MG 08/15
| MG 08/15 | |
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| general information | |
| Military designation: | MG 08/15 |
| Developer / Manufacturer: |
Arms factory Loewe ; German arms and ammunition factories (DWM) |
| Development year: | 1915 |
| Manufacturer country: | Germany |
| Production time: | since 1915 |
| Weapon Category: | MG |
| Furnishing | |
| Weight: (unloaded) | 19.5 kg MG 08/18: 16 kg |
| Barrel length : | 721 mm |
| Technical specifications | |
| Caliber : | 7.92 x 57 mm |
| Possible magazine fillings : | 100 cartridges |
| Ammunition supply : | Ammunition belt made of hemp or aluminum |
| Cadence : | (Lock 08) 500 rounds / min (lock 16) 600 rounds / min |
| Fire types: | Continuous fire |
| Twist : | right |
| Visor : | open |
| Closure : | Knee joint closure |
| Charging principle: | Recoil loader |
| Lists on the subject | |
The light MG 08/15 was a light German machine gun of the First World War . It was created in 1915 as a further development of the heavy MG 08 . The phrase " zero eight fifteen " goes back to the MG 08/15.
history
The machine gun 08 was named after it was launched in 1908. It was water-cooled and mounted on a height-adjustable carriage . At the beginning of the First World War, Germany owned 4,919 MG 08. The weapon was too heavy to follow its own infantry on foot. Structurally, most of the machine guns were part of the specially formed machine gun companies of the infantry units. Further developments appeared necessary.
Imperial Army
From 1915 , the 08/15 variant was developed based on the MG 08. From the summer of 1917, the weapon designated as the light MG 08/15 was issued to the troops. The modifications were intended to avoid the time-consuming and slow tracking of machine-gun troops during assault attacks. The new variant should be able to be used in the front rows during the attack. In addition, the machine gun had to be able to follow the infantry dismounted. Too many infantry attacks failed due to a lack of machine gun support, or too many machine guns were lost because they could not be dismantled in time. Therefore, the machine gun was now designed as a light machine gun with a bipod and shoulder rest. Each (rifle) company initially received two, later four. In early 1918 the number was even increased to six. To transport the MG 08/15 and the associated ammunition, the (rifle) companies were each assigned two field wagons.
Despite the designation light MG 08/15, the 08/15 was comparatively heavy when unloaded. The MG itself, without water, weighed 15 kg. The water filling was 2.8 liters. Added to this were 1.94 kg for the steam hose, belt and cover. Without the firing frame, the MG weighed 19.74 kg, with a fork support 20.84 kg and with a steel aerial target tripod 28.74 kg. A full cartridge box weighed 9.5 kg. The British and French light machine guns, e.g. B. the Lewis machine gun and the Hotchkiss M1909 , each weighing approx. 13 kg unloaded, weighed significantly less. The 08/15 was therefore only partially suitable for assault attacks. Assault and shock troops were therefore given priority with captured machine guns.
A handcart was first used to transport the MG08 / 15, but later, after the carriage had not proven itself, a sledge (a wooden tub with iron runners on which the MG was strapped). With the sled, the loaded machine gun, including ammunition and water boxes, could be moved quickly over any terrain by a single soldier. The war events, which at that time already for the trench and trench warfare had changed, meant that the 08/15 mainly defensive duties took over. Here it had the advantage of a higher loading capacity due to the 250-shot belt case and the longer firing capability due to the water cooling (the 2.8 liters were sufficient for a maximum of 2,000 shots). For the time being, elite regiments received the modified weapon. In the further course of the war, however, larger units were equipped with this type. The 08/15 became the most widespread German machine gun of the First World War with almost 130,000 units produced.
Reichswehr
According to the Versailles Treaty , only 1,926 (+ 4% reserve) machine guns of all types were approved for the Reichswehr . However, in 1927 there was a secret inventory of around 12,000 machine guns.
The light machine guns 08/15 and 08/18 were used in the rifle companies (1st – 3rd company of each battalion). Here, two light machine guns were assigned to each of the three riflemen's platoons, so that each platoon had two machine gun groups (each consisting of 1 non-commissioned officer, 4 machine-gunner, 1 telescopic sight and 2 riflemen) and two to three rifle groups (each with 1 non-commissioned officer and 7 riflemen) . A rifle company had a total of six light machine guns. These were carried on the combat vehicle, pulled onto handcart or carried by the waitresses. Two (empty) handcarts were attached to the rear of one of the three combat vehicles during marches. Instead of six handcarts, hunting companies had a total of six pack animals, each with a pack handler.
Around 1930 the rifle platoons were reclassified into three strong, so-called unit groups , each consisting of a rifle squad (1 non-commissioned officer and 7 riflemen (strength of a previous rifle group)) and a light machine gun squad (1 non-commissioned officer and 4 machine guns, with a light machine gun) duration. This increased the number of light machine guns in the Rifle Company to nine.
The cavalry were in accordance with the Treaty of Versailles no light machine guns allowed. One made do with " MG 08/15 and MG 08/18 borrowed from the infantry" . Each rider platoon carried a machine gun on a pack animal.
The cavalry only received its own light machine guns in 1931 with the new MG 13 .
Wehrmacht
After the Reichswehr was renamed the Wehrmacht , the MG 08 and MG 08/15 were replaced by the MG 34 from 1936, starting with the active infantry divisions . The MG 08/15 , MG 08/18 and MG 08 as well as their machine gun vehicles and handcarts were handed over to the reserve or Landwehr infantry divisions to be filled with reservists in the event of mobilization . Occasionally it was used on the Eastern Front until 1941.
Further developments
MG 08/18
Towards the end of the First World War, the MG 08/15 was further developed into the air-cooled MG 08/18. This model was light enough for assault attacks, but because of its late introduction it was mainly only used to secure the German retreat.
lMG 08 and 08/15
The air-cooled lMG 08 and lMG 08/15 were specially developed for fighter aircraft .
Target practice camera
The Ernemann company in Dresden, along with other manufacturers, manufactured a type of film camera based on the design of the film pioneer Oskar Messter , which was able to take 600 pictures per minute. The outer shape was based on the MG 08/15. All handles and controls and the weight were identical, as was the sighting device. Except that instead of shots, individual shots were taken when the trigger was pulled. The film strips were in the ammunition pouches. The device was used in pilot training and was used for target exercises on enemy aircraft. The film strip was shown in a projection room with an aircraft approaching, the pilot pulled the trigger and the accuracy of the target could be determined on the basis of the recordings.
Development pictures
Heavy MG 08 on slide (with protection for cylinder and shield)
Light MG 08/15 with shoulder rest, barrel is water-cooled
Light MG 08/15, the barrel is air-cooled
technology
The main innovations compared to the MG 08 were:
- Replacement of the very heavy mounts with a bipod at the water jacket attachment.
- Instead of the double spade handle with trigger plate, a pistol grip with a corresponding trigger and a shoulder rest was used.
- The cartridge case 16 could be used by using an appropriate box holder. This belt drum enabled the MG to be carried loaded without being hindered by the hanging belt.
- The amount of cooling water was reduced from 4 to 2.8 liters, and it was no longer necessary to carry a separate water tank.
To simplify the filling of the ammunition belts, the belt filler 16 was used, which could be "best" screwed onto a table or in a battle on the rear wheel of the machine gun vehicle.
| model | Year of construction | Ammunition feed | cooling | cooling water | Target optics | overall length | Weight | additive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08 | 1888-1908 | 250 cartridges in a linen belt |
water | 4 liters | ZF12 rifle scope 400–2000 m |
1190 mm | 23 kg with cooling water |
Sledge, 37 kg / tripod 31 kg |
| 08/15 | 1915 | 100 cartridges in a linen belt |
2.8 liters | No | 1390 mm | 19.5 kg including cooling water and bipod |
Fork support ( bipod ): 1.2 kg | |
| 08/18 | 1918 | air | - | 16 kg including bipod |
The individual parts of the MG 08/15 were manufactured by several companies. The associated standardization of the manufacturing processes was one of the reasons for the establishment of the Royal Manufacturing Office, a forerunner of the standards committee of German industry. However, no tapered pins standardized according to DIN 1 were installed in MG 08/15 .
photos
MG 08/15, correct position of the central support
Light MG 08/15 during transport
Machine gun nest at the front
Exhibits
Machine guns of the series 08 are in the German Historical Museum Berlin , in the Arms Museum in Suhl , in the Military History Museum in Dresden and in numerous fortresses and museums in France that are open to inspection - such as For example, the Mémorial de Verdun , the Citadelle de Verdun , the Musée de l'artillerie in Draguignan , the Musée de l'air et de l'espace at Le Bourget Airport near Paris , the Munster Tank Museum and the Reuenthal Fortress Museum .
literature
- Peter Berz: 08/15. A 20th century standard . Munich 2001.
- Hans-Valentin Hube (ed.): The infantryman. Manual for self-instruction and training of young frontline soldiers in the infantry. "Open words", Charlottenburg 1925.
- Edgar Graf von Matuschka: Organizational history of the army 1890-1918. In: Military History Research Office (Ed.): German Military History in Six Volumes 1648–1939 . tape 3 . Pawlak, Herrsching 1983, ISBN 3-88199-112-3 , Section V (1968).
- Edgar Graf von Matuschka: Organization of the realm army . In: Military History Research Office (Ed.): German Military History in Six Volumes 1648–1939 . tape 3 . Pawlak, Herrsching 1983, ISBN 3-88199-112-3 , Section VI (1970).
- Herbert Schottelius: The Organization of the Army 1933-1939 . In: Military History Research Office (Ed.): German Military History in Six Volumes 1648–1939 . tape 4 . Pawlak, Herrsching 1983, ISBN 3-88199-112-3 , Section VII (1978).
- Bodo von Zimmermann, Major a. D .: The (new) group . 7th edition. "Open words", Berlin W 35.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Matuschka: Organizational History of the Army 1890-1918 . 1968, p. 232 .
- ↑ Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, Waffenamt, 1941, data sheets for other devices D50 / 02 , identification number 145
- ^ Pawlas, Karl, 1990, Waffen Revue No. 90, pages 40–42
- ^ Schottelius: The Organization of the Army 1933-1939. 1978, p. 396
- ↑ Hube: The Infantryman. 1925, pp. 430-437
- ^ The Reichswehr , Haus Neuerburg, Cologne 1933, p. 8
- ^ Zimmermann: The (new) group, p. 5
- ↑ Schottelius: The Organization of the Army 1933-1939 1978, p. 346
- ^ UFA Tonwoche: The German newsreel. No. 577 - (13-19.09) Brauchitsch, Göring im OKH, Finnl. September 24, 1941, accessed February 22, 2017 .
- ↑ Technical Collections Dresden: Description of the device in a special exhibition in the Ernemannturm, 2016
- ↑ Hube: The Infantryman. 1925, pp. 797-798
- ↑ DIN: The first German standard appeared 95 years ago. March 1, 2013, accessed March 30, 2016 .