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
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