Infantry Platoon

This manual provides doctrine, tactics, techniques, and procedures on how all infantry rifle companies fight. Infantry rifle companies include light infantry companies, air assault, airborne, ranger, and H-series infantry. The primary audiences for this manual are the rifle company commander; his executive officer, first sergeant, and platoon leaders; instructors in TRADOC schools; and writers of infantry training literature. The secondary audiences include other infantry company commanders (HHC and antiarmor), infantry battalion staff officers, service schools, and ROTC and military academy instructors.

Little has been published on US armored infantry units and tactics over the years despite their key role in World War II. There were a total of 57 armored infantry battalions and two regiments that served throughout the war and in all theaters. Equipped with halftracks, they fought as part of combined arms teams and combat commands alongside tanks, tank destroyers and artillery battalions. Significantly, they were not simply standard infantry battalions provided with halftracks. Their company and platoon organization was very different from the standard infantry unit and these highly mobile, heavily armed battalions fought in an entirely different manner. Using period training manuals and combat reports this book provides an exclusive look at the unique tactics developed by US armored infantry units including movement formations and battle drills.

Little has been published on US armored infantry units and tactics over the years. However, their contribution to the war effort was hugely important. There were a total of 57 armored infantry battalions and two regiments that served throughout the war and in all theaters. Equipped with halftracks, they fought as part of combined arms teams and combat commands alongside tanks, tank destroyers and artillery battalions. Significantly, they were not simply standard infantry battalions provided with halftracks.