The rifle squad was the basic tactical unit of the Marine Corps. During the war, the rifle squad evolved in size & organization due to the demands of combat. The 9–Marine rifle squad was specified in Table of Organization D–1, dated 28 March 1941. This was the basic squad configuration at the eve of World War II.
The squad leader was a corporal, he was armed with a rifle. He led eight Marines with the rank of private or private first class. They were organized as follows: assistant squad leader, two scouts, two riflemen, one rifle grenadier, one automatic rifleman and one assistant automatic rifleman. This was the organization of the rifle squad that was used during the early battles in the South Pacific. The 9–Marine rifle squad from TO D–1 is depicted below.
USMC Photo
On 10 January 1942, Table of Organization D–1 was revised to specify a 13–Marine rifle squad. The squad leader was a sergeant and the assistant squad leader was a corporal. In the squad were two scouts, one rifle grenadier, six riflemen, one automatic rifleman, and one assistant automatic rifleman. It is doubful that this organization of the rifle squad was ever used in combat. The TO D–1 (revision) rifle squad is depicted below.
USMC Photo
Combat in the South Pacific showed that more automatic firepower was needed in the squad. Therefore, on 15 April 1943, Headquarters, Marine Corps issued Table of Organization E–1. The basic organization of the squad remained as before. However, the squad's strength was changed to twelve Marines, and a second automatic rifleman was added. The TO E–1 rifle squad is depicted below.
USMC Photo
Sustained combat operations in the Pacific revealed the limitations of having only two NCOs in the rifle squad. Also, the squad was limited to only two basic formations, the column, and the skirmish line. Command/control was also difficult, since the squad leader was effectively in direct control of every Marine in his squad.
Prior to World War II, the Marine Corps had experimented with sub-groups of the squad in the Banana Wars. "Fire–groups" led by corporals were used in Nicaragua in the 1920s and 30s. The Raiders and Paramarines also used similar groupings in the rifle squad to improve command/control. The 22nd Marines was organized with fire–groups for the landing on Eniwetok in early 1944. This test produced superior results, and demonstrated a much more flexible and robust combat ability in comparison with earlier squad organizations.
In May 1944, Headquarters, Marine Corps standardized the 13-Marine rifle squad under Table of Organization F–1. The basic 13–Marine rifle squad has remained the standard organization into the 21st century because it is so flexible and effective. The picture below illustrates the rifle squad as it was organized under TO F–1.
The squad leader of the 13-Marine unit was a sergeant, equipped with the M1 rifle. In the squad were three fire teams, each composed of four Marines. The fire team was led by a corporal, equipped with the M1 rifle. Three other infantry Marines served in the fire team, 2 riflemen, each equipped with the M1 rifle, and an automatic rifleman, equipped with the M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle. (This Marine was universally known as "the B-A-R-man.")
The Marine Corps specifed the squad leader's duties as follows:
"He leads the squad. He carries out the orders issued to him by the platoon commander. [He] is responsible for the training, conditioning and conduct of his squad at all times. [He] is responsible for the condition of weapons and equipment of his squad. [He] is responsible for the fire control, fire discipline and movement of his squad. [He] takes position where he can best carry out the orders of the platoon commander and observe and control his squad. [He] participates in the fire fight only in critical situations, i.e., when enemy is over–running position, or when maximum firepower must be brought to bear against a counter–attack."
The Marine Rifle Squad in Combat
March 1945 edition
(above) A Marine leader yells orders during the Iwo Jima
campaign–February 1945 USMC Photo
The squad leader had a rugged job. He had two basic charges; to take care of his Marines, and to accomplish the mission. He had to be an expert with the various weapons used by his squad–the M1 rifle, carbine, BAR, bayonet, hand and anti–tank grenades, demolotions, bazooka, and flame thrower. The squad leader had to know how to handle his squad in the attack and defense. he needed to know how to conduct patrols, call for supporting arms and work with tanks. He also had to be ready to take over the platoon in case the platoon commander was wounded. The above photo depicts a US Marine Corps Historical Co. squad leader, Cpl Mark Flowers, giving orders at a public demonstration of World War II tactics–Solomon Island, Maryland, 2003.
(above) Tarawa beachhead–20 November 1943 A dramatic combat photo
of a Marine leader pointing to a Japanese postion. USMC Photo
NOTE: sources used for this page;
Tables of Organization D–1, E–1, and F–1
Guidebook for Marines, 1945 edition
The Marine Rifle Squad in Combat, 1945 edition
more to come...Semper Fi, Mac!
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