British infantry platoon consisted of three infantry sections and platoon HQ (HQ section). The size of infantry section varied during the war years - in beginning consisted of NCO and seven men, in late years grew up to NCO and nine men. Tables show functions and armament within section:
|
1939-1943 |
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|
Function |
Rank |
Armament |
|
Section Commander |
Cpl | SMG Thompson, 6 magazines, 2 Bren magazines , wire cutters, machette |
|
No.1 Rifleman |
Pte | L-E SMLE No.1 Mk.III or scoped P14, 50 rounds, 4 Bren magazines |
|
No.2 Rifleman |
Pte |
L-E SMLE No.1 Mk.III, 50 rounds, 4 Bren magazines |
|
No.1 Bomber |
Pte | L-E SMLE No.1 Mk.III, 50 rounds, Bren magazine, 2 grenades No.36, 2 smoke grenades |
|
No.2 Bomber |
Pte | L-E SMLE No.1 Mk.III, 50 rounds, 3 Bren magazines, 2 grenades No.36 |
|
Second in Command (Bren Group) |
L/Cpl | L-E SMLE No.1 Mk.III, 50 rounds, 2 Bren magazines, 2 smoke grenades |
|
No.1 Bren |
Pte | LMG Bren Mk.I/II, 4 Bren magazines, 50 rounds in bandoleer, spare parts for Bren in holdall |
|
No.2 Bren |
Pte | L-E SMLE No.1 Mk.III, 50 rounds, 4 Bren magazines, spare barrel for Bren in bag |
|
1943-1945 |
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|
Function |
Rank |
Armament |
|
Section Commander |
Cpl | Sten Mk.II-V, 5 magazines, 2 grenades No.36, wire cutters |
|
No.1 Rifleman |
Pte | L-E No.4 Mk.I, 150 rounds, 2 Bren magazines, grenade No.36, shovel |
|
No.2 Rifleman |
Pte | L-E No.4 Mk.I, 150 rounds, 2 Bren magazines, grenade No.36, shovel |
|
No.3 Rifleman |
Pte | L-E No.4 Mk.I, 150 rounds, 2 Bren magazines, grenade No.36, shovel |
|
No.4 Rifleman |
Pte | L-E No.4 Mk.I, 150 rounds, 2 Bren magazines, grenade No.36, pick |
|
No.5 Rifleman |
Pte | L-E No.4 Mk.I, 150 rounds, 2 Bren magazines, grenade No.36, shovel |
|
No.6 Rifleman |
Pte |
L-E No.4 Mk.I, 150 rounds, 2 Bren magazines, grenade No.36, shovel |
|
Second in Command (Bren Group) |
L/Cpl |
L-E No.4 Mk.I, 100 rounds, 4 Bren magazines, grenade No.36, machette |
|
No.1 Bren |
Pte |
LMG Bren Mk.I/II, 4 Bren magazines, spare parts for Bren in holdall |
|
No.2 Bren |
Pte |
L-E No.4 Mk.I, 100 rounds, 5 Bren magazines, 2 grenades No.36, spare barrel for Bren in bag, pick |
Note: All magazines are considered to be full. Continue to Part II "HQ Section"
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