american units - ww2

8/8/2019 American Units - ww2

1/33

Introduction

To the readers;

The intention of these documents is to provide potential Steel Panthers scenario designers anunderstanding and ability to create historical and realistic scenarios. Additionally, E-Mail games can nowbe based real force distributions instead of spur of the moment and ad hov creations. There are threetake aways:

1. Realistic force creations2. New tactical opportunities3. New units creations

REALISTIC FORCE CREATIONS

Most nationalities utilized triangular formations. The different forms were dependent upon units available,strength of units and operational goals. Almost all armies used battalion sized unit formations as theirminimum size. Steel Panthers limits this important characteristic with formation sized parameters.

I am not recommending playing regimental sized battles, but true battalion sized battles are currentlyimpossible with the limits on unit numbers. An example of an realistic operational unit would be an

American Regimental Combat Team.

Please refer to the RCTs organization.

Normally the RCT would have two advancing formations with a third in reserve. Each advancingformation would be a battalion of infantry and 1 or 2 companies of engineers. The artillery battalion andbattery would be with the reserve formation. The armored company would be split between theadvancing formations. This basic formation (one of the advancing columns) requires: 1 or 2 platoons oftanks, 2 or 3 sections of off board artillery (maybe on board), 1 or 2 platoons of engineers with trucks,roughly 28 infantry squads with supporting heavy weapons. The divisional motor pool would providetransportation for the infantry - some on the tanks and the rest in trucks. This may seem like a lot of unitsbut it is only roughly 400 points!! (120 for the tanks, 40 for the artil lery, 32 for the engineers, 16 for theirtrucks, 84 for the infantry, 36 for their trucks, and 70 for misc. (like a company from the Recon battalion -

ACs)). This would be a standard formation used in SP. Yet, this type of formation is impossible toachieve with the unit number limitation.

1


2/33

NEW TACTICAL OPPORTUNITIES

If players could create this type of formation, tactics would be dramatically different. Effective flankingmaneuvers, thrusts ,etc. could be staged. You could afford to be aggressive because you could havesome on board reserve to accomplish the mission if you make a mistake or miscalculation. Now, if atactical mistake is made, you are essentially up a creek.

My goal was not to compliant, but provide an easy reference source to truly challenge other players ingames. With unit formation charts, players can simulate an armored attack against an infantry unit andknow what possible units would be available. Again it changes tactics. If you know the enemy will nothave tanks, your selection of forces is going to be different. You might choose slow moving SP artilleryunits to blast at bunkers, etc. versus fast moving mobile tanks because you do not have to worry aboutan armored counter attack.

Thus, challenges would be what type of engagement, the year and month, the nationali ties, and the unittype (Armor division versus an infantry or Armored infantry). This will create unbalances in playerformations strengths. Armored units will have force advantages over infantry. This is what real militarycommanders hoped to achieve when attacking.

So how to make the game fair? Simple, negotiate point reallocations before the game; such as the

infantry division defender has a 25% point bonus or the armor attacker has 25% penalty. Again thesepoint reallocations change your tactics. It is not enough to capture two of the three objective areas, butas the armored commander you must assault all three to win.

My goal is to provide the resources to create circumstances like these, allowing different tactical plays.Unit structures and organizations create limits for force selections. In turn these limits provide differentopportunities for tactics based on unit types. Indeed youll be faced with the same chooses actualcommanders had or the lack of chooses dependent on you perspective.

NEW UNITS CREATIONS

Furthermore, anyone using Spedit can now create additional units based on realistic structures. Forexample, I have integrated (with the editor) the 4th platoon of the standard German infantry company intothe other three platoons. This is realistic, the heavy weapons rarely operated alone, and it allows a largegroup (pool) of men to transport (carry) the heavy weapons. So their movement rates are notdramatically different than infantry (now they are so slow without motorized transport).

2


3/33

NATIONALITIES COMPLETED

I have researched four force structures:

1. German2. American3. British (still being cleaned up)4. Russian (still being cleaned up)

FREEAND PUBLIC INFORMATION

These documents are not commercial in nature and the information found in them is freelyavailable in public libraries, etc. I highly recommend reading the reference sources listed. Most of thestories and accounts are dramatic and compelling. Any copyright infringement is unintentional and thisdocuments distribution is free. My sole request is: if you create scenarios with these charts, Id love toplay them.

Please include this preface and the reference sources with any distribution.

CONCLUSION

I do not plan to update or revise the documents - the compilation took too much time. I would appreciatereceiving corrections or adjustments. Again these charts and tables are from multiple sources, whichsometimes had slightly different organizations and unit strengths. Additionally, I have rough draft formsof the British and Russian forces. Once I clean them up, I post em.

Have fun. Thanks.

S. Sheckells

[email protected]

3


4/33

REFERENCE SOURCES

The Second World War: A Military HistoryBasil Collier, William Morrow & Company, 1967.

The German Army in the West.Siegfeid Westphal, 1950.

The Ardennes: The Battle of the Bulge. US Army in World War II.Hugh Cole, Department of the Army, 1965

The Last Offensive: European Theatre of Operations. US Army in World War II.Charles McDonald, Department of the Army, 1965.

Hitlers Last Gamble: The Battle of the Bulge, December 1944-January 1945.Trevor N. Dupuy, Harper Perennial, 1994.

Soviet Military Operational Art: In Pursuit of Deep Battle.David M. Glantz, Frank Cass, 1991.

The Russian version of above - sorry I do not write nor speak Russian. I had the help of several Russianfriends with some translations.

Red Storm on the Reich: The Soviet March on Germany, 1945.Christopher Duffy, Da Capo Press, 1993.

World War II Organization and Equipment Series.Enola Games, Navwar , 1982.

Hitlers Greatest Defeat: The Collapse of Army Group Centre, June 1944.Paul Adair, Arms and Armour, 1994.

The Screaming Eagles: A history of the 101st Airborne Division.

Leonard Rapport and Arthur Northwood, Jr., 101st Airborne Division Press, 1948.

4


5/33

American Units

1. There are three types of formations:

Organizational: The paper strength a unit has. Operational: A time period assessment of unit (based on reality). Operationalis how the

forces were grouped and typically engaged the enemy in the field. Field: Snapshot of units current strength. For example: an unit should have 5 tanks in a

platoon per company operating with 2 other companies. But recent losses in fighting has fieldforces at 4 tanks per platoon with only 2 companies (the third was too badly damaged).

2. The formations specified have optimums unit numbers. Most units functioned at 80% to 90% oftheir optimum. Even the American units were understrength. However, unlike the Germans, they didnot have to consolidate units and re-form unit structures. There formations stayed the same but withless working or operating personnel.

3. Organizational is what was supposed to be on paper. How an army thought it would operate.Additionally the organizational set up defines how an army replenishes itself. Thus most units areassigned to a division. Normally new units (replacements or replenishment of people and material)are sent to a division to be assigned to the formation needing the resources. Note: new units ,like

new divisions, are formed at higher levels (like the US creating new divisions for WW II) or arecreated through re-organization from the remnants of other units (like the German as the warcontinued).

4. Americans operated in triangular formations. There would be two operational formations with areserve force. The operational groups (Regimental Combat Teams, Combat Commands, etc.) alsooperated in triangular positions. The groups tended to be combined arms formations with a armoredelement, infantry, and artillery element. The armored element did not necessarily mean tanks. Itcould be TDs, ACs, etc.

5. The Americans, unlike the Germans, used TDs in a defensive role rather than in an offensiverole. Consequently, most of the advancing formations armored elements were tanks (light, medium,heavy), ACs, or even SP artillery. The TD formations and units were for screening and counter-attackprevention.

6. Usually tanks were not mixed. However, the Americans were converting Shermans into Jumbos.Thus in tank battalions, you would find Jumbo platoons operating with normal Shermans. Note bothunits have similar speeds. That is the real issue. Units with differing speeds did not operate together.It is bad news on a battlefield to have one tank doing 17 and another doing 13. They will be unableto support each other - hence the enemy can divide and conquer.

7. A brigade is an independent battalion or regiment. Units would be designed as a brigade toindicate an independence from a division. In other words, an Assault Gun Brigade could be assignedto a corp. or army and not be consigned to a division. Therefore could be replenished from the corp.sor armys resources not the divisions. Additionally it could operate more freely and be shifted whereit was needed within the corp..

5


6/33

TABLEOF CONTENTS

AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONAL UNITS

AMERICAN

1. Infantry

2. Infantry Divisions

Infantry DivisionAirborne Division

3. Infantry Regiments

Infantry Regiment 1943 - 1945Parachute Infantry Regiment 1943 - 1945Glider Infantry Regiment 1943 - 1944Glider Infantry Regiment 1944 - 1945

Armored Infantry Regiment 1943 - 1944

4. Regimental Combat Teams

5. Infantry Battalions

Infantry BattalionParachute or Glider Battalion

Armored Infantry BattalionRanger Battalion

6. Armored Division

Armored Division 1943 - 1944 (Heavy)Armored Division 1944 - 1945 (Light)

7. Armored Battalions

Light Tank Battalion 1943 - 1944Medium Tank Battalion 1943 - 1944

Armored battalion 1944 - 1945

8. Armored Combat Commands

9. Cavalry Groups (Recon)

Armored Cavalry SquadronsMechanized Cavalry SquadronsCavalry Squadrons

6


7/33

10. Engineering Combat Battalions

Armored Engineering BattalionsMechanized Engineering BattalionsMotorized Engineering BattalionsParachute Engineering Battalions

11. Anti Tank Battalions

Self Propelled - Tank DestroyersTowed - Anti Tank

12. Artillery Battalions

Self PropelledParachute Artillery Battalion (Towed)Heavy Artillery (Towed)Medium Artillery (Towed)Light Artillery (Towed)Mixed Artillery Battalion (Towed)

13. Anti Aircraft Battalions

Light AA Battalion (Infantry or Airborne)Armored Light AA BattalionHeavy AA Battalion

7


8/33

American Infantry 1944 and 1945

There are four types of infantry:

1. Infantry (foot soldiers)

2. Airborne (parachute or glider)3. Armored Infantry4. Ranger (foot)

The former two had divisional structure, while the third was a component of an Armored Division, and thefourth a specialized unit.

8


9/33

Infantry Divisions

Infantry Division:

Armored Components Infantry Artillery Attached(Possible)

Misc.

1 Cavalry Company(Recon)

1st Infantry Regiment(3 Infantry Battalion)(1 Artillery Battery)

(1 Towed AT Company)

1 Artillery Brigade(1 Heavy Battalion)(3 Light Battalions)

1 SP AT Battalion 1 EngineerinBattalion



1 Towed ATBattalion

6 Truck Compa



1 SP ArtilleryBattalion

1 Anti AircraftBattalion

1 Artillery Battalion

3 Batteries or Companiesequal1 Artillery Battalion

1 Towed AT Battalion

9 Infantry Battalion 5 ArtilleryBattalions

1 Towed ATBattalion

Airborne Division:

ArmoredComponents

Infantry Artillery Attached (Possible) Misc.

1st Parachute Regiment(3 Parachute Battalions)

1 Artillery Brigade(1 Medium (Para)

Battalion)(2 Light (Glider) Battalions)

1 SP AT Battalion 1 Parachute

Engineering Batta

2nd Parachute Regiment(3 Parachute Battalions)


1 Towed ATBattalion

1st Glider Regiment(3 Glider Battalion)


1 Parachute ArtilleryBattalions

1 or 2 Heavy ArtilleryBattalion

9 Infantry Battalion 4 ArtilleryBattalions

This is the formations for the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions. The 17th Airborne had 2 parachute

and 2 glider regiments with two battalions versus the 3 battalions set up for the above two.

9


10/33

American Infantry Regiments 1943 - 1945

Infantry Regiment 1943 - 1945:

Armored

Infantry

Motorized

Infantry

Foot Infantry Artillery Anti Tank Misc.

3 Battalions 1 Towed ArtilleryBattery

1 Towed Anti TankCompany

1 Infantry HQCompany

Parachute Infantry Regiment 1943 - 1945:

ArmoredInfantry

MotorizedInfantry


3 Battalions 1 Parachute HQCompany

Glider Infantry Regiment 1943 - 1944:

ArmoredInfantry MotorizedInfantry Foot Infantry Artillery Anti Tank Misc.

2 Battalions 1 Glider HQCompany

Glider Infantry Regiment 1944 - 1945:

ArmoredInfantry

MotorizedInfantry


3 Battalions 1 Glider HQCompany

Armored Infantry Regiment 1943 - 1944:

ArmoredInfantry

MotorizedInfantry


3 Battalions 1 Armored HQCompany

The lighter Armored Divisions had 3 Armored Infantry Battalions not organized under a regimentalcommand. Thus the concept of an Armored Infantry Regiment ceased.

10


11/33

Regimental Companies:

Company HQ Unit Platoon 1 Platoon 2 Platoon 3 Platoon 4

Infantry HQCompany

(1) sqd AMMO (1) sqd ENG (1) Eng Sqd INTEL (1) sqd RECON (2) Reconsqd

Parachute HQCompany

(1) sqd AMMO (1) sqd INTEL (1) sqd

Glider HQCompany


Armored InfantryHQ Company


Towed ATCompany

(1) sqd (3) 57mm AT guns(3) trcks

(3) 57mm AT guns(3) trcks

Towed ArtilleryBattery

(1) sqd (6) 105mm Art(6) trcks

(6) 105mm Art(6) trcks

11


12/33

Regiment Combat Team

ArmoredInfantry

MotorizedInfantry


1 ArmoredCompany

3 Battalions 1 Towed LightArtillery Battalion

1 Towed Anti TankCompany

1 Infantry HQCompany

1 Towed ArtilleryBattery

1 EngineeringCompany

The Armored companies could be a SP TD (Self Propelled Tank Destroyer) Company, a Light TankCompany (Recon), or even a Medium Tank Company on loan from an Armored Division. Typicallythey were SP TD companies or Light Tank companies.

Anti Tank units are Towed or SP (Self Propelled). I will use TD (Tank Destroyer) to indicate SPunits and AT (Anti Tank) to indicate towed guns.

American Company Designations:

Since all Regimental formations had 3 battalions the companies had sequentialalphanumeric designations. The heavy weapons companies were integrated with the other three companies or servedwith the HQ unit. Rarely do you see them listed or accounted for separately. Additionally theheavy weapons platoon operated with the other platoons. It was rarely encountered alone.

Regiment Battalion Company or Troop1ST A

B

C

D - Heavy

2ND E

F

G

H - Heavy

3RD I

J

K

L - Heavy

12


13/33

American Infantry Battalions 1943 - 1945

Infantry Battalion:

Battalion Company HQ Unit Platoon 1 Platoon 2 Platoon 3 Platoon 4 Platoon 5

HQ (1) sqd INTEL (1) sqd AMMO (1) sqd ENG (1) Eng sqd AT (3) 57mm gun(3) trcks

A Rifle (3) sqds (3) sqds (3) sqds HVY (2) 30calMMG

B Rifle (3) sqds (3) sqds (3) sqds HVY (2) 30calMMG

C Rifle (3) sqds (3) sqds (3) sqds HVY (2) 30calMMG

D - HeavyWpns

(1) sqd (3) 50cal HMG (3) 60mm Mtr (3) Baz Teams

Infantry Unit Strength Chart

Unit Inf.

Sctns

Eng.

Sctns

MMG HMG 60mm

Mtr

AT

Tms

AT 75mm

GunsPlatoon 3Company 9 2Battalion 31 1 6 3 3 3 3

Parachute or Glider Infantry Battalion:

Battalion Company HQ Unit Platoon 1 Platoon 2 Platoon 3 Platoon 4 Platoon 5HQ (1) sqd INTEL (1) sqd ENG (3) Eng

sqdA Rifle (3) sqds (3) sqds (3) sqds HVY (1) 50cal HMG

(2) 30cal MMGB Rifle (3) sqds (3) sqds (3) sqds HVY (1) 50cal HMG

(2) 30cal MMG

C SMG (3) sqds (3) sqds (3) sqds HVY (1) 50cal HMG(2) 30cal MMG

D - HeavyWpns

(1) sqd (3) 50cal HMG (3) 30cal MMG (3) 60mm Mtr (3) Baz Teams


Unit Inf.Sctns

Eng.Sctns

MMG HMG 60mmMtr

Platoon 3Company 9 2 1

Battalion 33 3 9 6 3

13


14/33


Armored Infantry Battalion:

Battalion Company HQ Unit Platoon 1 Platoon 2 Platoon 3 Platoon 4 Platoon 5

HQ (1) sqd(1) HT

INTEL (1) sqd(1) HT

AMMO (1) sqd(1) HT

AT Comp (1) sqd(1) HT

(3) 57mm AT(3) trck

(3) 57mm AT(3) trck

(3) 57mm AT(3) trck

(3) M8 Assaultguns

A SMG (3) sqds(1) 50cal HMG

(3) HT

(3) sqds(1) 50cal HMG

(3) HT


(3) HT

HVY (3) 50calHMG

(1) 60mm Mtr(2) HT

B SMG (3) sqds(1) 50cal HMG

(3) HT


(3) HT


(3) HT

HVY (3) 50calHMG

(1) 60mm Mtr(2) HT

C SMG (3) sqds(1) 50cal HMG

(3) HT


(3) HT


(3) HT

HVY (3) 50calHMG

(1) 60mm Mtr(2) HT

D - Heavy

Wpns

(3) 50cal

HMG(3) trck

(3) 30cal MMG

(3) trck

(3) 81mm Mtr

(3) trck

(3) Baz Teams

(3) HT

(3) Baz Teams

(3) HT

These units were always attached to Armored Divisions. They did not operate a independentDivisional type like Panzergrenadiers.


Unit Inf.Sctns

MMG HMG 60mmMtr

81mmMtr

BazTms

AT 57mmGuns

HTs Trcks

Platoon 3 1 3 3Company 9 6 1 9 11Battalion 31 3 21 3 3 6 9 37 18

14


15/33


Ranger Battalion:

Battalion Company HQ Unit Platoon 1 Platoon 2 Platoon 3 Platoon 4 Platoon

HQ (1) sqd(1) trck

INTEL (1) sqd(1) trck

AMMO (1) sqd(1) trck

AT Comp (3) BazTeams

(3) BazTeams

(3) Baz Teams (3) BazTeams

A SMG (3) sqds(1) 30cal MMG

(3) sqds(1) 30cal MMG


HVY (3) 30calMMG

(1) 60mm Mtr

(2) Baz Tea

B SMG (3) sqds(1) 30cal MMG



HVY (3) 30calMMG

(1) 60mm Mtr

(2) Baz Tea

C SMG (3) sqds(1) 30cal MMG



HVY (3) 30calMMG

(1) 60mm Mtr

(2) Baz Tea

D - Heavy Wpns (3) 50cal HMG (3) 30cal MMG (3) 60mm Mtr (6) Baz Teams

E - Service (2) trck (4) trcks (4) trcks (4) trcks (4) trcks

F - Service (2) trck (4) trcks (4) trcks (4) trcks (4) trcks

These units were assault troops. They were not intended for prolonged mobile attacks, but quickstatic assaults. Their truck companies were used for transportation not mobile attacks! They werehard core foot soldiers. Essentially, they served the function of British commandos.

They would equipped with flame-throwers, satchel charges, etc.. Their equipment was like anengineer, but significantly more varied.

Note: I could not find specific Ranger Battalion organization. However the above is constructedfrom various descriptions.


Unit Inf.Sctns

MMG HMG 60mmMtr

BazTms

HTs Trcks

Platoon 3 1Company 9 6 1 2Battalion 30 21 3 6 18 39

15


16/33

Armored Divisions 1943 - 1945

Armored Division 1943 - 1944:> Heavy Armored Division

Armored Components Infantry Artillery Attached (Possible) Misc.

1st Armored Regiment(1 Lt. Tank Battalion)

(2 Med. Tank Battalion)

1 Armored InfantryRegiment

(3 Armored Infantry Battalion)

3 SP ArtilleryBattalions

1 SP EngineeringBattalion

2nd Armored Regiment(1 Lt. Tank Battalion)

(2 Med. Tank Battalion)


1 Cavalry Battalion1 SP TD Battalion

8 Armored Battalions 3 Infantry Battalions 4 ArtilleryBattalions

Was called a Heavy Armored Division. Most Armored Divisions were re-organized into the LightArmored Divisions by September of 1944. The two exceptions were the 2nd and 3rd ArmoredDivisions.

Armored Division 1944 - 1945:> Light Armored Division

Armored Components Infantry Artillery Attached (Possible) Misc.

1st Armored Battalion 1st Armored InfantryBattalion

3 SP ArtilleryBattalions

1 SP EngineeringBattalion

2nd Armored Battalion 2nd Armored InfantryBattalion


3rd Armored Battalion 3rd Armored InfantryBattalion

1 Cavalry Battalion1 SP TD Battalion

5 Armored Battalions 3 Infantry Battalions 4 ArtilleryBattalions

16


17/33

Armored Battalions 1943 - 1944

Light Tank Battalion 1943 - 1944:

Battalion Company HQ Unit Platoon 1 Platoon 2 Platoon 3 Platoon 4

HQ (1) sqd(1) trck


COMMO (1)sqd

(1) trck A HQ (2) M5 (5) M5s (5) M5s (5) M5s

B HQ (2) M5 (5) M5s (5) M5s (5) M5s

C HQ (2) M5 (5) M5s (5) M5s (5) M5s

D - Service (3) trcks (3) trcks (3) trcks

Armored Unit Strength Chart

Unit Inf.Sctns

M5s Trcks

Platoon 5Company 17Battalion 3 51 12

Medium Tank Battalion 1943 - 1944:

Battalion Company HQ Unit Platoon 1 Platoon 2 Platoon 3 Platoon 4HQ (1) sqd

(1) trckINTEL (1) sqd

(1) trckCOMMO (1) sqd

(1) trck A HQ (2) M4 (5) M4 (5) M4 (5) M4

B HQ (2) M4 (5) M4 (5) M4 (5) M4C HQ (2) M4 (5) M4 (5) M4 (5) M4

D - Service (3) trcks (3) trcks (3) trcks


Unit Inf.Sctns

M5s Trcks

Platoon 5Company 17Battalion 3 51 12

17


18/33

Armored Battalions 1944 - 1945

Tank Battalion 1943 - 1944:> Medium Tank Battalion 1944


(1) trckINTEL (1) sqd


(1) trck Art (3) SP 105mm (3) SP 105mm

A HQ (2) M4 (5) M4 (5) M4 (5) M4

B HQ (2) M4 (5) M4 (5) M4 (5) M4

C HQ (2) M4 (5) M4 (5) M4 (5) M4

D - Light HQ (2) M5 (5) M5 (5) M5 (5) M5

The M4 Shermans were being converted to Jumbos in the divisional maintenance shops. At any one time roughly 1/3 of all theM4s can be considered the Jumbo.


Unit Inf.Sctns

M5 M4 SP 105mm Trcks Total

Platoon 5 5 3Company 17 17 6

Battalion 3 17 51 6 3 68

18


19/33

Armored Combat Commands

Combat Command Alpha (A)

Armor Infantry Artillery Anti Tank Misc.

1 Armored

Battalion

1 Armored

Infantry Battalion

1 SP Artillery

Battalion

1 SP Engineering

Company

Combat Command Bravo (B)


1 ArmoredBattalion

1 ArmoredInfantry Battalion


1 SP EngineeringCompany

Combat Command Reserve (R)


1 ArmoredBattalion

1 ArmoredInfantry Battalion


1 SP EngineeringCompany

1 TD Battalion 1 Anti AircraftBattalion

1 CavalryBattalion

19


20/33

Cavalry Groups

Mechanized cavalry or Cavalry units were Reconnaissance units. They employed light armor withmobile infantry.

The units were attached to other commands and served as ancillary or auxiliary forces i.e. they werenot the core of a unit such as armor or infantry. Consequently a Cavalry Group (regiment would beattached to a corp. or army sized unit. A Cavalry Squadron (Battalion) would be attached to adivisional or greater sized unit. The Squadrons were dispersed to augment other forces. In otherwords, a Cavalry Troop (company) could be assigned to a Combat Command or a RegimentalCombat Team.

The majority of the duties were not Recon but mobile reserves and or screening forces. The units were supposed to mostly armored cars, but gun equipped half tracks can be frequently

found in the units. The units were not well service designed (as far as I know). However, if a cavalry unit was part an

armored division it was typically a Armored Cavalry Squadron or predominately armored cars (thearmor divisions needed fast Recon units not more light tanks). A Mechanized Cavalry Squadron wastypically assigned to infantry divisions or groups. It had additional Light Tank components to beefup the infantry.

Designation:

Cavalry Group RegimentSquadron Battalion

Troop Company

Cavalry Groups

Armor Infantry Artillery Misc.

1st Cav Squadron

2nd Cav Squadron

Groups were composed of 2 maybe 3 squadrons.

20


21/33

Armored Cavalry Squadron

Armored Cav Squadron

Battalion Company HQ Unit Platoon 1 Platoon 2 Platoon 3 Platoon 4

HQ (1) sqd(1) HT INTEL (1) sqd(1) HT COMMO (1) sqd(1) HT

A HQ (2) M8 (5) M8 (5) M8 (5) M8

B HQ (2) M8 (5) M8 (5) M8 (5) M8

C HQ (2) M8 (5) M8 (5) M8 (5) M8

D HQ (2) M8 (5) M8 (5) M8 (5) M8

E - Light HQ (1) sqd(1) HT

(3) sqd(3) HT

(3) sqd(3) HT

(3) sqd(3) HT


Unit Inf.

Sctns

M8 HT Total

Platoon 3 5 3Troop 10 17 10

Squadron 13 68 13 68

21


22/33

Mechanized Cavalry Squadron

Mech. Cav Squadron


(1) trck

INTEL (1) sqd

(1) trck

COMMO (1) sqd

(1) trckAssault Gun (4) M8 Ass guns (4) M8 Ass guns (4) M8 Ass guns

Light TankCompany

(2) M5 (5) M5 (5) M5 (5) M5

A HQ (2) M4 (5) M4 (5) M4 (5) M4

B HQ (2) M4 (5) M4 (5) M4 (5) M4

C Light HQ (1) sqd(1) HT

(3) sqd(3) HT

(3) sqd(3) HT

(3) sqd(3) HT


Unit Inf.

Sctns

M5 M8 Ass

Guns

M4 Ht Total

Platoon 3 5 4 5 3Troop 10 17 12 17 10

Squadron 10 17 12 17 10 46

22


23/33

Motorized Cavalry Squadron

Cavalry Squadron


(1) trck

INTEL (1) sqd

(1) trck

COMMO (1) sqd

(1) trckAssault Gun (4) M8 Ass guns (4) M8 Ass guns (4) M8 Ass guns

Light TankCompany

(2) M5 (5) M5 (5) M5 (5) M5

A HQ (2) M4 (5) M4 (5) M4 (5) M4

B HQ (2) M4 (5) M4 (5) M4 (5) M4

C HQ (2) M4 (5) M4 (5) M4 (5) M4

This squadron type usually was attached to a large parent unit type such as a corps, army, etc. not adivision.


Unit Inf.Sctns

M5 M4 M8 Assguns

Trcks Total

Platoon 5 5 4Troop 17 17 12

Squadron 17 51 12 80

23


24/33

Engineering Combat Battalions

There were four types of Engineering Combat Battalions:

1. Armored - Equipped with half-tracks2. Mechanized - Equipped with half-tracks3. Motorized - Equipped with trucks4. Parachute - Equipped with trucks (equipment was glider deployed)

All engineering units were motorized the difference is in what they utilized. Engineering units nottitled (armored, parachute, etc.) can be assumed to be motorized. Actually, you probably will neversee a Motorized Engineering Battalion designation. The engineering units were that by default.However, to designate half-tracked equipped units attached to infantry units (which were typicallytruck transported) an engineering unit would be labeled mechanized. In summary:

Engineering Unit Parent Unit (Typical) Transportation

Armored Armored Divisions Half-track

Mechanized Infantry Division or Corps Half-track

Motorized Infantry Division or Corps TruckParachute Airborne Truck

Engineering units considered themselves unique because of their extensive training, mobility, heavyequipment and weapons, and the ability to do it all. When things got tough they called in theengineers. Consequently the engineering units were often used as assault troops spearheading theadvances (albeit in small numbers).

Engineering Combat Groups were assigned to large parent units and consisted of 2-3 engineeringbattalions, bridging (heavy, light, medium, etc.) companies, and support units. Essentially they couldbe considered Engineering brigades or regiments, but they never operated alone or as whole units.Their forces were piece-mealed to those sectors, units etc. that needed support. As a result,

engineering units, unlike infantry and armor, were found in company sized units augmenting localforces.

24


25/33


Armored Engineering Battalion

Battalion Company HQ Unit Platoon 1 Platoon 2 Platoon 3 Platoon 4HQ (1) sqd(1) Trck


COMMO (1) sqd(1) trck

A (3) sqds(3) HTs

(3) sqds(3) HTs

(3) sqds(3) HTs

(3) 50cal HMG

B (3) sqds(3) HTs

(3) sqds(3) HTs

(3) sqds(3) HTs

(3) 50cal HMG

C (3) sqds(3) HTs

(3) sqds(3) HTs

(3) sqds(3) HTs

(3) 50cal HMG

D - Service HQ (2) trck (4) trck (4) trck (4) trck (4) trck

The service company (D) had light weight equipment for demolition, roadblocks, communication wiring, etc. It was not an assaultor attack company.

Vehicle and Infantry Unit Strength Chart

Unit Eng.Sctns 50calHMG HTs Trcks

Platoon 3 3Company 9 3 9Battalion 30 9 27 25

Mechanized Engineering Battalion


(1) TrckINTEL (1) sqd


(1) trck A (3) sqds

(3) HTs

(3) sqds

(3) HTs

(3) sqds

(3) HTs

(3) 50cal HMG

B (3) sqds(3) HTs

(3) sqds(3) HTs

(3) sqds(3) HTs

(3) 50cal HMG

C (3) sqds(3) HTs

(3) sqds(3) HTs

(3) sqds(3) HTs

(3) 50cal HMG




Unit Eng.Sctns

50calHMG

HTs Trcks

Platoon 3 3Company 9 3 9

Battalion 30 9 27 25

25


26/33


Motorized Engineering Battalion


(1) Trck

INTEL (1) sqd

(1) trck

COMMO (1) sqd

(1) trck A (3) sqds

(3) trcks(3) sqds(3) trcks

(3) sqds(3) trcks

(3) 50cal HMG

B (3) sqds(3) trcks

(3) sqds(3) trcks

(3) sqds(3) trcks

(3) 50cal HMG

C (3) sqds(3) trcks

(3) sqds(3) trcks

(3) sqds(3) trcks

(3) 50cal HMG




Unit Eng.Sctns

50calHMG

HTs Trcks

Platoon 3Company 9 3Battalion 30 9 52

Parachute Engineering Battalion


(2) jeepsINTEL (1) sqd


(1) trckA Parachute (3) sqds (3) sqds (3) sqds (3) 30cal HMG

B Parachute (3) sqds (3) sqds (3) sqds (3) 30cal HMG

C Glider (3) sqds(6) jeeps

(3) sqds(6) jeeps

(3) sqds(6) jeeps

(2) 50cal HMG(2) jeeps

D Glider (3) sqds(6) jeeps

(3) sqds(6) jeeps

(3) sqds(6) jeeps

(2) 50cal HMG(2) jeeps

E - Service HQ (2) trck (2) trck (2) trck (2) trck

The service company (E) had light weight equipment for demolition, roadblocks, communication wiring, etc. It was not an assaultor attack company. The service company was glider.


Unit Eng.Sctns

30calHMG

50calHMG

Jeeps HTs Trcks

Platoon 3 6Company 9 20

Battalion 39 6 4 42 10

26


27/33

Anti Tank Battalions

Originally (1943) the American AT units towed. They were copying the German and British organizationalstyles. Additionally, the few AT guns that were SP were not as effective as the towed guns.Consequently, most AT units were towed. The SP AT units were separate battalions operating from aCorp. or Army parent structure.

However North African experiences (space, lots of space) proved SP AT units were needed and critical.Towed AT units were not effective in forward operations (attacking, assaulting, etc.). Thus the Americancommand began to upgrade AT units to SP AT units. From my understanding AT (towed) or even TD(Tank Destroyer - SP AT) units were generally defensive weapons. They functioned as screen forces,stopping forces, delaying forces, counter attack (retake not advance) forces, etc.. This was counter to theGerman use of TD units (offensive and defensive weapons). Granted the Germans were increasinglyutilizing TDs because of their lack of tanks, but their TD (not open topped) also functioned as assaultguns.

The Americans seemed to use SP Artillery in assault gun roles, I believe, because their operations wereoffensive in nature. Advancing on semi-fixed positions with large tank reserves suits SP artillery. TheGermans had to use vehicles that could fulfill multiple roles (TD, Assault Gun, etc.). The Germans did not

have the luxury of specialized role vehicles (they were developed but production was very limited).

In either case, the American AT units were AT (Towed Anti Tank with infantry) or TD (Tank Destroyers -Self Propelled Anti Tank with armored or mechanized (armored infantry) forces).

27


28/33

Anti Tank Battalions

Tank Destroyer Battalion>Armored Anti Tank and Self Propelled Battalions

Battalion Company HQ Unit Platoon 1 Platoon 2 Platoon 3 Platoon 4HQ (2) M18

TD comp A (2) M18 (4) M18 (4) M18 (4) M18

TD comp B (2) M18 (4) M18 (4) M18 (4) M18

TD comp C (2) M10 (4) M10 (4) M10 (4) M10

The TDs could be M10 (Wolverines), M18 (Hellcats), or the M36s. Most TD units had a mixture of M10 / M18 or M18 / M36combinations. The M18s were very fast and allowed flexible TD deployment. They tended to have a support role.

Vehicle Unit Strength Chart

Unit M18 M10Platoon 4 4Company 14 14

Battalion 28 14

Anti Tank Battalion>Towed Infantry Anti Tank Battalions


(1) trck(2) 57mm AT

(2) trck AT comp A (2) sqd

(2) trck(3) 57mm AT

(3) trck(3) 57mm AT

(3) trck(3) 90mm AT

(3) trck AT comp B (2) sqd

(2) trck

(3) 57mm AT

(3) trck

(3) 57mm AT

(3) trck

(3) 90mm AT

(3) trck AT comp C (2) sqd(2) trck

(3) 57mm AT(3) trck

(3) 57mm AT(3) trck

(3) 90mm AT(3) trck

AT comp D (2) sqd(2) trck

(3) 37mm AT(3) jeeps



Vehicle Unit Strength Chart

Unit Inf Sqd 37mm 57mm 90mm Trck Jeep TotalPlatoon 3 3 3 3 3Company 2 9 6 3 11 9

Battalion 9 9 14 9 38 9 32

28


29/33

Artillery Battalions

Self Propelled Artillery Battalion>Armored Self Propelled Field Artillery Battalion

Battalion Company HQ Unit Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4HQ (1) sqd (1) trck

Battery 1 (1) sqd (1) trck (2) SP 105mm (2) SP 105mm (2) SP 105mm



Service (1) sqd (1) trck (2) trck (2) trck (2) trck

These units were assigned to armored divisions The third battery could be SP 155mm artillery. The service company carried ammunition and supplies.

Gun and Vehicle Unit Strength Chart

Unit SP 105mm Trck

Section 2Battery 6 1Battalion 18 11

Parachute Artillery Battalion>Towed Airborne Field Artillery Battalion

Battalion Company HQ Unit Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4HQ (1) sqd (1) jeep

Battery 1 (1) sqd (1) jeep (2) 75mm Art(2) jeeps

(2) 75mm Art(2) jeeps





Service (1) sqd (1) jeep (4) jeeps (4) jeeps

These units were assigned to airborne divisions The third battery could be SP 155mm artillery. The service company carried ammunition and supplies.


Unit Inf sqd 75mm JeepsSection 2 2Battery 1 4 5Battalion 5 12 25

29


30/33


Heavy Field Artillery Battalion>Towed Heavy Field Howitzer Battalion


Battery 1 (1) sqd (2) M5 (2) 240mm Art(2) M5

(2) 240mm Art(2) M5


(2) 240mm Art(2) M5


(2) 155mm Art(2) M5

Service (1) sqd (2) trck (4) trck (4) trck

These units were assigned to infantry corps.. M5s are tractors like prime movers. The service company carried ammunition and supplies.


Unit Inf sqd 240mm 155mm M5 Trck TotalSection 2 2 2Battery 1 4 4 6Battalion 5 8 4 18 11 12

Medium Field Artillery Battalion>Towed Medium Field Howitzer Battalion


Battery 1 (1) sqd(2) trck

(2) 155mm Art(2) trck


Battery 2 (1) sqd(2) trck (2) 155mm Art(2) trck (2) 155mm Art(2) trckBattery 3 (1) sqd

(2) trck(2) 105mm Art

(2) trck(2) 105mm Art

(2) trckService (1) sqd (2) trck (4) trck (4) trck

These units were assigned to infantry corps.. The service company carried ammunition and supplies.


Unit Inf sqd 155mm 105mm Trck TotalSection 2 2 2Battery 1 4 4 6Battalion 5 8 4 29 12

30


31/33


Light Field Artillery Battalion>Towed Light Field Howitzer Battalion












These units were assigned to infantry corps.. The service company carried ammunition and supplies.


Unit Inf sqd 105mm 75mm Jeeps Trck Total

Section 2 2 2 2Battery 1 4 4 4 6Battalion 5 8 4 4 25 12

Mixed Field Artillery Battalion>Towed Field Artillery Battalion





Battery 2 (1) sqd

(2) trck

(2) 105mm Art

(2) trck

(2) 105mm Art

(2) trckBattery 3 (1) sqd(2) trck




These units were assigned to infantry corps.. Commonly assigned as the organic artillery units for infantry divisions. The other were attached units. The service company carried ammunition and supplies.


Unit Inf sqd 155mm 105mm 75mm Trck TotalSection 2 2 2 2Battery 1 4 4 4 6Battalion 5 4 4 4 29 12

31


32/33

Anti Aircraft Battalions

Light AA Battalion>Towed Infantry or Airborne Light Anti Aircraft Battalion

Battalion Company HQ Unit Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4HQ (1) sqd (2) jeeps


(4) M1(4) trck

(4) M1(4) trck

(4) M55(4) trck

(4) M55(4) trck


(4) M1(4) trck

(4) M1(4) trck

(4) M55(4) trck

(4) M55(4) trck


(4) M1(4) trck

(4) M1(4) trck

(4) M55(4) trck

(4) M55(4) trck


(4) M1(4) trck

(4) M1(4) trck

(4) M55(4) trck

(4) M55(4) trck


M1s were 40mm AA guns. M55s are quad 50 cal AA guns.


Unit Inf sqd M55 M1 Trck TotalSection 2 2 2Battery 1 16 16 8Battalion 6 32 32 54 64

Armored Light AA Battalion>Self Propelled Light Anti Aircraft Battalion


Battery 1 (1) sqd (2) trck (4) M16 (4) M16 (4) M15 (4) M15





M16s were SP quad 50 cal AA guns. M15s were SP 37mm AA gun with 2 50 cal AA.


Unit Inf sqd M15 M16 Trck TotalSection 2 2 2Battery 1 16 16 8Battalion 6 32 32 54 64

32


33/33

Anti Aircraft Battalions

Heavy AA Battalion>Towed Heavy Anti Aircraft Battalion


Battery 1 (1) sqd (2) trck (2) 90mm AA (2) 90mm AA





All 90mm AA guns had trucks


Unit Inf sqd 90mm Trck TotalSection 2 2Battery 1 4 6Battalion 6 16 34 16

american units - ww2

Documents