Could someone point me in the right direction of a good book/website regarding British Infantry organisation and tactics, I’m particularly interested in 1944-5. What formations did they use in during an advance or patrolling whilst in the line, were they the same as today? What were their Standard Operating Procedures? I have found this site with clear diagrams of Divisional and Battalion organisation. British Infantry Battalion TO&E TIA Nick
See here! Index ; The British Army Look up the Osprey book list, I remember having seen something there on small unit procedures and tactics. But... Infantry Tactics of World War Two
See here! Index ; The British Army Look up the Osprey book list, I remember having seen something there on small unit procedures and tactics. But... Infantry Tactics of World War Two Thanks, I've just realized my link in the original post leads to the site you've listed. The answer was under my nose all the time, time to pack up for the day I think! Nick
Nicks, I found the Ospreys that certainly will be of interest to you: Osprey Elite 105 - World War II Infantry Tactics: Squad and Platoon Osprey Elite 122 - World War II Infantry Tactics: Company and Battalion but there are more, look here.
Nothing much has changed; EVER! The fire and move tactic, backed up with Artillery fire and air strikes, is as good now, as ever it was. Though the construction of Divs are very different, Gone are the Infantry divs, to be replaced by "All Arms" My old Div. Third British Infantry is a prime example Now the Third UK Div...That is now a complete All Arms battle group. General Mike Jackson, when he was the 3 div CO and before they made him top dog, sent me a book on the Third div and signed it with his best wishes. Time flies for he is already retired. Patrolling in WW2 was a matter of who and what was needed, there were no hard and fast rules on patrolling, or in deep penetration of the enemy lines. We did a lot of offensive patrolling up on the river Maas area. All those empty villages. We used small groups of 4 or 5 men when on deep penetration through the enemy lines. I did two of those, Both at night. Cannot say I was very keen. One near Vire. Normandy, To remove explosives off a bridge. the other in Holland. Playing a bloody stupid portable gramophone, of men building a bridge......I never did have a wish to be a bloody Hero....NEVER! But I got roped in for these missions; despite my obvious intense dislike of them. I never managed to perfect the art of being present ...but invisible. Sapper
Not strictly true Brian....I have no doubt the Orbat has changed dramatically in 60 odd years but 3 Division is a Mechanised Div, consisting of 5 Brigades and the Brigades will consist of Battle Groups which in effect are just Battalions. That was the Orbat in Iraq anyway under 1 Div and 3 Div took over from us on Op Telic 2. Further info: British Army Structure - British Army Website 3 (UK) Division - British Army Website Regards Andy
I would always recomend this site as a starting point - perhaps it does not give the detail of smaller patrolls that you are looking for but will tell you just about everything you need to know about Brigade/Battalion organisation Noel
Thanks all for your links etc, I will check them out as time permits. Patrolling in WW2 was a matter of who and what was needed, there were no hard and fast rules on patrolling, or in deep penetration of the enemy lines. We did a lot of offensive patrolling up on the river Maas area. All those empty villages. We used small groups of 4 or 5 men when on deep penetration through the enemy lines. I did two of those, Both at night. Cannot say I was very keen. One near Vire. Normandy, To remove explosives off a bridge. the other in Holland. Playing a bloody stupid portable gramophone, of men building a bridge......I never did have a wish to be a bloody Hero....NEVER! But I got roped in for these missions; despite my obvious intense dislike of them. I never managed to perfect the art of being present ...but invisible. Sapper Sapper, thank you for sharing your experiences. Nick
Drew. I do not for a second dispute your postings. No way, I was talking generally ,And it must be said that British army battle practice has not changed, for one good reason It works. As an aside. General Mikie Jackson also sent me a set of Third UK arm badges, the same as the old 3 div Sapper .