The United States Marine Battalion, Type F and G Series
The Marine Corps constantly reviewed its structure throughout the Pacific Campaign, setting its performance against the lessons learned in combat. I have to wonder though whether the seemingly endless series of reforms, while intended to improve efficiency actually had a detrimental effect on the Corps. Anyone who has undergone reorganisations in the workplace knows it causes confusion and exasperation in the short term at least. Reorganising an entire Marine Division on a practically annual basis must have caused some similar feelings for the average leatherneck? I think it is fair to say the 'F' Series marked the last major step in Marine organisation. The following 'G' Series was not finalised until the post-war period, but several important aspects were implemented before then.
The Marine Battalion, 'F Series', 1944
Headquarters Company (16 Officers, 197 men)
Battalion Headquarters (9 Officers, 28 men)
Intelligence Section (12 men)
Company Headquarters (1 Officer, 16 men)
Communications Platoon (1 Officer, 39 men)
Supply Section (1 Officer, 6 men)
Medical Detachment (2 Officers, 40 men, all US Navy)
Mortar Platoon (2 Officers, 56 men)
Three Rifle Companies (7 Officers, 228 later 240 men) each comprised of;
Company HQ (2 Officers, 31 men)
Mortar Section (1 Officer, 19 men)
Light Machine Gun Platoon comprised of;
Platoon HQ (1 Officer, 5 men)
Three Machine Gun Sections, each comprised of 13 later 17 men
Three Rifle Platoons, each comprised of;
Platoon HQ (1 Officer, 6)
Three Rifle Squads, each comprised of 13 men
Total Strength of 918, later 954 all ranks (37 Officers and 881 later 917 men)
Points of note
The obvious change is the dissolution of the Weapons Company. The Mortar Platoon is absorbed into HQ, while the Machine Gun Platoons are merged into the Rifle Companies. The firepower of the Battalion now approaches tremendous proportions.
The elements of the Battalion
The changes only truly impact on the Rifle Companies. The command and service elements retain their previous roles, but their strength fluctuates greatly with each reorganisation.
Intelligence Section - this unit probably existed in the previous formations and provided a number of scouts for the Battalion Commander, as in the Infantry version.
Mortar Platoon - the only amendment to the Mortar Platoon, aside from it being administered by HQ Company, is the inclusion of four 60 mm mortars. These were intended to provide an alternative weapon if conditions meant the usual 81 mm tubes and ammunition could not be deployed.
The Rifle Company - the amendments to the Rifle Company were quite startling and centred on the Rifle Platoon.
The twelve man squad seemed to provide only an interim solution to the search for the best tactical unit. Following extensive trials, a new type appeared in 1944. The Squad was now no longer the basic tool of the Marines, instead appeared the Fire Team. The Fire Team fielded a Corporal, Automatic Rifleman with BAR and two riflemen. One of the two rifleman acted as assistant to the gunner. The original tables armed him with a Carbine, but this was quickly changed to an M1 Rifle as carried by the Corporal and second rifleman. Three Fire Teams were led by a Squad Sergeant with a Carbine. Three such Squads served under the same Platoon HQ as previously. The firepower of the squad was now immense, but it did not stop there. Each Squad was given access to a man pack flamethrower and a demolition kit while each Platoon could call upon a Bazooka from company HQ.
The three Machine Gun Platoons of the defunct Weapons Company allowed routine assignment one per Rifle Company. The 'F' Series formalised this arrangement by integrating the Machine Gun Platoons directly into each Rifle company. The Platoon itself was substantially altered. Each now served six M1919A4 Browning light machine guns in three Sections. The heavy M1917 Browning machine guns were not abandoned though. Each Platoon held six in reserve, which could replace or supplement the lighter weapons as required. It was a staggering collection of automatic firepower. It was also a staggering amount to carry and the Platoon was quickly reinforced by two men per Squad.
The Rifle Company Weapons Platoon was also deleted and its three tube 60 mm mortar Section was placed under the command of its redundant Lieutenant, aided by a Sergeant. Company HQ remained as before apart from an increase in strength. A Jeep and trailer now appear on the strengths, but this may have existed before.
The Marine Battalion, 'G Series', 1945
Headquarters Company (270 all ranks)
Battalion Headquarters (131 all ranks)
Company Headquarters (26 all ranks)
Mortar Platoon (2 Officers, 56 men)
Assault Platoon (1 Officer, 54 men)
Three Machine Gun Platoons, each (1 Officer, 42 men)
Three Rifle Companies (7 Officers, 235 men) each comprised of;
Company HQ (2 Officers, 29 men)
Mortar Section (1 Officer, 19 men)
Light Machine Gun Platoon comprised of;
Platoon HQ (1 Officer, 5 men)
Three Machine Gun Sections, each comprised of 17 men
Three Rifle Platoons, each comprised of;
Platoon HQ (1 Officer, 5)
Three Rifle Squads, each comprised of 13 men
Total Strength of 996 all ranks (estimate of 38 Officers and 958 men)
Points of note
Seemingly only detail changes were made to the Battalion Headquarters elements, the Company HQ expanding somewhat. One entirely new unit is also included.
The elements of the Battalion
Assault Platoon - this is one of those intriguing units on which there is only sparse information available. The 'F' Series tables provided a host of unallocated flamethrowers, bazookas and demolition packs to the Rifle Platoons. Unallocated is another way of saying you carry the Bazooka and your rifle and have to operate both. The situation was of sufficient concern to encourage some Battalions to form Assault Platoons, which for the first time provided dedicated crews for these weapons without stripping them out of the Rifle units. The 55 man Platoon was not finalised until after the war, so the units that saw action were probably slightly different.
In essence, each Platoon deployed three Sections, one per Rifle Company. The Section had two Squads, most certainly under a Sergeant acting as Section Leader. Each of his two Squads fielded a flamethrower team, a Bazooka team and a demolition team under a Squad Leader. Each of these teams was two men strong. The flamethrower team seemingly had one M2-2 backpack unit, the Bazooka team one 2.36 in Rocket Launcher and the demolition team whatever number of packs was available. The curious thing is that the stated allocation of weapons is twelve M2-2 units and eight Bazookas, so obviously not all were allocated. There is also the matter of at least ten other men being needed to bring the Platoon up to its 55 man strength. If anyone can add anything to this description, please let me know.
Rifle Platoon - the only other notable amendment was to the Rifle Platoon Headquarters. The Demolition Corporal, who seems to have endured throughout was finally deleted. The formation of a specialist assault detachment obviously meant his skills were required elsewhere.
Summary
The continuing evolution of the Marine Battalion is a quest for superior firepower. Every amendment was made based on experience gained and tailored to overcoming the 'human wave' attacks which the Japanese Army were reduced to. It is a tribute that, while the Infantrymen in the Pacific and Europe were poorly supported by machine guns, the Marines added to their arsenal without hesitation. Flamethrowers and explosives were also placed in the hands of the frontline troops in unprecedented numbers. Such levels of support were vital to put the Corps within striking distance of Japan itself after crossing the vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean.
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The 'D' & 'E' Series Marine Battalion
United States Marine Corps Divisional Organisations