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Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"
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Many thanks to you and Custerman for the information on Infantry T.O.&E . I pretty well recalll up to Bn. but above Bn. T.O.E. I was not much up on it.. Very interesting.
The Squad, platoon and company strength varried a lot due to the usual shortage of
casualty replacements. Never enough to make up losses. Weapons T.O.E. was not
always stricktly adhered to (With C.O.'s permission) but usually the M-1 rifle and a BAR
were the usual, with FEW '03 rifles used to my knowledge. Again, many thanks.
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TO/E is the authorized strength. the reality is: There were replacements for KIA only. The WIA/hospital count were returnables and counted against squad strength.
Enlited men (EM) were so short in INfantry Divisions that the weapons platttoon was always short, maybe one section of mortar and one section for MG. Even when you were headed for an invasion.
Company grade Officers were not available in most Rifle companies. Their casuallties were heavier than EM losses. 3rd Bn. 141 held officer in Bn. Hqs CPand sent them out when the going got rough, many times not knowing what the true situation was. Thus raising their losses.
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Ah that is such a fact. I know that company, battalion, platoon and squad numbers were drastically down especially just prior to the Battle of Bulge and all during that campaign. Many experiencing half to three-quarters of their full-strength at times. Pretty scary stats! 
The more I read, the more it becomes so bloody apparent just how tight the situation was during this period. With numbers substantially cut and the problem of logistics (very low ammo, gas rationing, little or NO winter clothing, etc.) it just astounds me how you guys held your ground and then pushed on against ALL odds. 
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"
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TO/E is the authorized strength. the reality is: There were replacements for KIA only. The WIA/hospital count were returnables and counted against squad strength."
Do not agree with this. Usual ratio of KIA to WIA was about 1-7. During winter many
non-battle casualties also took place and furthered platoon losses. Never have I seen to many replacements for a Inf. platoon, including returned WIA's (as some did not return ever). Never did see ABOVE TOE platoons. Usually still understrengthed.
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Infantry Regiment Organization
Non-vets - please keep in mind that organization charts in the military are "authorized strength." They bear little resemblance to reality in combat!.
Consider the casualty figures below from the 7th Infantry History in WWII.
Casualty Table WWII:
KIA 1883
Died of Wounds 203
Died of Injuries 43
Missing in Action 468
Wounded in Action 6,532
Injured in Action 468
POWs 642
Injured in Action 468
Total Casualties 7th Inf - 10,244 Total Casualties - 3rd Inf. Div - 35,000
Average (not authorized) strength 7th Inf - Not stated, but probably about 2,000 or less men.
3_7_I_Recon - Russ Cloer
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Excuse my Links but sometimes my editor saves them with a different extension: it makes the extension as all CAPS.
So here are correct links for now. I'll try to change it back. These Gif files are on the on the main page that has these charts inserted in it.
Artillery Chart
http://www.custermen.com/ItalyWW2/ArmyOrg/...t/Artillery.GIF
Regiment Chart
http://www.custermen.com/ItalyWW2/ArmyOrg/...rt/Regiment.GIF
Division Chart
http://www.custermen.com/ItalyWW2/ArmyOrg/...rt/Division.GIF
Steve
