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Subject: What organic support assets does an infantry battalion need?
Yimmy    11/27/2007 3:10:47 PM
I'm sure people have figured by now that I like debating about structure of the infantry, and I was wondering what maneuver support assets you thought were needed? Just something which occured to me after I think Albany mentioned American support companies being as many as 300 odd strong. I believe British infantry battalions aim for an HQ company, three rifle companies (each with three platoons (of three sections plus a maneuver support section) and an HQ section) and a maneuver support company. In the HQ and maneuver support companies, what support assets should be organic to the battalion, and in which of the two companies? Javelin anti-tank platoon? (6 launchers?) 81mm mortar platoon? (6 tubes?) Sustained Fire GPMG platoon? (9 guns?) Starstreak HVM anti-air platoon? (9 single or 3 tripple launchers?) Reconnaissance platoon? Assault pioneer / engineer platoon? Sniper platoon? Signals platoon? Support medic field hospital platoon? Support drivers platoon? Support electrical & mecahnical engineer platoon? Support field kitchen platoon? Support carrier pigeon platoon? You could make a battalion of support platoons alone.
 
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murabit821       11/27/2007 5:25:58 PM
this last post is for Dimitri
 
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murabit821       11/27/2007 5:37:02 PM
different between light role infantry battalion and TA battalion
TA battalion dont have manuver support company , just three rifle company each with 2x rifle platoon and one support platoon
that support platoon have
Mortars section 2x 81mm mortar
GPMG section
Assault pioneer section
AT section 2x Milan



 
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Yimmy       11/27/2007 5:58:32 PM

different between light role infantry battalion and TA battalion
TA battalion dont have manuver support company , just three rifle company each with 2x rifle platoon and one support platoon
that support platoon have
Mortars section 2x 81mm mortar
GPMG section
Assault pioneer section
AT section 2x Milan




This isn't completely correct.  It is true that a TA battalion is different to a regular battalion, however this is more for administrive reasons of less personel, less training hours, and the localised nature of the TA.  For instance, a regular SF gun platoon has 9 guns in 3 detachments, while a TA platoon has 6 guns in 2 detatchments.  The reason the support platoons are attached to rifle companies, is that people parade close to where they live out of convienience.  Having a support platoon in each company allows for the more experienced soldiers to get into these platoons, without having to travel for miles.  TA Companies often have numerous TA centres themselves, and the support platoons are often broken down further into detachments to suit. 
 
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Dimitri       11/27/2007 6:00:58 PM
Yes, I thought that if I was ever a Brigade Commander (hahahahaha! ha! as if) on the offensive with 3 infantry battalions and a cavalry regiment, I'd want to give each of my battalions a squadron of tanks for direct fire support, but then say if you have one battlegroup that succeeds in breaking the enemy's line, you may not have another whole battlegroup ready to go. In that particular case, a squadron of Challenger 2's roaring through that gap and prowling around the enemy's rear could really turn the day!
 
Similarly if I was in the defence and one battlegroup in particular was crumbling, having a spare squadron to bolster the most contested section of the line with might prevent an enemy breakthrough. Or if you are on the move, you may use the spare squadron for scouting ahead of the main force and thus deciding how to advance your battlegroups.
 
Similarly with artillery (if each battery is really caught up in supporting its own battlegroups foot soldiers and tankies, I'd want something uncommitted for a bit of counterbattery fire or wreaking havoc on enemy rear areas - although of course I'd still really want the ability to have all 4 batteries working together when I really need to smash something heavily). And similarly with engineers (3 companies go off to the battlegroups to do combat engineering, 1 performs field engineering for brigade - drilling wells, purifying water, preparing defensive berms and minefields, whatever).
 
 
 
 
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murabit821       11/27/2007 6:18:09 PM



different between light role infantry battalion and TA battalion
TA battalion dont have manuver support company , just three rifle company each with 2x rifle platoon and one support platoon
that support platoon have
Mortars section 2x 81mm mortar
GPMG section
Assault pioneer section
AT section 2x Milan





This isn't completely correct.  It is true that a TA battalion is different to a regular battalion, however this is more for administrive reasons of less personel, less training hours, and the localised nature of the TA.  For instance, a regular SF gun platoon has 9 guns in 3 detachments, while a TA platoon has 6 guns in 2 detatchments.  The reason the support platoons are attached to rifle companies, is that people parade close to where they live out of convienience.  Having a support platoon in each company allows for the more experienced soldiers to get into these platoons, without having to travel for miles.  TA Companies often have numerous TA centres themselves, and the support platoons are often broken down further into detachments to suit. 

   yes this is true
   hm maybe for guerila warfare this structure will be good small company with battalion assests

 
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