Italian Rifle Platoon (Plotone Fucilieri) (38 men): September 1939 July 1941

HQ section (2 men):
1 Officer (pistol)
1 Runner
2 x Rifle Squads (18 men each):
1 x Rifle Group (9 men):
1 NCO (Rifle)
8 other ranks (Rifles)
1 x LMG Group (9 men):
1 Corporal (Rifle)
2 x LMG teams (4 men each):
1 gunner (Breda Mod 30 LMG, pistol)
1 loader (Rifle)
2 ammo carriers (Rifle)
This structure was in place from the beginning of the war until July 1941, at which time it
was replaced by the next reorganization.
Sources:
Ministero della Guerra n.3704 - Addestramento della Fanteria Vol 1 Roma 1939
Addestramento della Fanteria Vol 2 - Roma 1939 tavola A.
Manuale de Regolamenti per I corsi allievi ufficiali de complemento - Roma 1940
tavola A & D.
Impreso e Addestramento Tattico Ministero della Guerra Roma 1940 (tactical
procedures and training)
Nozioni di Organica 1941.

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Note: The Italian word for Infantry is Fanteria, but the units comprising infantry divisions
were known as Rifle Platoon (Plotone Fucilieri), Rifle Squad (Squadra Fucilieri) and
Rifle Group (Gruppo Fucilieri).
Note: This organization applies to leg (non-motorized) rifle platoons.

Updated 10/22/2009

Italian Rifle Platoon (Plotone Fucilieri) (42 men): July 1941 September 1943
HQ section (2 men):
1 Officer (pistol)
1 Runner
2 x Rifle Squads (20 men each):
1 x Rifle Group (11 men):
1 NCO (Rifle)
10 other ranks (Rifles)
1 x LMG Group (9 men):
1 Corporal (Rifle)
2 x LMG teams (4 men each):
1 gunner (LMG, pistol)
1 loader (Rifle)
2 ammo carriers (Rifle)
This structure was in effect from July 1941 through the end of 1942 (see source #1). In
1943 another reorganization of forces was performed. However, at the platoon level,
the structure remained the same (see source #2). So the basic rifle platoon structure
remained unchanged from July 1941 through the armistice in September 1943.
Sources:
Prima serie di aggiunte e varianti all'Addestramento della fanteria.Vol I (16/07/1941)
(and would have applied from July 1941 through the end of 1942)
Le Squadre Della Fanteria (1943)
Italian Army Order of Battle (Madeja)

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Updated 10/22/2009