Allied marching rates

The Allies 1939-1945, and those fighting against Germany.

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MadDog
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Allied marching rates

Post by MadDog »

I am looking to find the marching rates for US, British and Russian forces (infantry and vehicle). While I have been able to find the doctrinal marching rates for German, Italian and Japanese forces, I have been unable to locate the same for the Allied forces.

thanks,

Mad Dog
lwd
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Re: Allied marching rates

Post by lwd »

From: http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/ref/FM/index.html
In FM 101-10
Figure 4 section 37 page 81 seems to indicate 2mph
Section 38 page 82 indicates 2.5 mph day time. A lot more detail is in the FM.
MadDog
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Re: Allied marching rates

Post by MadDog »

Thanks lwd.

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John W. Howard
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Re: Allied marching rates

Post by John W. Howard »

Hi MadDog:
General Lucian Truscott, who commanded the US 3ID in Sicily, thought the US Infantry standard marching rate of 2.5 MPH was far too slow and far behind Stonewall Jackson's marching rate during the US Civil War. He thus trained his division to march at 4 MPH for sustained periods, and the 3ID apparently actually moved at 5 MPH at times during the Sicily campaign. Truscott also drew from his experience as the founder of the modern US Rangers, that men can and will move faster if properly trained and led. Best wishes.
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MadDog
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Re: Allied marching rates

Post by MadDog »

The "book" rates were 3 mph for Germany (from memory), and 2.5 mph for other forces (Ital, Japanese, US).

thanks,

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Liam
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Re: Allied marching rates

Post by Liam »

Certain British units had different marching speeds. Standard infantry battalions were slower then Rifle battalions who were trained to go at 140 steps per minute, Commando units were also trained to march at speed. Overall, the higher number of motorised units in the British Army would make this irrelevant in comparison to the more 'footsore' German troops who rarely if ever got to ride in a motor vehicle of any kind.
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