A summary of my notes on WW1 low level platoon organisation follows, much of it is from Battle Tactics of the Western Front, Paddy Griffith, Yale University Press, 1994:
In 1914 the platoon consisted of an HQ and four sections armed with rifles. 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).
In late 1915 one section in each platoon became a grenadier party of an NCO, two throwers, two bayonet men, two carriers and two spare men. The grenadiers were renamed "bombers" in 1916.
By the winter of 1916/1917 one Lewis gun was attached to each platoon.
1917 – 1918 platoons had an HQ, a Lewis gun section (9 men), a rifle bombers section (9 men including 4 bomb firers), a rifle section (9 men including a sniper and a scout)] and a bombing section (9 men including 2 bomb throwers and two bayonet men). The minimum strength of the platoon (excluding HQ) was 28 men, and the maximum 44. This platoon structure was not universal, some platoons had fewer than four sections, and specialisation was far from standardised. Some commanders were using two of the four sections as Lewis group, although Lewis guns could be withdrawn temporarily for employment under the company or battalion commander.
Specialist bomber and rifle bomber sections were abolished 23/7/1918.
In late 1918 a platoon had an HQ, two Lewis gun sections and two rifle sections, each with three rifle grenades.
John Armatys.
