wildcard163:

Sorry, but Johnbaker had it right except that the premise originally taught was regarding accuracy of each weapon and not velocity at the distance in question.

Submachine guns were often considered "trench brooms" and unlike todays excellant MP5 or the Uzi were not really designed for extended range accuracy.

Enemy combatants need not be German regulars so shotgun use by non-regular forces was still a possibility even if German soldiers did not use them.

Bountyhunter