In 1918, the Machine Gun Companies of the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) on the Western Front were organised under divisional command, rather than brigade, and MG Battalions were formed to co-ordinate them. They were then provided with their own chain of command and under the co-ordination of the Divisional Machine Gun Officer.
In the other Expeditionary Forces machine gun battalions were not initially formed and machine gun companies remained under brigade control until later authorised.
For detail of the provisional establishment of stores for an MG Bn, including detail of equipment, weapons, personnel, horses, small arms ammunition and transport, please download the following excel spreadsheet:
There were amendments made to the establish through Army Orders.
Appointments of Signalling Instructors in Battalions of the Machine Gun Corps and Guards Machine Gun Regiment. – The following temporary amendment (for the period of the war) is made to paragraph 707, King’s Regulations:-
In each of the undermentioned units, the following proportion of officers and non-commissioned officers who have qualified at an Army Signal School will be appointed as instructors and assistant instructors:- (all per battalion)
1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions, Guards Machine Gun Regiment … 1 officer, 1 serjeant.
4th Battalion, Guards Machine Gun Regiment … 1 serjeant.
Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). (Serving in France and Italy) … 1 serjeant.
Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). (Serving in Salonika, Egypt and Mesopotamia) … 1 officer, 1 serjeant.
Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). (Army Troops Battalions). 1 officer, 1 serjeant.
Army Order 379 of December 1918
The MG Bns were disbanded with the re-organisations of 1922 and the disbandment of the Machine Gun Corps and the reversion to Machine Gun Platoons within Infantry Battalions.
