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Sid -> OB Error: Where is the BP 1??? (5/28/2002 4:34:20 PM)
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Although a Japan specialist, I decided to try a game as the Allies. Immediately, I notice that the BM 1 is missing from Noumea!!
This is 1 er Battaillion du Pacifique. It formed in May 1941. It's manpower was 600 and it was mixed European and locals. In the summer of 1942 it was amalgamated with 1 er BIM to become the BIMP [Which I assume is something like Battaillion d'Inf. de Marine du Pacifique]. This would mean a TO&E of about 1070. These were pure light infantry formations, short on heavy weapons. A company of three platoons was about 150 men. Each platoon would have three squads of about 14 men organized around an LMG. The platoon would have a leader, a sergeant and a medic, about 45 men. The Company would be 3 platoons, a Machine Gun Section and a Headquarters Section. The Machine Gun section would typically have 2 MMG. The battalion BM had three line companies while the BIMP had five. Each had the equal of a Headquarters and Support Company, with the usual staff, medics, etc. as well as a Mortar Section. The BIM must also have had a light anti-tank section as it fought in the desert with the British 7th Armored Division from 1 May 1941 until summer 1942 when it joined the BP - so the BP probably had these guns from its formation. This was a militia force, led by a cadre of veterans, and it might have had some advantages in the Pacific Islands. A number of volunteers from Tahiti were part of this organization.
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