1 Sergeant, pistol and rifle. 1 Corporal, pistol and rifle. 3 Privates, 1st class (automatic rifle gunners, including 1 extra). 6 Privates, rifle. —— 11
Officers
1 Captain. 3 First Lieutenants. 2 Second Lieutenants. — 6
The platoon is the self-contained unit with the proper proportion of all the different kinds of specialists for the assault. The reason for this is that the platoon is the largest unit that one leader can control in combat. The four platoons are alike and therefore interchangeable.
Although it is true that the specialists are particularly trained with their own weapons, all men of the company are first trained as riflemen. All specialists carry rifles, and if for any reason they cannot use their special weapon they immediately become riflemen. Also every man is trained in hand grenade throwing. This makes it possible to fill gaps in the specialists’ ranks from the riflemen. Some men also, usually to the number of the A. M. R. crews, must be trained to operate the automatic-machine rifles.
The remaining supernumeraries of the company, such as mess and supply sergeants, mechanics, cooks, buglers, etc., do not march with the company in maneuver or combat formations. Some of the above supernumeraries will be found in the captain’s headquarters, or tactical group, such as the liaison agents from the platoons, orderlies, buglers, and observers. Mess and supply sergeants, cooks, etc., remain with the regimental train in rear, with the kitchen behind the artillery positions. The tactical group of the captain lives in an adjoining dugout to that of their chief in the sector. In the fight these latter are used as messengers or observers.
II. Use of Specialists
The following table shows the evolution of infantry armament since the beginning of the war:
| At Beginning of War | |
| Rifle and bayonet | Nearly total personnel |
| Hand grenades | Nil |
| Rifle grenade guns | Nil |
| Automatic rifles | Nil |
| Present Time | |
| Hand grenadiers per Co. | 48 |
| Rifle grenadiers per Co. | 24 |
| Automatic rifles per Co. | 16 |
Outside the company is the 37 mm. gun in the battalion and trench mortars and engines, permanent equipment of the trenches.