Organization within Regiments

[connie]

According to what I read, the division's 3 infantry regiments (422, 423, 424) each had their own Headquarters Company, Cannon Company, and Service Company. I also see an AT company mentioned. Can anyone tell me what that was?

[floydragsdale]

Hi Connie:

The AT is, I think, Anti Tank.

Floyd

[connie]

Floyd,

That makes sense.

So each regiment had its own:
*Headquarters Company
*Anti-Tank Company
* Cannon Company
* Service Company
* Regimental Surgeon

Before we get into the break-down of the regiment into Battalions and Companies, etc. were there other regimental wide units that I'm missing?

[floydragsdale]

There were also Ordanace Companies in every regiment as well as medcal units. Also, if I remember correctly each Regiment had a Quartermaster Unit or Company.

Floyd

[connie]

Thanks again, Floyd,

so here's the list for regiment wide units so far:

So each regiment had its own:
*Headquarters Company
*Anti-Tank Company
* Cannon Company
* Service Company
* Regimental Surgeon- medical unit
* Ordinance Company
* Quartermaster unit or company


If anyone else thinks of more regiment wide units, I'll add them to the list. Also if there's a better term for units that served the whole regiment (better than "regiment-wide" units), let me know. I don't speak "Army" fluently!

[connie]

The other day I asked Floyd for details on cannon company. (I wasn't even certain whether this was a designated activity or merely an way of saying C company.) Floyd set me straight.

Floyd, I'm wondering now if you can repeat that explanation for others.

Company here.

I need to run.

Have a good day!

Connie

[floydragsdale]

Connie (or anyone else interested) try the web site below to see a U.S. Army Infantry Division organizational chart.

www.custermen.com/ItalyWW2/ArmyOrg/OrgChart/Charts.htm

Floyd

NOTE from Connie:
I had problems with the above link, but another member figured out the problem & I fixed it. (A space had entered the posted link that removed part of the address when you clicked on it.) It works now! Thanks, Floyd!

[connie]

Here's what Floyd told me about Cannon Companies

Hi Connie:
Each Regiment had a Canon Company. Their main weapon, at least in the two Divisions that I served in (65th & 106th), was a 75 mm artillery piece.

We (both Divisions) saw very little of them while in training and up on the front lines.

Floyd

[floydragsdale]

Connie: Does the following data help?

US Infantry Division
Here's a description of the organizational structure of a typical US Infantry Division during WWII.
It has been estimated that only 1/3 of a division actually served as combat infantrymen---the remainder were command, support, artillery, etc.
THIS DOES NOT RESEMBLE THE CURRENT ORGANIZATION OF THE US ARMY.

Infantry Division
The Division consisted of 3 numbered Regiments and 4 numbered Artillery Battalions. The Signal Company, Quartermaster Company and Reconnaissance Troop were identified with the same number as the Division. The Medical Battalion and the Engineer Battalion were identified by a unique 3-digit number. The The Ordnance Company identification was the same as the Division number but preceeded by an "8" .
Example: Supporting units of 106th Infantry Division were: 81st Engineer Btn, 333rd Medical Btn, 106th Signal Company, 106th Quartermaster Co.,106 Recon Troop, and 806th Ordnance Co.


Infantry Regiment
The Regiment was divided into 1st, 2nd & 3rd Battalions with the 12 companies assigned as shown. The Battalion was the basic infantry fighting unit that was autonomous but yet flexible.

The Cannon Company and Anti-Tank Company were usually deployed behind the front infantry units as a defense against an enemy break-through. The Service Company(SVC) was responsible for repair and replacement of equipment.
Note: it is somewhat redundant to say a soldier is a member of Company E, 2nd Battalion.

Infantry Rifle Company
The basic Rifle Squad consisted of 9-12 men lead by one NCO(Sergeant) and a corporal. Each Rifle Company had a Heavy Weapons Platoon that was divided into a Light Machine Gun Section and a Mortar Section.

One company within a Battalion was designated as a Heavy Weapons Company and it was equipped with heavy Machine Guns and 81mm Mortars.

Divisional Artillery
Field Artillery Battalion provided a Forward Observer in support of the infantry for patrols.
In general, one Field Artillery Battalion was assigned to provide support to an Infantry Regiment. The heavy battalion was available as needed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ABBREVIATIONS
Arty - Artillery
AT - Anti-Tank unit or a light cannon

Btn - Battalion
Co - Company
MP - Military Police. Platoon-size unit per Division
Recon - Reconnaissance Troop, company-size unit
SVC - Service Company, a support unit of a Regiment

[connie]

Floyd,

Thanks! This is helpful.

Connie

[connie]

OK. I think we've more or less made it through the division-wide units.

Beyond these, the infantry regiment was broken down into Battalions and then regiments.

According to what I read, each of the division's 3 infantry regiments (the 422nd, 423rd, and 424th) consisted of 3 numbered battalions.-- not surprisingly, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd battalion.

The battalions , in turn, were broken down into companies. Each, battalion had a headquarters company. Beyond that the companies the remaining 4 companies within a battalion were designated by alphabet letters. A thru M (minus K)

1st Battalion= Hq. Co. and A-D Co.
2nd Battalion= Hq. Co. and E- H Co
3rd Battalion = Hq. Co. and I, K, L, M Co

[connie]

Heavy Weapons Companies and Platoons

Posting in response to inquiries about a 106th member, Floyd wrote:

"I noticed that your Grandfather was in Company C, 4th platoon. The 4th platoon was a "heavy weapons" platoon in C Company. So, he was either in the machine gun section, or the 60mm mortar section. "

106thdivision.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=looking&thread=501&page=1#1794

According to the division organization list Floyd posted here: "One company within a Battalion was designated as a Heavy Weapons Company and it was equipped with heavy Machine Guns and 81mm Mortars."

So, does anyone know what the designated heavy weapons companies were within the other battalions of the 424th? And were these designations consistent through the same lettered companies in the 422nd and 423rd Infantry regiments?

[floydragsdale]

Hi Connie:

The Heavy Weapons Companies The Regiment were: D Co., H Co., and L Company. They were equiptd with 80 mm Mortars and 50 Caliber Machine guns.

The same applies to the other two regiments.

Floyd

NOTE: further discussion of the Heavy Weapons Company can be found here: 106thdivision.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=equipment&thread=588&page=1#2083