Okay, so I am working on a story which involves a platoon of British soldiers being sent to Eqeustria. In the story they get into a number of fights against various enemies: Ponies, Diamond Dogs, Changelings, etc. I already have an idea in my head for how such skirmishes would go but I wanted to ask others how such fights would go down.

First off, to show I am serious about this, i have done my research and the type of platoon I am using is post February 1917. Why after February 1917? Because that was when the British army issued two new manuals: Instructions for the Training of Divisions for Offensive Action in December of 1916, and Instructions for the Training of Platoons for Offensive Action in February of 1917. For anyone who plays "Verdun" or "Battlefield 1" (don't really count on the latter), these manuals are the ones you have to thank for them. Learning from past mistakes at the Somme, Verdun, Loos, and other battles, the armies of both sides finally broke from the concept of lines of riflemen, with specialist, like snipers or machine gunners, more or less attached to them, charging against fortified positions. Now the platoon, instead of the regiment and brigade, was seen as a self contained unit separated into four sections and trained to handle particular roles. These sections would be trained either as bombers, Lewis gunners, rifles, or rifle grenadiers. After 1917, each platoon contained a range of weapons allowing for tactical adaptability: attacking with bombs and grenades, providing support fire with light machine guns and rifle grenades, and taking cover and coordinating with artillery, tanks, and planes (like in "Verdun" or "Battlefield 1")

In the average British platoon during WW1 it totaled around 50 men, lead by a lieutenant or a second lieutenant. The platoon was then divided down, as mentioned above, into four section of 12 men, each under the commanded of a NCO.

So leaving up all the weapons information to you guys, i would be happy to hear your thoughts.


Thank you for reading and have a nice day.

5490667 British infantry will definitely have the advantage... for a while.

There's a certain amount of ammunition each man can carry. In 1908, the British adopted the 1908 Pattern Webbing, designed and supplied by the American Mills Equipment Company.

The webbing held two ammunition pouches, each holding 75 rounds, or 150 rounds of .303 british per man. Since you mentioned that it would be more than riflemen, light machine gunners will have more ammunition, while officers only carrying a pistol or revolver at the time would have less. Once the ammunition is gone, things are no longer in their favor. Granted, three years of fighting in the trenches can make a man with a bayonet deadly, but 50 men can't hold out for long when if they're going to be in multiple engagements with Ponies, Diamond Dogs, Changelings, etc.

5490667 Seems like you've put a lot of thought into this

5490667
Well in the Battle of Mons the BEF soldiers were able to fire their Lee-Enfields accurate enough to delay the German drive, and fast enough to where the Germans thought they were under machine gun fire. That should give a pretty clear idea without even going into other stuff like Ypres.

5491430 Well you have to, especially when your dealing with a fight between, less powerful troops against magical enemies. I've seen my fair share of people make such enemies over powered in a fight because of it, which kinda ruined the story for me.

I also like knowing what one can bring to the table; what interesting tricks they have up their sleeves. I like fights with skill and thought to them, not just brute force. A fight based more on talent not just how big your gun is, so I cover all my bases.

And from what I have researched, British 'Tommies' have a number of interesting skills to bring to the forward.

5491551 No they are part of Lord Kitchener's "New Armies", battalions created specifically for the Great War.

While I do say that, the battalion i picked that the platoon is a part of saw its fair share of action during the war. The Gallipoli Campaign, the Capture of the Wundt-Werk, the Battles of Flers-Courcelette, Thiepval, Messines, Langemarck, Polygon Wood, Broodseinde, Poelcapelle, The Scarpe, the Drocourt-Quant Line, the Hindenburg Line, Sambre, and the passage of the Grand Honelle.

When they get teleported is right near the end of the war before Armistice Day, during the 100 Day Offensive if that helps in giving some type of picture.

5491610 Yes