Battalion Lewis Gun Officer, 1917 (Australian Imperial Force)

[hardy]

My grandfather, a Lieutenant in the AIF on the Western Front, was made Battalion Lewis Gun Officer in July 1917.

I am trying to find out what responsibilities this entailed - how many Lewis guns his battalion would have had, and how many Lewis gunners and of what rank.

The only information I can find so far is this:

http://www.firstworl.../mgun_lewis.htm

"Lewis guns were supplied to the army from July 1915, initially to six selected Divisions and then to more as they were produced in increasing numbers. The original official establishment was 4 per infantry battalion (and per cavalry regiment), but by July 1918, infantry battalions possessed 36 each.

A further proposal to provide each Division with a fourth Company, and to increase the Lewis guns at the battalion to 16, was sanctioned. The Lewis numbers were delivered by 1 July 1916

Although in 1915 each British battalion on the Western Front had just four Lewis Guns, by 1917 each infantry section boasted its own Lewis gunner and backup, with battalions by now deploying 46 Lewis Guns."

This does not make sense to me as each battalion had 64 sections, not 46. Could this perhaps be a typo?

hardy

[centurion]

According to Pridham at the end of 1916 the allocation to a British battalion (and Australian and Canadian followed suite) was one gun per platoon (four platoons per company) and in 1918 this was increased to 2 guns per platoon plus 4 guns for battalion HQ (for AA work) making 36 guns in all. As Pridham was a Lewis Gun expert (author of Lewis Gun Mechanism Made Easy With Notes on the 300 (American) Lewis Gun 1919) who served as a machine gun officer in ww1 he ought to know.

[centurion]

A Lewis gun crew had a core of two men who had been to a Lewis Gun school and trained in things such care and maintenance, selection of firing positions, ranging, direct and indirect fire, firing on the move etc. However there would also be men trained "in battalion" in loading and firing, basic clearing jams etc who could step in if one or more of the core team got knocked out (they would probably also have other non Lewis duties). In an attack others might be assigned to carry ammo, provide protection for the core crew etc depending on circumstances. Just which of these came within the remit of the battalion Lewis Gun officer's remit would also be likely to vary according to circumstance.

[hardy]

Thanks Centurion, you're a gentleman and a scholar!

A Lewis gun crew had a core of two men who had been to a Lewis Gun school and trained in things such care and maintenance, selection of firing positions, ranging, direct and indirect fire, firing on the move etc. However there would also be men trained "in battalion" in loading and firing, basic clearing jams etc who could step in if one or more of the core team got knocked out (they would probably also have other non Lewis duties). In an attack others might be assigned to carry ammo, provide protection for the core crew etc depending on circumstances. Just which of these came within the remit of the battalion Lewis Gun officer's remit would also be likely to vary according to circumstance.

[Old Tom]

If I may add an opinion. As infantry tactics evolved during the war the technique of 'fire and movement' (when an enemy is engaged by part of the attacking force while another part moves to a position to assault or cover the other parts move) became possible at lower levels. The Lewis gun under command of a platoon and later section commander was an important part of this technique. Thus the guns and gunners were part of platoon and sections and the Machine Gun officer would an advisor and supervisor.

Old Tom

[centurion]

If I may add an opinion. As infantry tactics evolved during the war the technique of 'fire and movement' (when an enemy is engaged by part of the attacking force while another part moves to a position to assault or cover the other parts move) became possible at lower levels. The Lewis gun under command of a platoon and later section commander was an important part of this technique. Thus the guns and gunners were part of platoon and sections and the Machine Gun officer would an advisor and supervisor.

Old Tom

A relevant quote

"The platoon was taken as the smallest unit capable of combining these weapons— a section of Lewis gunners, a section of bombers, a section of rifle bombers, and a section of riflemen." History of the Welsh Guards

Which would suggest that operational control lay with the platoon commander who would co ordinate action by the sections. Command of a Lewis gun section appears to have been a Lance Corporals job (based on letters from a Lewis Gun section commander posted on this forum).

[TonyE]

GHQ published a large number of training pamphlets during the war, one of the most important being SS143, “Instructions for the Training of Platoons for Offensive Action”, published in February 1917.

This described the make-up of the new concept of an “all arms” unit but still laid stress on the rifleman as the major element of the platoon attack. The riflemen led with rifle bombers and bombers following in support. The Lewis gun section was to provide supporting fire and engage targets of opportunity.

The composition of the platoon was:

HQ 1 Officer, 4 OR

Bomber section 1 NCO, 8 OR

(inc. 2 throwers, 2 bayonet, 2 riflemen)

Lewis section 1 NCO, 8 OR

Riflemen 1 NCO, 8 OR

Rifle bombers 1 NCO, 8OR

The bomber section usually had 2 spare men to act as bomb carriers and replacements for casualties. The riflemen were also to be trained as either Lewis gunners or bombers to replace casualties in those sections.

It also gave advice on training, including how to maintain the fighting spirit and suggested a training schedule for the units when not in the line.

Subsequently, this was revised in 1918, as tactics had changed considerably in the intervening year.

Here are the relevant illustrations showing the position of the Lewis team.

Regards

TonyE

[centurion]

A clearer version of the diagram appears in Anthony Saunders Trench Warfare as does the diagram for Platoon in first wave.

[TonyE]

Thanks. I have just ordered that as i already have his other two on trench weapons.

Regards

TonyE

[centurion]

Thanks. I have just ordered that as i already have his other two on trench weapons.

Regards

TonyE

Only browsed it as just got it and other books higher on the reading list but there do appear to be some minor errors on the 2inch mortar

[Old Tom]

It looks as if I was viewing WW1 infantry tactics with a WW2 eye. I think the priciple I tried to describe was correct, but my mind went to one LMG per section.

Old Tom

[centurion]

It looks as if I was viewing WW1 infantry tactics with a WW2 eye. I think the priciple I tried to describe was correct, but my mind went to one LMG per section.

Old Tom

By 1918 specialist bombers were replaced by grenade training for all infantrymen so there was no longer bomber, rifle bomber and riflemen sections by name. Just sections 1, 2, 3 and the Lewis gun section with two guns. Every man was capable to a degree of filling any of the roles (although for most Lewis gun training stopped at basic loading, firing and elementary jam clearing - the real specialists were in the Lewis Gun Section). The Battalion Lewis Gun Officer would be responsible for ensuring that the men were adequately trained in the gun as appropriate, the guns were kept in good order and damaged or faulty ones replaced, adequate stocks of magazines were filled and positioned where they should be (this would be different in a defensive position from an offensive one) and,I think, directly responsible for the positioning of Battalion HQ's four guns.

[dycer]

I confess to be following this discussion with interest.

Simply because my forebear,was the Lewis Gun Sergeant,of a British Pioneer Battalion in 1917/18 and from movement,etc,entries in the War Diary,received instructions as such,care of the guns when the Battalion was moving locations i.e.which vehicle/handcart they were to be loaded on to,make sure the vehicle/handcart had enough brakesmen.

In one Order,he is told to take two guns,for an anti-aircraft role,to a different Battalion,report in,decide his guns best position,in conference,with the "host" Battalion but ensure he takes enough rations for his men.

George

[hardy]

Centurion, may I quote your words in the biography of my grandfather I am writing? Attributed to you, of course.

Hardy.

Thanks for this information George. It's great to be able to read primary source material on what a Lewis Gun Officer's orders actually contained.

I confess to be following this discussion with interest.

Simply because my forebear,was the Lewis Gun Sergeant,of a British Pioneer Battalion in 1917/18 and from movement,etc,entries in the War Diary,received instructions as such i.e.care of the guns when the Battalion was moving locations i.e.which vehicle/handcart they were to be loaded on to,make sure the vehicle/handcart had enough brakesmen.

In one Order,he is told to take two guns,for an anti-aircraft role,to a different Battalion,report in,decide his guns best position,in conference,with the "host" Battalion but ensure he takes enough rations for his men.

George

[centurion]

Centurion, may I quote your words in the biography of my grandfather I am writing? Attributed to you, of course.

Hardy.

Thanks for this information George. It's great to be able to read primary source material on what a Lewis Gun Officer's orders actually contained.

Mafi Muskilah - No problem.