Squad Tool Issue 1910-1919

[Big Al]

Does anyone have any documentation concerning the issue and disposition of the tools (shovels, pick-mattocks, axes, bolos, etcetera, etcetera) issued to the infantry squad in the period between 1910 and 1919?

 

Thanks in advance.

[Keystone]

The Annual Reports of the War Department for the Fiscal Year ended June 30th, 1905 has an excellent write up on the adoption of the set of intrenching tools in that year.

You can find the entire report in Appendix VI of the Annual report.

https://books.google.com/books?id=apAdAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA147&lpg=PA147&dq=intrenching+tools+for+foot+troops&source=bl&ots=RIIJDeTZMC&sig=jQGuXodIjdEorUu9n0upMOvRxNU&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj325n-vMfaAhWMzlkKHVdlD4sQ6AEIVzAH#v=onepage&q=intrenching%20tools%20for%20foot%20troops&f=false

The conclusion of the report states that "the scheme of supply is 1 pick and 3 shovels to each squad of eight men; 4 hand axes per company, to be carried by 1 musician and 3 duty sergeants; 3 wire cutters, to be carried by 3 duty sergeants."

The report goes on to say the pick and shovels would be rotated daily amongst the other members of the squad.

G.O. No. 23 from 1906 reiterates this scheme.

The 1910 Infantry Equipment Board report changes this to 3 shovels, 1 pick mattock,

one wire cutter and one cutting instrument to be equally divided between bolos and hand axes per squad.

I believe this stayed the official distribution up to WW1.

[world war I nerd]

As of May 1918, according to the "Equipment Manuals for Service in Europe, Series A-No. 1 - Infantry Regiment", published in May 1918 by GHQ,AEF

 

Each Infantry Regiment's 250 man company was to be equipped with the following "squad tools" supplied by the Ordnance Department:

 

14 Bolo Knives & Scabbards

31 Cleaning Rods, Barracks,Brass

14 Hand Axes & Carriers

55 Pick Mattocks & Carriers

31 Pouches for Small Articles

31 Screwdrivers, Rifle

110 Shovels & Carriers

35 Wire Cutters & Carriers

 

All of the above articles were to be distributed as directed by the Company Commander ... except for the Rifle Screwdrivers & Pouches for Small Articles, which were distributed among leaders of squads & sections as directed by the company commander.

[Big Al]

That's exactly what I needed to know.

 

Thanks again, gentlemen!