hc.:I'i:11numb 'r'f': :md \\ n' ':lp;lhleofd li\wingg;ls-fill>d I roj .'rile:. 11:111\C hro\\' rs. R~ :1 cllriou I\lil.'\ of al • the com
The German ,\rm~ bq!an 1he \\Jr \\itll I\\ I~Pl:~ 0 1il.1'1\1(1'1T1l"/o1'::"' ldh,eeI/.U1:!,!mt,,t.',uIIfiirll,l mIlIai"niu::;fi('h(t.>·llIIin,·;'.dr I/.IIII!!'Ct-:."·'f·uI"Cin Th' lrcllch mortar \\en: as igned 10 the 'iege mand r If the FIIIII/1I1L'lIwt'lfi.·r -Iblt'ilill/lg. \ lajor
rifle :rrl.'n~l(k in ·(.'nicc. !lolh \\eighed iU~1 untler ,I lin '-,.l1ll11d1l1;J;,zinc:,lI/C] 19M. (17~1((t'rnR;>IIm Irain in II)H, hu :lIthe ugh rhc.:y rc.:mainc.: Inominally II rl11an I cddcn1iln, \\'3 a t(lrm 'I' chi f ofrhe L ip
"ilo:Inti \\ 'r' tired I'rom thc Gell'dll'9X rifle, lI:ing: .1 ul.nue7cinrhlit.ell/h.ln:c'/.c:aIIr.tr'lclltg'c '"l1e'Iion) in lhe hand. ofI ioneer.... thc~ \\e.:rc oon rc rg:Jni:-.ed I.ig lire brig-alic. He ha I been comluctin1r e"pel'i
'1)I,:ci:11 hbnk ':lrtridtrc. Recoil \\a \kiolls .mtl accu Intoindepcndclli 11101'(;11'del;1 hmcl1t'>.Th il'pCI' on ment \\;1h nilm \I ;IP n. for, \eral ~ '<II' befor'
r;\t'~ minimal. but Ollt·, Ihe (I·cnchlinl.'s \\ere c lah tIetonaled, 'I'hl' 'rtl//I/1t'/111'{'I:!t'I' COllI I :t1...0 launeh nt'i \Iere l:tnrcl~ dnl\\11 frc m Ih in :lnlr~, and Ihe~ Ih \\ar. and h. I Ihlb 1';1\ d Idth Rit:h:lr I I'iedh:r,
Ii hed. lroop rigged up :111 111:1Onl.'r 01 imprO\i.ed ign;11 l'CICkCI', 'fhi.; h'lnd~ t\\n man \\caplin t:tlUItl "t'rc atll1chcd to Ihl' inf;mIT~ on 11 ba i. of one lh 'man cre lile I wilh per~ ctingIhe fir',t op 'rational
or
m()llntin~~.I ~ 11J16 a purpo>;c-built G,.lIIlI/t'//1Ic'l/i'" deli\cr ,In impre i\c h:lil tin: again I l:nel1l~ 1111I1/t'III1'['I:!t'r l/ltt'lllllll~ per regiment. beh regi tlamcthr \\cr. '1\\-0 t~-pe:-. were t ,red in mbat: a
(Grcl1~l(k-dml\\el') had hl.'en lt1lrllllu ·ed. It \H'Ig:hed -lron~~p()int: it. ammunition \\:1 li~hl lind if mental detachment con~i,tl'li 01 L 7, l cm mortars man-pack H.:r ion (A/t'lIIes FltJIIIII!tfllll'cr.fh') operared
.H) "g: hUI broke do\\n into t\\0 load - tlH.' thm\\er enough inlimlr~men 'arried t'on'ard "andha .full of .1Ilt! 24-l:!rcll.I Ie-launcher, The he:l\it:r moriaI' \\1.'1'(.' b~ t\\n III 'n, :lnd a :tali' \''I' ion ('rOSSt'.
(23 kg) and Ihe pl.llrOrlll (I: kg). It hnu;1 ma\imum !.tn:n.ld , the (;l'l1l1tl!lIlIll'C'l'/t'l' could SliP! on lh~.'m !!rollpt'd inlO lIi//t'lI/ra/i',. coml anic:.., \\illl IInc nor Flllllllllt'11I1'c'r!er) Ihal proj "tct.! ajCl fl1ame for·W m.
n1l1~c or ,':0 III ;lllll a minimum ran~1.' (I' 50 m. \\Ilh lWlh liin:ct and indireci fire. l11all~ alia ·ht,d to cach di\i'ion, Each 'ompan~ Cllm Tooperate the fllrmcr, one man carried th fu Iran"
Int:lI1tr~ rctrim nl' Iud L 'a'h h~ 191(1, and \\ilh pri'cd thrc\.':cction':one hea\'~ (four_4-em or_5 em /)n hi: hack \\'hile a .econd mJn aimed the tube.
.r
rht'm ., ecial 'rcbllllnding' t!rt·nadt·... \\en: ilHl'Odll .'u. l'tal', mllrl.lr:) ami 1\\0 medium (eighl 17 cm morlars). Compre:s d nitrogen xp lied ruel oil \\hi'h \\;1
The klltcr carried a.,cparall.' black pmHler durge 0 HI I' \\irne::ing: th· uccc S Or.I:1p:1I1c.,e iml rO\·iTd TheI'l:' 1\1.'1" al 0:11 I'a.l 13 1I1I11'II/I'c'IFI'hallalion~a i~nileda it left tht' n 1'>'1 ,Tt \\;\.Ie ted in Fe ruar)
Ih,l\ \\'hen the gn.'nadc Iruck the ~rounu, il \\;1. mort:lr, ,If Port \rthul'.lhc G rman. rT11~ oru reu a :t re ent· al lht' c.ll~po ,II ,f 'cneral Jkadqllarter,>. 1915 a~ail1s1 Iht· 'rl.'l1c.:h nt'ar \ cnllln, ,lnO in JlIne
blcl\\nhal'" inllllhc"irarr:ll'lion llLI 'ccond before il "crie~ ofIuq II.e buill \\capon' fur lhl.' Iionct'l''', B.\ that 'nuld he 'em to "'uppon German attack I r to again"I the I rit' h. In both c- lh I I'mI' in:pir tl
I.eI;-: 'W"IIlIl'l1ll1'
h1I/,llion. in 'Iudecl/l
hlllCl:r, lJ(ul'li/lt.,.'
IIsw,li, "lei,C:'n,,:c/o\ln
f~1I0;"i~in 76.1t'lll fidd ,~'"~.
\Iilll,Illenccli,c:r:IIlU['1I1"
1.111111mccre.~, l 'edIci
c·/Il!:ll!(.'{'nt'/IlI 11l~,,:lIin,·
l!u'ni)Il.~';1iQ/l,~, dIe,' \It'I'C
IW/lcrpulled inc" Iwr C:'.'
IIat·IlIlI"u/m'mlJlc:',(nl \/)
Hi:rll/: GC'rmlln tr,ilJcon,
ll1~t'MnegunIwd .
\Iincl1\\('rfcl',TC\I;'c:'ar";ed
rille.,:11/(1p;sfIJl...Ii)/',o;d/:
uert,,,,,c. 'file: II'Iille/'l
\/"ridtU!!('1" mel \f~1I.t'/"
(.1)(, \Icn'pal"ticu/:lrI"
/inmwcdI)l' .1U. Cdl ,
dl/ulllc-cJ IStidl/ 11I1'1IillC:"~'
,1('Cllr:1ft'II(up /l) 100
mc:'rrt·,~ \IIll:n IiI/cdIIj,ll:l
,twuldcr-s/lld.,(P:HIl'l'n
Roum ,ollc li"lI)
17
16