What tactical shift occurs when transitioning from offensive to defensive operations for machine guns?

When transitioning from offensive to defensive operations, the primary tactical shift involves the machine guns moving to a role focused on suppressing fire to protect established positions. This shift is critical because, in a defensive stance, the objective changes from advancing and gaining ground to maintaining control of a specific area.

In defensive operations, machine guns are used to deny the enemy the ability to advance or maneuver freely. This is accomplished through delivering sustained suppressive fire aimed at enemy forces that could threaten the position. The machine gunners will typically engage targets that pose the greatest risk to their unit, thereby providing a protective barrier that allows friendly forces to organize and respond effectively.

Additionally, in this defensive posture, there is often an emphasis on covering fields of fire and coordinating fire with the overall defense strategy, focusing on holding the terrain rather than pushing forward. This aligns with the need to create a defensive perimeter, allowing infantry and other units to maintain their positions while safely operating within the covered area.