GHQ Models Forums

Does anyone have a detailed breakdown of the TO&E of a US tank destroyer battalion in WWII? I'm not interested in the TDs themselves, but rather in the supporting units. The recon company, in particular. I've read some things which indicated that the battalions were equipped with bazookas and mines as well as their TDs.

Scott Washburn wrote:Does anyone have a detailed breakdown of the TO&E of a US tank destroyer battalion in WWII? I'm not interested in the TDs themselves, but rather in the supporting units. The recon company, in particular.

Towed, or self-propelled?

The TOEs were similar between the two forms, in terms of numbers of guns per platoon, number of platoons per company, and number of companies per battalion. But they were different in terms of the recon assets.

I've read some things which indicated that the battalions were equipped with bazookas and mines as well as their TDs.

They were.

Towed battalions had a recon platoon at battalion level. Self propelled battalions had a recon company.

Every TD M20 scout car in the ETO battalions carried a bazooka, and mines. That includes the two M20s in each gun platoon, as well as the dedicated recon cars. So also the half tracks carried mines. They were expected to be able to impliment a close-in tank defense as needed. Every member of a TD battalion was expected to be able to fight tanks.

Thanks for the info! I'm interested in both towed and SP battalions. I'd really like to get hold of a reference source that I could cite. I just finished reading "The Tank Killers" and it has some interesting information.

I don't have access to most of my sources (nor links) while at work, but I might be able to give you quotables later.

Scott Washburn wrote: I just finished reading "The Tank Killers" and it has some interesting information.

A wonderful read, wasn't it? Very interesting, and also very inspirational to historical wargamers. I highly recommend it, for those who haven't yet read it.

I would also recommend the other works by the author, Harry Yeide, on US seperate tank battalions and armored cav. Also the works on campaigns in the Roer Valley and Southern France.

For those who want more inspiration, I suggest his website: http://web.mac.com/yeide/iWeb/World%20W ... 0Page.html

Scott, I also suggest you take a look at his links, and his section on unit histories. You will find direct access to a fair bit of historical information on many of the TD battalions. I expect you'll find direct quotable historical sources of TO&Es there.

Or you can ask Harry through the contact function of the website. I have come to know Harry through internet correspondance, and have found him to be very approachable and knowledgeable, and interested in his subjects and his readers' interests. Tell him "Mark 1" sent you.

I dunno if this link will work but here is a TOE for '44 and '45 US tank destroyer and armored Infantry Companies:

http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/kNd8SIlX76 ... 201944.doc

http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/kNd8SLoB1H ... 201945.doc

http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/kNd8SJAaEq ... 201944.doc

http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/kNd8SJI1iI ... 201945.doc

Troy

there are a couple of Osprey Battle Orders that have exactly what you are looking for:

Battle Orders #21 US Armored Units int the North African and Italian Campaigns 1942-45
&
Battle Orders #10 US Tank and Tank Destroyer Battalions in the ETO 1944-45

Both are by Steven J Zaloga.

They contain detailed org charts and TO&Es and together show the evolution of the TD orgaization as the war progressed. As far as accuracy they appear to be in agreement with other sources I have seen. What is missing however is that the org chart shows there were 15 bazookas in a 1943 towed tank destroyer company, but it doesn't tell you which vehicles carried them for example.

Other than that they are good reads and also contain maps and detailed descriptions of some historical actions. (scenario fodder?)