Standard load for a WWII infantryman?
- Thread starter Johnpl
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Steve in PA
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The cartridge belts held 10 or 12 clips??? Plus some GI's would carry a bandolier......or two!! WWII was not the spray and pray war that Viet Nam was.
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Basic load of the infantryman since the time of Roman Legionnaire has been 50 plus pounds (try 70 for the Miles Septimus). You know, the stuff gets lighter, stronger and better but that just means ole dog face carries more equipment.
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
80 rounds was the basic load for the M1 Garand - though like today's basic load, soldiers often carried more than that.
Aikibiker
Member
I think that really depends on two things.
1. The supply situation.
2. How much the soldier in question can carry and still walk.
1. The supply situation.
2. How much the soldier in question can carry and still walk.
The Infantryman's Combat Load for the Normandy Invasion varied between 60-90 lb. Some carried over 100 lb. As a minimum, according to the TOE, each rifleman carried the following:
M1 Garand and 96 rounds
Life preserver
Gas mask
5 grenades
1/2 lb TNT
6 rations
2 canteens
e-tool
first aid kit
knife
4 60mm mortar rounds or 2 anti-tank mines
treated chemical clothing for gas attacks
web gear or assault jackets
helmet and liner
spare boots, socks
rain gear
sleeping gear
shelter half
personal items
Then there were the soldiers who carried bazookas, flame throwers, mortars, automatic rifles, machine guns, bangalores, wire cutters, TNT satchels, radios, etc.
During the British Invasion of the Falklands, each soldier carried 120 lb.
During the Grenada Invasion, American Ranger paratroopers carried 167 lb.
Infantrymen carry too much stuff!
M1 Garand and 96 rounds
Life preserver
Gas mask
5 grenades
1/2 lb TNT
6 rations
2 canteens
e-tool
first aid kit
knife
4 60mm mortar rounds or 2 anti-tank mines
treated chemical clothing for gas attacks
web gear or assault jackets
helmet and liner
spare boots, socks
rain gear
sleeping gear
shelter half
personal items
Then there were the soldiers who carried bazookas, flame throwers, mortars, automatic rifles, machine guns, bangalores, wire cutters, TNT satchels, radios, etc.
During the British Invasion of the Falklands, each soldier carried 120 lb.
During the Grenada Invasion, American Ranger paratroopers carried 167 lb.
Infantrymen carry too much stuff!
Mike Irwin
Member
IIRC, the standard Doughboy load during WW I was close to 70 pounds...
This website has some useful information about how much ammo an infantryman would carry.
http://www.stormpages.com/garyjkennedy/Weapons/infantry_weapons_of_world_war_tw.htm
http://www.stormpages.com/garyjkennedy/Weapons/infantry_weapons_of_world_war_tw.htm
Matthew Temkin
Member
My dad told me that 10-12 clips ( 80-96 rounds) was standard for a combat patrol.
An excellent book about the avj Joe in WW2 is, THE DEADLY BROTHERHOOD.
An excellent book about the avj Joe in WW2 is, THE DEADLY BROTHERHOOD.
BluesBear
member
The WWII GI cartridge belt has 10 pockets for a total of 80 rounds. But the real beauty of the M1 Garand en bloc clip was, that being a staggered feed device, that you could clip them almost anywhere and they'd be easy to grab.
I have seen photos of GIs with clips on pack straps, slings, field jacket pockets even bootlaces around the neck carrying 3 or 4.
My dad used to tell me that the guys with the Garands were better off than he was with his little M1 Carbine since they didn't have to worry about keeping track of their mags. But then again he said he never saw anyone with "Carbine Thumb".
I have seen photos of GIs with clips on pack straps, slings, field jacket pockets even bootlaces around the neck carrying 3 or 4.
My dad used to tell me that the guys with the Garands were better off than he was with his little M1 Carbine since they didn't have to worry about keeping track of their mags. But then again he said he never saw anyone with "Carbine Thumb".
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