Battalion Organisation
during the
Second World War
An enthusiast's site dedicated to the evolution of the Infantry Battalion, in its many forms, during the course of the Second World War.
Overview Please take a look at the introduction and overview pages as they help to put the descriptions in their proper perspective.
The links below lead to a section devoted to the Army indicated. Each section contains an examination of the officially authorised Battalion structures for the Infantry, Motorised and Airborne formations deployed, plus some specialist units. There is also a brief look at the Divisional formations in which they served.
The British Army Infantry, Motor, Parachute and Air Landing Battalions and Commando; Added other Battalion types (Chindit, Mountain and Light)
Commonwealth Armies Australian, Canadian and New Zealand Infantry and Motor Battalions
The United States Army Infantry, Armored Infantry, Parachute Infantry, Glider Infantry and Ranger Battalions
The United States Marine Corps Marine Infantry, Raider and Parachute Battalions; Added Marine Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion and Divisional Reconnaissance Company
The German Army Infantry, Volks Grenadier, Panzer Grenadier, Schutzen and Parachute Battalions
The Italian Army Infantry, North African Type 1942 and Combat Group Battalions
The Japanese Army Infantry Battalions (Standard, Strengthened and Island Warfare)
Reconnaissance Units British, United States and German Army motorised and mechanised Reconnaissance units
Example TOE fully detailed descriptions of a selection of Infantry Battalions and specialist Company sized units.
Battalion Summary Tables quick summary tables of various Allied and Axis units, showing the changes in equipment and strength during the conflict.
Other areas of the site;
Infantry Weapons of World War Two
Outline statistics and illustrations of the range of weapons deployed by infantry units during the conflict.
Infantry Tactics of World War Two
A brief examination of the tactics used by the Infantry Battalion and its sub-units.
Full contents list.
Gary Kennedy, various updates between 2000 and 2010