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In every situation, the LMG of the Gruppe would control the combat area with its fire. Therefore, the most favourable position belonged to the LMG.

In every situation, the LMG of the Gruppe would control the combat area with its fire. Therefore, the most favourable position belonged to the LMG.

Translated sections from Kühlwein, F., Die Gruppe in Gefecht, E.S. Mittler & Sohn, Berlin, 1934 by Craig Machell.

This article is copyright © 2006. No un-authorised use.

The Fire of the Gruppe: pp38-44

If the Zugführer has not retained command over the opening of fire himself, for example as a result of surprise by the enemy, it is ordered by the Gruppenführer. It is also possible for the riflemen to open fire independently, if they suddenly receive a target in their area, that, according to the situation, must be immediately engaged, for example, in a sudden meeting engagement with the enemy (Urban or fighting in woods).

The LMG is the main fire-weapon of the Gruppe. Its great, timely and wide-arching grasping firepower permits the extensive activities of the rifle-troop.

The rifle-troop forms the assault power of the Gruppe. Its most distinguished task is to break the last resistance of the enemy in close-combat.

The Gruppenführer has to effect the fire power and the assault power into a successful operation. The type of combat and the method of combat must be taken into account.

In every situation, the LMG of the Gruppe must control the combat area with its fire. Therefore, the most favourable position belongs to the LMG.

The effect of enemy fire is weakened through loose formations. The more difficult the situation, the more complex the battlefield, the less experienced in battle the Gruppe, the more the Gruppenführer and vice-Gruppenführer must hold together the Gruppe and troops, in order to be able to exert direct influence upon each man.

In attack, the Gruppenführer must bring his Gruppe forward under the protection of heavy infantry weapons and artillery as well as able use of terrain. Seldom can the Gruppe remain together during this. Mostly the LMG-Troop and rifle-troop are separated by spacing and distance. The formation of the troops can be different. This is determined by the terrain, the effectiveness of enemy activity and so on.

On reaching effective shooting distance with the enemy, when further advance without proper fire is impossible, the Gruppenführer must engage the most important targets with the LMG. The LMGs of adjacent Gruppen support one another.

The rifle-troop is only employed in the fire fight on reaching middle attack distance, if especial reasons justify the operation, for example, loss of the LMG during a critical situation; for especially important targets etc. tightly directed and overwhelming fire by separate detachments increases effectiveness.

When reaching close distances, the fire protection through heavy infantry weapons and artillery is no longer completely effective and the firepower of the LMG alone is no longer sufficient to permit the advance of the attack, the rifle-troop should also take up firing – mostly by timely, limited independent fire.

The LMG is the main fire-weapon of the Gruppe. Its great, timely and wide-arching grasping firepower permits the extensive activities of the rifle-troop.

The LMG is the main fire-weapon of the Gruppe. Its great, timely and wide-arching grasping firepower permits the extensive activities of the rifle-troop.
In a delaying defence, the Gruppenführer should allow the LMG to fire using alternate positions with wide ranges. In such circumstances, it falls to the rifle-troop to protect the LMG, to spot the enemy, to hinder the penetration of enemy reconnaissance against the combat position and so on.

When the Gruppe is positioned on the main-battle-line in a sustained defence, the LMG belongs forward. In this case, its should be aimed to open fire at the latest possible opportunity, because a too early opening of fire gives away the position of the main-battle-line and provides enemy heavy weapons with a target. The fire of the LMG is directed initially against the section of the enemy, which has not been allocated for counter-fire by artillery and heavy infantry weapons, in order to stop the assault. Heavy opening of fire at close distances increases effectiveness.


Much use should be made of flanking fire from frontally screened positions and alternate positions.

The rifle-troop joins in with fire mostly against assaults at close distances, with preparation and support from counter-pushes or when replacement or support of the LMG becomes necessary, mostly through detachment fire (Abteilungsfeuer).

Firing through gaps with rifle, LMG and HMG forms the rule in modern combat. As a general idea, without giving a scheme, one can fire with rifle and LMG through a gap, when the distance between the shooter and the gap is smaller than the gap, when this is wide and when he lays somewhere behind in the middle.*

*The author then goes onto state that the practice of firing over one’s own troops should normally be avoided due to the danger posed.
In attack, the Gruppenführer would bring his Gruppe forward under the protection of heavy infantry weapons and artillery as well as able use of terrain. However, the Gruppe was seldom able to remain together during this. Tthe LMG-Troop and rifle-troop were often separated by spacing and distance.

In attack, the Gruppenführer would bring his Gruppe forward under the protection of heavy infantry weapons and artillery as well as able use of terrain. However, the Gruppe was seldom able to remain together during this. Tthe LMG-Troop and rifle-troop were often separated by spacing and distance.

The Gruppenführer has the tactical control over the firing of his Gruppe, he chooses the target and determines how it should be attacked. Fundamentally, he chooses the target, achieving the purpose of their own struggle most at risk to the defence in general against the widely advancing enemy, hindering the enemy in attack to the greatest extent possible. In general, the Gruppenführer does not fire himself, but typically observes and directs the fire of the LMG or of his rifle-troop. He shoots only when it still allows him to undertake his leadership duties or when the situation requires it.




Short Bursts at Short Distances: Shooting the LMG comprised of short bursts of three to eight rounds. Automatic fire was only used in especially exceptional cases against large targets at close range

The Fire of the LMG-Troop:

The particular nature of the weapon enables the LMG to deliver neither long bursts of automatic fire nor to fire at long distances. Shooting with the LMG remains comprised of short bursts of three to eight rounds. Against easily visible targets, at short distances and with good observation, one can fire longer without break, at other times the Schütze must pause, in order to realign the weapon. Automatic fire is used only in especially exceptional cases against large targets at close range, for example, against enemies assaulting the position or against fleeing enemies; consisting then of quick, successive bursts.

If it is also desirable, first through individual shots at a point to test the fall of the shot, so that it is mostly the same effect when effective fire begins, in order to surprise. Terrain and position allowing, zeroing will mean that the shots will not miss. The bursts of fire follow one another rapidly and spread themselves over the target.

Surprise and flanking-fire are always the most important. Flanking fire increases the losses of the enemy and experience shows it to be very crippling, especially when advancing.

Pauses in fire can be used to improve the strength of the position and to resupply.*

*in the original, the author is more specific about the MG08 with reference to replenishing water and oil.

With young, poorly trained soldiers it is always suitable that the leader of the riflemen leads them in detachment fire (Abteilungsfeuer/Schützenfeuer) himself.

Leading by Example: With young, poorly trained soldiers it was always suitable that the leader of the riflemen lead them in detachment fire himself.

The Fire of the Rifle-Troop:

The Gruppen- or Schützentruppführer orders his rifle-troop to either fire individually or as directed detachments.

'Einzelfeuer!’ is ordered only upon a target, which is visible for an instant, or upon such targets, which lay scattered over a wide area, so that concentrated fire under direct orders is impossible. Here, the choice of target and aiming, the ending and beginning of fire, is left up to the riflemen themselves. During individual fire, the rifleman must employ his rifle against moving and especially difficult targets, which may only be visible for only a short time with snap-shots (Schnapp/Schnell-Schuss). Also during individual fire, the Gruppen- or Schützenführer must maintain his influence insofar as possible over the firing. (Fire-allocation, rapidity of the fire etc.)

With young, poorly trained soldiers it is always suitable that the leader of the riflemen leads them in detachment fire (Abteilungsfeuer/Schützenfeuer) himself.

With 'Schützenfeuer’, the leader orders the target and the range; riflemen may deviate from this if there is a peculiarity with their weapon, it would require a broken formation or observation of shots. With the command: 'Schützenfeuer’’, the bursts of fire combine and commence. The riflemen are bound by this order and must engage the ordered target. They become independent when the Gruppen- or Schützentruppführer at a distance of under 400m of good observation commands: 'Visier und Haltepunkt frei!’ . The position and direction of the target must be described by the Gruppen- or Schützentruppführer in as brief a manner as possible, but excluding the possibility of doubt, in order that the riflemen be able to find it as quickly as possible. He chooses help points as accurately as possible close in front of or close behind the target. The riflemen assess the distance and call out the result to their leader, e.g. 'Schätzen 450’.


Conserve Your Ammunition: Rapid fire could only be achieved through faster loading and firing. The low level of ammunition carried by troops would have been carefully husbanded, as ammunition resupply was difficult in combat.

Conserve Your Ammunition: Rapid fire could only be achieved through faster loading and firing. The low level of ammunition carried by troops would have been carefully husbanded, as ammunition resupply was difficult in combat.

Examples of Fire-Orders:

'An der Erdhügeln vor dem Walde Schützen – Visier 350 – Schützenfeuer!’

‘On the pile of earth in front of the wood, riflemen – distance 350 – detachment fire!’

'Halblinks am Grabenrand mit den Weidenbüschen Schützen – Grabenrand aussitzen – Visier 400 – Schützenfeuer!’

‘Half-left on the edge of the hole with the willow bush, riflemen – sitting out of the hole – distance 400 – detachment fire!’

'An der linken Ecke des zerschossenen Schuppens Maschinengewehr – Visier 500 – eine Zielbreite links anhalten – Schützenfeuer!’

‘On the left corner of the ruined shed, machinegun – distance 500 – a wide target stopping on the left – detachment fire!’

The liveliness of the Schützenfeuer remains up to the riflemen; every shot must be spent conscientiously. The speed of fire is dependent upon the combat situation; it is not allowed to lead to overhasty targets. Rapid fire can only be achieved through faster loading and firing. The low level of carried ammunition must be carefully husbanded, as ammunition resupply is difficult in combat. If the leader wants to reduce or increase the rate of fire, he commands: 'Langsamer/Lebhafter feuern!’.

The Gruppen- or Schützentruppführer should be able to give effective oblique fire. It is sometimes, especially when in defence, possible, when with other groups, that the fire crosses. He may also direct his fire upon the neighbouring combat area, if the possibility to effect oblique fire affords itself or if a neighbouring Gruppe must be supported.

The detachment fire is halted on the command 'Schützentrupp N. Stopfen!’, which is repeated by all riflemen. Without indication of group, 'Stopfen!’ may also be commanded and is again repeated back.

On 'Stopfen!’, fire and loading is immediately halted. It means complete quiet and attention to the follow-on orders. Should the fire be recommenced upon the same target, the command is: 'Schützentrupp N. weiter feuern!’. Should there be no further firing: 'Durchladen! Sichern!’. The riflemen wait ready to fire for further orders. Commonly it is necessary to order a stop in order to communicate further orders. With the communication of orders and reports from whom they have come and for whom they are meant must always be given.

The riflemen use pauses in fire to improve and strengthen their position.