US AB division structure

The Allies 1939-1945, and those fighting against Germany.

Moderator: John W. Howard

Post Reply
MadDog
Associate
Posts: 666
Joined: Thu Feb 20, 2003 7:39 pm

US AB division structure

Post by MadDog »

I am looking to establish the detailed TOE structure of a US airborne division for autumn 1944, (Europe). Usually I go to Stanton, but the entires for Chart 5 (AB division) and Chart 8 (AB regts and btls.) seem to contradict each other. Is there another good source of information ?

thanks,

Mad Dog
User avatar
Piet Duits
Associate
Posts: 726
Joined: Sat Sep 28, 2002 1:51 pm
Location: Oudenbosch, Nederland

Re: US AB division structure

Post by Piet Duits »

MadDog, I've sent you an e-mail.
Nur für den Dienstgebrauch
C.GILLONO
Supporter
Posts: 108
Joined: Wed Nov 17, 2004 11:45 am
Location: Paris-France

Re: US AB division structure

Post by C.GILLONO »

Amateurs talk tactics, historians study logistics, but what about amateur historians?
MadDog
Associate
Posts: 666
Joined: Thu Feb 20, 2003 7:39 pm

Re: US AB division structure

Post by MadDog »

Thanks for the link.

Mad Dog
Rich
Associate
Posts: 622
Joined: Sun Nov 17, 2002 9:36 am
Location: Somewhere Else Now

Re: US AB division structure

Post by Rich »

MadDog wrote:I am looking to establish the detailed TOE structure of a US airborne division for autumn 1944, (Europe). Usually I go to Stanton, but the entires for Chart 5 (AB division) and Chart 8 (AB regts and btls.) seem to contradict each other. Is there another good source of information ?
The US Army Airborne Division

T/O&E 71, 15 October 1942

The division consisted of the following (note in the following that personnel strengths are given as officers/warrant officers/NCO and enlisted, I will not list the equipment for division service elements such as Quartermaster, Medical and Ordnance unless you specifically ask for them):

Division total strength was 506/29/7970

Headquarters, Airborne Division (T/O 71-1), Strength 36/6/78, 82 Carbine Cal. .30, M1 and 29 Pistol Cal. .45

Headquarters Company, Airborne Division (T/O 71-2), Strength 5/0/75, 2 5-Passenger sedans, 62 Carbine Cal. 30 M1, 3 MG Cal. .50 HB, for truck mount, 1 Pistol Cal. .45, 17 Rifle Cal. .30 M1903, 1 Trailer, Mobile, Public Address, 12 Trailers, 1-ton Cargo, 3 Trucks ¼-ton, 3 Trucks ¾-Ton Weapons Carrier, 10 Trucks, 2 ½-ton

Military Police Platoon (T/O 19-97), Strength 2/0/36, 35 Carbine Cal. .30 M1, 2 Motorcycle, solo, 3 Pistol Cal. .45, 1 Trailer, 1-ton Cargo, 4 Truck ¼-Ton, 1 Truck, 2 ½ -Ton

Division Artillery (T/O 6-200), Strength 79/8/1337, 1391 Carbine Cal. .30 M1, 4 Gun AT 37mm AT or 40mm AA, 58 MG Cal. .50 HB, 36 Howitzer, 75mm Pack, 177 Launcher, AT Rocket, 33 Pistol Cal. .45, 27 Trailer ¼-Ton, 25 Trailer 1-Ton, Cargo, 102 Truck ¼-Ton, 5 Truck ¾-Ton Weapons Carrier, 25 Truck 2 ½-Ton, 20 Hand Cart

Parachute Infantry Regiment (T/O 7-31), Strength 129/5/1824, 2 Ambulance, 1 5-Passenger Sedan, 495 Carbine Cal. .30 M1, 132 MG, light Cal. .30, 154 SMG, Cal. .45, 27 Mortar 60mm, 12 Mortar 81mm, 1,753 Pistol Cal. .45, 1,059 Rifle Cal. .30 M1, 114 Rifle Cal. .30 M1903, 14 Trailer 1-Ton Cargo, 13 Truck ¼-Ton, 8 Truck ¾-Ton Command, 10 Truck 2 ½-Ton

2 Glider Infantry Regiments (T/O 7-51), Strength (each) 64/3/1538, 29 Bicycle, 635 Carbine Cal. .30 M1, 8 Gun 37mm AT or 40mm AA, 8 MG, heavy Cal. .30, 12 MG, light Cal. .30, 3 MG Cal. .50 HB, for truck mount, 24 Mortar 60mm, 12 Mortar 81mm, 136 Pistol Cal. .45, 672 Rifle Cal. .30 M1, 120 Rifle Cal. .30 M1903, 42 Rifle Automatic Cal. .30, 12 Trailer ¼-Ton, 15 Truck ¼-Ton, 1 Truck ¾-Ton Weapons Carrier, 10 Truck 2 ½-Ton, 76 Hand Cart

Engineer Battalion (T/O 6-225), Strength 23/2/401, 10 Bicycle, 253 Carbine Cal. .30 M1, 124 Carbine Cal. .30 M1A1, 2 Gun 37mm AT or 40mm AA, 15 MG, light Cal. .30, 33 SMG Cal. .45, 15 Pistol Cal. .45, 16 Rifle Cal. .30 M1903, 18 Trailer ¼-Ton, 4 Trailer 1-Ton Cargo, 19 Truck ¼-Ton, 4 Truck 2 ½-Ton, 27 Flame thrower

Airborne Antiaircraft Battalion (T/O 4-275), Strength 27/1/452, 353 Carbine Cal. .30 M1, 24 Gun 37mm AT or 40mm AA, 36 MG Cal. .50 HB, 2 Pistol Cal. .45, 125 Rifle Cal. .30 M1903, 43 Trailer ¼-Ton, 43 Truck ¼-Ton, 2 Truck ¾-Ton Weapons Carrier

Quartermaster Company (T/O 10-327), Strength 4/0/86

Signal Company (T/O 11-537), Strength 4/0/81

Medical Company (T/O 8-37), Strength 20/0/195

Ordnance Company (T/O 9-87), Strength 7/1/69

On 24 February 1944 two changes were incorporated into the overall division organization, but it remained substantially the same as before, at least on paper.

Division total strength, including attached chaplain, medical and band, was 519/46/7991

Division Headquarters, Strength 39/6/87, 103 Carbine Cal. .30 M1, 19 Pistol Cal. .45

HQ & HQ Company, Strength 4/0/58, 1 5-Passenger Sedan, 57 Carbine Cal. .30 M1, 3 MG Cal. .50 HB, 10 Launcher, AT Rocket, 1 Pistol Cal. .45, 4 Motor Scooter, 12 Trailer ¼-Ton, 10 Trailer 1-Ton, 9 Truck ¼-Ton, 5 Truck ¾-Ton Weapons Carrier, 10 Truck 2 ½-Ton Cargo

Division Artillery, Strength 95/10/1243, 8 Airplane, Liaison, 1093 Carbine Cal. .30 M1, 26 Hand Cart, 37 MG Cal. .50 HB, 40 Howitzer 75-mm, 173 Launcher, AT Rocket, 255 Pistol Cal. .45, 50 Motor Scooter, 79 Trailer ¼-Ton, 27 Trailer 1-Ton, 111 Truck ¼-Ton, 8 Truck ¾-Ton Weapons Carrier, 27 Truck 2 ½-Ton Cargo

Parachute Regiment, Strength 102/7/1859, 1093 Carbine Cal. .30 M1, 34 Hand Cart, 132 MG, light Cal. .30, 4 MG Cal. .50, 54 SMG Cal. .45, 73 Launcher, AT Rocket, 27 Mortar 60mm, 12 Mortar 81mm, 11 Pistol Cal. .45, 859 Rifle Cal. .30 M1, 27 Rifle Cal. .30 M1903A4, 52 Motor Scooter, 15 Trailer ¼-Ton, 13 Trailer 1-Ton, 15 Truck ¼-Ton, 1 Truck ¾-Ton Weapons Carrier, 15 Truck 2 ½-Ton Cargo

2 Glider Infantry Regiments, Strength (each) 73/7/1474, 814 Carbine Cal. .30 M1, 96 Hand Cart, 8 Gun 37mm AT, 12 MG, light, Cal. .30, 8 MG, heavy Cal. .30, 3 MG Cal. .50 HB, 36 SMG Cal. .45, 81 Launcher, AT Rocket, 24 Mortar 60mm, 12 Mortar 81mm, 9 Pistol Cal. .45, 36 Rifle, automatic Cal. .30, 683 Rifle Cal. .30 M1, 12 Rifle Cal. .30 M1903A4, 29 Motor Scooter, 13 Trailer ¼-Ton, 10 Trailer 1-Ton, 21 Truck ¼-Ton, 1 Truck ¾-Ton Weapons Carrier, 10 Truck 2 ½-Ton Cargo

Engineer Battalion, Strength 21/2/374, 2 Compressor, trailer-mount, 4 Tractor, crawler-type, 10 Trailer ½-Ton Dump, 138 Carbine Cal. .30 M1, 18 Hand Cart, 11 MG, light Cal. .30, 18 SMG Cal. .45, 25 Launcher, AT Rocket, 3 Pistol, Cal. .45, 256 Rifle Cal. .30 M1, 25 Motor Scooter, 8 Trailer ¼-Ton, 4 Trailer 1-Ton, 18 Truck ¼-Ton, 1 Truck 2 ½-Ton Cargo, 4 Truck 2 ½-Ton Dump

Antiaircraft Battalion, Strength 29/2/458, 438 Carbine Cal. .30 M1, 42 hand Cart, 24 Gun 37mm AA, 36 MG Cal. .50 HB, 48 SMG Cal. .45, 3 Pistol Cal. .45, 15 Motor Scooter, 44 Trailer ¼-Ton, 2 Trailer 1-Ton, 44 Truck ¼-Ton, 2 Truck ¾-Ton Weapons Carrier, 2 Truck 2 ½-Ton Cargo

Medical Company 21/0/183

Ordnance Company 7/1/67

Parachute Maintenance Company 3/1/128

Quartermaster Company 5/0/82

Signal Company 7/1/123

MP Platoon 2/0/34

Attached Chaplain 5/0/0 (Not given in the original 15 October 1942 T/O, but likely present in about the same numbers)

Attached Medical 33/0/295 (Not given in the original 15 October 1942 T/O, but likely present in about the same numbers)

Attached Band 0/2/56 (Not given in the original 15 October 1942 T/O, but likely present in about the same numbers)

Note that the organizational history of each of the five airborne divisions (11th, 13th, 17th, 82nd, and 101st) was all slightly different, but all began with this basic organization. The divisions organized as follows:

11th Airborne with the 187th and 188th Glider Infantry and 511th Parachute Infantry Regiments
13th Airborne with the 189th and 190th Glider Infantry and 513th Parachute Infantry Regiments
17th Airborne with the 193rd and 194th Glider Infantry and 517th Parachute Infantry Regiments
82nd Airborne with the 325th and 326th Glider Infantry and 504th Parachute Infantry Regiments
101st Airborne with the 327th and 401st Glider Infantry and 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiments

In addition, a Separate 88th Glider Infantry Battalion (later expanded to a regiment) was formed, along with the 501st, 503rd, 505th, 506th, 507th, 508th, 509th, 515th, 541st, 542nd, and 551st Parachute Infantry Regiments, Separate (although the 509th, 542nd and 551st actually only consisted of single battalions) and the 550th Airborne (actually a Glider Infantry Battalion) and 555th Parachute Infantry Battalions, Separate.

By the end of the war the divisional organization (assigned and attached regiments) was:

11th Airborne with the 187th and 188th Para-Glider Infantry, and 511th Parachute Infantry Regiments
13th Airborne with the 326th Glider Infantry and 515th and 517th Parachute Infantry Regiments
17th Airborne with the 194th Glider Infantry and the 507th and 513th Parachute Infantry Regiments
82nd Airborne with the 325th Glider Infantry and the 504th and 505th Parachute Infantry Regiments
101st Airborne with the 327th Glider Infantry and the 502nd and 506th Parachute Infantry Regiments

The 501st Parachute Infantry was attached to the 101st Airborne for the duration of the European Campaign.
The 503rd Parachute Infantry remained active as a Separate Regiment in the Pacific Theater.
The 508th Parachute Infantry was attached to the 82nd Airborne for almost the duration of the European Campaign (it was attached to the 7th Armored Division 21-23 January 1945).
The 509th Parachute Infantry was disbanded 1 March 1945.
The 541st Parachute Infantry was used to form 3rd Battalions for the 187th and 188th Glider Infantry of the 11th Airborne, forming so-called Para-Glider Regiments.
The 542nd Parachute Infantry remained at the Airborne School for the duration
The 551st Parachute Infantry was disbanded 10 February 1945.
The 555th Parachute Infantry remained at the Airborne School for the duration.
The 550th Airborne Infantry was disbanded 1 March 1945, with its assets going to form the 3rd Battalion of the 194th Glider Infantry.
The 88th Glider Infantry was disbanded 1 March 1945, with its assets going to form the 3rd Battalion of the 326th Glider Infantry.
The 189th Glider Infantry was disbanded 8 December 1943.
The 190th Glider Infantry was disbanded 4 December 1943.
The 193rd Glider Infantry was disbanded 1 March 1945 with its remaining assets going as replacements to the 194th Glider Infantry.
The 401st Glider Infantry was disbanded 1 March 1945. Prior to D-Day the regiment was split with the HQ and 1st Battalion remaining with the 101st as the 3rd Battalion of the 327th Glider Infantry and the 2nd Battalion going to the 82nd Airborne as the 3rd Battalion of the 325th Glider Infantry.

Airborne Division, T/O 71-T, 16 December 1944

This “Test” organization incorporated many of the changes already made in the field by the 82nd and 101st Airborne. Major changes were the formation of a Divisional Reconnaissance Platoon, adding a third battalion to the glider regiment, adding an AT element to the AAA Battalion, and concurrently reducing the number of glider regiments in each division to one while increasing the number of parachute regiments to two. The number of Field Artillery Battalions was increased by one so that the division artillery consisted of two parachute and two glider battalions (the glider battalions were to have 16 guns each while the parachute battalions were to have 12).

Divisional Reconnaissance Platoon: I have been unable to discover a detailed TO&E for this unit.


The Parachute Infantry Regiment

The original Parachute Infantry Regiment T/O of October 1942 was no different from that of February 1944. Both included 140 officers, 5 warrant officers and 1,884 NCO and enlisted men. Crew-served weapons strength was also the same. The only real difference was in the allocation of small arms. The original organization called for a total of 495 carbines, 1,173 rifles (M1 and M1903), 154 SMG, and 1,753 pistols (effectively just about everyone had a pistol). By February 1944 this was adjusted to a total of 1,098 carbines, 886 rifles, 54 SMG, and only 11 pistols. It appears that the 82nd Airborne utilized the original T/O & E in the Mediterranean. Otherwise, from D-Day on the February 44 organization was used, with modifications, until the December 1944 Test Organization was approved. The Test Organization actually just recognized changes that were already in effect in the divisions, but it is unclear when all of them were made. I will note my understanding of when those changes occurred where I can.

T/O&E 7-31, 24 February 1944

Regimental HQ Company, Strength 15/1/109
HQ – 8/0/0, 3 carbines, 5 pistols
S-1 Section – 0/0/5, 1 bazooka, 2 rifles, 3 carbines
S-2 Section – 0/0/12, 12 carbines
Company HQ – 3/0/12, 1 bazooka, 8 rifles, 7 carbines
Signal Platoon – 1/1/40
HQ – 1/1/1, 3 carbines
Message Center – 0/0/9, 4 rifles, 5 carbines
Wire Section – 0/0/13, 13 carbines, 2 hand carts
Radio Section – 0/0/17, 17 carbines, 2 hand carts
Demolition Platoon – 3/0/40
HQ – 3/0/4, 1 rifle, 6 carbines
3 Sections (each) – 0/0/12, 1 bazooka, 12 rifles
Regimental Service Company, Strength 6/3/85
HQ – 2/0/25, 5 bazookas, 3 rifles, 24 carbines, 2 2.5-Ton trucks, 1 Jeep and ¼-Ton Trailer, 2 Motor Scooters
Regimental HQ Platoon – 4/2/24, 2 rifles, 28 carbines, 2 Jeeps and ¼-Ton Trailers, 6 Hand Carts
Transport Platoon – 0/1/36
3 Battalion Sections (each) – 0/0/8, 1 .50 Cal MG, 4 rifles, 1 carbine, 4 2.5-Ton Trucks and 1-Ton Trailers, 3 Jeeps and ¼-Ton Trailers
Regimental HQ Company Section – 0/0/5, 1 .50 Cal MG, 7 rifles, 1 carbine, 1 2.5-Ton Truck and 1-Ton Trailer, 3 Jeeps and ¼-Ton Trailers, 14 Motor Scooters
Maintenance section – 0/1/7, 1 ¾-Ton Truck, 1 rifle, 7 carbines
Attached Chaplain – 2/0/0
Attached Medical – 10/0/92
HQ Section – 4/0/20, 2 ¾-Ton Ambulance, 2 Jeeps and ¼-Ton Trailer
3 Battalion Sections (each) – 2/0/24

3 Parachute Infantry Battalions (each) – 27/1/555
HQ Company – 12/1/180
Battalion HQ – 5/1/0, 4 carbines, 2 pistols
HQ Platoon – 0/0/77
Bn HQ Section – 0/0/15, 9 rifles, 6 carbines
Mess Section – 0/0/22, 22 carbines
Supply Section – 0/0/13, 13 carbines
Signal Section – 0/0/27, 4 rifles, 23 carbines, 4 hand carts
Company HQ – 4/0/15, 3 bazookas, 11 rifles, 8 carbines
Mortar Platoon – 2/0/42
HQ – 2/0/4, 3 bazookas, 6 carbines
2 Mortar Sections (each) – 0/0/19, 19 carbines, 2 81mm mortars, 2 hand carts
2 Mortar Squads (each) – 0/0/9, 1 mortar, 9 carbines, 1 cart
LMG Platoon – 1/0/46
HQ – 1/0/4, 3 bazookas, 5 carbines
2 LMG Sections (each) – 0/0/21, 4 .30 Cal M1919A4 LMG, 21 carbines
4 LMG Squads (each) – 0/0/5, 1 LMG, 5 carbines
3 Rifle Companies (each) – 5/0/125
HQ – 2/0/20, 1 bazooka, 15 rifles, 7 carbines, 6 SMG
3 Rifle Platoons (each) – 1/0/35
HQ – 1/0/5, 1 bazooka, 4 rifles, 1 M1903A4 or M1C rifle, 2 carbines
2 Rifle Squads (each) – 0/0/12, 9 rifles, 3 carbines, 2 .30 Cal M1919A6 LMG
Mortar Squad – 0/0/6, 6 carbines, 1 60mm mortar

Notes:
The SMG in the rifle company headquarters were to be assigned as the company commander “saw fit” to add additional firepower at the rifle squad.
The second M1919A6 in the rifle squad was a “spare” held for use “as directed.” (It appears likely that the intention was that since these were dropped in equipment canisters it was possible one would be lost, so the ‘spare’ would be used. I know of no instance where the squad manned and equipped both at the same time, although conceivably it could have been done.)

T/O & E 7-31T, 16 December 1944

Changes at the regimental level were fairly minor. A mess section was added to the regimental HQ Company (0/0/7, 7 rifles) and 75 carbines were replaced by rifles.

More changes were made to the Service Company:

Service Company – (6/3/105)
Company HQ – 2/0/19, 2 2.5-Ton Trucks and 1-Ton Trailer, 1 Jeep and ¼-Ton Trailer, 2 motorcycles, 5 bazookas, 19 rifles, 2 carbines
Regimental HQ Platoon – 4/2/25, 1 2.5-Ton Truck and 1-Ton Trailer, 2 Jeeps and ¼-Ton Trailer, 6 hand carts, 25 rifles, 6 carbines
Transport Platoon – 0/1/61
3 Bn Sections (each) – 0/0/15, 8 2.5-Ton Trucks and 1-Ton Trailer, 6 Jeeps and ¼-Ton Trailer, 12 motorcycles, 2 .50 Cal MG, 15 rifles
Headquarters Section – 0/0/6, 2 2.5-Ton Trucks and 1-Ton Trailer, 3 Jeeps and ¼-Ton Trailer, 14 motorcycles, 1 .50 Cal MG, 6 rifles
Maintenance Section – 0/1/10, 1 2.5-Ton Truck and Trailer, 10 rifles, 1 carbine

The Parachute Rifle Battalion changed more dramatically:

HQ Company – 12/1/165
Battalion HQ – 5/1/0, 4 carbines, 2 pistols
HQ Platoon –
HQ Section – 0/0/15, 15 rifles
Supply Section – 0/0/12, 2 rifles
Signal Section – 0/0/27, 12 carbines, 15 rifles
Company HQ – 3/0/23, 3 bazookas, 4 carbines, 22 rifles
Mortar Platoon – 3/0/42
HQ – 1/0/4, 3 bazookas, 1 carbine, 4 rifles
2 Mortar Sections (each) – 1/0/19, 5 carbines, 14 rifles, 2 81mm mortars, 2 hand carts
2 Mortar Squads (each) – 0/0/9, 1 mortar, 2 carbines, 7 rifles, 1 cart
LMG Platoon – 1/0/46
HQ – 1/0/4, 3 bazookas, 1 carbine, 4 rifles
2 LMG Sections (each) – 0/0/21, 4 .30 Cal M1919A4 LMG, 8 carbines, 13 rifles
4 LMG Squads (each) – 0/0/5, 1 LMG, 2 carbines, 3 rifles
3 Rifle Companies
Company HQ – 2/0/27, 1 bazooka, 27 rifles, 2 carbines, 6 SMG
3 Rifle Platoons (each) – 2/0/47
HQ – 1/0/5, 1 bazooka, 1 M1C sniper rifle, 2 carbines, 4 rifles
3 Rifle Squads (each) – 0/0/12, 1 .30 Cal M1919A6 LMG, 1 BAR, 10 rifles, 2 carbines
1 Mortar Squad – 0/0/6, 2 carbines, 4 rifles, 1 60mm mortar

Note: The new rifle squad organization replaced the second ‘spare’ M1919A6 LMG with a BAR, which became the new ‘spare’ automatic weapon for the squad. It is difficult to say now which was used more often, but it appears that by late war the BAR was strongly favored.

The Glider Infantry Regiment

T/O & E 7-51, 24 February 1944

HQ Company – 13/2/130
Regiment HQ – 8/1/0, 4 carbines, 5 pistols
Company HQ – 2/0/13, 7 bazookas, 9 rifles, 6 carbines
S-2 Section, 0/0/11, 2 rifles, 9 carbines
S-3 Section – 0/0/5, 2 rifles, 3 carbines
Signal Platoon – 1/1/43, 4 rifles, 41 carbines, 4 handcarts
2 AT Platoons (each) – 1/0/29, 4 37mm (57mm by D-Day) AT guns, 4 bazookas, 2 rifles, 28 carbines, 4 handcarts (for D-Day it appears that the handcarts were replaced by 3 Jeeps with ¼-Ton Trailer for ammunition and 3 Jeeps as prime movers for the guns, with another jeep for the platoon leader, see below).

Service Company – 6/3/84
Company HQ – 2/0/21, 10 bazookas, 7 rifles, 20 carbines, 1 2 ½-Ton Truck with 1-Ton Trailer, 1 Jeep with ¼-Ton Trailer
Regimental HQ Platoon – 4/2/22, 4 rifles, 24 carbines, 1 Jeep with ¼-Ton Trailer
Transport Platoon – 0/1/37, 9 2 ½-Ton Trucks with 1-Ton Trailer, 19 Jeeps with 11 ¼-Ton Trailers, 29 Motor Scooters, 3 .50 Cal MG, 27 rifles, 11 carbines

2 Glider Infantry Battalions (each) – 27/1/630
HQ and Service Company
Battalion HQ – 5/1/0, 5 carbines, 2 pistols
Battalion HQ Platoon – 0/0/79, 9 rifles, 70 carbines, 4 handcarts
Company HQ – 4/0/15, 10 bazookas, 11 rifles, 8 carbines
MG Platoon – 1/0/34, 4 .30 Cal M1919A4 LMG, 2 rifles, 33 carbines, 4 handcarts
3 Glider Rifle Companies (each) – 5/0/147
Company HQ – 2/0/22, 6 bazookas, 17 rifles, 7 carbines, 6 SMG, 2 handcarts
2 Rifle Platoons (each) – 1/0/41, 3 BAR, 37 rifles, 1 carbine, 1 M1903A4 or M1C sniper rifle
Weapons Platoon – 1/0/43, 4 60mm mortars, 2 .30Cal M191A4 LMG, 5 rifles, 39 carbines, 6 handcarts

Attached Medical – 7/0/66, 2 ¾-Ton Ambulance, 3 Jeeps with ¼-Ton Trailer

Attached Chaplain – 1/0/0

The 16 December 1944 Test Organization:

HQ Company
Regimental HQ – 8/0/0, 4 carbines, 4 pistols
Company HQ – 2/0/20, 1 .50 Cal MG, 4 bazookas, 13 rifles, 9 carbines, 3 SMG, 1 ¾-Ton Truck, 4 Jeeps with ¼-Ton Trailer
Signal Platoon – 1/1/47, 40 rifles, 9 carbines, 1 2 ½-Ton Truck with 1-Ton Trailer, 8 Jeeps with 4 ¼-Ton Trailers
I&R Platoon – 1/0/24, 1 .50 Cal MG, 23 rifles, 2 carbines, 7 Jeeps

Service Company – 11/4/100
Company HQ – 2/1/20, 8 bazookas, 14 rifles, 8 carbines, 1 pistol, 1 2 ½-Ton Truck with 1-Ton Trailer, 2 ¾-Ton Trucks, 2 Jeeps
Regimental HQ Platoon – 4/2/29, 22 rifles, 13 carbines, 1 2 ½-Ton Truck
Transport Platoon – 5/1/51, 8 .50 Cal MG, 46 rifles, 11 carbines, 26 2 ½-Ton Trucks with 17 1-Ton Trailers, 6 Jeeps

Antitank Company – 7/0/163
HQ – 3/0/27, 1 .50 Cal MG, 19 rifles, 11 carbines, 1 1 ½-Ton Truck, 4 Jeeps
3 AT Platoons (each) – 1/0/35, 3 57mm AT guns, 3 bazookas, 10 rifles, 11 carbines, 15 pistols, 7 Jeeps with 3 ¼-Ton Trailers
Mine Platoon – 1/0/31, 28 rifles, 4 carbines, 7 Jeeps with ¼-Ton Trailer

3 Glider Infantry Battalions (each) – 35/0/828
HQ Company – 9/0/115
Battalion HQ – 4/0/0, 2 carbines, 2 pistols
Battalion HQ Section – 0/0/13, 10 rifles, 1 jeep, 3 carbines
Company HQ – 2/0/19, 6 .30 Cal M1919A4 LMG, 2 bazookas, 14 rifles, 7 carbines, 2 SMG, 1 ¾-Ton Truck, 1 Jeep
Signal Platoon – 1/0/22, 17 riles, 6 carbines, 5 Jeeps with 2 ¼-Ton Trailers
AT Platoon, 1/0/35, 3 57mm AT guns, 3 bazookas, 9 rifles, 12 carbines, 15 pistols, 7 Jeeps with 3 ¼-Ton Trailers
Weapons Company – 8/0/152
Company HQ – 2/0/26, 1 .50 Cal MG, 17 rifles, 11 carbines, 2 Jeeps with 1 ¼-Ton Trailer
Mortar Platoon – 4/0/56, 6 81mm Mortars, 2 bazookas, 11 rifles, 31 carbines, 18 pistols, 7 Jeeps with 6 ¼-Ton Trailers
2 MG Platoons (each) – 1/0/35, 4 .30 Cal M1917A1 HMG, 2 bazookas, 8 rifles, 20 carbines, 8 pistols, 5 Jeeps with 4 ¼-Ton Trailers
3 Rifle Companies (each) – 6/0/193
HQ – 2/0/33, 5 bazookas, 6 BAR, 26 rifles, 9 carbines, 6 SMG
3 Rifle Platoons (each) – 1/0/40, 3 BAR, 36 rifles, 1 sniper rifle, 1 carbine
Weapons Platoon – 1/0/34, 3 60mm mortars, 1 .50 Cal MG, 2 .30 Cal M1919A4 LMG, 2 Jeeps with ¼-Ton Trailers

Small Unite Details:

Parachute Rifle Squad – Sergeant, corporal, 10 privates. The LMG team was usually comprised of the corporal and two privates (gunner, assistant gunner and ammo bearer), all with carbines as personal weapons in addition to the M1919A6 LMG. In the December 1944 Test organization the carbine of the ammo bearer was replaced by a rifle. All other members of the squad were equipped with rifles. One rifleman per squad was issued with a grenade launcher for fitting to his rifle, this was the same as in the standard infantry squads.

Parachute 60mm Mortar Squad – Sergeant, 5 privates (gunner, assistant gunner, 3 ammo bearers). All had carbines until December 1944 when the sergeant gunner and the ammo bearers were given rifles.

Parachute Rifle Platoon HQ – 1st Lieutenant, Tech Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, 3 privates (2 messengers and an RTO). The lieutenant and staff sergeant carried carbines until December 1944 when the staff sergeant was given a rifle. Also in December 1944 a 2nd Lieutenant with a carbine was assigned as assistant platoon leader. All other personnel carried rifles. The HQ also had a bazooka and a sniper rifle (M1903A4 or M1C) to be assigned as the platoon leader saw fit.

Parachute Rifle Company HQ – Captain, 1st Lieutenant (XO), First Sergeant, Staff Sergeant (Supply), Sergeant (Communications), Corporal (Company Clerk), 16 privates (armorer, bugler, two messengers, RTO, 11 ‘fillers’). The officers, NCO and armorer all carried carbines, the 15 other privates carried rifles. The HQ also had a bazooka and 6 SMG to be assigned in the company as the platoon leader saw fit. In December 1944 all except the two officers were equipped with rifles and another private was added with a rifle. Also in 1944 a company mess section was created from the former battalion HQ platoon mess section, with a Staff Sergeant and five privates.

Parachute 81mm Mortar Squad – Sergeant (Squad Leader), Corporal (Gunner), 7 privates (assistant gunner and 6 ammo bearers). All had carbines in addition to the mortar and the squad had a handcart to help carry ammunition. In December 1944 the sergeant and ammo bearers had rifles.

Parachute LMG Squad (battalion) – Sergeant, 4 privates (gunner, assistant gunner, 2 ammo bearers) all had carbines in addition to the M191A4 LMG. In December 1944 the sergeant and 2 ammo bearers had rifles.

The Glider Infantry Rifle Squad – 1 Sergeant, 1 Corporal, 10 privates, 1 BAR, 11 rifles. One man was also equipped with a grenade launcher. The Rifle Platoon Headquarters consisted of a 1st Lieutenant, Technical Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, and 3 privates (2 messengers and an RTO), exactly as for a Parachute Rifle Platoon HQ (the same changes were also incorporated in December 1944).

The Glider 60mm Mortar Squad, 81mm Mortar Squad and LMG Squad was organized and equipped as for the Parachute Infantry Battalion and underwent the same changes in December 1944.

The AT Squad as it was actually organized in June 1944 and as it was officially organized as of December 1944 consisted of a Staff Sergeant, Corporal (Gunner), and 9 privates (4 cannoneers, 3 ammo bearers, and two drivers). The gunner and cannoneers all had pistols, the ammo bearers carbines, and the sergeant and drivers had rifles.
Brad Hunter
Member
Posts: 30
Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2011 11:16 am

Re: US AB division structure

Post by Brad Hunter »

Adding to Rich's post, JJ Hays T/O & E series is excellent - see Volume 3, Parts I and II:

http://www.militarypress.co.uk/us_milit ... oundForces
Rich
Associate
Posts: 622
Joined: Sun Nov 17, 2002 9:36 am
Location: Somewhere Else Now

Re: US AB division structure

Post by Rich »

Brad Hunter wrote:Adding to Rich's post, JJ Hays T/O & E series is excellent - see Volume 3, Parts I and II:

http://www.militarypress.co.uk/us_milit ... oundForces
Yes they are. I am glad to see that he continued with them - I got the first edition of Volume 1 years ago and never followed up on them since I have access to the material he developed them from so couldn't justify the expense.

Cheers!
MadDog
Associate
Posts: 666
Joined: Thu Feb 20, 2003 7:39 pm

Re: US AB division structure

Post by MadDog »

Rich, I sincerely hope you already had that information in a file, and didnt spend 2 hours typing it in ! Aaiieee !

Thanks very much for the info. This should be more than enough to nail the questions that I had....except for this one:

Were glider infantry given special airborne training, or were they "standard" infantrymen in gliders ? Of course, one could argue that you have to be pretty above standard to be willing to drop from the sky in a balsawood rock^^^^er.....glider.

Mad Dog
Rich
Associate
Posts: 622
Joined: Sun Nov 17, 2002 9:36 am
Location: Somewhere Else Now

Re: US AB division structure

Post by Rich »

MadDog wrote:Rich, I sincerely hope you already had that information in a file, and didnt spend 2 hours typing it in ! Aaiieee !

Thanks very much for the info. This should be more than enough to nail the questions that I had....except for this one:

Were glider infantry given special airborne training, or were they "standard" infantrymen in gliders ? Of course, one could argue that you have to be pretty above standard to be willing to drop from the sky in a balsawood rock^^^^er.....glider.

Mad Dog
Don't worry, it's all canned, which is all I have time for anymore - life is still exciting.

Glider infantry were just regular infantry re-organized, the 82nd ID provided the first three regiments by conversion of their infantry regiments when it became the 82nd Airborne. About all they were taught was how to load and how to ride it out.
MadDog
Associate
Posts: 666
Joined: Thu Feb 20, 2003 7:39 pm

Re: US AB division structure

Post by MadDog »

Thanks again Rich. I wonder if they were issued barf-bags ? : )

Mad Dog
Post Reply