United States Marine Corps Divisional Organisations
The United States Marines constantly amended their Divisional structure throughout the Pacific Campaign as well as the Regimental.
As with the other brief Divisional overviews this is intended as a summary only as far more detailed published works are available. Service support units are not addressed here.
The Marine Division, Type 'D' and 'E' Series
Divisional Headquarters
Three Infantry Regiments, each comprised of;
Regimental HQ
Weapons Company - One Platoon with two Self Propelled 75 mm guns. Three AT/AA Platoons, each slated for six 20 mm guns in 'D' Series. Amended to four 37 mm AT guns each in 'E' Series.
Three Marine Infantry Battalions
Artillery Regiment
Three Light Battalions, each deploying twelve 75 mm Pack Howitzers in three Batteries of four.
One Medium Battalion with twelve 105 mm Guns in same formation in 'D' Series. Increased to two such Battalions in 'E' Series.
Combat Support
Special Weapons Battalion - Three Anti Tank Batteries, each with six 37 mm and two Self Propelled 75 mm guns in Platoons of two each. One Anti Aircraft Battery with sixteen 40 mm guns in four Platoons of four. One Anti Aircraft Battery with six 90 mm guns, this Battery deleted in the 'E' Series
Light Tank Battalion - Four Companies each with eighteen M3 Stuarts and one Scout Company with 14 White Scout Cars (this unit appears to have normally deployed in Jeeps though). The fourth Tank company was deleted in the 'E' Series and some Shermans could be found as well.
Engineer Regiment - three Battalions each with HQ and three Companies. 1st Btn Engineers, 2nd Btn Pioneers, 3rd Naval Construction Btn (CB)
The Marine Division, Type 'F' and 'G Series
Divisional Headquarters
Reconnaissance Company, Scout unit previously found in Tank Battalion
Three Infantry Regiments, each comprised of;
Regimental HQ
Weapons Company - One Platoon with four Self Propelled 75 mm guns. Three AT Platoons each with four 37 mm AT guns. 75 mm guns replaced by 105 mm M7 Priests in 'G' Series, also third AT Platoon deleted.
Three Marine Infantry Battalions
Artillery Regiment
Two Light Battalions, each deploying twelve 75 mm Pack Howitzers in three Batteries of four. Both deleted in 'G' Series.
Two Medium Battalions, each deploying twelve 105 mm Guns in same formation. Increased to three Battalions in 'G' Series
One Battalion with twelve 155 mm guns in three Batteries of four, 'G' Series only.
Combat Support
Tank Battalion - Three Companies each with fifteen tanks, M4 Shermans now replacing the M3. Nine flamethrower equipped tanks added to Battalion HQ in 'G' Series. Other 'gun' tanks also liable to have been fitted with flamethrowers.
Engineer Battalion
Pioneer Battalion
Points of note
It takes until into 1944 for what would be considered then 'modern' equipment to reach the Marines, especially among the Tank Battalions. The Artillery Regiment in particular increased its firepower with each revision. The need to transport itself across the Pacific Ocean and make an opposed landing on barren rocks devoid of any harbour necessitated the Division remain relatively light and also ensured there was a sizeable 'tail' to support the 'teeth'.
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The 'D' & 'E' Series Marine Battalion
The 'F' & 'G' Series Marine Battalion