| The general position of the Sub Machine Gun
in an Infantry organization is that of the arm for the squad leader. The
squad leader while conducting and controlling his squad, does not fire at
the longer ranges, and normally his entry into the fire fight at the
shorter ranges brings in the power of one rifle only. When armed with the
Sub Machine Gun his fire power, owing to flexibility, is greater than that
of a machine gun, and this augmentation of the power of the firing line is
at the rate of one man per squad.
When the attack is successful the gun will be of great value in mopping up, and meeting the counter attack. Its employment at this stage of the attack, will to a certain extent relieve the automatic and semi- automatic rifles and by affording them opportunity to cool will restore their fire rate to meet the demands of the counter attack. All automatics and semi-automatics, including the sub machine gun, which does not overheat, will then be in condition for their full fire rate. For all military purposes the Sub Machine Gun will permit one man to deliver, an accurate, fully controlled, long sustained, semi-automatic fire of great stopping power, within its range zone; and a controlled full automatic fire comparable to that of a machine gun, but with far greater flexibility. This range zone must of absolute necessity appear in any attack or defense of any position, unless the attack is stopped and defeated at the longer ranges, an unusual occurrence. In addition to the normal infantry use there are many tactical situations which occur entirely within the range zone of the Sub Machine Gun and its presence and use will be of the utmost value, particularly As machine guns and other automatics would most probably be limited in number if present at all. As the submachine gunner is gun, crew and ammunition carrier, his presence in. numbers may be assured wherever wanted, in full operating condition, and with no missing parts. A number of situations involving its use are: 1. For use of troops carried to advance positions by transport planes, or 'Other means, for the occupation of strategic points. 2. For outposts and strong points, and, for combat and other patrols and isolated groups of every nature. 3. For advance, rear and flank guards. 4. For defense of convoys and pack trains. 5. For all night combat work of any nature whatever. (its fully controllable full automatic fire permits definite sectors to b absolutely swept) - 6. For occupation of cities and towns, and general street fighting. 7. For use against airplanes engaged in machine gunning and bombing the troop column. (incendiary tracer.) 8. For ignition of woods, grass and other enemy cover (using the highly incendiary tracer bullet). 9. For raids of all sorts, close combat in cover, and flank attacks on machine gun nests. 10. For use in tanks and armored cars, in addition to the regular Armament. |
