German Assistant Machinegunners.

I was reading German infantry organization tables and found that in the 1943 organization, two riflemen were taken from all infantry squads but the asisstant gunners were given rifles to compensate. How effective would that be in addressing the loss of rifle power? My line of thinking is that the squad has a dilema, because if the assistant gunner feeds machine gun like doctrine says, his rifle is useless and does nothing for the squad. But if he is used as a rifleman, would serving the MG-34/42 become so clumsy that effective fire is reduced? How essential was the assistant gunner was to the effectiveness of the machine gun team?

 

The big loss of the two men, was the two extra men. Sounds simple doesn't it.

By having large squads you added a bit of staying power to the infantry. If the 8 man squad loose two men, it seriously impedes the squads ability to do fire and manouvre. A 12 man squad can absorb 4 casualties and still put up a good fight. The 12 man squad can have 50% casualties and still function to a certain degree.

The loss of the rifles doesn't do much difference, since their firepower is virtually nil. But you need the men to carry ammo for the LMG, and hold the ground.

As to the effect of robbing one man off the MG team it would dramamtically reduce the efficency of the weapon. The loss of simple but important tasks such as correcting the gunners aim or having new ammo ready, would mean that the MG would loose ability to have good sustained fire.

Remember that the LMG was the backbone of every infantry section. The lesson learned was that to increase firepower in the infantry and more LMG's to the section.

 

By 1943 the Germans were on the defensive everywhere, so their infantry sections were cut down to be more efficient. Early war German infantry sections had up to a dozen men, and for good measure..they were on the assault. The volksgrenadier section in late war were also heavily reduced.

As for the rifle armed assistant gunner, I suppose that his rifle was meant as mainly for self defense, I think. In the early war stage, the assistant gunner carried only a pistol (but naturally it would free him up to carry more MG items instead of having an additional 15 pound or so burden (k98 with 60 rounds))

The role of the assistant gunner was to carry 2 ammunition boxes (500 rounds), loose ammo in addition to that, spare barrels, etc., so it was absolutely vital. A LMG couldn't function well without him. He also made sure that the weapon was continually supplied with ammo carried by others in the section or resupply.

I believe in German assault units (paratroopers and panzegrenadiers) the assistants still went rifleless. (armed only with a pistol) for good measure. (but this a factoid, I may be off depending on the war date)

 

Wolfy.

The barrel is swung out on the right side of the MG, the assistant is on the left side feeding ammo. It is the Gunner who changes barrels.

 

yeah, you're right. My mistake.

 

Being that the German squads are based around the machine gun, taking away the assistant would seriously impede the squad's mission. This type of cannibization was affecting all branches of the Wehrmacht. 'Downsizing' was the norm at that time.

 

1941-1942 German infantry squad:

"The new Squad was made up of an NCO, a six man rifle element and a three man light machine gun team. "

1943

"The Rifle Squad itself was reduced to nine men, deleting the ammunition bearer for the machine gun team. The loader now officially adopted a rifle, and a second machine pistol replaced a Mauser in the rifle group, possibly carried by the assistant leader. The remainder of the Squad was effectively unaltered, and this organization was almost certainly more reflective of that in use throughout 1943."

The German Grenadier Battalion 1943 to 1945

 

"Maschinengewehrschützehalfe(Assistant machine gunner)
The assistant machine gunner is a very important position. Originally two MG assistants (Gunners B and C), one of the positions was removed during the manpower reduction from a 10 to 9 man squad in late '43. The new tactical philosophy meant that all members of the squad are now considered to be assistants to the machine gunner. The job of directly assisting the MG gunner will be placed upon any one or two of the Grenadiers. Additionally all other members of the squad are expected to help by carrying ammunition and should be capable of operating the machine gun in emergencies.
There are no rank or equipment requirements for this position, however it does require some experience with the light machine gun as the assistant needs to be able to move in sync with the gunner and use it in emergencies. His responsibilities include reloading the belts, helping to clear obstacles, changing the barrel, carrying the weapon, and setting up the bipod or tripod. He will also carry additional rounds of ammunition along with the spare barrel. Prior to the '44 Gruppe, the assistant gunner(s) would carry a pistol instead of a rifle."

 

well sometimes there are three manmachinegun teams feeder gunner and spotter