Chris Boonzaier Posted 7 June , 2004 Share Posted 7 June , 2004 I have seen references to 1. M.G.K , 2.M.G.K., 8.M.G.K. and was wondering if anyone knew just how many Machine Gun Companies could be found in a German infantry regiment? I had assumed one, but why would each regt give it a different number? All the best Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AOK4 Posted 7 June , 2004 Share Posted 7 June , 2004 Hello, In 1914 there was normally one machine gun company in a regiment (MGK). Later in the war there was one machine gun company in each battalion (1. MGK, 2. MGK, 3. MGK). Regards, Jan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Boonzaier Posted 7 June , 2004 Author Share Posted 7 June , 2004 Hi Jan, how would the numbering then work? 1-4 Komp I Btln 5-8 Komp II Btln 9-12 Komp III Btln Would the M.G.K fall outside the numbering of these Btln's ? I have a reference to a 1. M.G.K. with the III Batln in mid 1916 and know there was a 2. M.G.K in Jan 1917. I am using R.I.R. 10 as an example here. All the best Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph J. Whitehead Posted 7 June , 2004 Share Posted 7 June , 2004 how would the numbering then work? 1-4 Komp I Btln 5-8 Komp II Btln 9-12 Komp III Btln Chris, This would be the numbering of companies for the infantry of a regiment, the machine gun companies would be seperate. As Jan mentioned, the normal regiment started with a single MG Coy that was expanded during the war to a second and then a third MG Coy. At the end of the war you would also have the introduction of the MG 08/15 that were assigned to men inside the different infantry companies as well and not included in the MG Coy strength. It is quite feasible that the 1st MG Coy was working with the III Bn., there was no fixed attachment for the MG Coy, they were used as needed and not assigned to a specific battalion. Ralph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Boonzaier Posted 7 June , 2004 Author Share Posted 7 June , 2004 Ah..understood. I was not sure id the MGK were part of the regular 1-12 numbering system. Thanks Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Sweeney Posted 7 June , 2004 Share Posted 7 June , 2004 Chris, It is also not uncommon to see the MGK listed as the 13th Komp. in a regiment. This is particularly the case in 1914 when a regiment was only supposed to have a single Machine Gun Company. This was the case in 139th IR and a few others I've looked into. Joe Sweeney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph J. Whitehead Posted 7 June , 2004 Share Posted 7 June , 2004 Don't forget that there were a number of German Regiments that were formed with 4 Battalions, the last consisting of the 13th-16th Companies. Ralph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Sweeney Posted 7 June , 2004 Share Posted 7 June , 2004 Actually, prior to the great expansion of MG Komp in 15/16, in regiments with three Battalions the 13th Komp was the MG Komp. and it might also have a 14th Kompanie (Festungs MG Komp). In 4 Battalion formations the 17th Kompanie was the MG Komp. The Kompanie numbered buttons (Schulterknopfe) would reflect this numbering. Joe Sweeney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alec Trevelyan 006 Posted 16 June , 2004 Share Posted 16 June , 2004 Chris Boonzaier you were an ex legionnaire as Jack Brewster right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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