the machine gun infantry

[weshallremember]

can someone explain the job of the men in the machine gun infantry 

was part of their job to protect the machine guns

 

thanks

trev

[kenf48]

The invaluable VICKERS MG website has a table showing the constitution of a Vickers MG Company pf the Machine Gun Corps in the British Army.  The MGC was formed in October 1915 and from that date were more or less self sufficient.

https://vickersmg.blog/in-use/british-service/the-british-army/machine-gun-company-1917/

Each Machine Gun was ideally serviced by a team of six men

The Corps numbers were often supplemented by attached infantry, many of whom went on to join the Corps.

Perhaps you could be more explicit.  Machine guns were often deployed in exposed positions as the first line of defence. As the war progressed so did machine gun tactics both in attack (barrage fire) and defence.

Infantry Battalions were issued with Lewis Guns which were deployed differently to the Vickers after 1915.