British Platoon Structure in Mid 1916

[Alex Sotheran]

Hi all, new here and I joined the forum really to ask this question having lurked for many years.

I'm trying to work out the typical British platoon structure for the Battle of Somme. I'm aware of SS143 and it coming from lessons learned during the Somme in early 1917, also the 1914 platoon, but nailing down how a platoon was organised during the campaign is eluding me. In Zero Hour, Z Day Vol. II there is mention of a bombing platoon and their organisation, along with mention that the new weapons were distributed across the sections, ie the Lewis, Rifle Grenades and Mills bombs and each being specialist sections. But no actual numbers, was the platoon in 8 men sections led by an NCO by July 1916 already? 

 

Thanks in advance!

[Old Forge]

Hi Alex,

You're right about SS143 (training of platoons for offensive operations) coming from lessons learned on the Somme. For an overview of the state of play you need to look at Fourth Army Tactical Notes and SS109 (preparation of divisions for offensive action), both issued in May 1916 and included in the Official History (appendices to 1916 Vol 1). The battalion/coy/platoon establishments were still as per Infantry training 1914, so a platoon would be considerable more than 4 x 8-man sections, as each platoon was over 50 strong. By mid-1915, battalions had an establishment for 4 Vickers MGs, whilst Lewis guns were also being introduced on a scale of one per company (ie 4 in total). The Vickers MGs were withdrawn to equip the Machine Gun Corps as it formed in October 1915. The intention was to replace the Vickers with an additional 4 Lewis guns. However, e.g. 12th Div's history shows that the lift from 4 to 8 Lewis guns didn't take place until June 1916. The Fourth Army Tac Notes give an impression of how battalions might train and how they would deploy their bombers, the Lewis guns and the 3" Stokes Mortars. 

Cheers,

Richard

[Alex Sotheran]

Cheers Richard, that's great info and I'm currently going through Fourth Army's tac Notes. It's all interesting stuff!