The Chinese People’s Liberation Army

The World’s largest army, which may now be conscript, although it was until the 1980’s an all-volunteer force.  Post 1990 the Chinese had a look at the American method of warfare as part of their modernization they decided that they could not have enough anti-aircraft. 

                    

Chinese Infantry Regiment Headquarters 1960 to 1997 (Commands 3 battalions)

HQ                                           1 HQ

Engineer Company                  2 Engr

Anti Tank Company                             3 82RR or 3 Sagger (From 1975) or 3 Milan (From 1985)

Anti Aircraft MG Company       2 MG

Mortar Company                      1 OP, 1 HQ, 3 82M

Note                                                                             This unit may be motorized with trucks and jeeps.  For Mechanized units replace soft transport with APCs, types are covered in 22  use 22 B after 1990 for mechanized units.  Upgrade anti-aircraft company to Regimental Anti-aircraft battalion after 1990.

Chinese Tank or Mechanized Infantry (Post 1990) Regiment Headquarters 1960 to 1997 (Commands 3 battalions)

            HQ                                           1 HQ

            Engineer Company                  2 Engr, 1 Engr, 1 Bridge, 1 AVLB, 1 MLG

Reconnaissance Company      2 APC, 2 Scout

Note                                         Tanks can be:    T34 to 1970                              

                                                                        Type 59 from 1958

                                                                        Type 69 from 1975

                                                                        Type 59/79 from 1979

                                                                        Type 80 from 1985

                                                            Add an air defense battalion, 1 mechanized infantry battalion (IFV) and an artillery battalion (122mm SP) after 1990

                                                             

Chinese Infantry Battalion 1960 to 1997

HQ                                           1 HQ, 1 60M, 1 57RR

3 Infantry Companies each      3 Rifle

Machinegun Company             3 MG

Mortar Company                      1 OP, 1 HQ, 2 82M, 1 75RR

Note                                                                             Motorized units are mounted in trucks. Mechanized units use APCs and do not have the Machinegun Company.

APCs can be:    Type 56 from 1954 (BTR-152)

                                                                                    YW 531 from 1967

Type 85 after 1985

                                                                                    Type 86 from 1986 (BMP1)

                                                                                    Other types also exist.

Chinese Infantry Division Tank Assault Gun Regiment 1960 to 1990

HQ                                                                               1 HQ

            Tank Battalion            

HQ                               1 Type 59 or Type 62 or T34/85

                        3 Companies each       3 Type 59 or Type 62 or T34/85

            Assault Gun Battalion              3 SU 100

                                                            Note                                         This unit was re-activated as a tank battalion in the 1990s.

Chinese Tank Battalion 1970 to 1997

HQ                                                                               1 HQ

            3 Tank Companies each          4 Type 59 or Type 69 or Type 59/79 or Type 80

Note                                                                             Only one tank type can be used. These formations were not organized until the T34 had been taken out of service, but could have existed as independent battalions prior to this. In this case the T34 can be used. Dates for vehicles are shown under the Tank Regiment Headquarters, 22 B

Chinese Army Recce Battalion 1960 to 1997

HQ                                           1 HQ

1 Light Tank Company             3 Type 63 or PT76

3 Motorcycle Companies each 3 M/C, 3 Scout

Note                                         Use 22 G after 1990 for Tank or Mechanized Divisions.

Chinese Army Recce Battalion 1990 to 1997

HQ                                           1 HQ

2 Light Tank Company each   3 Type 63 or PT76

1 Infantry Company                 3 IFV, 3 Scout

Chinese Artillery Battalion 1960 to 1997

3 Batteries each                                   1 FAO, 2 Truck, 2 76H or 85H or 100H or 120M or 160M or 107mm MLRS (May be Self-Propelled or towed)

Note                                                                             Tank Divisions have Self-Propelled weapons, Infantry Divisions towed ones.

Chinese Anti-Aircraft Battalion 1960 to 1997

Anti Aircraft Light Battery        3 Truck, 3 14.5AAG

Anti Aircraft Heavy Battery      4 Truck, 4 37 or 57AAG or 4 T34/37AA

Note                                                                             Tank divisions have the Self-Propelled 37mm. 

Chinese Tank or Mechanized Divisional Anti-Aircraft Battalion 1990 to 1997

2 Anti Aircraft Batteries each   4 Truck, 4 37 or 57AAG

Note                                                                             A division has one battalion of each 37 and 57mm AAG and one battalion of SAM organized into a regiment.

Chinese Mechanized Regimental Anti-Aircraft Battalion 1990 to 1997

Anti Aircraft Gun Battery          3 SPAAG

Anti Aircraft Missile Battery     4 Truck, 4 SA7

Note                                         SPAAG can be T34/37 or Type 95

Chinese Infantry Regimental Anti-Aircraft Battalion 1990 to 1997

Anti Aircraft Gun Battery          3 37AA, 3 Truck

Anti Aircraft Missile Battery     4 Truck, 4 SA7

Chinese Engineer Battalion 1960 to 1997

HQ                                           1 HQ

            1 Combat Engineer Company  3 Engr, 3 Truck

                                                            1 Assault Engineer Company   1 Gaz/MG, 2 GSP, 2 PT54, 2 Truck with 10 Rafts

            1 Bridging Company                1 Truck with 5 Rafts, 1 Engr, 6 Truck, 5 Bridge

1 Construction Company          4 Dump Truck, 2 BAT-M, 2 Bulldozer

Chinese Divisional Anti-Tank Battalion 1960 to 1997

2 Anti-Tank Batteries each       4 Truck, 4 ATG

Note                                                                             ATG can be 57mm, 85mm, 100mm ATG and can be self propelled or towed.        

                                                           

Large Units:

Tank Division – 2 Tank Regiments, 1 Mechanized Infantry Regiment, 1 Artillery Regiment (2 152mm Battalions and 1 MRL Battalion), 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion, 1 Anti-Tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion, 1 Recon Battalion

Tank Division Post 1990 – 2 Tank Regiments, 1 Mechanized Infantry Regiment, 1 Artillery Regiment (2 152mm Battalions and 1 MRL Battalion), 1 Anti-Aircraft Regiment (2 Gun Battalions (37mm and 57mm), 1 SAM Battalion), 1 Engineer Battalion, 1 Recon Battalion

Motor Rifle Division – 1 Tank Regiment, 2 Mechanized Infantry Regiments, 1 Artillery Regiment  (2 152mm Battalions and 1 MRL Battalion), 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion, 1 Recon Battalion, 1 Anti-Tank Battalion (Self Propelled)

Motor Rifle Division Post 1990 – 1 Tank Regiment, 2 Mechanized Infantry Regiments, 1 Artillery Regiment (2 152mm Battalions and 1 MRL Battalion), 1 Anti-Aircraft Regiment (2 Gun Battalions (37mm and 57mm), 1 SAM Battalion), 1 Engineer Battalion, 1 Recon Battalion, 1 Anti-Tank Battalion (Self Propelled)

Infantry Division – 3 Infantry Regiments, 1 Artillery Regiment (2 152mm Battalions and 1 MRL Battalion), 1 Tank Assault Gun Regiment, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion, 1 Anti-Tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion

Infantry Division Post 1990 – 3 Infantry Regiments, 1 Artillery Regiment (2 152mm Battalions, 1 Mortar Battalion (120mm) and 1 MRL Battalion), 1 Tank Battalion, 1 Anti-Aircraft Regiment (2 Gun Battalions (37mm and 57mm), 1 SAM Battalion), 1 Anti-Tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion

Airborne Division – 3 Infantry Regiments, 1 Artillery Regiment (2 152mm Battalions and 1 MRL Battalion), 1 Assault Gun Battalion, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion, 1 Anti-Tank Battalion, 1 Engineer Battalion

Independent Armour Brigade – 4 Tank Battalions, 1 Artillery Battalion (Self Propelled), 1 Mechanized Infantry Battalion, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion (Self Propelled), 1 Engineer Company, 1 Recce Company (This is an army level controlled breakthrough and exploitation unit usually one per Army HQ)

Army Artillery Brigade – 2 Anti-Tank Battalions (Self Propelled), 2 MRL Battalions, 4 Artillery Battalions (one per Army HQ)