The United States Armored Infantry Battalion 1944 to 1945
In late 1943 US Armored Divisions underwent a major reorganisation. Among the various changes was the abolition of the Armored Infantry Regiment, leaving each Division with three Armored Infantry Battalions. Each Battalion now added its own Service Company for non-combat support, which together with other amendments increased its strength from around 700 to 1000 all ranks.
A more detailed examination of the US Armored Rifle Company can be found in the Example TOE section.
The Armored Infantry Battalion, circa 1944 to 1945
Headquarters Company (14 Officers, 159 men), comprised of;
Battalion Headquarters (8 Officers, 21 men)
Company HQ (1 Officer, 5 men)
Maintenance Section (1 Officer, 7 men)
Administrative, Mess & Supply Section (25 men) * reduced by 7 men, August 1944
Reconnaissance Platoon (1 Officer, 20 men)
Assault Gun Platoon (1 Officer, 23 men) * increased by 3 men, September 1944
Mortar Platoon (1 Officer, 24 men)
Machine Gun Platoon (1 Officer, 34 men)
Service Company (7 Officers, 68 men)
Company HQ (1 Officer, 4 men)
Maintenance Section (1 Officer, 4 men)
Administrative, Mess & Supply Section (14 men) * reduced by 2 men, August 1944
Supply and Transportation Platoon (2 Officers, 21 men)
Battalion Maintenance Platoon (2 Officers, 20 men)
Administrative and Personnel Section (1 Officer, 5 men)
Three Armored Rifle Companies (6 Officers, 245 men), each comprised of;
Company HQ (1 Officer, 8 men)
Maintenance Section (1 Officer, 6 men)
Administrative, Mess & Supply Section (34 men)
Antitank Platoon (1 Officer, 32 men)
Three Rifle Platoons, each comprised of;
Platoon HQ (1 Officer, 11 men)
Mortar Squad (8 men)
Machine Gun Squad (12 men)
Two Rifle Squads, each comprised of 12 men
Total Strength of 1001 all ranks (39 Officers, 962 men) * reduced by 9 men, August 1944, then increased by 3 men September 1944
Points of note
The previous 37-mm antitank guns were completely replaced, with each Rifle Company having three towed 57-mm antitank guns and a plentiful allocation of Bazookas across the Battalion. The Assault Gun Platoon would also become significantly more powerful.
I was posed an interesting query sometime ago regarding the machine gun armament of the M3A1 halftrack. The official tables refer to the halftracks as being w/o or without armament. Each subunit is then credited with either a .30-cal M1917 or a .50-cal M2HB as vehicle armament. The question was, did each halftrack also carry its own M1919 as well? Most photographs of US halftracks during the war show it carrying a .30-cal M1919 somewhere, but then again not all halftracks served in Armored Infantry units. Any suggestions invited.
The elements of the Battalion
Battalion Headquarters - as Infantry Battalion, but included the Communications troops.
Reconnaissance Platoon remained a somewhat light unit. Platoon HQ had an M3A1 halftrack with a .50-cal M2HB and Bazooka, plus a Jeep. There were then four Jeeps, still with twelve scouts, including two Sergeants and two Corporals, plus four drivers.
Assault Gun Platoon - close support was furnished by three Howitzer Motor Carriages, the M8, based on the M5 tank chassis but mounting a 75-mm short-barrelled gun. Platoon HQ added a halftrack with a .50-cal HMG and Bazooka, and there was a supply track with a .30-cal HMG. During late 1944 the Platoon swapped its M8 vehicles for three M4 Sherman tanks, each mounting a 105-mm howitzer, greatly increasing its firepower.
Mortar Platoon - more traditional support came from three M21 Mortar Carriers. The M21 halftrack mounted the standard 81-mm tube firing from the vehicle over the rear. Platoon HQ added a halftrack with .50-cal HMG and Bazooka.
Machine Gun Platoon - four M1917 heavy machine guns were carried in two halftracks, plus a Platoon vehicle with a Bazooka and a .50-cal HMG. Seemingly, the machine guns were intended to be fired from their carriers, however it would seem reasonable to suggest at least one in each vehicle could be used on a ground mount.
The Armored Rifle Company the Company retained a similar format, with a HQ, three Rifle Platoons, and now an Antitank Platoon. Company HQ continued to include both maintenance and service support elements.
Each Rifle Platoon was transported in five M3A1 halftracks, one per Squad, each vehicle mounting a machine gun and carrying a Bazooka. Platoon HQ functioned as a third Rifle Squad, and included a Lieutenant, Platoon Sergeant, Squad Sergeant and nine men. The two Rifle Squads each had a leader, assistant and ten men. Squads were commanded by a Sergeant and Corporal until early 1944, when they were promoted to Staff Sergeant and Sergeant respectively. One man in each squad was a driver, and carried a .45-cal submachine gun. With the exception of the Lieutenant and Platoon Sergeant with carbines, and one man with the M1903A4 Springfield scoped rifle, all other men in the HQ and Rifle Squads carried the M1 Garand. The HQ halftrack mounted a .50-cal machine gun, the Rifle Squads each having a .30-cal heavy machine gun.
The Mortar Squad served a single 60-mm weapon, its halftrack mounting a .30-cal machine gun, while the Machine Gun Squad had two M1919A4 or later A6 Browning light machine guns for dismounted use, and a halftrack mounted .50-cal weapon.
The Company's integral Antitank Platoon was similar to that in the Infantry Battalion, manning three towed 57-mm guns. Its three halftracks mounted one .30-cal and two .50-cal machine guns between them, Platoon HQ having a Jeep. Interestingly, some units in Europe were sufficiently unimpressed with the 57-mm that they reorganised the Platoon as a rifle unit. It would be impossible to describe the armament of these ad hoc groups, but it seems they fielded three Squads of twelve plus a HQ. It is a perfect example of the 'official' organisation being amended in action.
Company HQ was a purely command unit, with a halftrack and .50-cal HMG and Bazooka, plus a Jeep. The Maintenance Section added the same, and Supply Section a further Bazooka.
Summary
The Armored Infantry Battalion was a symbol of the US Army's ability to equip its men with the best tools available in ample supply. The obvious absence of the BAR was negated by the level of machine guns used, but I expect they found their way into use. Submachine guns appear only as weapons for drivers, but were certainly more widely used. Its weakness came if it was deployed in piecemeal Company units to support the tanks of the Armored Division. If allowed to fight as a single entity it was an immensely powerful formation.
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