"Military units: how many" Topic
4 Posts
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| drunkardmonk | 14 May 2013 7:50 a.m. PST |
Greetings to all, I was reading about the BEF during WW1, especially the Canadian troops but I can't have any clear answers about how many men a standard squad/section. It's always a number between 8 and 13… So, talking wargaming , 4 square bases with 2 soldier each plus a round base with an NCO and a private woudn't be unrealistic, am I right ? Many thanks, drunkardmonk |
| John Armatys | 14 May 2013 10:36 a.m. PST |
The standard full strength section was 10 men (including an NCO (corporal) at the start of the war, down to 9 by 1917. Platoon Training 1919 says a scetion "… consists of a leader and six men … It will not go into action more than seven strong or with less than three men". |
| drunkardmonk | 14 May 2013 11:39 a.m. PST |
Many thanks for the infos :) Any references on that ? Drunkardmonk |
| John Armatys | 14 May 2013 5:31 p.m. PST |
The War Establishement Tables in Field Service Pocket Book 1914 (you have subtract the company HQ and divide by 4, then allow for Platoon HQ). Infantry Training (4 Company Organisation), 1914 says "When … the strength of the section falls below 5 men (including the leader), it may be joined temporarily to another section for work in the field)". SS143 Instructions for the Training of Platoons for Offensive Action, February 1917 says "Organisation of a Platoon
Minimum strength, excluding HQ of 28 OR and maximum of 44 OR. If the strength falls below the minimum the platoon ceases to be workable and the necessary numbers will be obtained by temporary amalgamation of Companies, Platoons or Sections under Battalion arrangements. taking an average strength in the sections of 36 OR a suitable organisation would be as follows:
Headquarters 1 Officer and 4 OR
1 Section Bombers 1 NCO and 8 OR (includes 2 bayonet men and 2 throwers)
1 Section Lewis Gunners 1 NCO and 8 OR (includes Nos. 1 and 2)
1 Section Riflemen 1 NCO and 8 OR (picked shots, scouts, picked bayonet fighters)
1 Section Rifle Bombers 1 NCO and 8 OR (includes 4 Bomb Firers)". As indicated the quote in my first message is from Platoon Training, 1919 If you are interested in the second half of the war it is worth looking out for Battle Tactics of the Western Front, The British Army's Art of Attack 1916 – 1918, Paddy Griffith, Yale University Press 1994 |
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goes to sea with the Terrain Mat.