Organization Tank destroyer battalion (United States)

tank destroyer battalion (sp) structure - march 1944

three initial organizations laid down in december 1941; 2 light organisations equipped solely 37mm guns, , abandoned possible standardise on third type, modeled after 893rd tank destroyer battalion, , officially declared standard organization publication of fm 18-5 in june 1942. designated tank destroyer battalion, heavy, self-propelled , , consisted of:

a headquarters company
a reconnaissance company (including pioneer platoon),
three tank destroyer companies of twelve vehicles each

the 3 tank destroyer companies each had 1 platoon of 4 37mm self-propelled guns , 2 platoons of 75mm self-propelled guns. each platoon had 2 sections of 2 guns each, anti-aircraft section of 2 self-propelled 37mm guns, , security section of twelve infantrymen. gave total of twenty-four 75mm guns, twelve 37mm guns, eighteen anti-aircraft guns, , 108 security troops. vehicles used m3 gmc, 75mm gun, , m6 gmc, 3/4 ton truck 37 mm gun mounted in rear compartment.

the battalions deployed north africa used organization, both heavy , light anti-tank guns, reports europe indicated light anti-tank guns no longer playing significant role in combat, light platoons converted third heavy 75mm gun platoon under new organization issued in november 1942. m10 tank destroyers came use, 3-inch gun, these replaced 75mm gun-equipped m3s.

by 1943, role of tank destroyer battalions becoming better understood, , ideas of mass employment of tank destroyer units had become obsolete. result, number of battalions planned steadily reduced, , manpower , equipment assigned them reduced. new table of organization produced in january 1943 reduced overall manpower 25%, eliminating anti-aircraft units (which had proven unnecessary), reducing number of supporting units, , combining tank destroyer platoon s headquarters security section. there no reduction in actual combat strength.

in 1943, stemming problems found in north africa, army began consider more defensive role tank destroyer units. after trials in january, fifteen battalions ordered convert towed guns on 31 march, , shortly thereafter decided half of tank destroyer units convert towed organization. broad outline of battalion remained – 3 companies of 3 platoons of 4 guns – reconnaissance company downgraded 2 platoons in headquarters company. however, need larger gun crews , more security troops meant manpower of unit increased again. these units equipped 3-inch m5 guns towed trucks or m3 halftracks. however, combat experience in normandy , italy – coupled fact purpose-built m18 , m36 tank destroyers becoming available – showed towed units underperforming compared self-propelled ones. after ardennes campaign, 85% of tank destroyer losses towed guns, decided convert towed units self-propelled guns.

pioneer platoon

the pioneer platoon had 2 general missions: prevent movement of battalion being delayed natural or artificial obstacles, , impede or canalize movement of enemy creation of obstacles. pioneer platoon consisted of platoon headquarters , 2 sections, each section included ten men , 2 1 1/2-ton trucks equipped pioneer tools , equipment; platoon headquarters consisted of 6 men, car armored, utility (m20), , air compressor (mt2) complete various air powered tools.