TO&E, Armored Ordnance Battalions

A great many tanks and other vehicles, as well as personnel, were shed when the War Dept. reorganized the heavy armored divisions into light armored divisions.

With fewer tanks and other vehicles to maintain it is my guess the Armored Ordnance Battalions lost personnel and equipment as a result of this reorganization.

I have drawn a blank on documenting this. It would be very helpful if anyone can provide more information on this topic.

Mucho Thanks,

Bad Bob

 

Bob,

While other units of the 1943 armored division were heavily trimmed of personnel and equipment, the Ordnance Maintenance Battalion was not. Under TO&E17 1 March 1942, the battalion had an aggregate strength of 873 officers, WO, and EM, which was reduced to 762 under the 17 September 1943 TO&E. In the 24 January 1945 TO&E it was further reduced to 732.

 

Rich,

Many Thanks for the information. Based on your numbers the OMB lost about 13% of its personnel under the 17 September 1943 TO&E. Is it possible for you to provide your source for this?

Again, very much appreciated.

Bad Bob

 

Ken Roberts Greenfield, Robert R. Palmer, and Bell I. Wiley, The Organization of Ground Combat Troops. Also, Yves J. Bellanger, U.S. Army Armored Division 1943-1945 is extremely useful for details on the later organization.

 

Thanks again.

 

Outline organisation for T/O 9-65 of 15Sep43

HQ & HQ Co; 19 Offrs, 3 WOs, 143 EM
Three Cos, each; 7 Offrs, 1 WO, 191 EM
Att Med; 2 Offs, 8 EM

Bn HQ - 3 Offrs, 11 EM, 1x 1/4-ton, 1x 3/4-ton and 1x 2.5-ton trucks
HQ Sec - 11 Offrs, 1 WO, 23 EM, 3x 1/4-ton, 1x 3/4-ton and 2x 2.5-ton trucks and 1x M3A1 halftrack
Co HQ - 1 Offr, 3 EM, 1x 3/4-ton truck
Maint Sec - 1 Offr, 7 EM, 1x 1/4-ton and 1x 3/4-ton trucks
AM&S Sec - 23 EM, 1x 2.5-ton truck
Supply Sec - 1 Offr, 1 WO, 47 EM, 26x 2.5-ton trucks
Serv & Salv Sec - 1 Offr, 1 WO, 16 EM, 4x 2.5-ton machine shop trucks, 1x 2.5-ton welding truck and 2x heavy wrecker trucks
Insp Sec - 1 Offr, 13 EM, 3x 1/4-ton and 1x 2.5-ton trucks

Three Cos, each;

Co HQ Sec - 1 Offr, 6 EM, 1x 1/4-ton truck, 1x M3A1 halftrack
Maint Sec - 1 Offr, 4 EM, 1x 3/4-ton truck
AM&S Sec - 28 EM, 1x 2.5-ton truck

Serv Sec - 1 WO, 11 EM, 1x 3/4-ton truck, 1x 2.5-ton machine shop truck, 1x 2.5-ton welding truck
Supply Sec - 1 Offr, 11 EM, 6x 2.5-ton trucks

1 Automotive Pl;
Pl HQ - 2 Offrs, 36 EM, 1x 1/4-ton truck, 1x 3/4-ton truck, 4x 2.5-ton trucks (incl 2 auto and 1 electric repair), 1x 4-ton truck and 1 heavy wrecker truck
Two Maint Secs, each - 18 EM, 1x 3/4-ton truck, 1x 2.5-ton truck
Reclaim & Evac Sec - 20 EM, 1x 2.5-ton truck, 2 heavy wrecker trucks, 3x 40-ton truck/trailers (tank recovery)

1 Armament Pl;
Arty Sec - 1 Offr, 17 EM, 1x 1/4-ton truck, 2x 2.5-ton trucks (incl 1 arty repair)
Small Arms Sec - 1 Offr, 11 EM, 1x 1/4-ton truck, 1x 2.5-ton truck (s/a repair)
Instrument Sec - 11 EM, 1x 1/4-ton truck, 1x 2.5-ton truck (instr repair)

Med Det - 2 Offrs, 8 EM, 1x 1/4-ton truck, 2x 3/4-ton trucks

Gary