Following on from yesterday’s thread re the remote use of onboard Mgs in German AFVs, I thought I’d add some further explanation about German use of such devices, and how they came about.

1) https://twitter.com/buddnicholas/status/1381677213284712449

The first few years of combat saw reports from the front of a significantly high number of head wounds to Richtschützen (Mg gunners), using Mgs in the Schwere (Heavy) role & AFV crewman in half-tracks, tanks & assault/AT guns.

A solution was required to address this.

2)

For the Schwere Mg role, the ‘Vorsatzfernrohr Mg Zieleinrichtung’ was issued.

This lowered the profile of the Richtschützen, who having gone through 37 lessons of training to become proficient using the Mg34/42, was a valuable commodity.

3)

For half-tracks, an extended Lafette mount was used to enable sighting, traverse, elevation & fire of the Mg from the relative safety of the interior.

Conventional patronenkasten could be used to feed the weapon.

4)

Finally, late War saw the application of a remote system for the JgPz 38(t) & I believe to StuGs, albeit rarely.

This was not an effective solution, given the cramped interior of the JgPz 38(t), it’s ltd 50rnd magazine & difficultly in accessing the weapon via the hatch.

5)

So, a brief look at the very real tactical problem Germany faced regarding exposure of its machine gunners.

The loss of highly trained men was clearly a problem they attempted to address.

6/end)