Raider Battalions - any special talents?

[Jensen76]

I was wondering - does the US Marine Raider Battalions have any special abilities?
Like, perhaps, suffering fewer losses during amphibious landings or something...?

[anarchyintheuk]

Nope, just a large combat value for the shipping space it takes.

[Twotribes]

Actually by the end of the war, well before that, the raider BN's were dissolved and used in the regular Marine Divisions as replacements. Also as I recall so where the Para Bn's.

[VI66_slith]

Raiders may also be able to stay in the field longer with less supply. Wasn't that the case in UV?

[pad152]

Raider Battalions - How come they don't come with the required support? It seem 20-25% becomes disabled if they don't have more support.

[gunnergoz]

They were not guerrillas, able to live off the land...they were strike forces, meant to hit hard and move back out. They would quickly deteriorate in efficiency, like any conventional military unit, without resupply of ammo, food, etc.

[Montbrun]

The following is taken from some TOE research I've been working on for WitP:

USMC Raider Battalions

1st Raider Battalion – 1/42
HQ Company – 2 x .30” LMG, 4 x .55” ATR
Communications Platoon
Quartermaster and Motor Transport Platoon
Raider Company – 9 x Squads, 2 x .30” LMG, 2 x .55” ATR, 2 x 60mm Mortar
Raider Company – 9 x Squads, 2 x .30” LMG, 2 x .55” ATR, 2 x 60mm Mortar
Raider Company – 9 x Squads, 2 x .30” LMG, 2 x .55” ATR, 2 x 60mm Mortar
Raider Company – 9 x Squads, 2 x .30” LMG, 2 x .55” ATR, 2 x 60mm Mortar
Weapons Company – 8 x .30” LMG, 2 x .55” ATR, 3 x 60mm Mortar

2nd Raider Battalion – 2/42
HQ and Service Company
Raider Company – 6 x Squads, 3 x .30” LMG, 2 x .55” ATR, 2 x 60mm Mortar
Raider Company – 6 x Squads, 3 x .30” LMG, 2 x .55” ATR, 2 x 60mm Mortar
Raider Company – 6 x Squads, 3 x .30” LMG, 2 x .55” ATR, 2 x 60mm Mortar
Raider Company – 6 x Squads, 3 x .30” LMG, 2 x .55” ATR, 2 x 60mm Mortar
Raider Company – 6 x Squads, 3 x .30” LMG, 2 x .55” ATR, 2 x 60mm Mortar
Raider Company – 6 x Squads, 3 x .30” LMG, 2 x .55” ATR, 2 x 60mm Mortar

Raider Battalion – After 9/42
HQ Company – 2 x .30” LMG, 4 x .55” ATR
Communications Platoon
Quartermaster and Motor Transport Platoon
Raider Company – 9 x Squads, 2 x .30” LMG, 2 x .55” ATR, 2 x 60mm Mortar
Raider Company – 9 x Squads, 2 x .30” LMG, 2 x .55” ATR, 2 x 60mm Mortar
Raider Company – 9 x Squads, 2 x .30” LMG, 2 x .55” ATR, 2 x 60mm Mortar
Raider Company – 9 x Squads, 2 x .30” LMG, 2 x .55” ATR, 2 x 60mm Mortar
Weapons Company – 8 x .30” LMG, 2 x .55” ATR, 3 x 60mm Mortar

TOTAL – 36 USMC Raider Squads, Support

NOTES:
1) 1 APD should = 1 Company in load costs. Battalion sealift should = 6 APDs.
2) 1st Raider Battalion – activated 1/6/42 in Quantico, VA as “1st Separate Battalion.” Redesignated 1st Raider Battalion 2/16/42. Disbanded 2/1/44 at Guadalcanal (became 1st Bn., 4th Marines).
3) 2nd Raider Battalion – activated 2/4/42 in San Diego, CA as “2nd Separate Battalion.” Redesignated 2nd Raider Battalion 2/19/42. Disbanded 1/31/44 at Guadalcanal (integrated into 4th Marines).
4) 3rd Raider Battalion – activated 9/20/42 in Samoa. Disbanded 2/1/44 at Guadalcanal (became 3rd Bn., 4th Marines).
5) 4th Raider Battalion – activated 10/23/42 in Camp Linda Vista. Disbanded 2/1/44 at Guadalcanal (became 2nd Bn., 4th Marines).

USMC Parachute Battalions

Parachute Battalion
HQ Company – 6 x .30” LMG
Demolition Platoon
Parachute Company – 9 x Squads, 27 x .30” LMG, 3 x 2.36” “Bazooka,” 3 x 60mm Mortar
Parachute Company – 9 x Squads, 27 x .30” LMG, 3 x 2.36” “Bazooka,” 3 x 60mm Mortar
Parachute Company – 9 x Squads, 27 x .30” LMG, 3 x 2.36” “Bazooka,” 3 x 60mm Mortar

TOTAL – 27 USMC Squads, Support

NOTES:
1) 1st Parachute Battalion – activated 8/15/41 in Quantico, VA. Disbanded 2/29/44 at San Diego, CA.
2) 2nd Parachute Battalion – activated 10/1/41 in San Diego, CA. Disbanded 2/29/44 at San Diego, CA.
3) 3rd Parachute Battalion – activated 9/16/42 in San Diego, CA. Disbanded 2/29/44 at San Diego, CA.
4) 4th Parachute Battalion – activated 7/1/43 at Camp Lejeune. Disbanded 1/19/44 at San Diego, CA.
5) All Parachute Battalions were used as cadres to create the 5th Marine Division.


As far as "support" is concerned, these units were FMF assets for most of their existence, and did not possess the supply and support structures for game-defined "support." These units were primarily raid-oriented units.

Hope this helps,

Brad