German: machine gun abteilung in 1918

[David_Blanchard]

I have come across a German unit : Maschinengewehr- Scharfschutzen Abteilung Nr 75 (Machine gun Sharpshooter section nr 75) in an article from 'Der Angriff ' (May 1983).

This particular unit was attached to the German 28th Division on the 27th May for the offensive across the Aisne.

1. I would like to know if anyone can help, how many of these units existed? When were they developed ( only for use in the German Spring offensives?, if so were were they used on in the March and April attacks as well as on the Aisne in May? )

2.Were these units trained in stormtroop tactics, and were they designed to follow up or accompy Infantry Stormtroops, or perhaps they were Stormtroops who happened to specialise in the use of machine guns?

thanks

David

[Robert Dunlop]

MG Marksman or Sharpshooter sections were first established at the beginning of 1916. Two hundred sections were created by mid-June. They were created from the most experienced and battle-hardened troops. Companies were then formed from 3 sections. Further increases in the numbers of MG Marksman sections were ordered when Hindenburg took over command.

MG Marksman sections remained under Supreme Army Command, though they would often be attached to divisions for long periods. They tended to operate towards the rear of defensive positions. They regarded themselves as elite soldiers, as did stormtroopers, but they were a separate entity. They had a characteristic felt badge with a brass MG08 surrounded by an oval of MG bullets. Any wearers of this badge would remove it if they were about to be captured. Otherwise, they ran the risk of being shot.

[Robert Dunlop]

A specific school for training MG marksmen was created in October 1916. It was known as MG Marksman Command West and was based in Rozoy.

[David_Blanchard]

Thanks for your reply. Are there any sources of information that I could consult with regard to these sharpshooter sections.

david

[Robert Dunlop]

The information I provided came from two sources:

Conn. Imperial German Army 1914-18: Organisation, Structure, Orders-of-Battle. (ISBN 1 874622 70 1)

Bruce R. Machine Guns of World War I. (ISBN 1 85915 078 0)

The latter mentions that MG Sharpshooter Detachments each comprised 'a battalion of three companies, each company consisting of four officers, 133 NCOs and enlisted men and six MG08 guns'.

Attached is a picture of the MG Sharpshooter badge: