User blog comment:LB&SCR/GWM Episode 6: Albert Mayer v Henry Gunther/@comment-3189283-20190509132801

Let’s see shall we

Long Arm

The Enfield has the more powerful round as well as the further effective range by about fifty meters. The Gewehr does have a higher muzzle velocity but it is only slightly and not as important as the aforementioned stats the Enfield wins out in.

Edge: Henry Gunther

Short Arm

Got to go with the Mauser on this one. The only advantage the Colt has is a larger bullet but this is negated by the vastly superior muzzle velocity of the Mauser not to mention it’s three extra bullets.

Edge: Albert Mayer

Melee In a straight comparison the Cavalry Sabre has the advantage in terms of reach but when affixed to the Enfield as intended the Bayonet exceeds the maximum reach by at least a foot. On the other hand, being a cavalryman Mayer would be pretty comfortable using the sabre than Gunther would be using the bayonet and there is record of him using his sabre with some degree of success. Unlike other firearm based battles this one might very well come down to a melee fight and in that regard, I think Mayer has the edge due more to his training than the weapon itself.

Edge: Albert Mayer

Final Verdict

In a sad twist of irony, it’s the man who died first who will defeat the man who died last. Mayer has the better weaponry overall but the main factor for his victory is his training. Mayer had been in the army for two years by this point and risen to the rank of Lieutenant so would have likely received a fair bit of training. Gunther meanwhile was only drafted in 1917 and didn’t arrive in France till June 1918 and his role was a mostly non-combat one so he likely wasn’t as well trained. Another factor to consider is that Gunther’s death was due to his own reckless and almost suicidal actions which suggests he might not have been mentally all that stable after losing his sergeant rank. Granted Mayer also showed a reckless side for moving into French territory before the war began but it’s possible, he was ordered to by his superiors and his actions can probably be explained by desperation rather than the mental issues Gunther seemed to have. Regardless the main factor for Mayer’s victory is his superior training and better weapons with a possible better mental state just being an added advantage.

Albert Mayer: 2,600

Henry Gunther: 2,400