- For the Steel Division: Normandy 44 unit see SD:M2HB HMG
M2HB HMG is a United States Support unit in Steel Division II.
Background[ | ]
A machine-gun emplacement, using the powerful Browning M2 .50 BMG machinegun.The origins of the M2 Browning lay in the First World War, where the introduction of the machine gun led to terrible losses amongst all nations as battlefield commanders had to come to grips with the reality of this new kind of warfare. Demands went out for a more powerful version of the M1917 machine gun, then the dominant US MG in service. This would go on to become the M2 Browning MG and production of it started in 1933. The HB (heavy barrel) denotation means it used the air-cooled barrel.
It was used to great effect on airplanes, vehicles and as an infantry gun. The weapon was particularly hated by the Germans, whose attacks and ambushes against otherwise helpless stalled motor convoys were frequently broken up by .50 caliber machine gun fire. Its service extended beyond the Second World War and it still is in use today.
The Armored Infantry Battalions had the capability to dismount their M2 from their M3A1 Halftracks.
The Weapon Platoon Headquarters in the Rifle Company of a Infantry Battalion has one M2 along with Machine Gun Section and Mortar Section. There is a M2 HMG in Assault and Pioneer Platoon, Antitank Platoon and Heavy Weapon Company.