Editing Platoon (section)

=====World War II=====
======Infantry======
The doctrinal role of American infantry during [[World War II]] was to seize and hold territory. This was primarily done as part of an overall doctrine of [[combined arms]], but the infantry was capable of acting on their own to accomplish their mission. When facing against another combined force or organized defensive position, however, infantry acting independently was at a disadvantage.<ref name="USAIDp1.1">Bellanger,&nbsp;Y.&nbsp;J.&nbsp;(2004).&nbsp;''U.S. Army Infantry Divisions, 1943-1945''.&nbsp;United Kingdom:&nbsp;Helion & Company. Chapter 1, 1.1 Organization & General Doctrine</ref>
{|class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="display: inline-table;"
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;" |Personnel
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;" |Role
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;" |Personal weapons<br />& equipment
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;" |General weapons<br />& equipment
|-
|+{{nowrap|Rifle Platoon (Rifle Company, 1943–1945)<ref name="USAIDp3.2"/>}}
! scope="col" colspan="6" style="align: center; background: #5B7F95" |Platoon Headquarters
|-
|1 × 1st Lieutenant
|Platoon Commander
|1 × [[M1 carbine]]
| rowspan="4" style="center"| 1 × [[SCR-536]] radio set<br/>2 × M13 binoculars<br/>1 × [[M7 grenade launcher]]
|-
|1 × [[Staff sergeant#U.S. Army|Staff Sergeant]]{{efn|[[Technical Sergeant#Army|Tech Sergeant]] starting Feb 1944}} 
|Platoon Sergeant
|1 × [[M1 rifle]]
|-
|1 × [[Sergeant#United States|Sergeant]]{{efn|Staff Sergeant starting Feb 1944}}
|Platoon Guide
|1 × M1 rifle
|-
|2 × [[Private (rank)#United States Army|Privates]] 
|Messengers
|2 × M1 rifles
|-
! scope="col" colspan="6" style="align: center; background: #5B7F95" |Rifle Squad × 3
|-
|1 × Sergeant{{efn|Staff Sergeant starting Feb 1944}} 
|Squad Leader
|1 × M1 rifle
|rowspan="6" |3 × M7 grenade launchers
|-
|1 × [[Corporal#United States Army|Corporal]]{{efn|Sergeant starting Feb 1944}} 
|Squad Leader Assistant
|1 × M1 rifle
|-
|1 × Private
|Automatic Rifleman
|1 × [[M1918 BAR]]
|-
|1 × Private
|Automatic Rifleman Assistant
|1 × M1 rifle
|-
|1 × Private
|Ammunition Bearer
|1 × M1 rifle
|-
|7 × Privates
|Riflemen
|7 × M1 rifles
|-
! colspan="4" style="background: light blue;" |1 officer, 40 enlisted men
|-
|colspan="5"|{{Notelist}}
|}
The rifle platoon was the principal subunit of a rifle company with three per company; in turn each platoon was composed of three rifle squads.<ref name="USAIDp1.1" /> This mirrored the "triangular" format of larger units, allowing for two subunits to engage in combat while the third remained in reserve as support.<ref name="USAIDp1.1" />
*When marching, a rifle platoon would be deployed as the [[vanguard]] or [[rearguard]] for its parent company, or deployed as an [[Outpost (military)|outpost]] when the march came to a halt. Individual squads would be sent out to scout ahead, patrol the surrounding area or stand guard as sentinels.<ref name=Bellanger4.1>Bellanger, Y.J. (2004). Chapter 4, 4.1 Security Missions</ref>
*On the defensive, a rifle platoon placed on the [[front line]] could occupy an area 250–500 yards in length and no more than 200 yards in depth, depending on the terrain.  Individual squads were placed so as to cover a given sector of the defensive line and provide supporting fire for adjacent platoons. The support platoon was situated behind the front line platoons so as to provide supporting fire, protect the flanks and rear, and if necessary [[counterattack]] in case of enemy [[Penetration (warfare)|penetration]].<ref name=Bellanger4.2>Bellanger, Y.J. (2004). Chapter 4, 4.2 Defensive Combat</ref>
*When attacking, the rifle platoon's squads would conduct a [[frontal assault]] using [[fire and movement]] to close with and overrun the enemy's position. While a large [[flanking maneuver]] was rarely possible, depending on the terrain and other factors using one or two squads to assault the enemy while the third maneuvered to attack their flank could also be carried out. Likewise the support platoon would provide supporting fire to the attacking platoons, moving up to replace one of them or help secure the objective if necessary, or repel an enemy counterattack.<ref name=Bellanger4.3>Bellanger, Y.J. (2004). Chapter 4, 4.3 Offensive Combat</ref>
Within the platoon's headquarters, the platoon guide was responsible for preserving platoon cohesion and maintaining proper cover, concealment, and discipline among the soldiers; of the two messengers one remained with the platoon while the other was assigned to the company commander. Additionally, one of the platoon's riflemen would be designated its sharpshooter and armed with a [[M1903 Springfield|M1903A4 Springfield]] (replaced with a [[M1 Garand#Sniper models|M1C rifle]] starting Jan 1945)<ref name="USAIDp3.2">Bellanger,&nbsp;Y.&nbsp;J.&nbsp;(2004).&nbsp;Chapter 3, 3.2 Infantry Rifle Company T/O&E 7-17</ref> Lastly, the rifle platoon had a [[combat medic]] assigned to it from the parent battalion's medical detachment.<ref name="USAIDp2.6">Bellanger, Y. J. (2004). Chapter 2, 2.6 Medical Detachment, Infantry Regiment T/O&E 7-11</ref>

{|class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="display: inline-table;"
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;" |Personnel
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;" |Role
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;" |Personal weapons<br />& equipment
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;" |General weapons<br />& equipment
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;" |Vehicles
|-
|+{{nowrap|Weapons Platoon (Rifle Company, 1943–1945)<ref name="USAIDp3.2"/>}}
! scope="col" colspan="5" style="align: center; background: #5B7F95" |Platoon Headquarters
|-
|1 × 1st Lieutenant
|Platoon Commander
|1 × M1 carbine
| rowspan="4" style="center"| 1 × SCR-536<br/>1 × [[M2 Browning]]<br/>3 × [[bazooka]]
| rowspan="4" style="center"| 2 × [[Willys MB|¼-ton trucks]]<br/>2 × ¼-ton trailers
|-
|1 × Staff Sergeant{{efn|Tech Sergeant starting Feb 1944}} 
|Platoon Sergeant
|1 × [[M1 rifle]]
|-
| 2 × [[Technician (United States Army)|Tec 5]]/Privates 
| Light truck drivers
|2 × M1 rifle<br />2 × M7 grenade launchers
|-
|2 × Privates
|Messengers
|2 × M1 rifles
|-
! scope="col" colspan="5" style="align: center; background: #5B7F95" |60mm Mortar Section
|-
! scope="col" colspan="5" style="align: center; background: light blue;" |Section Headquarters
|-
|1 × Sergeant{{efn|Staff Sergeant starting Feb 1944}} 
|Section Leader
|1 × M1 rifle
| rowspan="2"|
| rowspan="2"|
|-
|1 × Private
|Messenger
|1 × M1 carbine
|-
! colspan="5" style="background: light blue;" |60mm Mortar Squad × 3
|-
|1 × Corporal{{efn|Sergeant starting Feb 1944}}
|Squad Leader
|1 × M1 rifle
|rowspan="4" | 1 × [[M2 mortar]]
|rowspan="4" |
|-
|1 × Private 
|Mortar Gunner
|1 × pistol
|-
|1 × Private
|Mortar Gunner Assistant
|1 × pistol
|-
|2 × Privates
|Ammunition Bearers
|2 × M1 carbines
|-
! scope="col" colspan="5" style="align: center; background: #5B7F95" |Light Machine Gun Section
|-
! scope="col" colspan="5" style="background: light blue;" |Section Headquarters
|-
|1 × Sergeant{{efn|Staff Sergeant starting Feb 1944}} 
|Section Leader
|1 × M1 rifle
|rowspan="2" |
|rowspan="2" |
|-
|1 × Private
|Messenger
|1 × M1 carbine
|-
! scope="col" colspan="5" style="background: light blue;" |Light Machine Gun Squad × 2
|-
|1 × Corporal{{efn|Sergeant starting Feb 1944}}
|Squad Leader
|1 × M1 rifle
|rowspan="4" | 1 × [[M1919 Browning machine gun#M1919A6|M1919A6 Browing]]
|-
|1 × Private 
|Machine Gunner
|1 × pistol
|-
|1 × Private
|Machine Gunner Assistant
|1 × pistol
|-
|2 × Privates
|Ammunition Bearers
|2 × M1 carbines
|-
! colspan="5" style="background: light blue;" |1 officer, 34 enlisted men
|-
|colspan="6"|{{Notelist}}
|}
The weapons platoon provided the rifle company with [[heavy weapons platoon|heavy weapon support]] which was still mobile enough to maneuver along with the rest of the company. The platoon was normally under company command and its constituent parts rarely attached to rifle platoons as it placed additional burden on the platoon commanders. In instances where it was necessary to provide additional firepower to a rifle platoon, a mortar squad could be attached to a rifle platoon, particular for hitting targets that could not be hit by [[direct fire]]. Attaching a light machine gun squad to a rifle platoon was only done in exceptional circumstances.<ref name=Bellanger4.1 /><ref name=Bellanger4.2 /><ref name=Bellanger4.3 />

{|class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="display: inline-table;"
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;" |Personnel
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;" |Role
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;" |Personal weapons<br />& equipment
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;" |General weapons<br />& equipment
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;" |Vehicles
|-
|+{{nowrap|Caliber .30 Machine Gun Platoon (Heavy Weapons Company, 1943–1945)<ref name="USAIDp3.3">Bellanger, Y.J.(2004). Chapter 3, 3.3 Heavy Weapons Company T/O&E 7-18</ref>}}
! scope="col" colspan="5" style="align: center; background: #5B7F95" |Platoon Headquarters
|-
|1 × 1st Lieutenant
|Platoon Commander
|1 × M1 carbine
| rowspan="5" style="center"| 1 × SCR-536<br/>1 × M8 grenade launcher<br/>2 × Bazooka
| rowspan="5" style="center"| 1 × ¼-ton truck
|-
|1 × Staff Sergeant{{efn|Tech Sergeant starting February 1944}}
|Platoon Sergeant
|1 × M1 carbine
|-
| 1 × Corporal 
|Instrument corporal
|1 × M1 rifle
|-
|1 x Corporal
|Transportation corporal
|1 × M1 rifle
|-
|2 x Privates
|Messenger{{efn|One of them drove the ¼-ton truck}}
|2 x M1 carbines
|- 
! scope="col" colspan="5" style="align: center; background: #5B7F95" |Caliber .30 Machine Gun Section x 2
|-
! scope="col" colspan="5" style="align: center; background: light blue;" |Section Headquarters
|-
|1 × Sergeant{{efn|Staff Sergeant starting Feb 1944}} 
|Section Leader
|1 × M1 rifle
| rowspan="1"|
| rowspan="1"|
|-
! colspan="5" style="background: light blue;" |Caliber .30 Machine Gun Squad x 2
|-
|1 × Corporal{{efn|Sergeant starting Feb 1944}}
|Squad Leader
|1 × M1 rifle
|rowspan="4" | 1 × [[M1917 Browning machine gun#M1917A1|M1917A1 Browning]]<br/>1 x M7 grenade launcher<br/>1 x M8 grenade launcher
|rowspan="4" | 1 x ¼-ton truck<br/>1 x ¼-ton trailer
|-
|1 × Private 
|Machine Gunner
|1 × pistol
|-
|1 × Private
|Machine Gunner Assistant
|1 × pistol
|-
|4 × Privates
|Ammunition Bearers{{efn|One of them drove the ¼-ton truck}}
|4 × M1 carbines
|-
! colspan="5" style="background: light blue;" |1 officer, 35 enlisted men
|-
|colspan="6"|{{Notelist}}
|}
The machine gun platoon was part of the heavy weapons company, which provided heavy weapons support for an infantry battalion. The platoon could be assigned to provide general fire support for the battalion as a whole, during which one of the messengers would be assigned to the battalion command post, or be attached to a rifle company to provide additional firepower, during which the messenger would be assigned to the rifle company's commander.  Within the platoon headquarters, the instrument corporal assisted the platoon leader with reconnoitering where to set up the platoon and the platoon's [[observation post]] and computing fire data.  The transportation corporal oversaw the movement of weapons prior to combat, their use of concealment and camouflage, and ammunition resupply during combat.<ref name="USAIDp3.3"/>  The platoon also had a combat medic assigned to it from the parent battalion's medical detachment.<ref name="USAIDp2.6"/>

{|class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="display: inline-table;"
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;" |Personnel
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;" |Role
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;" |Personal weapons<br />& equipment
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;" |General weapons<br />& equipment
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;" |Vehicles
|-
|+{{nowrap|81mm Mortar Platoon (Heavy Weapons Company, 1943–1945)<ref name="USAIDp3.3">Bellanger, Y.J.(2004). Chapter 3, 3.3 Heavy Weapons Company T/O&E 7-18</ref>}}
! scope="col" colspan="5" style="align: center; background: #5B7F95" |Platoon Headquarters
|-
|1 × 1st Lieutenant
|Platoon Commander
|1 × M1 carbine
| rowspan="5" style="center"| 1 × SCR-536<br/>2 × Bazooka
| rowspan="5" style="center"| 1 × ¼-ton truck
|-
|1 × Staff Sergeant{{efn|Tech Sergeant starting February 1944}}
|Platoon Sergeant
|1 × M1 carbine
|-
| 1 × Corporal 
|Instrument corporal
|1 × M1 rifle
|-
|1 x Corporal
|Transportation corporal
|1 × M1 rifle
|-
|2 x Privates
|Messenger{{efn|One of them drove the ¼-ton truck}}
|2 x M1 carbines
|- 
! scope="col" colspan="5" style="align: center; background: #5B7F95" |81mm Mortar Section x 3
|-
! scope="col" colspan="5" style="align: center; background: light blue;" |Section Headquarters
|-
|1 × 2nd Lieutenant 
|Section Commander
|1 × M1 carbine
| rowspan="2"|
| rowspan="2"|
|-
|1 × Sergeant{{efn|Staff Sergeant starting February 1944}}
|Section Leader
|1 × M1 rifle
|-
! colspan="5" style="background: light blue;" |81mm Mortar Squad x 2
|-
|1 × Sergeant{{efn|Staff Sergeant starting Feb 1944}}
|Squad Leader
|1 × M1 rifle
|rowspan="5" | 1 × [[M1 mortar]]<br/>1 x M8 grenade launcher
|rowspan="5" | 1 x ¼-ton truck<br/>1 x ¼-ton trailer
|-
|1 × Corporal
|Mortar Gunner
|1 × pistol
|-
|1 × Private
|Mortar Gunner Assistant
|1 × pistol
|-
|1 x Private
|Ammunition Bearer
|1 x pistol
|-
|4 × Privates
|Ammunition Bearers{{efn|One of them drove the ¼-ton truck}}
|4 × M1 carbines
|-
! colspan="5" style="background: light blue;" |4 officers, 56 enlisted men
|-
|colspan="6"|{{Notelist}}
|}
The mortar platoon was part of the heavy weapons company, which provided heavy weapons support for an infantry battalion. Unlike with the machine gun platoons, the mortar platoon was never attached to rifle companies and so always remained under battalion control, with one of the messengers assigned to the battalion command post.  The instrument and transportation corporals functioned the same within the mortar platoon as they did within the machine gun platoons.<ref name="USAIDp3.3"/>  The platoon also had a combat medic assigned to it from the parent battalion's medical detachment.<ref name="USAIDp2.6"/>

======Engineers======
[[Combat engineers]] in the US Army during World War II played an important role in supporting other units via their special engineering knowledge and equipment, with a secondary role as a combat unit in their own right.  This included [[engineer reconnaissance]], building bridges, laying [[minefield]]s, and breeching obstacles.  Each infantry division was assigned an [[Engineer Combat Battalion]], from which an engineer combat company would form part of a [[regimental combat team]].<ref name="USAIDp6">Bellanger, Y.J. (2004). Chapter 6, Engineer Combat Battalion, 6.1 Engineer Doctrine</ref>
{|class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="display: inline-table;"
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;" |Personnel
! style="text-align:center; background:#acc;" |Role
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;" |Personal weapons<br />& equipment
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;" |General weapons<br />& equipment
! style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;" |Vehicles
|-
|+{{nowrap|Engineer Platoon (Engineer Combat Company, 1943–1945)<ref name="USAIDp6.3">Bellanger, Y.J. (2004). Chapter 6, 6.3 Engineer Combat Company</ref>}}
! scope="col" colspan="5" style="align: center; background: #5B7F95" |Platoon Headquarters
|-
|-
|1 × 1st Lieutenant
|Platoon Commander
|1 × M1 carbine
| rowspan="6" style="center"| 1 × M2 Browning<br/> 2 x [[M1917 Browning machine gun#M1917A1|M1917A1 Browning]]<br />1 × M8 grenade launcher<br/>1 × SCR-625 mine detector<br />1 x no.3 carpenter set<br />1 x no.2 demolition set<br/>1 x no.3 pioneer set
| rowspan="6" style="center"| 1 × ¼-ton truck<br/>1 x [[2½-ton 6×6 truck]]<br/>1 × ¼-ton trailer<br/>1 x 1-ton trailer<br/>1 x 2½-ton trailer (bridging equipment)
|-
|1 × Staff Sergeant 
|Platoon Sergeant
|1 × M1 carbine
|-
| 1 x Sergeant{{efn|Removed 13 March 1944}}
|Weapons Sergeant
|1 x M1 Rifle
|-
|1 × Tec 5 
|Light truck driver{{efn|Drove the ¼-ton truck}}
|1 x [[M3 submachine gun|M3 SMG]]
|-
|1 × Private
|Light truck driver{{efn|Drove the 2½-ton truck}}
|1 × M1 rifle
|-
|1 x Tec 5
|Toolroom keeper
|1 x M1 Rifle
|-
! scope="col" colspan="5" style="align: center; background: #5B7F95" |Engineer Section
|-
! scope="col" colspan="5" style="align: center; background: light blue;" |Operating Unit x 3
|-
|1 × Sergeant
|Unit foreman
|1 × M1 rifle
| rowspan="10"|1 x Bazooka<br/>1 x M7 grenade launcher<br/>1 x M1 mine probe<br/>1 x no.1 carpenter set<br/>1 x no.1 demolition set<br/>1 x no.1 pioneer set
| rowspan="10"|1 x 2½-ton 6×6 truck (dump)
|-
|1 × Corporal
|Unit foreman assistant
|1 × M1 rifle
|-
|1 × Tec 4/Tec 5
|Carpenter, Bridge
|1 × M1 rifle
|-
|2 x Tec 4/Tec 5
|Carpenters, General
|2 x M1 rifles
|-
|1 × Private 
|Demolition man
|1 × M1 rifle
|-
|1 × Tec 5/Private
|Light truck driver
|1 × M1 rifle
|-
|1 x Private or Tec 5{{efn|1 Private and 2 Tec 5s per engineer section}}
|Electrician
|1 x M1 rifle
|-
|1 x Private
|Jackhammer operator
|1 x M1 rifle
|-
|2 x Privates
|Repairmen, utility
|2 x M1 rifles
|-
|2 × Privates 
|Riggers
|2 × M1 rifles
|-
! colspan="5" style="background: light blue;" |1 officer, 44 enlisted men{{efn|43 enlisted men March 1944}}
|-
|colspan="6"|{{Notelist}}
|}