The MG 08 (Maschinengewehr 08) was the standard heavy machine gun of the Imperial German Army in the First World War, adapted from Hiram Maxim's 1884 Maxim gun design and produced in several variants by Deutsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken and the Spandau and Erfurt arsenals. Chambered mainly in 7.92x57mm Mauser, it fired at roughly 500 rounds per minute in its Schloss 08 lock and 600 in the later Schloss 16, and telescopic sights were widely fitted during the war to extend its use in long-range direct and indirect fire. It remained in German service into the Second World War, by which time it had been relegated largely to second-line fortress units, and variants stayed in use with Switzerland into the 1980s and China into the 1960s. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Facts
Classification
Service Status Weapon Class Introduced Year Weapon Class
Weapon Class (category) Connections
In the Other Atlases
Sources
1. Wikidata: MG 08
Wikidata Q573994, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source 2. Wikipedia: MG 08
Introduction
is a heavy machine gun (HMG)
Development and adoption
went into production at Spandau in 1908.
View the SourceWikipedia: MG 08
service status
Additional telescopic sights were also developed and used in large quantities during World War I to enable the MG 08 to be used in long-range direct fire and indirect fire support roles
Caliber attribute (mg-08)
Chambered mainly in 7.92x57mm Mauser, it fired at roughly 500 rounds per minute in its Schloss 08 lock and 600 in the later Schloss 16, and telescopic sights were widely fitted during the war to extend its use in long-range direct and indirect fire.
Used In: Second Sino-Japanese War, Wikipedia article text
Imported MG 08/15 machine guns also used during Second Sino-Japanese War.
Used In: World War I, Wikipedia article text
The MG 08 () is a heavy machine gun (HMG) which served as the standard HMG of the Imperial German Army during World War I.
Used In: World War II, Wikipedia article text
The MG 08 also saw service during World War II in the infantry divisions of the German Army, although by the end of the war it had mostly been relegated to second-rate "fortress" units.
Operated By: Wehrmacht, Wikipedia article text
The MG 08 also saw service during World War II in the infantry divisions of the German Army, although by the end of the war it had mostly been relegated to second-rate "fortress" units.
View the SourceReader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.