Low Ammo OOB

[Greybeard]

I'm no super historian here, but I've read a few books here and there.. I know that in WW2 at the june 6th invasion.. US paratroops each carried a minumum of 200 belted MG rounds, 80 rounds (10 clips) for their M1-Garand's and 4 HE grenades and 2 smoke grenades.. it was up to the trooper if he wished to carry more - often choosing to carry 160 rounds for the Garrands.... the belted MG rounds could be separated to reload M1 clips, BAR's.. whatever used 30-06 fodder.. or supply the company MG squad with ammo..

so 12 guys in a squad =
2400 rounds of belted ammo
480 rounds of clipped ammo
48 HE grenades
12 smoke grenades

some squads had their troops carry clipped BAR ammo instead of belted ammo.. 200 rounds per man to supply 2 BAR's..

Not sure how much ammo was allocated by other countries as a normal load out.. but the above ammo load would equate to alot of shootin' and scootin' for a single squad of US troopers..

maybe an ammo load of 80 isn't so nuts.. 1 'shot' by 12 guys = 12 rounds fired.. so 960 rounds of ammo for an entire squad to use for their initial load out.. not outside the realm I think..

Greybeard