Which principle means to employ machine guns in pairs for mutual support?

The principle of mutual support pertains to the tactical employment of weapons, specifically machine guns, whereby they are positioned to provide overlapping fields of fire. This setup allows one machine gun to cover the other, ensuring continuous support even if one gun encounters issues such as a jam or needs to be reloaded. By placing machine guns in close proximity and orienting them so that they can cover each other's sectors, units can enhance their defensive capability and sustain a higher level of fire effectiveness.

This principle is fundamental for maximizing the lethality of the machine guns and creating a more formidable barrier against enemy forces. It leverages the strengths of each weapon while mitigating vulnerabilities, thus reinforcing the unit’s overall defensive posture.

Understanding this tactical interplay is crucial for coordinating fire effectively on the battlefield, as mutual support ensures that fire can continue even if one position fails, contributing to the preservation of combat power.