The Uniforms of the Infantry of the German Imperial Army - 1871–1914. Part XII - Machine Gun Detachments

The first part of this series deals in general with the uniforms of the Prussian infantry - 1842–1914.

The second part deals with the distinctive features of the uniforms of the Guard and line grenadier regiments (No. 1–12).

The third part is devoted to the Prussian line infantry regiments (musketeer/fusilier regiments).

Further parts treat the peculiarities of those units that were incorporated into the Prussian army (after 1866) or whose special uniform features harked back to certain (non-Prussian) traditions.

Other contributions present the Saxon, Württemberg and Bavarian infantry, which in peacetime belonged to relatively autonomous contingents.

The conclusion comprises articles on the Jägers and riflemen and, at this point, on the machine-gun companies of the Prussian infantry regiments and the machine-gun detachments formed from 1901.

From 1880 experiments with multi-barrel machine guns were carried out, but these were suspended for a time. However, experiences in the wars at the beginning of the 20th century changed the initially cautious assessment of the role of the machine gun in infantry combat, and the infantry regiments and Jäger battalions were also equipped with this weapon.

Thus, in 1914 each infantry regiment consisted of three battalions, each counting three companies and one machine-gun company.

The machine-gun companies and detachments had, in peacetime, six guns and three ammunition wagons each.

Also, the Jäger and rifle battalions already included in peacetime (from 1913), in addition to the four Jäger or rifle companies, one machine-gun company and one cyclist company.

In October 1901 temporary machine-gun detachments were initially formed in several Jäger battalions.

By 1914 there already existed 2 Guard, 7 Prussian, 1 Saxon and 1 Bavarian line machine-gun detachments.

Furthermore there were 15 machine-gun fortress detachments (only in Prussia).

In addition there were the machine-gun companies attached to the individual infantry regiments / Jäger battalions.

The various machine-gun detachments were assigned to different army corps and there to individual regiments or companies.

The machine-gun detachments, which were established relatively late before 1914, were immediately outfitted in uniforms adapted to modern requirements.

They wore a cap, tunic, and cloth/boot/riding trousers made of gray-green cloth. The collar and sleeve cuffs (Swedish style) were red. On the tunic red piping ran down the front and along the pocket flaps.

The shako had a gray-green cloth cover and a brown-lacquered top with similarly lacquered visor and ear-leathers.

The chin strap of the shako, like the rest of the leather gear (waist belt/overbelt), was made of browned leather.

The cavalry boots and gaiters were also made of browned leather; unpolished lace-up shoes were worn with the latter.

The Guard Machine-Gun Detachments Nos. 1 and 2 were distinguished by yellow cords on the collar and on the sleeve cuffs.

However, the Guard Machine-Gun Detachment No. 2 (Berlin) had black insignia and Brandenburg-style sleeve cuffs.

In Bavaria there was a machine-gun detachment in the II Army Corps. It was attached to the I Battalion of the 18th Infantry Regiment in Landau.

Furthermore there was the Saxon Machine-Gun Detachment No. 8; it was assigned to the I Battalion of the 8th Saxon Infantry Regiment Prince Johann Georg No. 107 (Leipzig-Gohlis).