Use of MG08 in WWII

[MG1918]

Mg Sharpshooters

Could well be true. The Imperial German machine gunner was drawn from the ranks of infantrymen for their skill at arms and technical ability. It is clear from photos they considered themselves an elite and then add the 'smart' MG qualification badge .... unstoppable!!! Interesting to think these 'old boys' were aiming off not to kill intentionally?

[NickG]

Of course many were also captured from foreign armies, like the Dutch military and put into use by the Wehrmacht...(Dutch Army manual depicted)

[MG1918]

Post WWI

Absolutely right. There were thousands of WWI German Mgs, brought into other armies service. There are many good photos showing Belgian and Polish military with their kit once owned by the Germans. I have not visited the Dutch National military museum but I hear they have some good Ex WWI German kit.
Mark

[MG1918]

NickG is that manual yours? Do you have any images of the contents?
Mark

Of course many were also captured from foreign armies, like the Dutch military and put into use by the Wehrmacht...(Dutch Army manual depicted)

[bkossen]

Gentlemen,

Regarding the use of the MG08 in Dutch service, you are mixing up the Austrian Schwarzlose with the German MG08. Nick's photo shows a Schwarzlose - not a Spandau. These guns received the designation M.08 or M.08/15 in Dutch service. The manual mentions the name Schwarzlose by the way.



The Dutch Army indeed also used the MG08. They received the designation M.25 in Dutch service - about 900 were available in May 1940. All of them as AA guns by the way - a role for which they were not well suited for.

Regards,
Bert

[MG1918]

Bert fantastic. a superb piece of education and I for one am wiser. So M25!!! Not to be confused with the very busy road circling London.
Do you have any images of the Dutch M25 in use. I am assuming they were WWI configurations altered by the Dutch.
Again thank you for this detail.
Mark

[NickG]

Yes agreed , the Dutch had both versions, Austrian and German made 08's...(surplus WW1)
Mostly Austrian contracts though...true! I don't own the manual...and mostly AA use as stated already.

[MG1918]

German use of inter-war dreifuss

[MG1918]

Manuals.

[bkossen]

Hallo Mark,

Some pictures of the M.25 Spandau in Dutch service.









There are many differences between the Dutch Schwarzlose and Spandau machine guns but the easiest way to distinguish them are the grips; vertical for the M.25 Spandau and horizontal ones for the M.08(/15) Schwarzlose.

Regards,
Bert

[MG1918]

Inter War Maxim

Time to re-energise the Post WWI and up to and including WWII maxim use. Great posts by members.

[MG1918]

Inter-War

[MG1918]

Inter War & WWII 08 and 08/15

More images of the modified 08 & 08/15.

[MG1918]

Inter War German MG

The amount of modifications were not too many but the mounts were also modified.

[MG1918]

MG08 Trg in barracks

MG trg note the MG08 additions.