Hi Ed,
As you know the most important difference between the Sturmtruppen and the normal Infantry was the fight tactics. The Sturmtruppen implemented, for the first time, the attacks with limited objectives and the elastic defense. While German artillery suppressed the French guns with gas shell, detachment of Sturmtruppen charged over the top to open gaps in French wire. The Sturmtruppen were followed by the line infantry, swarming forward in skirmish lines and occupied the French position.
I guess, but this is my speculation, that the Sturmtruppen were well armed before the attack with adequate and complementary weapons strictly finalized for the mission. All details were taken into account. The attack should be rapid with the line infantry that follows and consolidate the position. I really think that, in this context, the TM08 were loaded before the attack and not reloaded up to the end of the rapid fight. I donĂ¢??t think that the Sturmtruppen had the loading or unloading tool available during the quick attack.
This is my thought and, of course, could be wrong.
Ciao
Mauro
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