Tactics of the WWII U.S. Army Infantry Rifle Platoon - Attack

[@Dannyt077]

Oh shit, wasn't expecting you to ever upload again. Welcome back

[@boulderbob7425]

Agreed! This is most unexpected...

[@G.I.HistoryHandbook]

And leave you hanging on a formations video? I'm not that cruel.

[@athansky7537]

@@G.I.HistoryHandbook whered ya go!

[@bigmoniesponge]

The return of the king

[@Zeltibero]

Excellent job, thanks for doing it.

[@historymarshal2704]

Return of the Infantry Tactics Kings! Welcome back to teaching us how to fight like it's '44.

[@gallantcavalier3306]

When Company of Heroes 3 comes out, I’ll be so ready to use Infantry. (All jokes aside, these videos are awesome.)

[@CubeInspector]

We still use the same basic concepts. Look up Army FM (field manual) 3-21.8

[@landenjones9374]

​@@CubeInspector yep the basic idea/concept of using a SBF element to gain and maintain fire superiority while an assault element closes in on the enemy to flank/kill them has been a universal infantry tactic since WW2.

[@expanding_flan]

*checks calendar* well, time to binge this channel again

[@JugheadJones03]

It is so hard to find KZbin channels covering tactics like this. Especially in 20th century combat training. Huge thanks for this video. I really hope you cover German forces in this detail one day.

[@jolanderphilip]

You can buy ranger handbooks just so you know

[@CubeInspector]

​@@jolanderphilip you don't even need that just Google Army fm 3-21.8 the pdf is free and available right frim the army itself

[@Pandas_Thumb]

An hour video! Can't really complain about the wait in that case

[@G.I.HistoryHandbook]

Nah, you can complain. Two years is crazy.

[@Pandas_Thumb]

@@G.I.HistoryHandbook I'm crossing my fingers for a company organization video

[@Pandas_Thumb]

Company Organization Video lol?

[@Lt_Fryes]

I just discovered your channel a few days ago and watched all your videos. Seeing that your last upload was 2 years ago I was super sad and didn't expect you to come back. I am SO happy you've uploaded again!

[@G.I.HistoryHandbook]

Thank you. Spare a thought for the people who subbed two years ago. At the time they were thinking, "I guess I can wait six month for another video..."

[@bigmoniesponge]

Total watch time of around 3 hours.

[@justinbud8912]

YES. I have been waiting for this for two years

[@G.I.HistoryHandbook]

I imagine there will be people who found this channel two days ago who will wonder why there isn't a new video next week.

[@MrTightreel]

@@G.I.HistoryHandbook guilty

[@KaiserTwo]

Yup! It’s been so long since I saw another video

[@DatKogasa]

This upload was a surprise, but a very pleasant surprise. Excellent!

[@CommissarMoody1]

Your alive! Great too see that your back.

[@G.I.HistoryHandbook]

Great to see longtime viewers who are still interested!

[@Account.Deleted.]

@46:13 "but even then, had they been able to reorient that machine gun, the record of this engagement probably wouldnt have been written in english". Damn dude, I like your style and love these subtle points you throw in!

[@berniegurrs6463]

This is a very pleasant surprise. Thank you for uploading once again after all this time

[@thunderace4588]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video for us G.I. History Handbook.

[@G.I.HistoryHandbook]

Thank you for taking the time to watch and to leave a comment.

[@McKennonBrown]

After two years you finally put up the vid we have all been waiting for and I miss it. Good to see your back, love the vids

[@TheHylianBatman]

Great to see you! I always had faith you'd come back, I noticed the pattern of increasing length and production values and knew that it'd start taking you a while between uploads. Your videos are extremely informative! Thanks for all your hard work!

[@G.I.HistoryHandbook]

Thank you very much for the kind words, the understanding, and most importantly - the patience! I certainly don't anticipate the wait being quite so long for the next video. (Well, that's what I say now...)

[@g0ulash465]

@@G.I.HistoryHandbook I fucking love these videos. Hope the next is out soon!

[@kingofburgundy6323]

Absolutely delighted to see you back!

[@theironmanx428]

Thanks for keeping the channel alive!

[@liamdoyle4933]

All of your videos are so well researched and well done. The visuals are awesome and I like the way u describe everything.

[@landotomunn9048]

Been a while! Really nice to see you back, your videos are really a thing I missed ^^ good luck and hope you continue uploading

[@simon2234]

I've been waiting for two years for this video, glad you are back.

[@G.I.HistoryHandbook]

Thank you for your patience. I'll try not to make you wait another two for the next one.

[@simon2234]

@@G.I.HistoryHandbook thank you for the time you put into this, the quality and content is excellent.

[@CombinedArmsHistory]

@@G.I.HistoryHandbook he'll make us wait 3 years

[@wojtekimbier]

I've really enjoyed your previous videos and their level of detail, glad to see you're back

[@MolonyProductions]

I'm very glad I wasn't unsubscribed from this channel, matsimus has a great video on trench digging

[@MB-ht5rd]

Great to see a new video! Added to my watch later list and looking forward to having the time to watch it. Thanks!

[@G.I.HistoryHandbook]

No need to rush it. Judging by my recent output, I don't think there's too much danger in you falling behind.

[@Maverick-gg2do]

Did not expect to see Thomas the GI ammunition train. It was a pleasant surprise. Glad to see you're back and I'm looking forward to future content!

[@T.S.Birkby]

Brilliant stuff. Thanks for your top quality videos

[@mikestephan1228]

Welcome back! Thank you for another great video, it was well worth the long wait.

[@G.I.HistoryHandbook]

I appreciate it.

[@andysykes4328]

Excellent research and presentation. Thankyou.

[@G.I.HistoryHandbook]

Thank you and thank you.

[@pendantblade6361]

I think I subbed to you like last year, and was sad to not see any uploads for two years. You proved me wrong, sir.

[@anthonybarton4252]

That was a great video. Very informative. Thank you for making and posting.

[@konstantinosnikolakakis8125]

This one’s been a long time coming! Welcome back my good man! (I’ve been busy all week, so I didn’t notice your return until now).

[@G.I.HistoryHandbook]

Well, you told me last month to get going...

[@konstantinosnikolakakis8125]

@G.I. History Handbook I’m glad you’re back bud, can’t wait to see what the future holds. By the way, I was wondering, how dare up on the unit organization tree do you intend to go? Company? Battalion?

[@Zeltibero]

Excellent job, thanks for doing it.

[@jigssingson8566]

Great quality, well written and researched. Can’t wait for the next video!

[@kenc9236]

Awesome video. I learn a ton from your videos. Thanks.

[@jacqueline6475]

Over half a year has passed already?? It's about time to binge watch these vids again... Any word on the next video?

[@Matt-tx1tc]

i have been subbed for two years hoping for another video lol

[@G.I.HistoryHandbook]

Three people unsubbed the day before I uploaded. They JUST missed out on a notification. (Four others unsubbed on the day of release; I guess they didn't like the new content.)

[@jtofgc]

You're back!

[@janwillemverkerk1551]

Dude welcome back! Are there more coming. Love and loved youre vids. Again astonishing work

[@jangamaster8677]

Glad too see ya putting out new videos, hope you continue (:

[@Obexi]

OH MY GOD! The channel is alive!!! It has great content.

[@rprzybyl06]

All your videos are incredibly well done. Love the research and historical support for everything, absolute incredible work!

[@johnhiers9405]

Was worried you wouldn’t be uploading again. Welcome back to the tube

[@stopmotiongarage220]

Fantastic work! I've been working on a science fantasy setting for my writing with a strong focus on the military and combat. Your in depth explanation of platoon tactics and the writin accounts of those tactics in action do wonders for figuring out my world building. Thank you!

[@ralphlong4399]

I am just discovering this channel and it is very interesting. I am a recently retired infantryman and it is amazing to see the differences from WWII until now. It also is kind of cool to see the things that have not changed. Some tactics are still used today and some have changed as we have learned from our past. This is good stuff.

[@somedudeinminnesota]

Awesome content man keep it coming

[@G.I.HistoryHandbook]

Thanks!

[@johnharker7194]

He's back!

[@vanivanov9571]

Wonderful channel. I'd love to see an episode about the US Weapon's Platoon, and how it aids the Rifle Platoons.

[@administrator353]

Can't wait for your next video. Keep up the good work.

[@doctorfresh3856]

HEEEEEEYYYYYYY! YOUR BACK! YEEEAAAAHHHH!!!

[@FastUgly]

Excellent educational historical information thank you for the very well spoken and explained video

[@keanuconcepcion158]

This is some incredible just info about WW2. Never knew about 400% casualty rate.

[@littlenickjr]

Awesome content man. Thank you for the work you put into this and your other now ancient videos.

[@Zajuts149]

Welcome back!

[@flashbackhistory8989]

So glad this is back!

[@stevemcallister4965]

This series absolutely slaps. I know it's been a while, but I'm subbed in hopes you come back! Would love to see more detail on patrol and defense, and dare I hope for company-level TOE and tactics?

[@G.I.HistoryHandbook]

Thanks, man. Very grateful. I don't beg for subs in the video, but I really appreciate them all. I'll occasionally remind people in the comments that it's a good idea to enable notifications because, historically, new content tends to only gets uploaded after everyone has given up hope of getting more... Organization of the weapons platoon is the video I've promised next. Then I have another platoon-level tactics video in mind. All of your suggestions are possibilities after that.

[@alexandermcclintick9225]

Yes PLEASE more vids. Dying for company-level organization, formation and attack tactics. Also, what’s the difference between weapons platoon and rifle platoon?

[@G.I.HistoryHandbook]

@@alexandermcclintick9225 Each rifle company had three rifle platoons and one weapons platoon, where the machine guns and mortars (and sometimes bazookas) were found. The weapons platoon constituted the company's heaviest organic firepower. It's squads supported the advance of the rifle squads.

[@alexandermcclintick9225]

@@G.I.HistoryHandbook Oh, I see. Thanks!

[@anul6801]

​@@G.I.HistoryHandbookFound this gem of a channel when i was searching for information about 60 mm M2 mortar units tactics for companies and platoons. I want to know how it worked out. If they used handie talkies. if they had forward observers. How they communicated with the rifle platoons up front etc. Bonus question: how many shells did they carry per mortar team? Did they use boxes or vests or both? Those kind of questions had led me to your channel! Information like these are hard to find from Google or AI. Well deserved subs!

[@Brian67588]

That's good stuff, reduced speed to a custom setting of 0.8 in order to follow it comfortably.

[@murdaviis5489]

Fantastic work

[@uazfoursixnine]

Great video; so much information

[@MaxwellAerialPhotography]

Holy shit you’re alive! You should maybe do a collab with Battle Order, your content complements each other really well.

[@bigmoniesponge]

Agreed.

[@apastafarian5051]

Man a company break down would be amazing....

[@elijones2041]

man Glad to see you back.

[@AndrewIsbell]

Thank you for uploading this

[@80krauser]

A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.

[@captainclone1367]

I believe by 1944 US Marine squads had two BAR teams as standard TO&E. But I can't say for sure.

[@G.I.HistoryHandbook]

A second BAR was added to the U.S. Marine rifle squad in the E-Series T/O (15 April 1943). A third was added in the F-Series T/O (27 March 1944) which created a 13-man squad organized into a squad leader and three 4-man fire teams. Each fire team had an automatic rifleman, meaning the 1944 U.S. Marine rifle company had 27 BARs. (By comparison, the U.S. Army rifle company was only authorized 15 BARs at the end of June 1944.)

[@captainclone1367]

@@G.I.HistoryHandbook Today the US Army uses 3 SAW's per squad, so they are following the Marines!!

[@hanskc3302]

Glad to see you again!

[@c3aloha]

I still have the poster from Brothers in Arms Road to Hill 30 that illustrated Find’em Fix’em Flank’em Finish’em. That was a great series of games because it was specifically designed to force you to use those tactics.

[@tiffanybeatty961]

Thanks for posting again.

[@davidlisovtsev6607]

in the 2014 operation fire and maneuver and assault were some of the least risky things our infantrymen could in Gaza, their unmatched superiority in tactics and small arms made assaults and attack preferable to staying in place, most of our casualties were sustained by IEDs, ATGMs, mortars or other rockets. A platoon on the assault had a 4% of sustaining casualties when facing the enemy, in contrast most of the enemy's casualties were sustained as a result of small arms fire. A well executed fire and maneuver is also very relevant in the modern war

[@seanmac1793]

when you the advantage you press it to do anything else is foolish

[@hello55125]

Excellent new video. Keep them coming!

[@loneakmoperator507]

1st vid in TWO YEARS! I'm assuming this channel will posting vids more regularly from now on?

[@doctorfresh3856]

So when are we getting to the Company Level Organization, Formation, & Tactics?

[@dzudzabajac]

A new video!!! I'm so happy I could cry!!! :DDD

[@gch5559]

I hope you will continue to make these videos for higher units. I hope you will go into detail for hq units because it's hard to find information on the composition of hq, supply and other support units for company level and higher.

[@reedhedin2777]

The king has returned

[@thewitherchannel1053]

dude your channel is gold

[@bigship9583]

I love this channel! I always look forward to watching ur videos

[@FantomWireBrian]

This means not as much as a soldier that made it through the Hedge row country. My dad did and made it to Bastogne. Dad before he died was visited by an Army officer. He came in and said " We have to talk about you going through the Hedge row country when you get out . " Dad said I'm not getting out " The officer said " Thank you for your service and saluted and walked out. Dad was picked by Patton to be promoted to a Sargent in charge of a gun squad. Dad made it to Bastogne. Dad was an extreme marksman but used many tactics to take even SS squads. He shot a German soldier two days before Bastogne and sat with him to take care of him . Out of cover a German soldier got a gun to the back of his head. The dying soldier pleaded for dads life. He spent 6 Months in a German prison camp . On the way they put him in a box car for six days and nights with no food or water . He was one out of two that survived. He also ate lice to stay alive in prison camp. He had no compassion for the SS , but did for the common soldier. He felt his weakness was compassion and thought he should've let the German soldier die . Dad felt he left his men behind and wasn't a good soldier. Before he died an Officer said " A good soldier doesn't always make a good person. Your dad was both " . I heard some tactics through the Hedge row but apparently there was more the Army wanted out of him .

[@HangingAround-kd7gs]

Awesome videos, keep up the great content. Could you please list and reference the materials you use to make videos. If possible, list where to obtain the info or publications. Thanks

[@TheLastSterling1304]

And now we wait for the video on Company tactics.

[@bigmoniesponge]

Yup.

[@bigmoniesponge]

Just a few years

[@jacqueline6475]

Nah, we get to see the Weapons Platoon organisation/formations and tactics next ;p

[@AJxxxxxxxx]

I’d like to suggest for future videos, making an eagles eye view, “play by play” of the entire Iraq campaign war and how it was won, and showing the tactics and commanders execution of plans from the start of the war to the end …… 🤷‍♂️ just a suggestion

[@1GoodDag]

Excellent content

[@MrNicoJac]

This was great! Just as a remark: I would not have minded if these had been split into 8 separate smaller videos. Just saying, in case it helps you :) (one 5-10min video every month or so is awesome too; it doesn't have to be an hour-long video every 2 years - although I obviously have no idea which factors contributed to that)

[@G.I.HistoryHandbook]

Thanks. I had actually finished through Phase 4 in 2019. I toyed with releasing it as "part one," but I didn't know when a part two would ever be finished and didn't want to leave viewers hanging in the middle of what had been conceived as one video.

[@TXCannoli]

Welcome back!!!

[@Coldfront15]

Is there any time on going through US Army Airborne squads and Platoon structure/TTPS? Having a mortar squad and the excess firepower makes those units interesting to theorize and read about.

[@floydvaughn836]

Excess firepower? Ain't no such thing.

[@Coldfront15]

@@floydvaughn836 based

[@floydvaughn836]

@@Coldfront15 ? Are you basing BASED on your psychic perception of my political beliefs, or what? There is no such thing as excessive firepower unless one is a bean counter before the fact, or a woke analyst after. When you're in the shit, at the sharp end, you want ALL of the assets you can get. Every and anything, from a Boy Scout knife to a nuclear strike. Weiner.

[@danieldabella4869]

Away awq waa qw was waa ass

[@danieldabella4869]

@@floydvaughn836 v v2.bbhm no mm get?°£¢¢%©°®® 1s

[@pingwenhung8327]

Great video as always! Damn , How I miss these series Never miss a second nor a frame on this video Say , any video plans on Other companies like the Armor division's and the Paratrooper?

[@alexandermcclintick9225]

I would love to see that!

[@WarpGhost92]

it took few minutes to even recognize the channel and what i am watching. But when I understands, man it was good hour.

[@alexandermcclintick9225]

You should do videos on mechanized infantry and armored (tank) units (platoons, companies, etc.)

[@ONRealNO]

oh wow, its been a while

[@boulderbob7425]

Bro.. can I give this another thumbs up?

[@Oh_Hale_Nah]

That 2 years of research must've paid off, please to see the return.

[@G.I.HistoryHandbook]

After work on the video stalled out I did find some information that got incorporated when the work started up again. It took forever, but it's ultimately a better video (I think) than it would have been had I finished it in 2019. I wish I could go back and make a few additions to the squad tactics video.

[@ramonruijgt4532]

i dont know why but i would also like too see the camp organization

[@fracapolligummala3548]

24:30 "...moves in on him from a different and unexpected direction." Proceeds to do a for centuries known flanking move. How unexpected.

[@vaclavjebavy5118]

unexpected when you can't see them and suddenly you get shot at from a completely different direction you have trouble firing upon.

[@vaclavjebavy5118]

an ambush is centuries old. Is it therefore predictable?

[@fracapolligummala3548]

@@vaclavjebavy5118 Just means you negleted security for the most well known offensive maneuver against you. Thats your own fault. Thats a contradiction in itself. Though a certain predicability is often given.

[@vaclavjebavy5118]

@@fracapolligummala3548 The principle of fire and movement states that in order for such an attack to be successful, the enemy must be thoroughly suppressed. Ideally, it makes it nearly impossible to establish security there (without being otherwise weakened.) If they establish security there, they will inevitably split their fire, losing some fire superiority of the initial base of fire, meaning that that pinning element has room to maneuver and possibly assault the position themselves rather than the maneuver element, or enable the third squad to perform a pincer. The suppression that is necessary under doctrine to initiate a flanking maneuver will most likely reduce the possibility of the enemy of observing or countering it before it initiates (the flanking element opening fire). That is in effect unexpected, as even if you expect a flanking action, you don't know if it'll come from the left, right, or both. You also might not know which path the flanking element will choose depending on the terrain. This is all assuming the friendly unit manages to achieve/maintain a degree of fire superiority. If it doesn't, it doesn't perform the flanking maneuver. Also, an "unpredictable" spot may be one you reasonably assume the enemy cannot reach, but reach anyway. You're not omniscient. This is all a matter of semantics, however. "An unexpected position" in the manual obviously means that a position the enemy might not predict is a good one to use or that the initial fire by the flanking element might cause surprise, not that the flanking element will always boggle the mind of the enemy as to what arcane maneuver they just poofed into existence An ambush is something you may expect, but that doesn't mean it's truly expected in the practical sense. You don't expect an ambush in a manner that enables you to prepare for it perfectly, at least not for a good one/most ones. Sure, you maintain security and are prepared to respond to an ambush if it occurs, but a good ambush on your unit will be unexpected (there will be minimal signs of enemy presence or of an ambush) and unpredictable (as it will not be clear before it happens where it could come from and how exactly it'll manifest). As such, if ambushed successfully, you have been caught in an unexpected situation, even if you did everything perfectly. You have been attacked unexpectably, through no fault of your own. You can even destroy the enemy immediately with minimal casualties and ammo expenditure, despite facing a situation you did not expect.

[@fracapolligummala3548]

@@vaclavjebavy5118 Lets forget ideal situations and focus on the average and worst case as this is what brings soldiers home. No. Totally depends on the situation. Thats an laughable extraordinary demand that can never be reliably achived. Your right but does it really matter if I got my sight on them when they come out? Fire superiority is not a binary valuve. Its a spectrum that temporary and localy fluctuates. Because of that fire superiority also doesnt nessesarily support a flanking move. That would be an ideal situation that could happen but we wont cosider because of reasons above. How can I not predict a flanking maneuver might be pulled against me? Its again an ideal that I should totally expoit when present but wont depend my tactics on. Agreed. Again agreed.

[@Jason-hb8jy]

I wonder what the doctrine for the firing of suppressing fire was back then? When I went to basic training in 1995 we were taught to fire 1 round per second. But that was with 30 round mags and a standard 210 round combat load...

[@amir703]

Yesss! Love these videos!

[@jrambo7429]

Is this guy OK? It’s been a long time since he posted anything. I really like his videos they’re well-made.

[@brokenpotato438]

comment he made from 2 weeks ago (replying to someone): "Thanks, man. Very grateful. I don't beg for subs in the video, but I really appreciate them all. I'll occasionally remind people in the comments that it's a good idea to enable notifications because, historically, new content tends to only gets uploaded after everyone has given up hope of getting more... Organization of the weapons platoon is the video I've promised next. Then I have another platoon-level tactics video in mind. All of your suggestions are possibilities after that." Yes, he is okay and he's working on another video

[@WilhelmScreamer]

Holy shit, he returned

[@frostyrobot7689]

Honestly, this content is top class. You could come back to YT and start a series on Combat Mission BFN

[@austinlowery1568]

Honestly, watching these vids of how things used to be makes me wonder why certain procedures (in doctrine at least) are much different nowadays. These tactics won the U.S. and the allied forces a World War. But afterwards we could barely get anything done in Vietnam and Afghanistan in the long run. Likely the top brass making stupid decisions for a couple of OER bullet points, if nothing else.

[@Subcomfreak1]

General, long-winded comment from a philosopher by trade... I have found your videos fantastic an eagerly await what comes next. You are keeping history alive and allowing people like me a glimpse into what my grandad did (One american, one Italian). Thank you so much for taking the time to illuminate the world with this information, knowledge, and packaging it in a way that the contemporary person can digest in stride. I was watching one of your earlier videos, and it struck me that a lot of what actually happened was "linguistic" or communicative. Are there any documents about what the real soldiers said and used in combat? What was the real slang and hand gestures that really went down which go onto form the next cycle of doctrinal/pedagogical development? How the practical level comes to change the doctrine level of is very interesting for me... you show how people were thinking about war during that time, and WWII was a major time of instability after WWI... Radically different. Compare the civil war, Napolianoic conquests, even going back further we do not see such a rapid change within a generation's living memory (yes, the rifle and all of that, but this is not the same as the machine gun and the long-range, more accurate, more destructive, and more mobile artillery). You are a real historian, and we need more of this!!! You've made several of my evenings and have made many thoughts and respectful contemplations spring up for me. I was thinking about what changes were made once we move to Korea after learning from WWII as the real last "grand" war. Your videos, I speculate, show us our first taste of thinking about a truly new era of war dominated by highly capable and mobile technological destructive capabilities of us good humans. Could we trace some of the assumptions made after applying these doctrines in WWII to our failure in Vietnam, Korea, etc.? Given, also, the ability for high rate of fire from the standard rifle platoon/squad. After watching your series, I think the US became much more German in mentality after WWII, if that makes sense. Much more technologically oriented and utilizing that superiority. These WWII doctrines seem to account for spontaneous and evolving situations more than the stories and things you read about when talking about contemporary or near-past wars. It is a "here is how it generally looks, but, look around you and think" that your series seems to espouse as a central part US military training. It seems that the leaders were given a series of options and then were sent out to actualize the one that was best fit by their own judgment. It seems the further to the present we get the more things are sketched out and determined almost in advance. I think intelegence and awareness have been the major shift from WWII-Vietnam to our present time.This leads me to ask, can one ever have a "true" theory of war? Is there ever a "correct" decision that can be made before we advance? Your videos really give us a glimpse into the mind of what a person was told right before they were thrown into the biggest trial of their lives. I'd hope people have recorded and have first person accounts of how all of this manifested, one day at a time, in the real doing of the war. This information gives us a look, it reveals the way that our ancestors thought. With such, great respect for you must be given. You package this in a way that is far beyond excellent. I wish I had both the mind and the will that you have. I wish I could pitch you a few bones for doing the Lord's work!

[@_marcobaez]

Awesome video bro

[@MichaelSmith-pp3wp]

More please!

[@rezz7016]

HES BACK !!!!!!