Organization of a Machine-Gun Section in 1915

The composition of the machine-gun section remained relatively unchanged from 1915-1918. The following page lays out the basic organization of this specialized unit.

Armament
2 guns

Personnel (and Animals)
Firing section:
1 lieutenant
1 attached NCO
2 corporals (gun commanders)
8 men -- 2 firers, 2 loaders and 2 ammo-suppliers (one for each gun), 1 range finder, 1 gunsmith

Echelon:
1 corporal (commanding)
1 ordnance man
4 suppliers
9 conductors
2 gun mules
6 munitions mules (carrying 6 crates each)
1 "dead-run" (running) mule

Combat Train:
1 corporal
2 conductors
4 horses (pulling a caisson)

Total.....1 officer and 29 men

Note: The only apparent differences between the composition of the MG section in 1914 versus the years following is the absence on the bicyclist liaison agent, which was done away with upon the advent of trench warfare.

Material*
1 band = 25 cartridges
1 crate = 12 bands = 300 cartridges
1 mule carrying 6 crates = 1,800 cartridges
6 mules carrying 36 crates = 10,800 cartridges
1 caisson = 21,900 cartridges
Mules caisson = 32,700 cartridges

*The following figures apply to the St. Etienne MG; the Hotchkiss was fed by 30-round strips. However, munitions mules were still loaded with 6 crates each.

Weapons
Standard firearm was the model 1892 Berthier carbine, worn slung over the shoulder. Machine-gunners also carried the model 1915 Ruby Automatic-Pistol. Often the carbine was not carried, in which case it can be assumed that the gunners were armed only with pistols.

Uniforms and Equipment
Field dress: greatcoat, suspension braces, belt and 3 cartridge boxes (holding packets of 8 rounds), bayonet. At times, machine-gunners were permitted to wear only their jackets

Insignia
Crossed canons, sometimes with the addition of a flaming bomb above these (for firers).

For more information on machine-guns, see the Properties of the Machine-Gun page.