Australian Infantry Battalion (Tropical Scale), May 1944
Sources
Compiled from the War Establishment for an Infantry Battalion (Tropical Scale), ref II/12C/3, issued 13th May 1944.
Comments
This was the final Australian 'Tropical Scale' Battalion organisation published during the war, though there were a series of amendments issued up until July 1945. The Australian table shows the individual weapons allocated to the Battalion, but does not identify which weapon was to be carried by which man. It does note all those who were to carry pistols, and also how many submachine guns were issued to each subunit, leaving the balance armed with rifles. When it comes to the issue of the Owen submachine gun, I'm confident that the scales I've used for the Rifle Company are correct, but I will admit that there is a good deal of room for interpretation within Headquarters Company.
Amendments
As mentioned there were a number of amendments made to the establishment during the final year of the war.
Weapons
There were no changes to support weapons, but there were minor amendments and additions for individual weapons. The most important was that the No.1 of the Bren gun in each Rifle Section lost his rifle around December 1944, which was almost certainly the case in reality long before it was on paper.
Personnel
An Assistant Adjutant (Lieutenant) (Pistol) was added to Battalion HQ around September 1944, along with a batman (Rifle). One of the Corporals in the MMG Platoon was made a Sergeant. Two Signallers were promoted to Corporal rank, as was one Driver, MT, in Headquarters Company. The fitters and armourers from the Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (AEME) were all removed from the Battalion during October 1944.
Transport
In early July 1945, the Battalion transport pool was increased to twelve 1/4-ton Jeeps, with eight 10-cwt trailers and two 8-cwt water trailers.
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