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What makes up a battalion

PostPosted: Tue May 22, 2012 10:14 pm
by allanp
Hi All

Could someone help me with the following.

What makes up a Battalion? A battalion consists of roughly 1000 men but how are the men sub-divided in numbers until they get to the smallest unit?

Regards Allan

Re: What makes up a battalion

PostPosted: Fri May 25, 2012 7:00 pm
by Simon_Fielding
Might be a start here Allan

www.1914-1918.net/whatbatt.htm

Simon

Re: What makes up a battalion

PostPosted: Fri May 25, 2012 10:28 pm
by peter
Hi Allan,

From Stacke (The Worcesterhire Regiment in the Great War).

Notes on the organization of the Army in 1914.

A Battalion at full war strength consisted of approximately one thousand fighting men (actually 1,024 of all ranks), commanded by a Lieutenant-Colonel, who was assisted by a Second-in-Command (the senior Major), an Adjutant and a Quartermaster. The Battalion was subdivided into Battalion Headquarters (which included the Battalion Signallers, Transport, Machine-guns, Band and Drums) and four Companies. Each Company was commanded by a Captain (or a Major) and consisted of some two hundred of all ranks, subdivided into four platoons. Each platoon commanded by a Subalton (Lieutenant or Second-Lieutenant) assisted by a Sergeant and mustered about forty soldiers armed with rifle and bayonet.

Hope this helps.

Regards

Peter

Re: What makes up a battalion

PostPosted: Wed May 30, 2012 9:40 pm
by allanp
Hi Simon & Peter

I apologise for not getting back to you both sooner. Thanks for the information. Something I have always wondered about.

Regards Allan

Re: What makes up a battalion

PostPosted: Wed May 30, 2012 9:46 pm
by Simon_Fielding
No problem - happy to help!