32. COMPOSITION.—The 60-mm mortar squad mounted in half-track carrier M3 or M3A1 is composed of eight men:

33. FORMATIONS.—a. Dismounted posts.—When accompanied by the vehicle, the mortar squad normally forms dismounted in two ranks in front of the vehicle (fig. 3). The squad leader is 3 yards in front of the right fender facing the front. Odd numbers of the squad (Nos. 1, 3, and 5) are at his left in that order at close interval. Gunner No. 2 is directly behind the squad leader, covering in file. Other even numbers of the squad (Nos. 4 and 6) and the driver, are at his left in that order, at close interval, covering their respective files in front.

b. Mounted posts.—The mortar squad takes mounted posts as shown in figure 3.

(1) The squad leader seated in the right front seat, or standing in front of the seat. If the vehicle has machine-gun mount M32, he stands inside the mount.

(2) Gunner No. 1, seated in the center front seat.

(3) The driver, in the driver's seat.

(4) Nos. 3, 5, and 6, seated on the right side of the crew compartment, in that order, from front to rear.

(5) Nos. 4 and 2, seated on the left side of the compartment in that order from front to rear.

Figure 3.—Dismounted and mounted posts of 60-mm mortar squad.

34. TO FORM THE SQUAD.—The squad being dismounted, at the command or signal FALL IN, the squad leader takes his post. Other members of the squad take dismounted posts as prescribed in paragraph 33. (See also par. 7.)

35. TO FALL OUT.—The squad being at dismounted posts, at the command or signal FALL OUT, the squad falls out as prescribed in paragraph 7.

36. TO MOUNT.—a. The squad being at dismounted posts, or dismounted, at the command or signal MOUNT, No. 1 and the squad leader mount to their seats from the right side of the vehicle in that order. The squad leader remains standing facing the rear until the remainder of the squad is mounted. The driver mounts to his seat from the left side of the vehicle. The others of the squad move around the right of the vehicle and mount through the rear door to their seats in the order, Nos. 3 and 5 (front rank), and No. 4 (rear rank). No. 2 opens the door and mounts last (par. 7).

b. Being dismounted, or at dismounted posts, at the command OVER THE SIDE, MOUNT—

(1) The squad leader, gunner No. 1, and driver take their mounted posts as in a above.

(2) No. 4 mounts over the left side of the vehicle to his post.

(3) Nos. 3 and 5 mount over the right side of the vehicle.

(4) No. 6 and gunner No. 2 mount through the rear door in that order (par. 7).

37. TO DISMOUNT.—a. Being mounted, at the command or signal DISMOUNT—

(1) The squad leader and gunner No. 1 dismount on the right side of the vehicle.

(2) The driver dismounts on the left side of the vehicle.

(3) The remainder of the squad dismounts in the reverse order to that prescribed in paragraph 36a. (See also par. 7.)

b. Being mounted, at the command OVER THE SIDE, DISMOUNT, the squad dismounts in reverse order to that prescribed in paragraph 36b. (See also par. 7.)

38. TO PREPARE FOR ACTION.—At all times when action with the enemy is imminent the ammunition bags of the mortar squad should be stowed with full loads of ammunition, ready for immediate use. Except when the squad leader anticipates that it will be necessary to carry ammunition to the firing point, the members of the squad do not put on the bags (see i below). At the command PREPARE FOR ACTION—

a. Squad leader.—Uncovers, checks head space, and half-loads the vehicular machine gun. Receives cleaning staff from No. 4. Supervises preparation for action of the squad.

b. No. 1.—Receives aiming stakes (improvised) from No. 3. If vehicle is in motion, checks submachine gun for driver.

c. No. 2.—Checks straps on mortar to see that they are ready for immediate release.

d. No. 3.—Passes aiming stakes to No. 1.

e. No. 4.—Passes cleaning staff to squad leader. If the vehicle has a pedestal mount, uncovers, checks head space, and half-loads the vehicular machine gun.

f. Nos. 2 to 6.—Check individual weapons to see that they are locked and loaded and ready for action.

g. Driver.—If vehicle is not moving, checks to see that submachine gun is ready for action.

h. Riflemen Nos. 5 and 6.—Prepare for action as rocketeer and loader, respectively (par. 9).

i. If the squad leader anticipates that the vehicle will not be able to reach the initial firing position, the command is: CARRY AMMUNITION BAGS. At the command, Nos. 2, 3, and 4 put on ammunition bags with full loads of ammunition.

39. OUT OF ACTION.—Being prepared for action, at the command or signal OUT OF ACTION—

a. Squad leader.—(1) Unloads vehicular machine gun (mount M32).

(2) Passes cleaning staff to No. 4.

(3) Supervises actions of the squad.

b. No. 1.—Passes aiming stakes (improvised) to No. 3 for stowing.

c. No. 2.—Remains seated.

d. No. 4.—Receives cleaning staff from squad leader and stows it. Unloads vehicular machine gun (pedestal mount).

e. Nos. 5 and 6.—Replace launcher, ammunition, and equipment.

40. DISMOUNTED ACTION.—a. Being mounted and prepared for action, the squad goes into dismounted action upon appropriate orders from the squad leader as prescribed in FM 23-45, 23-85, and 22-5, followed by the command of execution ACTION. At the command of execution—

(1) Squad leader.—Dismounts and supervises the disposition of the dismounted squad.

(2) No. 1.—Dismounts with aiming stakes and receives mortar tripod and baseplate from No. 2.

(3) No. 2.—Takes mortar, bipod, and baseplate from stowage place, hands them to No. 1 on the ground, and dismounts.

(4) Nos. 3 and 4.—Unload ammunition as directed by the squad leader.

(5) Nos. 5 and 6.—Dismount and take positions as directed by the squad leader.

(6) Driver.—At the command or signal from the squad leader, moves to a position indicated by the squad leader and mans vehicular machine gun (par. 13b).

(7) The mortar is put into action in drill 5 yards in front of the vehicle, or any location designated by the squad leader. Fire and displacement orders are as prescribed in FM 23-85.

b. Out of action.—At the command OUT OF ACTION, the mortar is taken out of action as prescribed in FM 23-85. The squad leader commands or signals BRING UP VEHICLE. At the command MOUNT, the squad mounts and stows equipment and ammunition in the reverse order to that prescribed in a above, and resumes mounted posts, remaining prepared for action.

c. To dismount with machine gun.—For dismounted action with both vehicular machine gun and 60-mm mortar, the orders referred to in a above include "DISMOUNT WITH MACHINE GUN." At the command of execution, Nos. 1, 3, and 4 dismount with the mortar as prescribed in a above. Other members of the squad proceed as follows:

(1) No. 2.—Dismounts the caliber .30 machine gun and hands it to No. 5 on the ground. He passes one box of caliber .30 ammunition and the water chest to No. 6 on the ground. He dismounts with the tripod and moves to the position designated by the squad leader. (Stowage position of the tripod governs this action.)

(2) Nos. 5 and 6.—Dismount and receive the equipment and ammunition designated in (1) above from gunner No. 2.

(3) The gun is put into action in drill 10 yards to the left of the mortar, or at any location designated by the squad leader. Fire and displacement orders are as prescribed in FM 23-55. Duties are performed as follows:

(4) Driver.—At command or signal, moves the vehicle to cover and rejoins the squad with his submachine gun, one box of caliber .30 ammunition, the spare parts roll, spare barrel, and the vehicular first-aid kit. If the driver must remain with the vehicle, as in a defensive position, this equipment, except the submachine gun, is taken by the squad leader before the vehicle departs.

d. Out of action.—At the command or signal MACHINE GUN OUT OF ACTION, the gun is taken out of action as prescribed in gun drill FM 23-55. The squad leader signals BRING UP THE VEHICLE. At the command MOUNT, the squad mounts and equipment and ammunition are stowed in the reverse order to that prescribed in c above.