(06-25-2013, 07:46 AM)warstudent Wrote: The D formation Marines did in fact have an extra BAR squad (with 2 BAR), so there were at least 5 BAR in the D formation of the Guadalcanal marines.
The ONLY way I can see the Guadal 6-3 marines going upto Saipan 10-3 is that the Guadal Marines didn't yet have the M1 garand and the value is calculated as
Guadalcanal marines mostly having Springfield Rifles & 5 BAR (possibly a 6th with platoon HQ)
Saipan marines 9 BAR & all the Springfields replaced by M1 garand.
Yeah most of the Marines that started on Guadalcanal with the M1903 Springfield.