What makes up a battalion
Posted:
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
Posted:
Fri May 25, 2012 7:00 pm
by Simon_Fielding
Might be a start here Allan
www.1914-1918.net/whatbatt.htmSimon
Re: What makes up a battalion
Posted:
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
Posted:
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
Posted:
Wed May 30, 2012 9:46 pm
by Simon_Fielding
No problem - happy to help!