The Art Of Tank Warfare - Chris Keeling

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The following tables of organization and equipment are fairly accurate for U.S. forces throughout the later part
of the Second World War. Due to an excellent logistical system of replacements, parts and reinforcements, the
industrial might of US industry provided materials in a timely manner and helped keep the deployed units at
operational strength.
• The American Tank Battalion was made up of one company of light tanks, organized into three five-tank
platoons and a headquarters section of two tanks, and three companies of medium tanks, each organized
into three five-tank platoons with a headquarters section of two tanks. The battalion headquarters
company included two medium and three support tanks, as well as numerous jeeps, trucks, and halftracks,
and could be supplemented by a reconnaissance platoon of six armored cars.
• The American Tank Destroyer Battalion was made up of one reconnaissance company, organized into
three platoons of two armored cars (one of which may be replaced by a platoon of light tanks) and several
jeeps and a headquarters section of two halftracks and two jeeps. There were three tank destroyer
companies, each organized into three platoons of four tank destroyers and two armored cars, with a
headquarters section of two halftracks and two jeeps. The battalion headquarters platoon included two
halftracks or armored cars and one jeep.
• The American Mechanized Infantry Battalion was made up of three mechanized infantry companies,
organized into three platoons of four halftracks (each carrying a squad of twelve men), a weapons platoon
with four halftracks mounting 60mm mortars and machineguns, a headquarters section with two
halftracks, two jeeps and several bazooka teams. This was supported by an antitank battery with one jeep
and three halftracks towing three antitank guns, a headquarters platoon, and a combat support company
with a heavy machinegun platoon, an 81mm mortar platoon, a reconnaissance platoon with four armored
cars and a battery of three self-propelled howitzers.
• The American Infantry Battalion was made up of three infantry companies, organized into three platoons
of three squads of twelve men and a platoon headquarters jeep each, a headquarters section with two jeeps,
and a weapons platoon with a machinegun section, a mortar section, and a platoon headquarters jeep.
These units were further supported by an antitank battery made up of three or four towed antitank guns,
trucks or halftracks, a combat support company with an 81mm mortar battery, a machinegun platoon, a
heavy machinegun section, a bazooka section, and a headquarters platoon with two jeeps, and a
headquarters platoon (for the battalion) with three or four jeeps and several bazooka teams.