Organization of Canadian Army rifle sections during World War II
Encyclopedia
During the Second World War, the Canadian Army used the Rifle Section
as its smallest organized formation of combat infantry soldiers. The organization was substantially similar to that of the Australian Army
and from 1944 the British Army
used the same structure with 3 sections to the platoon
and three platoons to the Rifle Company
.
armed with a submachine gun (the Thompson Sub-machine gun at the beginning of the war and the Sten Gun starting to replace it from 1942 for the remainder), with the second in command being a lance-corporal who had the responsibility of positioning the two-man Bren light machine gun team (one man firing and the other loading.) The Bren team was responsible for the operation of the Light Machine Gun
(LMG). During combat, this three man element would provide a base of covering fire while the remainder of the section (six privates armed with the No. 4 Lee Enfield Rifle, and their corporal commanding) would flank the enemy in an effort to either capture or kill them.
in 20 round magazines) or the same number of magazines for the Sten sub-machine gun (32 rounds of 9mm ammunition). He would also carry two grenades; the most common type being the No.36M (known as the "Mills Bomb
").
The remaining privates would be armed with the 10 shot No.4 Mk I Lee Enfield bolt-action rifle and the accompanying spike bayonet
. They would each carry fifty rounds of .303 ammunition
in five round stripper clip
s as well as one Mills bomb.
. This was used to create a vantage point for the LMG if there was a need for a position within a densely wooded area. In addition to carrying the standard fifty rounds of Enfield rifle ammunition, he would also carry four extra 30 round magazines for the Bren gun (which also used the .303 rifle cartridge). The Lance-corporal would have been the only one within the machine gun element to carry a Mills bomb; this would likely have been used in the event that his position was being overrun.
The private responsible for firing the Bren was known as a “Number One” and was not required to carry a rifle as the Bren itself weighed a cumbersome twenty-two pounds. He was required to carry 4 magazines of LMG ammunition, and the “Bren wallet” which was a small cleaning kit for his weapon.
The one loading the LMG was known as the “Number Two” and was armed with an Enfield rifle and fifty rounds of ammunition. Due to his role alongside the Number One, he would also have to carry 4 Bren gun magazines and a case containing a spare barrel for the LMG and any extra parts that might be required (such as springs, screws etc.)
While small in size, the section tactics of fire base with flanking was also employed on a larger scale with an example of two sections, one acting as a fire base while the other two flank a position.
Section (military unit)
A section is a small military unit in some armies. In many armies, it is a squad of seven to twelve soldiers. However in France and armies based on the French model, it is the sub-division of a company .-Australian Army:...
as its smallest organized formation of combat infantry soldiers. The organization was substantially similar to that of the Australian Army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
and from 1944 the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
used the same structure with 3 sections to the platoon
Platoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing 16 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organized into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer—the...
and three platoons to the Rifle Company
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
.
Section composition
The section was led by a corporalCorporal
Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....
armed with a submachine gun (the Thompson Sub-machine gun at the beginning of the war and the Sten Gun starting to replace it from 1942 for the remainder), with the second in command being a lance-corporal who had the responsibility of positioning the two-man Bren light machine gun team (one man firing and the other loading.) The Bren team was responsible for the operation of the Light Machine Gun
Light machine gun
A light machine gun is a machine gun designed to be employed by an individual soldier, with or without an assistant, as an infantry support weapon. Light machine guns are often used as squad automatic weapons.-Characteristics:...
(LMG). During combat, this three man element would provide a base of covering fire while the remainder of the section (six privates armed with the No. 4 Lee Enfield Rifle, and their corporal commanding) would flank the enemy in an effort to either capture or kill them.
Flanking element
The corporal was responsible for carrying 5 magazines of sub-machine gun ammunition for either the Thompson Sub-machine gun (.45 ACP.45 ACP
The .45 ACP , also known as the .45 Auto by C.I.P., is a cartridge designed by John Browning in 1904, for use in his prototype Colt semi-automatic .45 pistol and eventually the M1911 pistol adopted by the United States Army in 1911.-Design and history:The U.S...
in 20 round magazines) or the same number of magazines for the Sten sub-machine gun (32 rounds of 9mm ammunition). He would also carry two grenades; the most common type being the No.36M (known as the "Mills Bomb
Mills bomb
Mills bomb is the popular name for a series of prominent British hand grenades. They were the first modern fragmentation grenades in the world.-Overview:...
").
The remaining privates would be armed with the 10 shot No.4 Mk I Lee Enfield bolt-action rifle and the accompanying spike bayonet
Spike bayonet
A spike bayonet, also known as a pigsticker in informal contexts, is a blade attachment for a firearm taking the form of a pointed spike rather than a knife. Most early musket bayonets were of this type. From around 1800 knife- or sword style bayonets began to appear, which could also be wielded by...
. They would each carry fifty rounds of .303 ammunition
.303 British
.303 British, or 7.7x56mmR, is a .311 inch calibre rifle and machine gun cartridge first developed in Britain as a blackpowder round put into service in December 1888 for the Lee-Metford rifle, later adapted to use smokeless powders...
in five round stripper clip
Stripper clip
A stripper clip or charger is a speedloader that holds several cartridges together in a single unit for easier loading of a firearm's magazine. A stripper clip is used only for loading the magazine and is not necessary for the firearm to function...
s as well as one Mills bomb.
Light Machine Gun element
The Lance-corporal would have been armed similarly to that of the privates except he was also outfitted with a macheteMachete
The machete is a large cleaver-like cutting tool. The blade is typically long and usually under thick. In the English language, an equivalent term is matchet, though it is less commonly known...
. This was used to create a vantage point for the LMG if there was a need for a position within a densely wooded area. In addition to carrying the standard fifty rounds of Enfield rifle ammunition, he would also carry four extra 30 round magazines for the Bren gun (which also used the .303 rifle cartridge). The Lance-corporal would have been the only one within the machine gun element to carry a Mills bomb; this would likely have been used in the event that his position was being overrun.
The private responsible for firing the Bren was known as a “Number One” and was not required to carry a rifle as the Bren itself weighed a cumbersome twenty-two pounds. He was required to carry 4 magazines of LMG ammunition, and the “Bren wallet” which was a small cleaning kit for his weapon.
The one loading the LMG was known as the “Number Two” and was armed with an Enfield rifle and fifty rounds of ammunition. Due to his role alongside the Number One, he would also have to carry 4 Bren gun magazines and a case containing a spare barrel for the LMG and any extra parts that might be required (such as springs, screws etc.)
While small in size, the section tactics of fire base with flanking was also employed on a larger scale with an example of two sections, one acting as a fire base while the other two flank a position.
External links
- http://www.bayonetstrength.150m.com/toe/CdnInfantry/rifle%20company.htm Canadian Army rifle company structure