While doing some research for another thread, I began to look at the development of the Italian infantry squad. I decided that it is worth sharing as it helps to clear up some issues in understanding the organization of this basic unit.
All this information is from L'esercito italiano tra la 1ª e la 2ª guerra mondiale USSME 1954.
1918 - A company consists of:
One mixed platoon consisting of the command and support elements.
Three platoons, each with two squads of riflemen and two squads of grenadiers (both hand and rifle launched).
One machine gun section.
1923 - A company consists of:
One mixed platoon consisting of the command and support elements.
Three platoons, each with two squads of riflemen. Each squad had a gruppo fucilieri and a gruppo mitragliatrici leggeri with 1 m.l.
1928 - A company consists of:
One command platoon consisting of the command and support elements.
Three platoons, each with three squads of riflemen and one squad of 2 m.l. There are no m.l. in the rifle squads.
In the discussion of this organization (p. 93), the basic unit for tactical maneuver changed from the squad to the platoon. The platoon leader was now responsible for coordinating the movement of the rifle and m.l. squads to synchronize fire and maneuver.
1933 - A company consisted of:
One command platoon consisting of the command and support elements.
Three platoons, each with three squads of riflemen. Each squad had a gruppo fucilieri and a gruppo fucile mitragliatori with 1 f.m.
Between 1928 and 1933, experience and testing determined that the platoon required additional firepower (p. 95). A third f.m. was added and the separate squadra f.m. was eliminated. This was seen as a return to the 1923 organization with increased firepower.
1936 - A company consisted of:
One command platoon consisting of the command and support elements.
Three platoons, each with three squads of riflemen. Each squad had a gruppo fucilieri and a gruppo f.m. with 1 f.m.
While the organization didn't change, the doctrine did (p. 120). Previously the squad maneuvered as two elements (fucilieri e f.m.). Now the squad moved/maneuvered as a single element. The squad no longer used 'avanzata alterna'.
1938 - A company consisted of:
One command platoon consisting of the command and support elements.
Three platoons, each with two squads. Each squad had a gruppo fucilieri and a gruppo f.m. with 2 f.m.
Here the squad takes in final form before the outbreak of war. The change eliminated one squad, but added a second f.m. to the remaining squads.
All this information is from L'esercito italiano tra la 1ª e la 2ª guerra mondiale USSME 1954.
1918 - A company consists of:
One mixed platoon consisting of the command and support elements.
Three platoons, each with two squads of riflemen and two squads of grenadiers (both hand and rifle launched).
One machine gun section.
1923 - A company consists of:
One mixed platoon consisting of the command and support elements.
Three platoons, each with two squads of riflemen. Each squad had a gruppo fucilieri and a gruppo mitragliatrici leggeri with 1 m.l.
1928 - A company consists of:
One command platoon consisting of the command and support elements.
Three platoons, each with three squads of riflemen and one squad of 2 m.l. There are no m.l. in the rifle squads.
In the discussion of this organization (p. 93), the basic unit for tactical maneuver changed from the squad to the platoon. The platoon leader was now responsible for coordinating the movement of the rifle and m.l. squads to synchronize fire and maneuver.
1933 - A company consisted of:
One command platoon consisting of the command and support elements.
Three platoons, each with three squads of riflemen. Each squad had a gruppo fucilieri and a gruppo fucile mitragliatori with 1 f.m.
Between 1928 and 1933, experience and testing determined that the platoon required additional firepower (p. 95). A third f.m. was added and the separate squadra f.m. was eliminated. This was seen as a return to the 1923 organization with increased firepower.
1936 - A company consisted of:
One command platoon consisting of the command and support elements.
Three platoons, each with three squads of riflemen. Each squad had a gruppo fucilieri and a gruppo f.m. with 1 f.m.
While the organization didn't change, the doctrine did (p. 120). Previously the squad maneuvered as two elements (fucilieri e f.m.). Now the squad moved/maneuvered as a single element. The squad no longer used 'avanzata alterna'.
1938 - A company consisted of:
One command platoon consisting of the command and support elements.
Three platoons, each with two squads. Each squad had a gruppo fucilieri and a gruppo f.m. with 2 f.m.
Here the squad takes in final form before the outbreak of war. The change eliminated one squad, but added a second f.m. to the remaining squads.
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