WW2 British Units

 

The British Commonwealth was at war the longest with Germany from 3 September 1939.  Despite huge losses Britain hung in giving as good as they got.  By 1945, UK manpower pool was small and the quality of British Infantry began to suffer.  Low morale is normal in the 1945 period.  Canadians, Australians, South Africans and New Zealanders demonstrated high morale throughout the war when committed properly and gained a reputation as shock troops.  Indians performed steadfastly against both the Germans and the Japanese.  All commandos and marines and airborne troops should be considered elite.

 

British Infantry Brigade Headquarters 1939 to 1945 (Commands 3 Infantry Battalions plus attachments)

            HQ                                                       1 HQ

                                      

British Infantry Battalion 1939 to 1942

            HQ                                                       1 HQ

            4 Rifle Companies each                       3 Rifle

            1 Support Company

                        1 Carrier Platoon                     2 Bren

1 Mortar Platoon                      1 76M

                        1 Anti Tank Platoon                 1 2 Pdr, 1 Light Truck

1 Pioneer Platoon                    1 Engr

                       

British Infantry Battalion 1943 to 1945

            HQ                                                       1 HQ 

            4 Rifle Companies each                       3 Rifle

            1 Support Company

                        1 Carrier Platoon                     2 Bren

                        1 Mortar Platoon                      1 76M, 1 Bren

                        1 Anti Tank Platoon                 1 6 Pdr, 1 Bren

                        1 Pioneer Platoon                    1 Engr, 2 Bren

                       

British Motor Battalion 1943 to 1945 (Europe)

HQ                                                       1 HQ

3 Rifle Companies each                      1 Scout Bren, 3 Rifle, 3 M3 S/C (or armored truck or M3 H/T)

1 Support Company

1 Mortar Platoon                      1 76M, 1 Bren

3 Anti Tank Platoon                 1 6 Pdr, 1 Bren

2 MMG Platoons each              1 MMG, 1 Bren

Note                                                     Mortars should be divided amongst rifle companies, if so, use 3                                                          models with transport and drop total attacks for each by 1/3 (rounding up).                                                      Infantry transport is organized as follows:

                                                            Guards Armored Division – M3 H/T

                                                            7^th Armored Division – M3 S/C

                                                            11^th Armored Division – M3 S/C

                                                            1^st Polish Armored Division – M3 S/C

4^th and 5^th Canadian Armored Division – Armored Truck

 

British Machinegun Battalion 1939 to 1945 

HQ                                                       1 HQ

3 Machinegun Companies each          3 MMG, 1 107M, 4 Medium Truck

1 Flamethrower Company (1944)         4 Wasp

 

British Commando Battalion

HQ                                                       1 HQ

1 Weapons Troop                                1 MMG, 1 76M

5 Commando Troops each                   2 Cdo

Note                                                                                                     There were 13 (1 to 12 and 14) Army Commando Battalions (number 10 was an inter-allied unit).  Number 14 was a specialized unit of Canadian natives and Inuit for raiding in Northern Norway.  Additionally, the Royal Marines had 8 Commando units (41 to 48 RM Cdo).  There was also a single Free French unit. There were also a large number of independent commando companies (1 or 2 Troops) raised in New Zealand, Australia, India and Fiji for service against the Japanese.

 

British Special Air Service Squadron

HQ                                                       1 HQ

1 Weapons Troop                                1 MMG, 1 76M

5 Commando Troops each                   2 Cdo

Note                                                                                                     First SAS unit was raised from 62 Commando Battalion.  In all there were five SAS Squadrons raised (2 British, 2 French, 1 Belgian).

 

British Special Boat Service

HQ                                                       1 HQ

L Section                                             2 Cdo, 2 Raft

M Section                                            2 Cdo, 2 Raft

S Section                                             2 Cdo, 2 Raft

Note                                                                                                     Equipped according to mission can use mini-subs, human torpedoes, place mines as frogman.

 

British Special Air Service Raiding Support Regiment

HQ                                                       1 HQ

A Squadron                                         3 MMG, 3 Jeep

B Squadron                                         3 76M, 3 CP, 1 FAO, 9 Jeep

C Squadron                                         3 57AT, 3 Jeep

D Squadron                                         3 75H, 3 Jeep

Note                                                                                                     Individual platoons attached to raiding parties as the need and operational requirements dictate.

 

British Armored Brigade Headquarters 1939 to 1940 (France) (commands 3 Armored Regiments plus attachments)

HQ                                                       1 HQ

 

British Armored Brigade Headquarters 1940 to 1945 (North Africa and Europe) (commands 3 Armored Regiments, 1 Motor Infantry Battalion plus attachments)

            HQ                                                       1 HQ

                                                                        Note                                                     Canadians changed their order of battle in July 1944 by transferring the Motor Infantry Battalion to the Armored Division’s Infantry Brigade.

 

British Cruiser Regiment September 1939 to August 1940 (France)

HQ                                                       1 HQ

                        1 Troop                                    1 A10

            2 Cruiser Squadrons each                   4 A13

            1 Cruiser Squadron                              4 A10

1 Light Tank Squadrons each             4 Mk VIB

 

British Cruiser Regiment September 1940 to July 1941 (North Africa)

HQ                                                       1 HQ

                        1 Troop                                    1 A10

            2 Cruiser Squadrons each                   4 A13

2 Light Tank Squadrons each             4 Mk VIB

Note                                                    

 

British Cruiser Regiment July 1941 to May 1942 (North Africa)

HQ                                                       1 HQ

1 Close Sp Troop                     1 A13CS

3 Cruiser Squadrons each                   4 A13

1 Recce Squadron                               4 Mk IVB

           

British Cruiser Regiment June 1942 to October 1942 (North Africa)

HQ                                                       1 HQ

            1 Recce Troop                         2 M3A3

2 Cruiser Squadrons each                  4 Crusader   

2 Cruiser Squadrons each                   4 Grant

 

3 P British Cruiser Regiment October 1942 to May 1943 (North Africa & Tunisia)

            HQ                                                       1 HQ

            1 Recce Troop                                     2 M3A3

            2 Cruiser Squadrons each                   4 Crusader

            1 Cruiser Squadron                              4 M4/75

1 Cruiser Squadron                              4 Grant                                    

 

British Medium Armored Regiment June 1943 to June 1944 (Europe) Replaces the Cruiser Regiment of earlier periods

            HQ                                                       1 HQ

            Sigs Troops                              2 Lynx

            1 Recce Troop                         2 M5

3 Cruiser Squadrons each       4 M4/75 or Cromwell

Note                                                                                                     May add 1 Firefly per month beginning Mid June 1944 until August 1944.

 

British Medium Armored Regiment August 1944 to April 1945 (Europe) Replaces the Medium Armored Regiment of earlier period

            HQ                                                       1 HQ

            Sigs Troop                               2 Lynx

            1 Recce Troop                         2 M5

3 Cruiser Squadrons each                   3 M4/75, 1 Firefly          

 

British Infantry Tank Regiment 1939 to 1940 (France)

HQ                                                       1 HQ

3 Tank Squadrons each                       3 A11, 1 Mk IV

 

British Infantry Tank Regiment 1940 to 1943 (North Africa)

            HQ                                                       1 HQ

3 Tank Squadrons each                       3 A11

 

British Infantry Tank Regiment 1943 to 1945 (Italy and Europe)

HQ                                                       1 HQ

3 Tank Squadrons each                       2 Churchill, 1 Chruchill CS, 1 M4/75

Note                                                      In NW Europe replace M4/75 with another Churchill

 

British Field Artillery Regiment, RA 1939 to 1945 (3 in an Infantry or Airborne Division, 1 in an Armored Division)

            HQ                                                       1 HQ

                                                                        3 Field Batteries each                          1 Gun, 1 Quad, 1 FAO

            Note                                                     Guns are                      

1939 to 1941 18 pdr or 18/25 pdr only 

1942 onward 25 pdr only except in airborne unit which have the 75mm pack howitzer or 75H.  Airborne units use jeep in place of Quad Truck.

                                                           

British Self Propelled Field Artillery Regiment, RA and RHA 1942 (1 in an Armored Division)

            HQ                                                       1 HQ

            2 Self-Propelled Batteries each           1 SPG, 1 FAO

            Note                                                     Guns are                      

                                                                        1942 to 1943 Bishop (N. Africa and Sicily)

 

British Self Propelled Field Artillery Regiment, RA and RHA 1943 to 1945 (1 in an Armored Division)

            HQ                                                       1 HQ

            4 Self-Propelled Batteries each           1 SPG, 1 FAO

            Note                                                    Guns are                      

1943 to 1945 M7 Priest in Italy

                                                                        1944 onwards Sexton in Europe 

 

British Medium Artillery Regiment, RA 1939 to 1945

HQ                                                       1 HQ

2 Medium Batteries each                     1 Gun, 1 FAO

Note                                                     Guns are                      

1939 to 1941 60 pdr

                                                            1941 onwards 4.5”, 5.5”, 6” Howitzers

 

British Heavy Regiment, RA 1939 to 1945 (these were not used in North Africa)

            HQ                                                       1 HQ

            4 Heavy Batteries each                        1 Gun, 1 FAO

            Note                                                     Guns are                      

1939 to 1940 France 8”

                                                                        1939 to 1943 7.2

                                                                        1942 onwards 7.2 or 8”

 

British Motorized Towed Anti-Tank Regiment, RA 1940 to 1943

            HQ                                                       1 HQ 

            3 Anti Tank Batteries                           3 ATG, 3 Light Truck

            Note                                                     Anti Tank Gun is as follows:

2 pdr – 1939 to August 1942

6 pdr – September 1942 to 1943

Motorized regiments were attached to armored divisions and usually had a better gun than the regiments attached to infantry divisions.  These regiments were converted to Self-Propelled regiments in 1943.  In early 1943 some of these regiments would have received some of the early archer Self Propelled Anti Tank vehicles in one or two battery strength.

 

British Towed Anti-Tank Regiment, RA 1940 to 1945

            HQ                                                       1 HQ

            4 Anti Tank Batteries                           3 ATG, 3 Light Truck (Gun Tower with 17 pdr)

            Note                                                     Anti Tank Gun is as follows:

2 pdr – 1939 to August 1942

6 pdr – September 1942 to January 1945

17 pdr – July 1944 to March 1945

The 17 pounder and 6 pounder served together during a long transition period in the Anti Tank Regiment (but never in the same regiment).  The 6 pounder remained the Anti Tank Gun in the infantry battalions until the disbandment of separate towed Anti Tank Regiments in the 1950s.

 

British Self-Propelled Anti-Tank Regiment, RA 1943 to 1945

            HQ                                                       1 HQ

            2 Self Propelled Batteries                    3 M10 or Achilles or Archer

            2 Towed Anti Tank Battery                  3 17lber, 3 Gun Tower

            Note                                                     SPAT dates are:

Archer 1944+

M10 Late 1943 to July 1944

Achilles August 1944 to March 1945

There would be some overlap where vehicles of two types would be found in one regiment.  Most Archers were transferred to Asia and the Royal Egyptian Army (seeing service in the 1950s).

 

British Reconnaissance Regiment 1939 to 1940 (France)

HQ                                                       1 HQ

3 Recce Squadrons each                     4 Morris, 1 Bren, 1 Rifle

Note                                                                                                     Recce Regiments are a Corps asset where each Corps will have at least one Regiment throughout the Second World War.

 

British Reconnaissance Regiment 1939 to December 1942 (North Africa)

HQ                                                       1 HQ

4 Recce Squadrons each                     4 Humber 1, 1 Bren, 1 Rifle

 

British Reconnaissance Regiment January to May 1943 (North Africa)

HQ                                                       1 HQ

4 Recce Squadrons each                     4 Daimler 1 or Humber 2, 1 Bren, 1 Rifle

 

British Reconnaissance Regiment 1943 to 1945 (Italy)

HQ                                                       1 HQ

4 Recce Squadrons each                     4 Staghound or Daimler 2, 1 Bren, 1 Rifle

 

British Reconnaissance Regiment 1944 to 1945 (Northwest Europe)

HQ                                                       1 HQ

4 Recce Squadrons each                                 4 Staghound or Daimler 2 or Otter (Canadians only), 1 Bren, 1 Rifle

 

British Armored Reconnaissance Regiment 1944 to 1945 (Northwest Europe)

HQ                                                       1 HQ

            1 Troop (CO)                            1 Cromwell

3 Cruiser Squadrons                            2 Cromwell, 1 Cromwell CS, 1 Challenger

Note                                                                                                     1 Regiment per Armored Division in 1944 to 1945 in place of the recce regiment.

                       

British Infantry Division Cavalry Regiment 1939 to 1940 (France)

            HQ                                                       1 HQ, 1 76M, 1 2 Pdr, 2 Bren

3 Cavalry Squadrons each                   2 Mk IV, 3 Bren, 2 Rifle, 1 MMG

 

British Infantry Divisional Cavalry Regiment 1940 to October 1942 (Africa)

            HQ                                                       1 HQ, 1 76M, 1 2 Pdr, 2 Bren

            3 Cavalry Squadrons each                   4 Bren, 2 Rifle

 

British Infantry Divisional Reconnaissance Regiment 1943 to 1945 (Europe) 

HQ                                                       1 HQ, 1 76M, 1 6 Pdr, 2 Bren

            1 SPG Troop                            1 M3/75 (or M8 HMC)

3 Recce Squadrons each                     2 M8, 1 Humber, 2 Bren, 1 Rifle

 

British Parachute Divisional Reconnaissance Regiment 1944 to 1945 (Europe) 

HQ                                                       1 HQ, 1 76M, 1 Bren

3 Recce Squadrons each                     2 Lynx, 2 Bren, 1 Rifle

 

British Long Range Group

HQ                                                       1 HQ

5 Troops                                               2 Scout, 2 Jeep/MG

Note                                                                                                     This unit was formed in North Africa and but also operated in Europe.  This unit was self-sufficient and operated deep behind enemy lines.

 

British 79th Armored Division NW Europe 1944 to 1945

Div HQ                                                 1 HQ

30 Armd Bde

            HQ                                           1 HQ

22 Dragoons (June 44)

HQ                               1 HQ, 1 Humber 2, 1 Bren

4 Squadrons each        5 Flail

1 Lothians and Border Horse (June 44)

HQ                               1 HQ, 1 Humber 2, 1 Bren

4 Squadrons each        5 Flail

1 Westminister Dragoons (June 44)

HQ                               1 HQ, 1 Humber 2, 1 Bren

4 Squadrons each        5 Flail

1 Assault Bde RE

HQ                                           1 HQ

5 Assault Regiment RE (June 44)

HQ                               1 HQ, 1 Humber 2, 1 Bren

1 Squadron                  5 AVLB

1 Squadron                  5 AEV

1 Squadron                  5 AVRE/Demo

1 Squadron                  5 AVRE Fascine

Note                                                                                                     This regiment was converted to an LVT regiment in Jan 1945.

6 Assault Regiment RE (June 44)

            HQ                               1 HQ, 1 Humber 2, 1 Bren

1 Squadron                  5 AVLB

1 Squadron                  5 AEV

1 Squadron                  5 AVRE/Demo

1 Squadron                  5 AVRE Fascine

42 Assault Regiment RE  (June 44)

HQ                               1 HQ, 1 Humber 2, 1 Bren

1 Squadron                  5 AVLB

1 Squadron                  5 AEV

1 Squadron                  5 AVRE/Demo

1 Squadron                  5 AVRE Fascine

11 RTR  (Sept 44)

HQ                               1 HQ, 1 Humber 2, 1 Bren

5 Squadrons each        5 LVT

4 RTR (Sept 44)

HQ                               1 HQ, 1 Humber 2, 1 Bren

5 Squadrons each        5 LVT

31 Tank Bde (July 44)

HQ                                           1 HQ

141 Regiment RAC

HQ                                                       1 HQ, 2 Humber 2, 1 Bren, 2 M5

3 Squadrons each        1 A/C, 5 F/T Churchill

1 Fife and Forfar Yeomany

HQ                                                       1 HQ, 2 Humber 2, 1 Bren, 2 M5

3 Squadrons each        1 A/C, 5 F/T Churchill

7 RTR

HQ                                                       1 HQ, 2 Humber 2, 1 Bren, 2 M5

3 Squadrons each        1 A/C, 5 F/T Churchill

49 RTR

HQ                               1 HQ, 1 Humber 2, 1 Bren

5 Squadrons each        5 Kangaroos

1 Canadian Armored Personnel Carrier Regiment

HQ                               1 HQ, 1 Humber 2, 1 Bren

5 Squadrons each        5 Kangaroos

Note:                                                                                                    These must be attached to other units. No more than 1 Companies worth of 79^th Armour Division elements may be attached to one unit.

 

Mine Clearing              Sherman Crab

Flame Throwers          Churchill Crocodile

ARVE Troops                Churchill AVRE

 

British Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment 1939 to 1945

            HQ                                                       1 HQ

            3 Anti Aircraft Batteries each               2 90AAG, 2 Medium Trucks

 

British Medium Anti Aircraft Regiment 1939 to 1945

            HQ                                                       1 HQ

            3 Anti Aircraft Batteries each               2 76AAG, 2 Medium Trucks

 

British Light Anti Aircraft Regiment 1939 to 1945

            HQ                                                       1 HQ

            3 Anti Aircraft Batteries each               2 40AAG, 2 Light Trucks

 

British Engineer Squadron 1939 to 1945

HQ                                                       1 HQ

3 Field Troops each                             2 Engr, 2 Medium Trucks

1 Field Park Troop                               2 Engr, 3 Bridge, 5 Medium Trucks

 

British Engineer Regiment 1939 to 1945

            HQ                                                       1 HQ

2 Engineer Squadrons each

HQ                                           1 HQ

3 Field Troops each                 2 Engr, 2 Medium Trucks

1 Field Park Troop                   2 Engr, 3 Bridge, 5 Medium Trucks

 

British Royal Marine Armored Support Group 1944

HQ                                                       1 HQ

2 Armored Support Batteries               1 M4/75, 4 CS Tanks

Note                                                                                                     There were 2 such units supporting Royal Marines on Gold and Juno Beaches and the 5^th Independent Battery supported French Commandos and Royal Marines on Sword beach.

 

Large Units:

 

Infantry Division – 3 Infantry Brigades, 3 Field Artillery Regiments, 1 Anti-Aircraft Regiment, 1 Anti-Tank Regiment, 1 Engineer Regiment, 1 Machinegun Battalion, 1 Divisional Recce Regiment.

 

South African Infantry Division – 3 Infantry Brigades, 3 Field Artillery Regiments, 1 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, 1 Medium Anti-Aircraft Regiment, 1 Anti-Tank Regiment, 1 Engineer Squadron, 1 Machinegun Battalion, 3 Divisional Recce Regiments, 1 Tank Regiment,

 

Parachute Division – 2 Parachute Brigades, 1 Glider Brigade, 1 75mm Field Artillery Regiment, 1 Towed Anti-Tank Regiment (57ATG towed by jeeps), 1 Machinegun Company, 1 Engineer Squadron (if this division goes into battle as infantry all the same assets as an infantry division are present: 1 Machinegun Battalion, 1 Parachute Divisional Recce Regiment, All transport is Jeep and armored cars are Lynx.

 

Armored Division (1940-42) – 2 Armored Brigade, 1 Motorized Infantry Battalion, 2 Motorized Field Artillery Regiments, 1 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, 1 Engineer Squadron, 1 Motorized Anti-Tank Regiment, 1 Recce Regiment, 1 Machinegun company.

 

Armored Division (1943-45) – 1 Armored Brigade, 1 Motorized Infantry Brigade, 2 Mechanized Field Artillery Regiments, 1 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, 1 Engineer Squadron, 1 Anti-Tank Brigade (2 Self-Propelled Anti-Tank Regiments), 1 Armored Recce (1944 -45) or Recce (1943-44) Regiment, 1 Machinegun company.

 

Special Service Brigade – 1 Brigade Headquarters, 3 to 4 Commando Battalions.

 

Special Air Service Brigade – 1 Brigade Headquarters, 5 Special Air Service Squadrons, 1 Special Boat Service Squadron, 1 Special Air Service Raiding Support Regiment.