Hand grenades Rifle grenades Automatic-machine rifles Rifles The men who use these weapons are respectively known as: Hand grenadiers Rifle grenadiers A. M. R. crews Riflemen As a consequence of the new weapons, a company is now organized on a basis of these specialists. A typical company is patterned like that of the French, the only difference being in the number of specialists. Each of the four platoons of a company contains the same number of specialists and each platoon is divided into four sections of specialists. Organization of a Typical Company One lieutenant (1st and 4th platoons under 1st lieutenants; 2nd and 3rd platoons under 2nd lieutenants). One sergeant (second in command, assistant to platoon commander). 1st Section, 22 men 2nd Section, 12 men 3rd Section, 12 men 4th Section, 11 men —— Total 57 men × 4 = 228 men 224 rifles 64 pistols 16 automatic rifles Platoon—1st Section—Hand and Rifle Grenadiers 1 Sergeant, pistol and rifle. 3 Corporals, pistol and rifle. 6 Privates, 1st class, all with rifles, two of them with pistols. 12 Privates. —— 22 men. 2nd and 3rd Sections—Riflemen 2 Corporals, rifle and pistol. 3 Privates, 1st class, rifle. 7 Privates, rifle. —— 12 4th Section—Automatic Riflemen 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.