Introduction
The magazine rifle was one of the many inventions at the turn of the century which led to a dramatic shift of tactics and strategies in war. The first country to introduce the magazine rifle was Germany in 1884 who had converted their 1871 Mauser rifle to the magazine system[1]. It was not long before other European countries were experimenting and adopting similar rifles. Shortly after the development of the magazine rifle came the introduction of the machine gun. After the American civil war many developments were made, the best of them in 1884, when Hiram S. Maxim invented a one-barreled gun that loaded and fired itself with the force of its own recoil; it was the first machine gun that did not require aid in firing such as hand cranking. During the First World War, it would become known as the “queen of the battlefield.” [2]
The magazine rifle was one of the many inventions at the turn of the century which led to a dramatic shift of tactics and strategies in war. The first country to introduce the magazine rifle was Germany in 1884 who had converted their 1871 Mauser rifle to the magazine system[1]. It was not long before other European countries were experimenting and adopting similar rifles. Shortly after the development of the magazine rifle came the introduction of the machine gun. After the American civil war many developments were made, the best of them in 1884, when Hiram S. Maxim invented a one-barreled gun that loaded and fired itself with the force of its own recoil; it was the first machine gun that did not require aid in firing such as hand cranking. During the First World War, it would become known as the “queen of the battlefield.” [2]
Machine Gun Against Dug in Infantry
The experiences of the Boer War and the Russo-Japanese War made it clear that artillery firing shrapnel shells could be effective for infantry and cavalry in the open, but were not effective against dug-in infantry. In 1914, the Germans quickly realized this and positioned themselves in defensive positions against the French border [3]. Once they were dug-in, the Germans did not suffer as heavy casualties as the French had thought they would when exposed to rapid bombardment. Other armies failed to foresee the need for heavier guns that was more effective against infantry in trenches.
The experiences of the Boer War and the Russo-Japanese War made it clear that artillery firing shrapnel shells could be effective for infantry and cavalry in the open, but were not effective against dug-in infantry. In 1914, the Germans quickly realized this and positioned themselves in defensive positions against the French border [3]. Once they were dug-in, the Germans did not suffer as heavy casualties as the French had thought they would when exposed to rapid bombardment. Other armies failed to foresee the need for heavier guns that was more effective against infantry in trenches.
British and Canadian Introduction Into Battle
At first, the British were slow to introduce the machine gun to real battle. As Berton explains in his book Vimy, “at the start of war, they treated the machine gun as a toy.”[4] They refused to adequately supply the British soldiers with enough to fend of the Germans, and as a result hundreds of thousands of men died[5]. To them, the machine gun was just an accessory to dress up their armies rather than a highly functional tool. However Raymond Brutinel saw the possibilities of the machine gun from the beginning. It was under him that the 1st Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade was created through donations from wealthy Canadians who also shared his ideas of the capability of the machine gun. He was determined in introducing the machine gun to battle as a tactical power. Yet once Brutinel got to Europe, he had trouble finding believers in the potential of the machine gun. It was not until 1916 when Brutinel met with Arthur Currie that he found someone to apply his ideas of indirect fire (Brutinel believed that the machine guns could be used to fire above the advancing troops, preventing the enemy from repairing broken barbed wire lines, and fill the gaps of artillery fire)[6]. Even then, Brutinel had trouble convincing officers to adopt his plan. The first time that Brutinel ever used his techniques was while defying orders from General Byng during the battle of Sanctuary Wood in Ypres (He used a line of machine gunners to secure Lipsett’s brigade and closed the gap in order to place them back in spot. Brutinel was repeatedly ordered to pull back at this point, but ignored the orders as he believed that he was in too critical of a position. Instead, he ordered the brigade to hold their position which led to an advancement of the troops on the battlefield)[7]. After listening in detail, Byng commended Brutinel for his actions and agreed that machine guns are key to battle tactics. It was only after this that Brutinel was able to work with Currie in the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the use of the machine gun was given a whole new purpose. Together they used the idea of a creeping barrage and indirect fire to take back Vimy; the ridge which was a major turning point in the war.
British Machine Gun Corps
At first, the British were slow to introduce the machine gun to real battle. As Berton explains in his book Vimy, “at the start of war, they treated the machine gun as a toy.”[4] They refused to adequately supply the British soldiers with enough to fend of the Germans, and as a result hundreds of thousands of men died[5]. To them, the machine gun was just an accessory to dress up their armies rather than a highly functional tool. However Raymond Brutinel saw the possibilities of the machine gun from the beginning. It was under him that the 1st Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade was created through donations from wealthy Canadians who also shared his ideas of the capability of the machine gun. He was determined in introducing the machine gun to battle as a tactical power. Yet once Brutinel got to Europe, he had trouble finding believers in the potential of the machine gun. It was not until 1916 when Brutinel met with Arthur Currie that he found someone to apply his ideas of indirect fire (Brutinel believed that the machine guns could be used to fire above the advancing troops, preventing the enemy from repairing broken barbed wire lines, and fill the gaps of artillery fire)[6]. Even then, Brutinel had trouble convincing officers to adopt his plan. The first time that Brutinel ever used his techniques was while defying orders from General Byng during the battle of Sanctuary Wood in Ypres (He used a line of machine gunners to secure Lipsett’s brigade and closed the gap in order to place them back in spot. Brutinel was repeatedly ordered to pull back at this point, but ignored the orders as he believed that he was in too critical of a position. Instead, he ordered the brigade to hold their position which led to an advancement of the troops on the battlefield)[7]. After listening in detail, Byng commended Brutinel for his actions and agreed that machine guns are key to battle tactics. It was only after this that Brutinel was able to work with Currie in the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the use of the machine gun was given a whole new purpose. Together they used the idea of a creeping barrage and indirect fire to take back Vimy; the ridge which was a major turning point in the war.
Advantages
The development of rifles, followed by breech loading mechanisms, magazines, and smokeless powder meant that the soldier no longer needed to stand up to load their guns while engulfed in a cloud of smoke. It allowed soldiers to see their opponents for longer, permitting them to achieve accurate fire at longer ranges. It also increased the firepower wielded by two or three men to that of a whole platoon, sparing more men to advance than stay behind for cover fire.
The development of rifles, followed by breech loading mechanisms, magazines, and smokeless powder meant that the soldier no longer needed to stand up to load their guns while engulfed in a cloud of smoke. It allowed soldiers to see their opponents for longer, permitting them to achieve accurate fire at longer ranges. It also increased the firepower wielded by two or three men to that of a whole platoon, sparing more men to advance than stay behind for cover fire.
Disadvantages
The machine gun also had some downfalls with its design, however. In many cases the guns would overheat and become inoperative. To solve this the gun was generally only fired in quick, short bursts and attempts at cooling the guns came in two forms: water cooled with the aid of water jackets, and air cooled with the help of vents. In many cases, the water-cooled machine guns would still frequently jam so extra water had to be kept on hand. It was not uncommon for soldiers to be found urinating on them to try to cool them off[8]. To overcome this barrier, the guns would be in many cases grouped close together in order to keep a strategic position. Machine guns were also difficult to maneuver around the battle field because they were often large and heavy. As time progressed throughout the war, changes were made to the machine guns to make them lighter and more portable. However, even after these changes were made, the guns were often too heavy to be maneuverable by animal or carts. By 1918 one-manned portable machine guns, such as the Bergmann MP18 submachine gun, were brought onto the battle field[9].
German Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun
The machine gun also had some downfalls with its design, however. In many cases the guns would overheat and become inoperative. To solve this the gun was generally only fired in quick, short bursts and attempts at cooling the guns came in two forms: water cooled with the aid of water jackets, and air cooled with the help of vents. In many cases, the water-cooled machine guns would still frequently jam so extra water had to be kept on hand. It was not uncommon for soldiers to be found urinating on them to try to cool them off[8]. To overcome this barrier, the guns would be in many cases grouped close together in order to keep a strategic position. Machine guns were also difficult to maneuver around the battle field because they were often large and heavy. As time progressed throughout the war, changes were made to the machine guns to make them lighter and more portable. However, even after these changes were made, the guns were often too heavy to be maneuverable by animal or carts. By 1918 one-manned portable machine guns, such as the Bergmann MP18 submachine gun, were brought onto the battle field[9].
Future Uses
It was not long before the machine gun was adapted to be used on tanks over broken ground, and was employed on aircraft. Of course with the introduction of machine guns on aircraft, they were also to be used as an anti-aircraft device for soldiers against overhead threats. World war one was just the beginning for the developments of the machine gun.
It was not long before the machine gun was adapted to be used on tanks over broken ground, and was employed on aircraft. Of course with the introduction of machine guns on aircraft, they were also to be used as an anti-aircraft device for soldiers against overhead threats. World war one was just the beginning for the developments of the machine gun.
References
[1] Fuller, J.F.C. The Conduct of War 1789-1961 New Brunswick, New Jersey: Da Capo Press, 1961 p 134
[2] Fuller, J.F.C. Ibid. p 284
[3] Brewer, Paul. The Chronicle of War London: SevenOaks, 2007 p 102
[4] Berton, Pierre. Vimy Markham: Penguin Books Ltd., 1986 p 108
[5] Berton, Ibid p 108
[6] Berton, Ibid. p 172
[7] Berton, Ibid p 172
[8] Duffy, Michael. “Weapons of War: Machine guns” FirstWorldWar.com http://www.firstworldwar.com/weaponry/machineguns.htm (accessed May 3, 2013)
[9] Duffy, Ibid. (accessed May 3, 2013)
[1] Fuller, J.F.C. The Conduct of War 1789-1961 New Brunswick, New Jersey: Da Capo Press, 1961 p 134
[2] Fuller, J.F.C. Ibid. p 284
[3] Brewer, Paul. The Chronicle of War London: SevenOaks, 2007 p 102
[4] Berton, Pierre. Vimy Markham: Penguin Books Ltd., 1986 p 108
[5] Berton, Ibid p 108
[6] Berton, Ibid. p 172
[7] Berton, Ibid p 172
[8] Duffy, Michael. “Weapons of War: Machine guns” FirstWorldWar.com http://www.firstworldwar.com/weaponry/machineguns.htm (accessed May 3, 2013)
[9] Duffy, Ibid. (accessed May 3, 2013)