In the Prussian service these were manned by 8 crew: 4 were artillerymen and 4 drawn from the battalion. Broadly speaking the gunners manned the piece and the infantrymen were helpers and provided the pulling power. As the guns were unlimbered ahead of the batallion and expected to advance by manpower with the battalion whilst at the same time maintaining a rapid fire one can see the need for the extra muscle. It was obviously more efficient to use infantry rather than artillerymen for this as they cost less, were not so highly trained and again in the Prussian service artillerymen were often recruited from smaller men not considered large enough for battalion service.