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Buddy System In World War Two

marines peleliu

 Notes on the Buddy System in World War Two

marines peleliu
US Marines take a break during the fighting on Peleliu

This article originated after observing a disagreement between two reenactors. One was arguing that the buddy system did in fact exist in World War Two. Another reenactor argued the exact opposite, that such a system was yet another example of a modern military concept grafted onto the World War Two hobby. After all, this individual pointed out, the buddy system is not mentioned in FM 21-100. The truth of the matter is somewhere in the middle.


Before reading my analysis, I must point out the extremely limited number of observations identified. I welcome any other reenactor to contact me or post below their examples of the buddy system utilized in World War Two.

One reference of the Buddy System is in:
The Infantry School Mailing List
VOL 28, 1944. The Infantry School, Ft. Benning, GA. Pg. 179.

Buddy System
Buddy System

In this example the author makes mention of the buddy system used by Rangers and British Commandos, suggesting more “elite” forces use it. Therefore, as he argues, so should the regular infantry squad or assault teams.

The other example I have located is from Combat Lessons 1, 1944, pg 33

http://www.scribd.com/doc/28647011/Combat-Lessons-1

Here William O’Darby of Ranger Fame is quoted as saying, “We use the ‘Buddy System’-the men always work in pairs”.

In both examples, each makes an explicit statement of “buddy-system”.

Excluding more “elite” units, I could not find a reference directly mentioning the buddy system as related to non-elite infantry units. However, that is not to say that regular front-line (or even rear) units did not have a buddy system. More than likely what occurred is that front line troops spontaneously, without direct orders, befriended an individual who became that person’s “buddy”. Whereas each would mess together, share foxholes together, comfort each other, and fight together.

Basically, front-line individuals organically divided themselves up into small cliques or “buddies”.

In regards to elite units, the evidence is pretty clear cut that those units had a buddy, either chosen or assigned that they trained with and fought with. In the end, for non-elite units, a form of a buddy system was utilized but not mentioned directly by name.

When applying this in reenacting one should:

  1. Stay away from the term “battle buddy”
  2. If non-elite unit, one should probably shy away from using the term buddy-system explicitly and instead just make sure that each soldier has a friend in the unit.
  3. If an elite unit, it is OK for the term buddy-system to be used explicitly and one should make sure that each soldier has a specific “buddy”.

Note: These notes and thoughts may change as further evidence comes to light.