| Nazi German Heer (“Army”) machine gunners operate a Maschinengewehr 34 heavy machine gun on a tripod. This configuration made possible sustained fire. 6 men (3 are not pictured) operated the weapon; the squad leader, the machine gunner who carried and fired the gun, the assistant gunner/loader who carried the tripod, and 3 riflemen who carried 1,800 rounds of ammunition between them, spare barrels, entrenching tools, and other items. The MG-34 was envisaged and well-developed to provide portable light and medium machine gun infantry cover, anti-aircraft coverage, and even sniping ability. Its combination of exceptional mobility – being light enough to be carried by 1 man – and high rate of fire (of up to 900 rounds per minute) was unparalleled. It entered service in great numbers from 1939. Nonetheless, the design proved to be rather complex for mass production and was supplemented by the cheaper and simpler MG-42, though both remained in service and production until the end of the war. The Battle of Montcornet, in the Aisne Department, took place during the Battle of France on May 17, 1940. The French 4e Division cuirassée (“Fourth Armored Division”), under Colonel Charles de Gaulle (November 22, 1890 – November 9, 1970), attacked the German-held village of Montcornet with over 200 tanks. The French drove off the Germans but later had to retreat due to lack of support and the intervention of the Luftwaffe. | |
| Image Filename | wwii0397.jpg |
| Image Size | 349.55 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 1323 x 1800 |
| Photographer | Kriegsberichter |
| Photographer Title | |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | May 17, 1940 |
| Location | |
| City | Aisne |
| State or Province | Hauts-de-France |
| Country | France |
| Archive | |
| Record Number | |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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