Modern Infantry Co Toe

[FALightFighter]

Yes, units tailor loads. Most patrols in Afghan didn't carry Javelin, although they were often in vehicles. And we even fielded upgraded M72 LAWs (M72A7?) because they were lighter and handier than M136 AT4s.

[CaptLuke]

How "modern" are you looking for. I was going through some old stuff and realized I have a survey of mid-60s NATO infantry company TO&Es, in a Word doc. It's from a book byJac Weller called Weapons and Tactics, Hastings to Berlin, 1966. Somewhere I have similar data from his other book, same thing but for Asia in the Vietnam era, but it's not written up.

 

Let me know if you're interested.

[bojan]

Post it, I am always interested in development of it...

[CaptLuke]

Rifle companies in the early to mid-60s, more info later on weapons and drilling down to platoon and squad level

 

Number of personnel by unit, plus the number of rifle platoons

 

Total total

Weap rifle rifle rifle

Country HQ plat plat plat company

Belgium 36 0 3 44 132 168

Britain 12 24 3 32 96 132

Canada 25 24 3 35 105 154

Denmark 23 13 3 29 87 123

France ?? ?? 3 40 120 ???

Germany 16 0 4 32 128 144

Greece 10 36 3 36 108 154

Italy 13 24 3 29 87 124

Netherlands 22 27 3 41 123 172

Norway 24 40 3 41 123 187

Portugal 25 58 3 34 102 185

Russia 5 10 3 30 90 105

Spain 36 31 4 45 180 247

Turkey 10 41 3 46 138 189

US Army 12 36 3 44 132 180

USMC 9 53 3 47 141 203

 

German org is Panzer Grenadier, not “standard” infantry

Edited May 7, 2016 by CaptLuke

[CaptLuke]

Sorry, few notes on specific weapon types, but here they are, small arms by company by class

 

Pax AR Rifle SMG Pistol Total

Belgium 168 18 93 42 15 168

Britain 132 9 122 0 1 132

Canada 154 12 118 18 5 153

Denmark 123 9 72 37 5 123

France ??? ??? ??? ?? ? ???

Germany 144 18 109 13 22 162

Greece 154 9 126 10 9 154

Italy 124 12 25 78 9 124

Netherlands 172 9 98 58 16 181

Norway 187 9 109 45 24 187

Portugal 185 9 105 45 35 194

Russia 105 10 81 0 14 105

Spain 247 14 148 57 42 261

Turkey 189 18 129 0 36 183

US Army 180 18 104 0 58 180

USMC 203 27 150 0 26 203

 

AR = Automatic Rifle

-- Denmark and Germany are MG42 on a bipod

-- US and USMC are the M14A1

-- France is the M1952 on a bipod

-- Russia is the RPD

Note that Weller makes a distinction between GPMG being primarily used on a bipod, which he lumps in with ARs, and with GPMG with a larger crew, expected to be used with a tripod. He refers to the latter as MMG and puts them in a separate count as heavy weapons.

Edited May 7, 2016 by CaptLuke

[CaptLuke]

heavy weapons by infantry company

- HWP means in the heavy weapons platoon

- RP means the total within all the rifle platoons

- HQ means in the company HQ

 

Belgium RP -- 3 60mm Mort, 6 MMG, 3 83mm RL

HQ-- 2 81mm Mort, 1 .50 HMG

 

Britain HWP – 2 84mm RR, 2 81mm Mort

RP -- 3 84mm RR, 3 2” mort

 

Canada HWP – 2 MMG, 2 81mm Mort, 2 106mm RR

RP -- 3 3.5” RL

HQ-- AA MGs on vehicles

 

Denmark HWP – 3 60mm Mort, 2 3.5” RLs, 5 MG42 w/tripod

RP -- 3 3.5” RL

HQ-- 2 .50 HMG

 

France HWP – ???

RP -- Several RL and MG

HQ—Variable

 

Germany RP -- About 16 AT weapons, one per APC

HQ-- Extra Tripods and some MG42s in vehicles

 

Greece HWP – 3 MMG, 3 60mm Mort

 

Italy HWP – 2 MMG, 2 57mm RR, 2 60mm Mort

RP -- 3 3.5” RLs

 

Netherlands HWP – 3 81mm, 2 Light AT (?!)

RP -- 6 84mm RR

HQ-- 1 .50 HMG, 6 extra GPMG, Several light AT

 

Norway HWP – 3 57mm RR, 3 60mm Mort, 1 3.5” RL

RP -- 3 MMG, 3 3.5” RL

HQ-- 1 .50 HMG, 1 3.5” RL

 

Portugal HWP – 3 60mm Mort, 3 MG34 w/tripod

RP -- 3 3.5” RL

HQ-- 2 .50 HMG, 2 3.5” RL

 

Russia HWP – 3 MMG, 1 AT weapon

RP -- 9 AT weapons

HQ-- Sometimes AT or AA weapons

 

Spain HWP – 3 81mm Mort, 2 106mm RR, 2 3.5” RL

RP -- 8 MMGs, 8 3.5” RL

HQ-- No standard

 

Turkey HWP – 3 81mm Mort, 3 57mm RR

RP -- 6 MMG, 3 3.5” RL

HQ-- 4 35” RL

 

US Army HWP – 3 81mm Mort, 2 106mm RR, 1 3.5” RL

RP -- 6 MMGs, 6 90mm RR

HQ-- Several .50 HMG

 

USMC HWP – 6 MMG, 6 3.5 RL

Edited May 7, 2016 by CaptLuke

[CaptLuke]

Platoon personnel counts, number of squads

 

# Rifle Squad Platoon

HQ Weapons Squads Squad Total Total

Belgium 11 0 3 11 33 44

Britain 8 0 3 8 24 32

Canada 5 0 3 10 30 35

Denmark 5 0 3 8 24 29

France 10 0 3 10 30 40

Germany 8 0 3 8 24 32

Greece 6 0 3 10 30 36

Italy 8 0 3 7 21 29

Netherlands 5 9 3 9 27 41

Norway 5 9 3 9 27 41

Portugal 7 0 3 9 27 34

Russia 3 0 3 9 27 30

Spain 3 9 3 11 33 45

Turkey 2 11 3 11 33 46

US Army 3 11 3 10 30 44

USMC 5 0 3 14 42 47

[GPMG]

I think there are a couple of things wrong with these tables, with respect to the British Army. First there are no SMG's, the Sterling SMG were issued to many (all?) Coy HQ, (all?) Plt HQ, and the Section commander. I don't think the British have ever had a weapons Plt in their Rifle Coy, I think this table shows Mortar, and Anti-tank Plts of support Coy being split between the 3 Rifle Coys.

[CaptLuke]

Weapons by platoon

 

Pax AR Rifle SMG Pistol Heavy

Belgium 44 6 26 7 5 2 MMG, 1 83mm RL, 1 60mm Mort

Britain 32 3 29 0 0 1 84mm RR, 1 2” mort

Canada 35 3 30 1 1 1 3.5” RL

Denmark 29 3 18 7 1 1 3.5” RL

France(4) 40 3 18 18 4 4 RL, 3 MMG, 1 .50 MG

Germany 32 4 26 2 4 4 Panzerfaust (5)

Greece 36 3 29 3 1

Italy 29 4 8 16 1 1 3.5” RL

Netherlands 41 3(6) 29 8 4 2 84mm RR

Norway 41 3 27 6 5 1 3.5” RL, 1 MMG

Portugal 34 3 21 8 5 1 3.5” RL

Russia 30 3 26(7)1 3 3 RPG (8)

Spain 45 3 34 8 3 2 3.5” RL, 2 MMG

Turkey 46 6 32 0 6 1 3.5” RL, 2 MMG

US Army 44 6 28 0 10 2 90mm RR, 2 MMG, 6 GLs (9)

USMC 47 9 33 0 5 3 GLs (8)

Notes

1. in APCs but not carried on foot

2. does not include 4 MMG from the platoon APCs

3. SMGs can be issued for special duty

4. Includes APC weapons

5. Panzerfaust

6. 3 more GPMG in APCs which can be dismounted for ground use

7. AK

8. Organic to rifle squads, 1 each

9. Organic to rifle squads, 2 each

[CaptLuke]

Squad level: country, total people, weapons list

 

Belgium Pers 11 One MMG (in APC, can be dismounted), 2 AR (FALO), 1 scoped FAL, 3 auto FAL, 4 semiauto only FAL, 1 SMG

Britain Pers 8 One GPMG, six SLR, one 84mm RR (or 7 SLR, no RR)

Canada Pers 10 One AR, 9 SLR

Denmark Pers 8 One AR (MG42), 5 M1 rifle, 2 SMG

France Pers 10 1 AR, nine rifle or smg (mix varies), one AT weapon

Germany Pers 8 One MG42, 7 G3 (all full auto), one Panzerfaust

Greece Pers 10 One or two BAR, 7 or 8 M1, one SMG

Italy Pers 7 One BAR, 2 M1, 4 SMG

Netherlands Pers 9 One AR (FN MAG or Bren), 8 rifles (M1 or FAL) or 7 rifles and one SMG

Norway Pers 9 One BAR, 8 rifles

Portugal Pers 9 One AR, 8 rifles

Russia Pers 9 One AR (RPD), 7 AK, one RPG and one pistol

Spain Pers 11 11 CETME or 1 AR and 10 CETME

Turkey Pers 11 Two AR, 9 rifle

US Army Pers 10 2 AR, 6 rifle, 2 GL and 2 pistol

USMC Pers 14 3 AR, 10 Rifle, one GL, 1 pistol

[CaptLuke]

First there are no SMG's, the Sterling SMG were issued to many (all?) Coy HQ, (all?) Plt HQ, and the Section commander

 

Not sure. I seem to have lost which line item one note belongs to, "3. SMGs can be issued for special duty" It's possible this refers to the British TO&E.

 

I don't think the British have ever had a weapons Plt in their Rifle Coy, I think this table shows Mortar, and Anti-tank Plts of support Coy being split between the 3 Rifle Coys.

 

I don't know, though he is certainly not including any battalion 'slice' with any of the other totals. Keep the timeline, early to mid-60s in mind.

Edited May 7, 2016 by CaptLuke

[bojan]

Yugoslavia (note that it may contain mistakes, I am not sure about everything)

 

Light inf 1

10 men section, 5 x SMG (M56, M49 or PPSh*), 4 x Rifle (M48 or M59/66 in later part of 60s), LMG (M53/MG-42/MG-34*/ZB-26*) At least one rifle would have RG attachment

Plt is Plt HQ (3 men), 3 sections + MG section, which was 7 men, 2 x MMG (M53/MG-42/MG-34*)

Co was Co HQ (5 men, including two snipers with scoped Kar98k or Mosin* rifles), 3 Plts and support Plt with mortas section (3 x 60mm mortar) and AT section (4 x AT weapon - M57/M49/M20/M9A1*) .

or

10 men section

Plt is Plt HQ + 3 sections + MG/AT section (two of each)

Co had HQ + 3 Plts + mortar section (3 x 60mm)

 

*Reserves used weapons marked with asterisk

 

Motorized inf:

10 men section, 5 x SMG, 4 x rifle, LMG At least one rifle would have RG attachment

Plt is 3-men plt HQ, 3 x section, 11-men FS section (2 x MMG + 2 x AT weapon)

Co had HQ (7 IIRC, including two snipers), 3 x Plt + Co Spt plt, which had RCL section with two weapons (M60/M20*), mortar section with two 81/82mm mortars and AT section with four AT weapons. Some had MMG section with 3 MMGs instead of AT section

 

Mech inf:

10 men squad, 5 x SMG, 4 x rifle (M1 Garand or M48 or M59/66), LMG, AT weapon. Another MG was mounted in APC (Pintle mount on M3 Halftrack, bow on M-60 APC) and dismounted if needed. At least one rifle would have RG attachment

Plt had 4 x section, 1st one was Plt HQ also.

Co had Co HQ (5 men, including one sniper), 3 x Plt, 1 x FS Plt, which had two mortar sections (each 2 x 81/82mm mortars), two RCL sections (each 2 x RCL). When fighting from prepared positions there was also light AA section, made from half (6) .50 HMGs from APCs.

 

Guard's inf:

SMG section - 8 x SMG, 1 x rifle (grenadier), 1 x LMG

Rifle section - 7 x rifle, 2 x SMG, 1 x LMG

SMG plt - HQ + 2 sections + MG/AT section (two of each)

Rifle plt - HQ + SMG Plt + Rifle Plt + MG/AT section

Co - HQ + 2 Plts + FS Plt - two RCL section (2 RCL each), two mortar sections (2 2 81/82mm mortars each)

Edited May 19, 2017 by bojan

[GPMG]

 

First there are no SMG's, the Sterling SMG were issued to many (all?) Coy HQ, (all?) Plt HQ, and the Section commander

 

Not sure. I seem to have lost which line item one note belongs to, "3. SMGs can be issued for special duty" It's possible this refers to the British TO&E.

 

I don't think the British have ever had a weapons Plt in their Rifle Coy, I think this table shows Mortar, and Anti-tank Plts of support Coy being split between the 3 Rifle Coys.

 

I don't know, though he is certainly not including any battalion 'slice' with any of the other totals. Keep the timeline, early to mid-60s in mind.

 

According to this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesia%E2%80%93Malaysia_confrontation#British%20tacticsThe British Army Infantry Battalions went to 3X Rifle Coy of 3X Rifle Plt, 1X Support Coy of 1X Mortar Plt, 1X Anti-tank Plt, 1X Assault Pioneer Plt, and 1X Reconnaissance Plt in 1962 with the end of national service. This is pretty much the same organization they used into the 1980's. Prior to that they used a modified WWII org with 4X rifle coy of 3X rifle plt, and a support coy without recon plt, but with a MG Plt.

[Chris Werb]

GPMG, at what level were the SF roled GPMGs?

[GPMG]

WWII SF was in Machine Gun Battalions usually one per Division.

Post War Machine Gun Battalions were disbanded and Infantry Battalions got a Machine Gun Platoon in Support Coy

1962 With the impending arrival of the GPMG Machine Gun Platoons were disbanded, but the Vickers Machine Guns remained available. SF kit was held at Company, to be issued to the Machine gunners in the rifle sections at need. I think the scale was 6 SF kits per Company.

IIRC In theory the SF Machine Gun Platoon did not return to the Infantry Battalions until after the Falklands War, but the reason for it's return was the use of SF Machine Gun Platoons in the Falklands War. This is because the actual unit organization was decided by the Battalion Commander, and was restricted by unit manning. Usually if a battalion had a SF Machine Gun Platoon it would be manned by the drums and band personnel, but they also were used as stretcher bearers.

 

I found this 1980's Battalion Org here http://coldwargamer.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/orbat-1980s-british-bg-part-7-infantry.html

 

HQ Company,Supply, Motor Transport, Maintenance, Signals, Provost, Medical and Welfare functions as well as the Drums Platoon and Band. The Drums Platoon could provide 3 GPMG SF sections each consisting of 2 Guns. In addition up to 3 Snipper pairs and an Assault pioneer unit of up to 1 section could be held in the HQ company or in rifle companies or not exist depending on unit manning and the interests of key leaders.

 

3 Rifle Companies,Company HQ and 3 Rifle Platoons

 

Support Weapons Company, Company HQ, Anti-Tank, Recce and Mortars.

 

Of course on operations the Battalion would be task organized .

[Chris Werb]

Thank you. I'd wondered about this for years.

[bojan]

Well, since we lack info about modern ones, here is Israeli from 1967:

Plt - 31 men, 3 HB FAL with bipod (MG34 or Bren for reserves), 24 FAL (Mauser for reserves), 4 Uzi.

 

Their Co had light mortar section, MG section, AT section and RCL section. No idea how much of each was there...

Edited September 26, 2019 by bojan

[Simon Tan]

Jeez...that sucks. 3x 10 man section (Uzi, 8xFAL, FALO). That is terrible.

[rohala]

Jeez...that sucks. 3x 10 man section (Uzi, 8xFAL, FALO). That is terrible.

Terrible in what sense? It was pretty standard at the time.

[bojan]

No useful ranged automatic fire (FAL "SAW" was a joke), no good close range suppresion (their FALs were semi, only single Uzi per squad), no AT firepower other than rifle-grenades, no plt heavy weapons.

[Chris Werb]

However, it does follow current thinking that a smaller number of larger, accurately aimed projectiles makes for far better suppression than smaller ones sprayed in the general direction of the enemy.

[bojan]

Which was proven as false in every war since it was first time tried.

They got MAGs back in squads ASAP after 1967.

[Simon Tan]

Bollicks. As usual.

[Chris Werb]

There's some pretty scientific looking stuff out there that talks about the suppression levels of different projectiles passing within different distances of a human. Page 40 in this document for example. However, I always wonder how you could ever evaluate something like this in real life.

[Simon Tan]

Suppression at longer ranges is based on splash and tracer burn not near misses. Engaging man sized targets at that range without optics is hard. That is why 30 Light Rifle was garbage.