WW2 American Units
The United States ground forces are a Cinderella tale. From nothing in 1939 they rose to become the second most powerful ground force in 1945. All their experience was hard won on the field of battle.
Philippine Infantry Regimental Headquarters 1941 to 1942
HQ 1 HQ
Regimental AT Company 3 37ATG, 3 Light Truck
Regimental Mortar Company 2 81M
American Infantry Regimental Headquarters 1942 to 1943
HQ 1 HQ
Regimental Anti Tank Company 3 57ATG, 3 Light Truck
Regimental Cannon Company 2 M3/75, 1 M3/105
American Infantry Regimental Headquarters 1943 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
Regimental Anti Tank Company 3 57ATG, 3 Light Truck
Regimental Cannon Company 2 105IG, 2 Medium Trucks
Note All regiments of the 90th Infantry Division will have a mortar company of 6 120mm mortars (Captured German Type) with 6 Medium Trucks and 1 FAO starting in July 1944 instead of the cannon company.
American Marine Regimental Headquarters “D” Series 1941 to 1942
HQ 1 HQ
Regimental Cannon Company 2 75H, 2 Jeep or 2 M3/75
American Marine Regimental Headquarters “E” Series 1942 to 1943
HQ 1 HQ
Regimental Anti Tank Company 3 37ATG, 3 Jeep
Regimental Cannon Company 2 75H, 2 Jeep
American Marine Regimental Headquarters “F” Series 1944
HQ 1 HQ
Regimental Anti Tank Company 3 37ATG, 3 Jeep
Regimental Cannon Company 2 M3/75
American Marine Regimental Headquarters “G” Series 1945
HQ 1 HQ
Regimental Anti Tank Company 2 37ATG, 2 Jeep
Regimental Cannon Platoon 1 M7
American Philippine Scouts Infantry Battalion 1942 to 1943 (3 per regimental Headquarters)
HQ 1 HQ
3 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle
1 Machinegun Company 3 MMG
American Infantry Battalion 1942 to 1943 (3 per regimental Headquarters)
HQ 1 HQ
3 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle
1 Heavy Weapons Company
3 Machinegun Platoons each 1 MMG, 1 Light Truck
1 Mortar Platoon 1 81M, 1 Jeep with Trailer
1 Anti Tank Platoon 1 37ATG, 1 Light Truck
American Infantry Battalion 1943 to 1945 (3 per regimental Headquarters)
HQ 1 HQ
3 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle
1 Heavy Weapons Company
3 Machinegun Platoons each 1 MMG, 1 Light Truck
1 Mortar Platoon 1 81M, 1 Jeep with Trailer
1 Anti Tank Platoon 1 57ATG, 1 Light Truck
American Armored Infantry Battalion 1942 to 1943
HQ 1 HQ
3 Armored Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle, 1 57ATG, 4 M3
1 Heavy Weapons Company
1 Recce Platoon 2 Jeep/MG
1 Mortar Platoon 1 M3/81
1 Assault Gun Platoon 1 M3/75
Note In typical useage only 1 57ATG was used the remainder were broken up as infantry replacements.
American Armored Infantry Battalion 1943 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
3 Armored Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle, 1 57ATG, 4 M3
1 Heavy Weapons Company
1 Mortar platoon 1 M3/81
1 Assault Gun Platoon 1 M7 (M8 Scott in 1943-44)
1 Recce Platoon 2 Jeep/MG
Note In typical useage only 1 57ATG was used the remainder were broken up as infantry replacements.
American Glider/Parachute Infantry Battalion 1943 to 1945 (3 per regimental Headquarters)
HQ 1 HQ
3 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle, 1 60M, 1 MMG
1 Heavy Weapons Company
1 Demolition Platoon 2 Engr
2 Machinegun Platoons each 1 MMG
1 Mortar Platoon 1 81M
1 Anti Tank Platoon 1 57ATG, 1 Jeep
Note 57ATG and Jeep are available to glider borne units only.
American Ranger Infantry Battalion 1943 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
6 Infantry Companies each 2 Rifle, 1 MMG, 1 60M
1 Heavy Weapons Company
1 Engineer Platoon 1 Engr
1 Mortar Platoon 1 81M
1 Anti Tank Platoon 3 Bazooka
American Marine Raider Infantry Battalion 1943 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
3 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle, 1 MMG
1 Heavy Weapons Company
1 Engineer Platoon 1 Engr
1 Mortar Platoon 1 81M
1 Machinegun Platoon 1 MMG
American Marine Infantry Battalion “D” Series 1942
HQ 1 HQ
3 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle, 1 MMG
1 Heavy Weapons Company
1 Anti Tank Platoon 1 37ATG, 1 Light Truck
1 Mortar Platoon 1 81M
3 Machinegun Platoon 1 MMG
American Marine Infantry Battalion “E” Series 1943
HQ 1 HQ
3 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle, 1 MMG
1 Heavy Weapons Company
1 Mortar Platoon 1 81M
3 Machinegun Platoon 1 MMG
American Marine Infantry Battalion “F” Series 1944
HQ 1 HQ
3 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle, 1 MMG
1 Heavy Weapons Company
1 Mortar Platoon 1 81M
American Marine Infantry Battalion “G” Series 1945
HQ 1 HQ
3 Infantry Companies each 3 Rifle, 1 MMG
1 Heavy Weapons Company
1 Assault Platoon 1 Engr
1 Mortar Platoon 1 81M
American Tank Regimental Headquarters 1942 to 1945 (Commands two medium and one light tank battalion until 1943 then it commands 3 medium battalions)
HQ 1 HQ
American Armored Combat Command Headquarters Europe 1944 to 1945 (may command up to 3 Battalions plus supports)
HQ 1 HQ
American Medium or Light Tank Battalion 1942 to 1943
HQ 1 HQ
3 Tank Companies each 3 M4 (light has M3 Stuart)
1 Heavy Weapons Company
1 Recce Platoon 1 Jeep/MG
1 Howitzer Platoon 1 M3/75
1 Mortar Platoon 1 M3/81
Note For the first part of the North African campaign the US was armed with M3 Lee as its medium tank. During mid campaign these began to be replaced by M4 Sherman.
American Tank Battalion 1943 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
1 Light Tank Company 3 M5 or M24 (December 1944)
3 Medium Tank Companies each 3 M4/75
1 Heavy Weapons Company
1 Assault Gun Platoon 1 M4/105
1 Mortar Platoon 1 M3/81
1 Recce Platoon 1 M8, 2 Jeep/MG
Note In 1943 all medium companies have the M4/75, the M4/76 began to appear in July 1944 at the rate of 1 platoon per month until 3 platoons are fielded. In March 1945 the medium companies all have M4/76 and some M26 are available in March 1945 (no more than one platoon per battalion)
American Marine Tank Battalion “D” Series 1941 to 1942
HQ 1 HQ
4 Tank Companies each 3 M3A1
1 Scout Company 3 M3 S/C
American Marine Tank Battalion “E” Series 1943 to 1944
HQ 1 HQ
2 Tank Companies each 3 M3A1
1 Tank Company 3 M4/75
1 Scout Company 3 Jeep/MG
American Marine Tank Battalion “F” Series 1944
HQ 1 HQ
3 Tank Companies each 3 M4/75
1 Flamethrower Company 3 M5 F/Tk
American Marine Tank Battalion “G” Series 1945
HQ 1 HQ
3 Tank Companies each 4 M4/75
1 Flamethrower Platoon 2 M4 F/Tk
American Marine Amphibious Tank Battalion
HQ 1 HQ
4 Amtrac Tank Companies each 5 LVT4(A)
Note One such battalion served in Operation Torch and in Po Valley in Italy.
American Marine Amphibious Transport Battalion
HQ 1 HQ
2 Amtrac Companies each 11 LVT4
American Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion 1942 to 1943
HQ 1 HQ
3 Tank Destroyer Companies 3 76ATG or 57ATG, 3 M3 H/T
1 Recce Company
2 Jeep Platoons each 2 Jeep/MG
1 Armoured Infantry Platoon 1 M3 H/T, 1 Rifle
American Tank Destroyer Battalion 1942 to 1943
HQ 1 HQ
3 Tank Destroyer Companies 3 M3/57
1 Recce Company
2 Jeep Platoons each 2 Jeep/MG
1 Armored Infantry Platoon 1 M3 H/T, 1 Rifle
American Self-Propelled Tank Destroyer Battalion 1944 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ, 1 M3/81
3 Companies each 1 M8 A/C, 3 M10, or 3 M18, or 3 M36 (from October 1944)
Note The M36 was introduced to replace both M10 and M18.
American Towed Tank Destroyer Battalion 1944 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
3 Companies each 3 76ATG, 3 M3 H/T
1 Recon Company 6 Jeep/MG
American Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron of a Cavalry Group 1942 to 1943
HQ 1 HQ
3 Cavalry Troops each 2 M3 S/C, 1 M3 H/T, 1 Rifle,2 Jeep/MG
1 Support Troop 2 M3/75, 1 M3/81
1 Light Tank Company 3 M5 Stuart
American Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron of an Cavalry Group 1943 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
3 Cavalry Troops each 1 M20 A/C, 2 M8 A/C, 4 Jeep/MG, 1 Rifle, 1 M3 H/T
1 Support Troop 2 M8 HMC, 1 M3/81
1 Light Tank Company 3 M5 Stuart
American Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron of an Armoured Division 1942 to 1943
HQ 1 HQ
4 Cavalry Troops each 2 M3 S/C, 1 M3 H/T, 1 Rifle, 2 Jeep/MG
1 Support Troop 2 M3/75, 1 M3/81
1 Light Tank Company 3 M5 Stuart
American Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron of an Armored Division 1943 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
4 Cavalry Troops each 1 M20 A/C, 2 M8 A/C, 4 Jeep/MG, 1 Rifle, 1 M3 H/T
1 Support Troop 2 M8 HMC, 1 M3/81
1 Light Tank Company 3 M5 Stuart
American Cavalry Reconnaissance Group 1942 to 1943
HQ 1 HQ
2 Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadrons each
HQ 1 HQ
3 Cavalry Troops each 2 M3 S/C, 1 M3 H/T, 1 Rifle, 2 Jeep/MG
1 Support Troop 2 M3/75, 1 M3/81
1 Light Tank Company 3 M5 Stuart
American Cavalry Reconnaissance Group 1943 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
2 Cavalry Squadrons each
HQ 1 HQ
3 Cavalry Troops each 1 M20 A/C, 2 M8 A/C, 4 Jeep/MG, 1 Rifle, 1 M3 H/T
1 Support Troop 2 M8 HMC, 1 M3/81
1 Light Tank Company 3 M5 Stuart
American Horse Cavalry Regiment 1941
HQ 1 HQ, 2 MMG, 2 Light Trucks
2 Cavalry Squadrons each
HQ 1 HQ
3 Cavalry Troops each 3 Rifle, 3 Horses
American Armored Engineer Battalion 1942 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
3 Combat Engineer Company each 3 Engr, 3 M3 H/T
1 Armored Engineer Company 2 Flail, 2 Sherman F/Tk
1 Bridging Company 3 Engr, 3 Bridge, 6 Medium Trucks
American Engineer Battalion 1942 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
3 Combat Engineer Company each 3 Engr, 3 Medium Truck
1 Bridging Company 3 Engr, 3 Bridge, 6 Medium Trucks
American Artillery Battalion (this applies throughout the war to US ARMY and US MARINES)
HQ 1 HQ
3 Artillery Batteries Towed each 1 FAO, 1 How (75, 105, 155, 203mm) 1 Medium Truck (Jeep in AB Div Bn) (155 and 203 are towed by M4 Prime Mover)
Or
Armored each 1 FAO, 1 M7 or M12
Marine Heavy Support Rocket Battalion
HQ 1 HQ
3 Companies each 3 Light Truck/Calliope, 1 FAO
American Coastal Artillery Regiment, Anti-Aircraft 1941 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
3 Anti Aircraft Batteries each 2 76AAG, 2 Medium Trucks
2 Anti Aircraft Batteries each 2 12.7AAG, 2 Light Trucks
3 Anti Aircraft Batteries each 2 37AAG, 2 Light Trucks
American Heavy Anti Aircraft Battalion, Mobile 1943-45
HQ 1 HQ
4 Anti Aircraft Batteries each 2 90AAG, 2 Medium Trucks, 2 M16
Note This battalion is most often attached to an Army and later a Corps in 1944 during mobile offensive operations.
American Heavy Anti Aircraft Battalion 1943-45
HQ 1 HQ
4 Anti Aircraft Batteries each 2 90AAG, 2 12.7AAG, 2 Light Trucks, 2 Medium Trucks
Note This battalion is most often attached to an Army and later a Corps in 1944.
American Medium Anti Aircraft Battalion 1941 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
4 Anti Aircraft Batteries each 4 76AAG, 4 Medium Trucks
Note This battalion is most often attached to a Corps until 1944.
American Anti Aircraft Battalion (Self-Propelled) 1943 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
4 Anti Aircraft Batteries each 2 M15, 2 M16
Note This battalion is most often attached to an Armored Division.
American Light Anti Aircraft Battalion 1941 to 1943
HQ 1 HQ
4 Anti Aircraft Batteries each 4 37AAG, 4 Light Trucks
Note This battalion is most often attached to an Infantry Division. The 37mm AA Gun was withdrawn from divisional service in 1944 but was still found as the low-level air defense weapon of forward army logistics installations.
American Light Anti Aircraft Battalion 1944 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
4 Anti Aircraft Batteries each 4 40AAG, 4 Light Trucks
Note This battalion is most often attached to an Infantry Division after January 1944. The US Army adapted the Bofors 40mm AA Gun in 1943 as a more efficient weapon than the US made 37mm. The 37mm continued to serve in the rear areas along side the 40mm but the 40mm equipped all battalions in the combat zone.
American 5307 Composite Group (Merrill Marauders) Burma 1944
HQ 1 HQ, 1 Scout
1 Pack Howitzer Battery 1 FAO, 1 75H, 2 Pack Horse
3 Infantry Battalions each
HQ 1 HQ
2 Combat Teams each
HQ 1 HQ, 1 Scout, 1 Engr, 1 81M
2 Infantry Coy each 3 Rifle
Note Combat Teams were named as follows:
1st Battalion – Red and White
2nd Battalion – Blue and Green
3rd Battalion – Orange and Khaki.
American Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment 1943 to 1945
HQ 1 HQ
Boat Battalion
HQ 1 HQ
3 Boat Companies each 8 LCVP, 8 LCM
Shore Battalion
HQ 1 HQ
2 Far Shore Companies each 3 Engr
1 Near Shore Company 3 Engr
Note Formed into brigades of 3 regiments. There were 6 brigades in all; 1st served in Italy, Normandy and Okinawa. The 2nd served Southwest Pacific and Philippines. The 3rd and 4th in the Southwest Pacific. The 5th and 6th in Normandy and Northwest Europe but were disbanded after Omaha beach.
American Chemical Battalion
HQ 1 HQ
3 Companies each 1 FAO, 3 107M, 3 Medium Truck
American Marine Defense Battalion
HQ 1 HQ
3 Coastal Batteries each 1 5”H
3 AA Batteries each 2 76AAG
2 MMG Battery each 4 12.7AA
1 Infantry Company 3 USMC
American Airborne Tank Battalion
HQ 1 HQ
3 Tank Companies each 3 M22 Locust
Gun Platoon 1 75H, 1 Jeep
Recon Platoon 2 Jeep/MG
Note This unit (28th Tank Battalion) was a GHQ unit of 18 Airborne Corps and never saw combat. In late 1944 it was re-organized as a standard tank battalion and sent to the Pacific Theatre where it again failed to see combat.
Large Units:
Infantry (Typical) Division – 3 Infantry Regiments, 3 105mm Artillery Battalions, 1 155mm Artillery Battalion, 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion (Towed), 1 Anti Tank Battalion (Towed), 1 Self-Propelled Anti Tank Battalion, 1 Cavalry Troop, 1 Engineer Battalion, 1 Tank Battalion
Marine Division – 3 Marine Regiments, Marine Artillery Regiment (3 75mm Artillery Battalions, 1 105mm Artillery Battalion), 1 Marine Heavy Support Battalion, 1 Amphibious Tank Battalion, 2 Amphibious Transport Battalions, 1 Marine Engineer Battalion, 1 Marine Tank Battalion
Airborne Infantry Division – 2 Parachute Regiments, 1 Glider Regiment, 3 75mm Artillery Battalions, 1 Towed Anti-Tank Battalion (57ATG towed by jeeps), 1 Engineer Battalion (if this division goes into battle as infantry all the same assets as an infantry division are present, replace 75mm artillery with 105mm artillery)
Armored (Heavy) Division – 2 Armored Regiments, 1 Armored Infantry Regiment, 3 105mm Artillery Battalions (Armored), 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion (Self-Propelled), 1 Armored Engineer Battalion, 1 Armored Cavalry Squadron, 1 Self-Propelled Anti-Tank Battalion
Armored (Light) Division – 3 Combat Command Headquarters, 3 Tank Battalions, 3 Armored Infantry Battalions, 3 105mm Artillery Battalions (Armored), 1 Anti-Aircraft Battalion (Self-Propelled), 1 Armored Engineer Battalion, 1 Armored Cavalry Squadron, 1 Self Propelled Anti Tank Battalion
442 Regimental Combat Team – 3 Infantry Battalions (100th, 2/442, 3/442), Regimental Headquarters 442 (independent unit closely linked to the “36th (Texas) Division” made up of Japanese Americans)
1 Special Service Force (a joint Canadian-US Unit served in Italy 1943-44) – 3 Regiments (use Marine Regiment Headquarters) (each with 2 Battalions (use US Ranger Battalion), 1 Headquarters Battalion (1 HQ, 3 Light Truck, 2 57ATG, 1 12.7AAG)
6615th Ranger Force – 1 Headquarters, 3 Ranger Infantry Battalions, 1 Chemical Battalion, 1 Regimental Cannon Company, 1 Engineer Company
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