woensdag 27 juli 2016

The 1940 Belgian Rifle Platoon

Introduction
Before we start off, it is important to make a few notes. Following World War I and the annexation of the German territories of Eupen and Malmedy, Belgium has been a country with 3 official languages, those being French, Dutch, and German. Given the lack of German manuals used and seeing as how these territories were annexed, it seems that German was not an important language in the army.

For the sake of this post, I will translate the majority of sources from Dutch. First of all, Dutch is my native language, and as such, my command of it is far stronger than my French. Secondly, the main sources available to me are in Dutch.

It can very well be argued that it would be more correct to use French when it comes to describing the Belgian army. French has historically been the language of the elite in Belgium, indeed, in most of Western Europe. As a result, officers were expected to have an understanding of the French language. It should however be noted that at the platoon level, a single language was used. Therefore, we can think of what is described below as applicable to infantry platoons in the Dutch-speaking units.

 
The Belgian Duke of Brabant and heir apparent firing the F.M. at camp Beverloo

Prologue
Much as in World War I, the German armed forces marched through Belgium to attack France. Under the Manstein plan, German Panzer forces would attack through the Belgian Ardennes, bypassing the French Maginot line. As such, the Germans faced the Belgian Army’s fusilierspeloton between the 10th and 28th of May, 1940.

For a complete overview of the equipment used by the rifle platoon, the “Uitrusting van het voetvolk”, dated January 9th, 1940 is used.

On page 8 and 9, this document gives us the following table:


To translate this complete table: 


It important to note the translation for “Bajonet-draaglengsel voor F. M.” is not perfect. As such, it is perhaps better to simply illustrate what is meant by this rather enigmatic term. This item is a bayonet-mounted anti-aircraft mount, which on one end attaches to the F.M., and the rifle on the other.

 
The platoon
The platoon consists of a commander, bugler, batman, four rifle squads, and one D.B.T. light mortar squad, for a total of 65 men.

The platoon commander was a luitenant or onderluitenant (1st or 2nd lieutenant), and armed with a Browning High-Power, known in Dutch as the G. D.-pistool, with holster, and 3 13-round magazines. His gear consisted of a pair of artillery binoculars, a compass, and a flashlight.

The bugler and batman are similarly equipped, both carrying a Model 1935 or 1936 Belgian Mauser with 120 rounds of 7.65×53mm ammunition carried. As far as equipment went, they both carried a spade with cover, flare pistol, and 10 flares without parachutes. They are assumed to be soldaten (privates).

The squad
The squad is made up of 13 men, divided into two equal groups of 6. The leader was a sergeant armed with a rifle, a standard load of 120 rounds, a hammer-axe with cover, infantry binoculars, a compass, a demarcation cloth, and 2 green hand flares. We can safely assume that the most senior squad leader also took on the role of second-in-command, in case the platoon commander fell in battle.


Belgian soldiers resting near Leuven, 14th of May 1940

The light machine gun group
This first group of 6 men was responsible for operating the sole automatic weapon in the squad, the fusil-mitrailleur (F.M.), also known as the mitrailleusegeweer (M.G.) in Dutch. Both terms mean as much as “machine-rifle” or automatic rifle. [i]

The group consisted of a group leader holding the rank of korporaal (corporal). He commanded the gunner and 4 ammunition bearers, all of whom are assumed to be privates. The corporal carried a rifle, wirecutters, and a demarcation cloth. As ammunition, he carried 30 rounds on stripper clips for use in his rifle, 6 20-round magazines, and 4 20-round packages for a total of 230 rounds of 7.65×53mm.

The gunner carried the F.M., which was a Belgian modification of the Browning Automatic Rifle, with a sling, receiver cover, and cleaning kit. He carried a total of 80 rounds in 4 magazines, 60 rounds of which was standard ball ammo, whilst one magazine was loaded with armour-piercing ammunition. Furthermore, the gunner carried a spade.

The 1st ammunition bearer (who can perhaps be seen as more of an assistant gunner) carries a G. D.-pistool with holster, detachable buttstock, and 3 13-round magazines. He carried 5 magazines of ball ammunition, and 1 filled with armour-piercing rounds. Additionally, a load of 120 rounds in 6 20-round packets was carried, bringing the total to 240 rounds. For entrenching purposes, he carried the standard spade. Finally, he carried the AA mount, as illustrated above.

The team was completed by 3 more ammunition bearers, all of whom carried a rifle, 30 rounds of rifle ammunition loaded on stripper clips, 6 magazines, of which 1 loaded with AP ammunition, 4 packs of 20 rounds, and a spade.

The rifle group
The fusilier-grenadier ploeg, or rifle group, consisted of 6 men and was led by a corporal, much like the light machine gun group. That is however where the similarities end. All men, the corporal and 5 privates, were uniformly equipped. Their equipment consisted of the standard rifle, 120 rounds of ammunition, 3 O.F. grenades, and a spade. Additionally, the corporal carried a demarcation cloth.


King Leopold III (centre) inspecting Belgian troops, with on his left General Denis.

The light mortar squad
When it came to fire support, the light mortar squad was integral to the platoon. With its 3 50mm mortars, the platoon had quite a bit of indirect firepower.

The squad leader of the light mortar squad was a sergeant, equipped with a G. D.-pistool with holster, detachable buttstock, and 3 13-round magazines. He carried a total of 14 D.B.T. “grenades”, 10 of which in a bag, the rest were spread between the greatcoat and bread bag or rucksack.
For propelling these so-called grenades, 3 packages of 5 grenade-launching cartridges were carried. Finally, he carried infantry binoculars and a hammer-axe.

The 3 mortar gunners carried a D.B.T. mortar each. 4 D.B.T. grenades were carried in the greatcoat and bread bag or rucksack, in addition to one 5-round pack with propelling cartridges. For the purpose of personal protection, they were issued pistols with detachable stocks, and 3 magazines. As it may be required to entrench the mortars, spades were carried by each of the gunners.

To supply these 3 gunners, 6 ammunition bearers were available. Much like the sergeant, they carried 14 grenades spread between a bag, the greatcoat, bread bag, and rucksack. For propelling 3 packages were available. Their personal equipment consisted of a rifle with 60 rounds of ammunition, and they all carried a spade.

All men of the light mortar squad carried 3 signalling flares and 1 light flare with parachutes each.

Armament
When it came to small arms, the Belgian army had equipment comparable to that of other nations. Indeed much like the Polish forces discussed earlier, it used a Mauser rifle, Browning-style pistol, and Browning Automatic Rifle variant.

The standard rifles were the Models 35 and 36, both Mauser actions, based on the 1898 and 1889 respectively.
The Geweer Mod. 35 or Fusil 35 weighed in at 3.93 kilogrammes. It was 1108mm long, with a 23.5 inch long barrel. The Model 36 weighed the same, but was a touch shorter at 1096mm. The barrel was marginally longer at 23.6 inches.


The Model 35 Belgian Mauser

Both used Model 30 7.65×53mm cartridges, principally the ball round. The spitzer bullet weighed approximately 174 grains and was propelled to a velocity of 2460 feet per second by 38.6 grains of smokeless powder. In the metric system, this would be equal to 11.25 grams, 750 metres per second, and 2.5 grams. [ii]


The Model 36 Belgian Mauser

For volume of fire, the squad possessed a single automatic rifle, based on the American Browning Automatic Rifle. This variant, known as the Model 30, was developed by FN Herstal, more specifically, Dieudonne Saive, the designer of the later FN FAL rifle. [iii]


The Browning Model 30

This weapon, also known as the Fusil-Mitrailleur or Mitrailleusegeweer, weighed approximately 9 kilograms, and had a total length of 1180mm when equipped with the 23.6 inch barrel. Much like the American BAR it was based on, it used 20-round magazines and could fire at both a slow and rapid rate. As such, the fire selector was marked S-R-M, for safe, slow, and rapid respectively.

Apart from standard ball ammunition, armour piercing rounds were also available to the crew, as has been noted above. These Model 30 AP cartridges had a 161 grain tombac-jacketed bullet with hardened steel core, whilst the propellant charge consisted of 41 grains. A velocity is not given, but it can be assumed to be somewhat higher to that of the rifle.


High Power, Grande Puissance, Grote Dracht. Effective no matter the language

By no coincidence, the Belgian service pistol was a Browning design as well, and much like the Model 30, part of its design was the work of Dieudonné Saive. The pistol was developed in response to a French requirement for a “High Power” pistol after WWI. [iv] It was on this design John Browning was working when he died at his workbench. [v] As such, Saive took up the task of completing the design, which resulted in the ultimate evolution of Browning-style design dating back to 1896. [vi]

In 1935, the weapon that would be known to the Belgian army as the Grande Puissance or Grote Dracht. [vii] This 9mm Parabellum pistol had a reasonable weight at 0.89 kilos, whilst the length was as one would expect from a service pistol, at 197mm with a 4.6 inch barrel. The main feature of the pistol was its 13-round magazine, which was very generous for a 1935 design. Indeed, it would take until 1966 until a 9mm with a higher capacity was developed. [viii] One rather archaic oddity however was the sight, marked from 50 metres out to a rather optimistic 500 metres.


The stock-holsters, stock, and magazine pouch accessories.

The ammunition was, as the Kennblatter Fremdes Geräts points out, completely identical to German Pistolenpatrone 08. As such, a 124-grain bullet must have been used in conjunction with a 4.9 grain charge. Muzzle velocity would be somewhere around 1040 feet per second. In metric terms, this would be 8 gram bullet propelled by a 0.32 gram charge of powder, for an approximate muzzle-velocity of 317 metres per second. [viv]

The grenades used by the rifle group were the so-called O.F. grenades. These grenades are of an offensive type, and therefore have a limited fragmentation effect when compared to defensive grenades. The total weight of the grenade is approximately 255 grammes, and the fuse delays the detonation to around 5 seconds after the spoon is released. [x]


O.F. grenades, normal view and sectioned view

To give the reader an overview of the nomenclature used for the weapons, the below table is of much use.









Conclusion
With all that being said, we can conclude the Belgian rifle platoon was equipped comparably to many other Allied forces. Even more so, it compares favourably to the Dutch rifle platoon.
The equipment it used can be regarded as modern for its time, with the Browning pistol standing out. Undeniably, the Belgian army was ahead of the curve when it adopted this 13-shot pistol, and it still sees service to this day. [xi]

When it came to the organisation and doctrine of the Belgian army, it was clearly based on World War I experiences, and much like the French, consisted of what can be termed a bomber team and a gunner team. This layout has generally been abandoned in favour of a unified squad as the war progressed. The platoon itself was large, which may has its disadvantages, but this wasn't uncommon for the time.

All in all, nothing stands out in particular, and it cannot be said that the Belgian army was defeated due to tactical disadvantages. Rather, it was simply overpowered by a foe which had been preparing for war since 1933.The Belgian Army had prepared the best it could in a difficult strategic situation, and its men fought valiantly against the Blitzkrieg.

In the next post, we will have a look at the French army's Nord-Est platoon.

________________________________________________________________________

Sources:

The main sources used have been the "Uitrusting van het voetvolk", and three Belgian manuals, namely:
Opleiding van den Infanterist 1932 (Dutch)

Handboek voor de Opleiding van den Infanterist Tweede deel Bijzondere Opleiding van den Fusilier-Mitrailleur 1932 (Dutch)
 Manuel pour la Formation du Fantassin Deuxieme partie Formation Particuliere du Fusilier-Mitrailleur 1932 (French)

For most technical data, the Kennblatter Fremdes Geräts, parts Handwaffen and Munition bis 3.6 cm were used.




[i] Opleiding van den Infanterist 1932, page 94

[ii] Cartridges of the World, 13th edition, page 342






[x] Handboek voor de Opleiding van den Infanterist, pages 115 to 117

[xi] http://www.mil.be/nl/materiaal/gp-9-mm

The final table is based on:

Kennblatter for German codes and French names except F.M, which is derived from the Dutch and French Fusilier-Mitrailleur manual. Handboek voor de Opleiding van den Infanterist Tweede deel Bijzondere Opleiding van den Fusilier-Mitrailleur 1932, page 19 and Manuel pour la Formation du Fantassin Deuxieme partie Formation Particuliere du Fusilier-Mitrailleur, page 19. 
The Dutch names are derived from the platoon table.

Pictures




Duke of Brabant BAR: FN Manual Fusil-Mitrailleur Browning Modèle 30

AA Mount: Kennblatter Fremdes Geräts



Belgian Mausers: Kennblatter Fremdes Geräts

Browning Model 30: FN Manual Fusil-Mitrailleur Browning Modèle 30

Browning High-Power and accesoiries: Kennblatter Fremdes Geräts

O.F. grenades: Opleiding van den Infanterist

vrijdag 1 juli 2016

German Machine Guns



Introduction
In the previous posts, the German issuance of machineguns was briefly mentioned.
Whilst on paper the standard machine gun of the Wehrmacht would be the MG 34, units in higher “Welle” divisions still made use of older pattern machineguns up until Unternehmen Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union.[i]
Furthermore, the SS-Verfügungstruppe (As the Waffen-SS was known before the 19th of July, 1940 [ii]) made prominent use of captured Czech weapons. [iii]
For this post however, we will concern ourselves solely with the MG 08/15 and MG 13 machine guns.

Prologue
For the sake of this post, the following document is used:



H.Dv. 130/2a
Ausbildungsvorschrift für die Infanterie.

Heft 2.
Die Schützenkompanie.

Teil a.
A. Einzelausbildung.
B. Die Gruppe.

This manual is printed in 1936 (“Nachdruck 1936”) and is a general instruction manual for the rifle company, perhaps best compared with the American FM 7-10 series of manuals. Almost 40 per cent of the manual is dedicated to the operation of the MG 08/15 and MG 13 machine guns. It is interesting to note that no mention of the MG 34 is made even though it was introduced some years earlier.

The MG 34 group
For comparison’s sake, the squad as employed with an MG 34 is shown below. This section is taken from a previous post, and the reader is invited to consider the MG 34 group in its wider platoon context: http://20thcenturyplatoons.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-1939-german-rifle-platoon.html




























 
1. Der l.M.G.-Trupp

(1) Zur Bedienung des l.M.G. gehören:

Der Führer des l.M.G.-Trupps (Gruppen- oder Truppführer) und 4 Schützen.

Einteilung und Ausrüstung der l.M.G.-Bedienung:

Schutze 1
Schütze 2
M.G. 34
2 Patronenkästen f. (für) M.G.
Werkzeugtasche 34 mit Inhalt
1 Laufschützer 34 mit 1 Vorratslauf
Pistole 08
Tragegurt 34 f. M.G.
Klapphacke
Pistole 08
Sonnenbrille
Klapphacke

Sonnenbrille

Schütze 3
Schütze 4
2 Patronenkästen f. (für) M.G.
1 Trommelträger mit 2 Patronentrommeln 34
Tragegurt 34 f. M.G.
Dreibein 34*)
Gewehr
Zuführertasche mit Zuführer oder Trommelhalter[i]
kurzer Spaten
Pistole 08

kurzer Spaten

All translated this means:

1. The LMG-group

(1) For the operation of the LMG belong

The leader of the LMG-group (Squad or group leader) and 4 men.

Organization and equipment of the LMG-operation (personnel).

Man 1
Man 2
MG 34
2 ammunition boxes for MG
Tool pouch 34 with contents
1 barrel protector 34 with 1 spare barrel
Pistole 08
Carrying sling 34 for MG
Folding hoe
Pistole 08
Sunglasses
Folding hoe

Sunglasses

Man 3
Man 4
2 ammunition boxes for MG
1 drum carrier with 2 ammunition drums 34
Carrying sling 34 for MG
Tripod 34
Rifle
Feed mechanism bag with (standard) feed mechanism or (75-round magazine) feed mechanism
Short spade
Pistole 08

Short spade

There is a note made in the manual about the tripod 34, which states that the tripod may not be carried and replaced with an ammunition box.

The MG 08/15 and MG 13 machine guns
Before going into depth on the squad, it is perhaps best so briefly explore the nature of the machineguns used by these squads.

The MG 08/15 is a belt-fed (Feeding from the right side), watercooled “light” machine gun. It is light in the sense that it is principally fired from a bipod and somewhat more portable than the MG 08 from which it is derived. The weight was still a hefty 19.5 kilograms when filled with water but unloaded. [iv]
It was fed from a 100-round belt contained in a drum, named the Patronentrommel 16.

The weapon was a response to Entente light machine guns, most notably the Lewis gun. After the treaty of Versailles, the German Reichswehr and later Wehrmacht were allowed to keep a reduced amount of machine guns, including the MG 08/15.

Quite different from the 08/15 was the MG 13, a magazine-fed, air-cooled machine gun. Weighing 11.04kg unloaded but with bipod and sling, this weapon qualifies far better for the designation “light machine gun”. It should be noted that as it feeds from 25-round magazines, sustained fire capabilities are limited compared to the 08/15. [v]

The MG 08/15 and MG 13 groups
It is page 137 of the H.Dv. 130/2a which sheds some light on the composition of the squad as equipped with the MG 08/15 and MG 13 machine guns.

  








































Die Gruppe.

223. Die Gruppe ist die kleinste Kampfeinheit. Sie besteht aus:
dem Gruppenführer,
dem Truppführer,
dem l. M.G.-Trupp (4 Schützen und 1 l. M. G.),
dem Schützentrupp (7 Schützen).

Einteilung, Ausrüstung und Aufgaben der Gruppe.

Allgemeines


Ausrüstung
Aufgaben
Gruppenführer
a) beim M. G. 08/15
Gewehr,
Doppelfernrohr,
Meldekartentasche,
Drahtschere,
Marschkompaß.
b) beim M. G. 13
wie beim M. G. 08/15.
Der Gruppenführer befiehlt den Einsatz der Gruppe. Daneben führt er im Kampf den Trupp, dem jeweils die wichtigere Kampfaufgabe zufällt.
Truppführer
a) beim M. G. 08/15
Gewehr,
Doppelfernrohr,
Meldekartentasche,
Klauenbeil,
Bandmaß.
b) beim M. G. 13
wie beim M. G. 08/15.
Der Truppführer führt im Kampf im allgemeinen den Trupp der Gruppe, der nicht vom Gruppenführer selbst geführt wird. Im Kampf und im inneren Dienst ist er der Gehilfe des Gruppenführers. Maßgebend für sein Handeln ist der vom Gruppenführer erhaltene Befehl. Entfernt sich der Gruppenführer von der Gruppe, so vertritt ihn der Truppführer ohne besonderen Befehl.
l. M. G.-Trupp :
Schütze 1 (Richtschütze)
a) beim M. G. 08/15
M.G. 08/15 gegebenenfalls mit angehängter Trommel,
Pistole,
Vorratsschloß mit Tasche,
langer Hülsenauszieher,
Klapphacke.
b) beim M. G. 13
M. G. 13,
1 Tragegurt mit Magazintaschen (4 Magazine),
Pistol,
Werkzeugtasche,
Klapphacke.
Schütze 1 macht das M. G. zum Schießen fertig. Er bedient es im Kampf und beseitigt auftretende Hemmungen.

Er ist der Führer des l. M. G.-Trupps, wenn Gruppen- und Truppführer beim Schützentrupp sind oder sonst ausfallen.
Schütze 2
a) beim M. G. 08/15
Laufschützer,
Dampfschlauch (falls er nicht schon am M. G. angebracht ist),
Wassenkasten,
1 Patronenkasten,
Pistole,
Werkzeugtasche,
Tragegurt für M. G.,
Klapphacke.
b) beim M. G. 13
Laufschützer,
2 Tragegurte mit Magazintaschen,
Pistole,
Tragegurt für M. G.,
Handschützer für Laufwechsel,
Klapphacke.
Schütze 2 ist der Gehilfe des Schützen 1 im Kampf. Er sorgt für Munition.

a) beim M. G. 08/15
Er hilft dem Schützen 1 bei den Vorbereitungen für die Feuereröffnung und beim Instellunggehen. Dann legt er sich in der Regel mehrere Schritte rechts seitwärts oder seitlich rückwärts des Schützen 1 möglichst in voller Deckung hin. Er ist jeder Zeit bereit, den Schützen 1 zu unterstützen (z. B. beim Beseitigen von Hemmungen, Laufwechsel, Wechseln der Unterstützungsart, Wasser nachfüllen) oder ihn zu ersetzen.
Nur beim Vorhandensein einer geeigneten Deckung bleibt er nach dem Instellunggehen neben dem Schützen 1 liegen und unterstützt ihn beim Laden, Zuführen des Patronengurts und Entladen.

b) beim M. G. 13
Er hilft dem Schützen 1 bei den Vorbereitungen für die Feuereröffnung, legt sich dann in der Regel mehrere Schritte links seitwärts oder seitlich rückwärts des Schützen 1 möglichst in voller Deckung hin. Schütze 2 ist jederzeit bereit, den Schützen 1 zu unterstützen (z. B. beim Beseitigen von Hemmungen, Laufwechsel, Wechseln der Unterstützungsart) oder ihn zu ersetzen. Nur beim Vorhandensein einer geeigneten Deckung legt er sich links neben den Schützen 1, reicht ihm bei leergeschossenem Magazin ein gefülltes Magazin zu oder wechselt das Magazin selbst aus.
Schütze 3
a) beim M. G. 08/15
2 Patronenkasten,
Gewehr,
Tragegurt für M. G.,
kurzer Spaten.
b) beim M. G. 13
2 Tragegurte mit Magazintaschen,
Gewehr
Tragegurt für M.G.,
kurzer Spaten.
Munitionsschütze.
Er liegt nach Möglichkeit rückwärts in voller Deckung.
Er führt den Handwagen nach, wen dieser auf das Gefechtsfeld mitgenommen wird.
In Ausnahmefällen kann er als Gewehrschütze verwendet werden.
Schütze 4
a) beim M. G. 08/15
Dreibein für M. G.,
Pistole,
1 Patronenkasten,
kurzer Spaten.
b) beim M. G. 13
Dreibein für M. G.,
Pistole,
1 Tragegurt mit Magazintaschen,
kurzer Spaten.
Das Dreibein wird nur auf besonderen Befehl mitgenommen. Unterbleibt die Mitnahme, so nimmt der Schütze 4 einem weiteren Patronenkasten (beim M. G. 08/15) oder einem weiteren Magazinkasten (beim M. G. 13) mit.
Munitionsschütze.
Er ist verantwortlich für Verbindung zum Zugführer, zu Nachbargruppen und zum Schützentrupp. Er wählt seinem Platz derart, daß er diese Aufgabe möglichst unter Deckung zum Feind lösen kann. Beim Instellunggehen mit Dreibein stellt er das Dreibein auf und hält es fest.
Schützen des Schützentrupps.
Gewehr.
Die Verteilung des Schanzzeugs erfolgt nach Anordnung des Kompaniechefs.
Gewehrschützen im Rahmen des Schützentrupps.

Der Kompaniechef kann eine andere Ausstattung mit Munition (auch die Ausgabe von Leuchtspurmunition an Gruppen- und Truppführer) anordnen. Er befiehlt die Ausgabe und Verteilung der Handgranaten.

Translation

The Squad.

In general

223. The squad is the smallest combat unit. It consists of:
the squad leader,
the group leader,
the LMG-group (4 men, 1 LMG),
the rifle group (7 men).

Organisation, equipment and tasks of the squad.


Equipment
Tasks
Squad leader
a) for M. G. 08/15
Rifle,
Binoculars,
Messenger bag,
Wire cutters,
Marching compass.
b) for M. G. 13
as for M. G. 08/15.
The squad leader commands the deployment of the squad. Additionally, in battle he leads the group to which the hardest task is given.
Group leader
a) for M. G. 08/15
Rifle,
Binoculars,
Messenger bag,
Axe,
Measuring tape.
b) for M. G. 13
as for M. G. 08/15.
The group leader generally leads the group of the squad which is not led by the squad leader himself. In battle and in internal service he is the help of the squad leader. Definitive to his behaviour is the squad leader’s order. If the squad leader is removed from the squad, the group leader (automatically) replaces him without a special order to do so.
LMG group :
Number 1 (Aiming gunner)
a) for M. G. 08/15
M.G. 08/15 possibly with attached drum,
Pistol,
Spare lock (bolt) with pouch,
Long case extractor,
Folding hoe.
b) for M. G. 13
M. G. 13,
1 Carrying sling with magazine pouches (4 Magazines),
Pistol,
Tool pouch,
Folding hoe.
Number 1 readies the gun for firing. He operates it in combat and clears any jams.

He is the leader of the LMG group when the squad and group leader are with the rifle group or otherwise not available.
Number 2
a) for M. G. 08/15
Barrel protector,
Water hose (in case it has not yet been attached to the MG),
Water chest,
1 Ammunition box,
Pistol,
Tool pouch,
Carrying sling for MG,
Folding hoe.
b) for M. G. 13
Barrel protector,
2 Carrying slings with magazine pouches,
Pistol,
Carrying sling for MG,
Hand protector for barrel change,
Folding hoe.
Number 2 is the helper of man 1 in combat. He takes care of the ammunition.

a) for M. G. 08/15
He helps number 1 with the preparations for the opening of fire and with moving into position.
Then, as a rule, he lays himself multiple paces to the right side or behind and to the right side of man 1, when possible in full cover.

He is always prepared to support number 1 (e.g. with clearing jams, changing barrels, changing mounting type, or refilling water) or to replace him.

Only when suitable cover is available does he remain lying down next to man 1 when going into position and supports him with loading, feeding (of the cartridge belt), and unloading.

b) for M. G. 13
He helps number 1 with the preparations for the opening of fire,



He helps number 1 with the preparations for the opening of fire and with moving into position.
Then, as a rule, he lays himself multiple paces to the left side or behind and to the left side of man 1, when possible in full cover.

Number 2 is always prepared, to support man 1 (e.g. with clearing jams, changing barrels, changing mounting type) or to replace him.

Only when suitable cover is available does he lie down next to number 1, giving him filled magazine when the magazine is empty, or changes the magazine himself.
Number 3
a) for M. G. 08/15
2 Ammunition boxes,
Rifle,
Carrying sling for MG,
Short spade.
b) for M. G. 13
2 Carrying slings with magazine pouches,
Rifle
Carrying sling for MG,
Short spade.
Ammunition bearer.
He lies, when possible, to the rear in full cover.

He keeps track of the hand cart when it is taken with on the battlefield.

In exceptional cases he can be used as a rifleman.

Number 4
a) for M. G. 08/15
Tripod for MG,
Pistol,
1 Ammunition box,
Short spade.
b) for M. G. 13
Tripod for MG,
Pistol,
1 Carrying sling with magazine pouches,
Short spade.
The tripod is only carried on special orders. If it is not carried, the number 4 carries an additional ammunition box (for M. G. 08/15) or an additional ammunition chest (for M. G. 13).
Ammunition bearer.

He is responsible for the link with the platoon commander, neighbouring squads, and rifle group.
He chooses his place thusly, so that he can perform these tasks under cover from the enemy.
When going into position with the tripod, he sets up the tripod and holds it.
Men of the rifle group.
Rifle.
The distribution of entrenchment tools follows the order of the company commander.
Riflemen in the rifle group.

The company commander can order a different allotment of munitions (As well as the tasking of tracer ammunition to squad and group leader). He commands the tasking and distribution of hand grenades.

Notes, comments, and comparison
The tasks of the men speak for themselves, but one quick note should be made. The number two is positioned to the right of the MG 08/15 gunner, as this weapon feeds from the right. For the MG 13, the reverse is true, as the magazine is inserted into the left side of the weapon.

Below, the amount of ammunition carried by each squad is summarized

MG 08/15
Equipment
Ammunition
Number 1
1× Patronenkasten 16 (Loaded)
100×
Number 2
1× Patronenkasten 15
250×
Number 3
2× Patronenkasten 15
500×
Number 4
1×/2× Patronenkasten 15
250×/500×
Total
1100×/1350×
It should be noted that the additional Patronenkasten 15 is only carried if the tripod is not. The Patronenkasten 16 is a drum-type belt container which can be attached to the 08/15, and may be carried loaded, as the document states.

MG 13
Equipment
Ammunition
Number 1
1× Tragegurt mit Magazintaschen
100×
Number 2
2× Tragegurte mit Magazintaschen
200×
Number 3
1× Tragegurt mit Magazintaschen
100×
Number 4
2× Tragegurte mit Magazintaschen
+
1× Magazinkasten
200×/400×
Total
600×/800×

Once again, the additional ammunition carried by the number 4 is only carried when the tripod is not carried. In this case, it is a Magazinkasten with 8× 25-round magazines. [vi]
Furthermore, the weapon is assumed to be unloaded, so an additional 25× rounds could potentially be carried by the number 1.

From the above two tables, it is very clear that the two machine guns differ quite a bit when it comes to ammunition. Although I have not been able to find precise information on the weight of every single piece of equipment, with some simple math, we can illustrate the difference in weight, which although not precise, is very indicative.

“Das Maschinengewehrgerät 13”, the principal manual on the MG 13, gives a weight of 1.05 kilogrammes for a filled 25-round magazine, whilst an unloaded magazine weighs 0.390 kg. With some simple math, the load of 600× rounds weighs 25.2 kg when loaded into magazines. For the MG 08/15, a loaded Patronenkasten 15 with 250× rounds weighs in at 9.5 kilogrammes, which means the total load of 1000× rounds (excluding the loaded drum) is 38 kilogrammes. [vii]

For comparison’s sake, the MG 34 weighs in at 12 kg with sling and bipod, whilst its ammunition, 4 boxes and 2 drums worth 1100× rounds total, weigh 38.3 kilogrammes.

Conclusion
Although some units of the Wehrmacht were equipped with the excellent MG 34, a sizeable number of men went into battle using the older and somewhat lesser MG 08/15 and MG 13. The 08/15 was mostly limited by the weight of the gun, whereas the MG 13’s magazine was the limiting factor. As an “Einheitsmaschinengewehr”, the MG 34 combined the best of both worlds, offering a belt fed weapon whilst being only marginally heavier than the MG 13, weighing in at 12 kilogrammes with bipod and muzzle booster. [viii]

Nonetheless, these machine guns were relegated to other duties on the battlefield, such as anti-aircraft fire. As such, pictures from later periods in the war do exist, although scarcely.

Soldiers in Northern Europe with an MG 08/15, 1943

MG 13 on AA mount, Rumania, 1941
The squads in which they were used were roughly similar to those equipped with MG 34s, although the equipment of course differed. Those equipped with an MG 08/15 had almost the same capabilities as the MG 34, albeit with a far slower rate of fire and in a less mobile package. The squads armed with the MG 13 are perhaps best compared those of Allied nations such as Great Britain, France, and Poland, with the Bren, FM24/29, and Wz. 28 respectively, which are weapons of comparable weight and sustained fire capability. All in all, it cannot be said that German units lacking the MG 34 were markedly inferior compared to their Allied counterparts.
________________________________________________________________________

Sources:
The previous post concerning the German forces was used as a basis, and the sources listed there are relevant:

Translation: For the translation, my own knowledge of the German language was used, in addition to the U.S. wartime Technical Manual 30-506: "German Military Dictionary", dated 7th of May, 1944. TM 30-506 is can be found

H.Dv. 130/2a is available at the Smallarmsreview.com site:




[iii] Waffen-SS Soldier 1940-1945, pages 51 and 52.

[iv] German Machine Guns of World War I: MG 08 and MG 08/15, page 27

[v] Das Maschinengewehrgerät 13, page 75

[vi] Das Maschinengewehrgerät 13, page 56


[viii] D 124/1 Maschinengewehr 34, page 58