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I was reading a series of articles and letters in
Marine Corp Gazzette earlier this year about squad size. The 3 fire
team squad was adopted in March 1944 and remains to this day (other
weapons substituting for the BAR as squad automatic after the late '50's of
course). Whereas the Army has experimented continuously and
adopted different size squads in different type units in recent
decades.
The article and letters debated changing it
now (or adopting a more fleixble approach depending on situation and transport
means). An opponents of changing after discussing the ability of the bigger
squad to continue its mission after casualties said: "the US Army
may not be able to connect squad size to combat perfomance but
the disastrous defeat of Army units in Korea in 1950 was in part
attributable to infantry units undersized and understrength". Clay Blair
also mentions the 3 BAR firepower of the 13 man squad in "Forgotten
War" discussing the success of the Provisional Marine Brigade in the
Perimeter battles.
It's interesting, the influence of the
Korean experience on a professional debate like that even now. Not to stir
up Army/MC stuff BTW, by quoting a frank and opinionated Marine.
Joe
Joe
In Korea a marine squad was made up of three 4 man fire teams. Each fire-team had one BAR, one assistant BAR-man, a rifleman amd a fire-team leader and a squad leader. Three BARS to a squad. Don Gill |