Weapons

ref Question.. 2/5/07
Has nobody got any answers for me ref the questuons put on 2/5/07
Regards Ron

Hi Ron

A Commando was made up of appox 500men

Divided into 6 troops and an HQ troop each troop would be approx 60 men

A troop was divided into 2 sections of 30 men

Each section was divided into 2 subsections of 15 men

I have read also that in Burma they were further split into 'Fighting Troops' of 7 men who always worked together ( ref tag Barnes Commando Diary)

The Troop would be have a troop commander (Major) each section a troop leader (Lt) and so on with Sgts etc

The small number of men in a troop Section and so on would make the unit highly mobile and able to deploy very quickly in small or larger numbers.

The Commando Box as I understand it was a defensive formation with a Bren Gun emplacement at each corner which were able to strafe the defended area with efelading fire (Cross Over fire) which made the position fairly invincible ( This was a Commando invention) one of many unique tactics formulated by the Commandos.

Ron it is late and I am typing this off the top of my head so please use this as a guide only but that is how I think things were.

If anyone else can correct or add to this please do.

Regards
John M

Thanks John,
for the information, would you know what part Heavy Weapons played in the defensive Square if any.
Regards, Ron

No ............but I know a man that might.

Harry Winch No 2 Troop No 1 Cdo .........heavy weapons troop.
He's in Europe at present but he'll be back Wednesday.........watch this space.

Regards
JohnnM

Thanks John,
I know Harry very well, and I was with him last Friday at Molly Ralph's funeral, didn't think to ask him then. But I imagine we'll see him at Alrewas. Thanks for taking the trouble to reply good old Commando spirit.
Regards Ron