Infantrymen of Lieutenant D.S. Barrie's platoon of The Highland Light Infantry of Canada relaxing during a rest period, France, 20 June 1944. Location: France. Date: June 20, 1944. Photographer: Ken Bell. Mikan Number: 3205673. From the Library and Archives Canada virtual exhibit "Faces of War."

Memorandum on Platoon Battle Drill – 20 July 1942

The Infantry Platoon (1942)
Distribution of Weapons and Ammunition

The platoon can easily be broken up into four sections of eight men each for Fieldcraft or Battle Drill training.

This is done by putting the following men into a 4th section:

By falling in every day in the Platoon, especially if each man's position is changed daily, all will learn the organization of the platoon almost without giving thought to it.

elipsis graphic

Appendix A
Weapons and Ammunition Carried on Men in Platoon

Platoon CommanderNormal equipment of an officer.
Platoon SergeantRifle & Bayonet, 50 rounds S.A.A., 3 BREN magazines.
BatmanSame as Pl. Sgt.
RunnerSame as Pl. Sgt. plus Very Pistol and 12 white, 6 red and 6 green flares.
No. 1 Anti-TankAnti-Tank Rifle, 100 rounds S.A.A., 1 A/Tk magazine.
No. 2 Anti-TankRifle & Bayonet, 50 rounds S.A.A., 1 set Utility Pouches, 5 A/Tk magazines.
No. 1 MortarMortar, 4 H.E. in basic pounches, 1 case H.E.
No. 2 MortarRifle & Bayonet, 50 rounds S.A.A., 1 case 6 H.E. and 1 case 6 Smoke, 4 H.E. in basic pounches.

Carried by each Section:

Section CommanderTommy Gun, 5 magazines, wire cutters.
Section 2ICRifle & Bayonet, 50 rounds S.A.A., 3 BREN magazines.
No. 1 Sniper as Section 2IC.
No. 2 SniperSame as Section 2IC.
No. 1 BrenBREN Gun, 3 BREN magazines, spare parts wallet.
No. 2 BrenRifle & Bayonet, 50 rounds S.A.A., 9 BREN magazines, 1 set Utility Pouches.
No. 1 GrenadierRifle & Bayonet, 50 rounds S.A.A., 4 H.E. grenades.
No. 2 GrenadierRifle & Bayonet, 50 rounds S.A.A., 4 Smoke grenades.

The Senior Subaltern

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