According to the Eight Principles of Machine Gun Employment, pairs refer to what?

The concept of "pairs" in the context of the Eight Principles of Machine Gun Employment refers to the practice of keeping machine guns within a certain proximity to each other, specifically within 35 meters. This ensures that they can provide mutual support and overlapping fields of fire. By situating machine guns close together, they can effectively cover each other’s vulnerabilities, allowing for coordinated fire and enhancing overall firepower on a target.

In addition, having machine guns within this distance facilitates easier communication and decision-making among crew members, ensuring that they can respond quickly to changes in the battlefield environment. This practice maximizes the effectiveness of the machine guns while minimizing the risk of becoming isolated in combat. The paired arrangement is particularly advantageous during offensive operations, where fire superiority is essential for maneuvering infantry and achieving mission objectives.