Question

Why do you think that machine-gunner crews were more likely to be killed by the enemy than foot soldiers, if they were captured?

Answer 1

A machine-gunner may have had more chances to be executed by the enemy by different reasons.

• According to the old ideals of honor and chivalry, the expanding usage of fire weapons was seen as dishonorable. Killing an enemy with a sword or a bayonet from a long distance by using a machine gun was not consider honorable, thus, the enemy troops tried to reach and kill the gunners as soon as possible.
• In addition to this, if a gunner was held captive, probably the conception of their dishonorable deed in the battlefield, was an extra motivation for the enemy to apply the death penalty.
• On the other hand, a foot soldier still kept the old codes of honor and hand-to-hand combat which caused them to be less likely to be executed.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

I think that machine-gunner crews were more likely to be killed by the enemy than foot soldiers if they were captured because they already have limited resources and equipment for a fight. And because they don't like the infantry and that's one of the reasons wht they were more likely to be killed there.