Why is maintaining speed considered a fundamental principle in machine gun gunnery?

Maintaining speed is fundamental in machine gun gunnery primarily because it increases the likelihood of hitting moving targets. The nature of combat often involves dynamic scenarios where both the shooter and the target are in motion. Therefore, a machine gun crew needs to apply immediate and rapid adjustments to their fire to track and engage these targets effectively. A higher rate of fire, combined with the ability to maintain proper sight alignment and target tracking, boosts the effectiveness of the weapon system in hitting those targets that may be maneuvering quickly across the battlefield.

While the other factors, such as quicker identification of enemy positions, avoiding detection, and faster adjustment of tactics, are indeed important in various combat scenarios, they do not solely emphasize the direct relationship between speed and the accuracy necessary for engaging moving targets effectively. Speed in firing allows gunners to capitalize on fleeting opportunities against enemy movements, making it a crucial aspect of machine gun gunnery.