Ranger equivalent-

[MrSpkr]

As far as armaments go, is the standard U.S. paratrooper platoon a functional equivalent (in armament, etc.) to a "standard" Ranger platoon in CMBO?

Asking for scenario design purposes.

Steve

[Pak40]

Originally posted by MrSpkr:

As far as armaments go, is the standard U.S. paratrooper platoon a functional equivalent (in armament, etc.) to a "standard" Ranger platoon in CMBO?

Asking for scenario design purposes.

Steve

Not really. The Rangers operated in smaller units and more mobile armament.

Taken from the book "Rangers in WW II":

Early in the war each Ranger company was only 66 men including 3 officers. The company was organized into a 4 man company HQ and two platoons.

Each Platoon was organized into a HQ section, 2 Assault sections and a mortar section. Each Assault section was only 11 men. They carried several rifles, a LMG, and submachineguns.

The mortar section, later called the special weapons section, included a 60mm mortar, possibly a .55 cal AT Rifle, bazooka and a LMG.

As the war progressed, the Rangers adopted the new armaments such as the carbines and probably added more automatic weapons to their inventory.

[Moriarty]

For CM purposes, about the best representation you can get is to use paratrooper squads but keep only 1 3-man MMG team and the 60mm mortar.

[Brian]

Originally posted by Pak40:

And, pray tell, what is a ".55 cal AT Rifle" when its at home?

[Michael Emrys]

Originally posted by Brian:

And, pray tell, what is a ".55 cal AT Rifle" when its at home?

Sounds a lot like a Boys to me too, Brian.

Michael

[MrSpkr]

So for a late 44, early 45 period, a Ranger company might be represented in CMBO as American AB troops - 1 4 man HQ, 2 platoons or 2 squads each, 1 extra platoon HQ, with a bazooka, a pair of MMGs, and a 60mm mortar section. The men would most likely be Veteran in status, correect?

Steve

[Pak40]

Originally posted by MrSpkr:

So for a late 44, early 45 period, a Ranger company might be represented in CMBO as American AB troops - 1 4 man HQ, 2 platoons or 2 squads each, 1 extra platoon HQ, with a bazooka, a pair of MMGs, and a 60mm mortar section. The men would most likely be Veteran in status, correect?

Steve

Yea, that sounds about correct. I'd make some of them crack troops. By D-Day the Rangers were highly trained, extremely fit, and had seen a good deal of action. Also, they tended to use whatever weapons were needed for their job. So, for instance, if their job required flamethrowers or demo packs, then they'd probably have them.

Also, a Ranger Battalion had 81mm mortars and an engineer Coy.

[Pak40]

Originally posted by Michael emrys:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Brian:

And, pray tell, what is a ".55 cal AT Rifle" when its at home?

Sounds a lot like a Boys to me too, Brian.

Michael</font>

[Brian]

Originally posted by Pak40:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Michael emrys:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Brian:

And, pray tell, what is a ".55 cal AT Rifle" when its at home?

Sounds a lot like a Boys to me too, Brian.

Michael</font>

[Gyrene]

Originally posted by Brian:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Pak40:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Michael emrys:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Brian:

And, pray tell, what is a ".55 cal AT Rifle" when its at home?

Sounds a lot like a Boys to me too, Brian.

Michael</font>

[Scipio]

US Ranger Company

TO&E, 29 February 1944

Company HQ

1 Captain - .45cal M3A1 SMG

1 1st Sergeant - .45cal M3A1 SMG

1 Corporal - .30cal M1 rifle (company clerk)

1 Private - .30cal M1 rifle (messenger)

--------------------------------

2 Platoons, each with

Platoon HQ

1 1st Lieutenant - .45cal M3A1 SMG

1 Tech. Sergeant - .45cal M3A1 SMG

1 Private - .30cal M1 rifle (messenger)

1 Private - .30cal M1903A4 rifle (sniper)

2 Assault sections, each with

Section HQ

1 Staff Sergeant - .30cal M1 rifle

Assault Squad

1 Sergeant - .30cal M1 rifle

4 Privates - .30cal M1 rifle

LMG Squad

1 Staff Sergeant - .30cal M1 rifle

2 Privates - .30cal M1 rifle (ammo carrier)

1 Private - .30 LMG (machine gunner)

1 Private - .45cal M1911 pistol (assistant)

Special Weapons Section

1 Staff Sergeant - .30cal M1 rifle

1 Sergeant - .45cal 1911 pistol + .55cal Boys AT-rifle (if required)

2 Privates - .30cal M1 rifle (ammo carrier)

1 Private - 60mm mortar (gunner)

1 Private - .45cal 1911 pistol (asst gunner)

Source : US Army historical center, Carlisle Barracks, PA

[ May 26, 2002, 03:37 AM: Message edited by: Scipio ]

[Brian]

Originally posted by Gyrene:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Brian:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Pak40:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Michael emrys:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Brian:

And, pray tell, what is a ".55 cal AT Rifle" when its at home?

Sounds a lot like a Boys to me too, Brian.

Michael</font>

[Hun Hunter]

Originally posted by Brian:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Gyrene:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Brian:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Pak40:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Michael emrys:

</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Brian:

And, pray tell, what is a ".55 cal AT Rifle" when its at home?

Sounds a lot like a Boys to me too, Brian.

Michael</font>

[Brian]

Well, one learns something new everyday. Thanks for that. We must be talking in the tens, not the hundreds though, I suspect.

[Michael Emrys]

Yes, it would be a Boys AT Rifle. They were only used if the mission called for it. They probably didn't even use them in 44.

If it was, the its the first time I've heard of them ever being issued to US forces.

Marines used them for a while in the Pacific. They worked well against Japanese tanks and the early coconut log bunkers. It did not stay in service long.

Curiously enough, I came across a photo of a Marine squad somewhere in the South Pacific (might have been Guadalcanal), and one of them was carrying a Boys. Given its length and weight, I wouldn't expect it to be fun to lug around in the jungle.

Michael

[ May 29, 2002, 06:58 AM: Message edited by: Michael emrys ]