French Unit Organization and TO&E
Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 11:48 am
I found a quite detailed Division 59 organization, which should be valid until 1967 re-organization. It is a good starting point given our time-frame, even if additional data is necessary, and similar charts for later organization are highly needed.
Division 59
3 Brigades per division: 2 Armored and 1 Infantry in Armored Divisions; 2 Infantry and 1 Armored in Infantry Divisions
Division HQ
Signal Battalion
[*]Battalion Headquarters
[*]2 Signal Companies
[*]Signal Equipment Detachment
Army Aviation Battalion (Groupe d'Aviation Légère Divisionnaire ;GALDIV)
[*]HHQ Service Detachment
[*]Liaison Detachment (8x Alouette II helicopters; 10x L 19 planes)
[*]Recon Detachment (10x Alouette III helicopters armed with MG and SS 11 ATM)
[*]Observation Detachment (10x Alouette II helicopters or 10x Nord 3400 airplanes)
[*]Utility Detachment (10x Sikorsky S 58)
Reconnaissance Regiment (Régiment de Reconnaissance)
[*]HHQ Service Company (5x EBR)
[*]3 Recon Companies (17x EBR each)
Heavy Artillery Regiment (Régiment d'Artillerie Lourde Divisionnaire)
[*]HHQ Service Battery (BCS)
[*]Observation and Calibration Platoon
[*]Fire Direction Platoon
[*]Radar Platoon
[*]Technical Platoon (muzzle velocity and weather)
[*]2 Heavy Artillery Battalions
· HHQ Service Battery (BCS)
· 2 Batteries (4x howitzers each)(155mm) [being replaced by AMX-13 155]
[*]Rocket Battalion (some battalions have only 1x battery)
HHQ Service Battery (BCS)
· 1 Battery (2x Honest John)
· 1 Battery (2x Lacrosse)
[both types to be replaced by the French Pluton]
[*]Antiaircraft Battalion (GAAL)
· HHQ Service Battery (BCS)
· 3 Batteries (40mm Bofors and M16 half-track)
[to be replaced by AMX with dual 30mm]
Engineer Regiment (Regiment de Genie)
· 2 Companies w/Gillois Bridging equipment
NBC Unit
Supply and service elements [including, but I think not all are indicated]
· Supply Company
· Medical Battalion
· Heavy Maintenance Company
Armored Brigade (Brigade Blindee)
[*]HHQ Company
[*]Signal Company
[*]Recon Company
· 3 Recon Platoons: 6x AML; 3x Jeeps, 3x Jeeps w/SS-11 each (?)
Mechanized Regiment (Regiment Mecaniseé)
· HHQ Service Company(CCS)
· 3 mechanized infantry companies (each):
- HQ & Support Platoon: 2x jeeps; 2x AMX-VTT; 2x AMX-VTT w/ 81mm mortars; 1x 1½ ton truck
- 4 Infantry Platoons; each:
Command Group (Groupe de Commandement): 1x AMX-VTT
1 Officer (Mat 49 SMG)
1 NCO (Mat 49 SMG)
9 Soldiers (1x pistol; 5x Mat 49; 2x semi-auto rifles, 1x rifle w/grenade launcher; 1x LRAC 73 mm )
(Radios: 1 SCR 508 - 1 PRC 10 - 2 TRPP 8)
3 Combat Groups (Groupes de combat), each 1 AMX-VTT
1 NCO (Mat 49 SMG)
1 Driver(Mat 49 SMG)
Rifle Team (Equipe Grenadier Voltigeur)
1 Corporal (Mat 49 SMG)
4 Soldiers (1x Mat 49 SMG; 2x semi-auto rifles; 1x rifle w/grenade launcher)
Light Machine gun Team
1 Corporal (1x BAR or AA52;1 pistol)
2 Soldiers (2x semi-auto rifles)
[*]1 Support Detachment: 5x 4-ton truck Berliet 8 KT; 1x 4-ton truck Berliet 8 KT with crane
2 Tank Regiments
· HHQ Service Company (ECS)
· 3 Tank Companies (each):
- HQ Platoon:: 2x jeeps, 1x AMX VTT; 2x AMX-13 or M47 Patton
- 3 Tank Platoons: 3x jeeps; 1x 1½ ton truck; 5x AMX-13 or M47 Patton each
- Maintenance Section: 1x jeep; 1x 4 ton truck; 1 AVR AMX-55)
- Supply Section: 1x 1½ ton truck; 1x 4 ton truck
[*]Antitank Company
- HQ Platoon: 2 jeeps, 1x AMX-VTT
-3 Tank Platoons (each): 3x jeeps; 1x 1½ ton truck; 2x AMX-VTT; 4x AMX-13 w/ SS.11
[*]Maintenance Detachment: 1x jeep; 1x 4 ton truck; 1x AVR AMX-55
Artillery Regiment
- HQ Battery (BHR)
- 2 Artillery Units:
HQ Supply Battery (BCS) [includes 2x reserve guns]
2 Batteries: 4x AMX 105 each.
Engineer Company: no details; includes AMX VTT; 2x bridgelayers AMX; 6x Gillois bridgelayers
Supply Battalion
[*]HQ Transport Company
[*]Medical Company
[*]Maintenance Company
[*]Administrative Company
Infantry Brigade (Brigade d'Infanterie)
[*]HHQ Company
[*]Signal Company
[*]Recon Company: same as Armored Brigade
[*]Motorized Infantry Regiment
· HHQ Company (CCS)
· 2 Tactical Group HQs (Etat Major Tactique de Groupe de Compagnies)
· Heavy Mortar Co: 6x 120mm
· AT Co: 12x x 106mm RR on jeeps; 6x SS-10 on jeeps
· 6 Infantry Companies, each:
- 1 HQ Platoon: 2x 7.62mm LMGs; 2x 12,7mm HMGs; 2x 81mm Mortars
- 4 Infantry Platoons: each
Command Group (Groupe de Commandement): 1 2½ ton truck
1 Officer (Mat 49 SMG)
1 NCO (Mat 49 SMG)
8 Soldiers (1x 12,7mm HMG; 1x LRAC 73 mm )
(Radios: 1x PRC 10 - 2x TRPP 8)
3 Combat Groups (Groupes de combat), each 1x 2½ ton truck w/7.62mm LMG
1 NCO
1 Driver
Rifle Team (Equipe Grenadier Voltigeur)
1 Corporal (Mat 49 SMG)
4 Soldiers (2x Mat 49 SMG; 1x semi-auto rifle; 1x rifle w/grenade launcher)
Light Machine Gun Team
1 Corporal (1x BAR or AA52; 1x pistol)
2 Soldiers (2x semi-auto rifles)
[*]Mechanized Regiment – see above
[*]Tank Regiment – see above
[*]Artillery Regiment– see above
[*]Engineer Company – see above
[*]Supply Battalion– see above
[*]Régiment d'infanterie - DOT
· HQs & HQs Supply Company (CCS)
· 1x AT Platoon: ENTAC ATGM
· 3x Infantry Companies
· 1x Recon Platoon: 4 Recon Sections each (2x jeeps per section)
· 3x Commando Platoons (each): 3x Commando Sections (1 NCO/7 men, 1x LMG, 1x ATR)
· 1x Heavy Section (2x 81mm Mortars; 3x 106mm RR)
Mountain Brigade
[*]HHC
[*]Signal Company
[*]1 Armored Recon Battalion
· HHC: 9x SS-11 on jeeps
· 3x Recon Companies: 12x AML each
[*]4x Mountain Battalions
[*]Mountain Artillery Regiment
[*]Engineer Company
[*]Supply Battalion
[*]Transport Company
[*]Medical Company
[*]Maintenance Company
[*]Administrative Company
Division 59
3 Brigades per division: 2 Armored and 1 Infantry in Armored Divisions; 2 Infantry and 1 Armored in Infantry Divisions
Division HQ
Signal Battalion
[*]Battalion Headquarters
[*]2 Signal Companies
[*]Signal Equipment Detachment
Army Aviation Battalion (Groupe d'Aviation Légère Divisionnaire ;GALDIV)
[*]HHQ Service Detachment
[*]Liaison Detachment (8x Alouette II helicopters; 10x L 19 planes)
[*]Recon Detachment (10x Alouette III helicopters armed with MG and SS 11 ATM)
[*]Observation Detachment (10x Alouette II helicopters or 10x Nord 3400 airplanes)
[*]Utility Detachment (10x Sikorsky S 58)
Reconnaissance Regiment (Régiment de Reconnaissance)
[*]HHQ Service Company (5x EBR)
[*]3 Recon Companies (17x EBR each)
Heavy Artillery Regiment (Régiment d'Artillerie Lourde Divisionnaire)
[*]HHQ Service Battery (BCS)
[*]Observation and Calibration Platoon
[*]Fire Direction Platoon
[*]Radar Platoon
[*]Technical Platoon (muzzle velocity and weather)
[*]2 Heavy Artillery Battalions
· HHQ Service Battery (BCS)
· 2 Batteries (4x howitzers each)(155mm) [being replaced by AMX-13 155]
[*]Rocket Battalion (some battalions have only 1x battery)
HHQ Service Battery (BCS)
· 1 Battery (2x Honest John)
· 1 Battery (2x Lacrosse)
[both types to be replaced by the French Pluton]
[*]Antiaircraft Battalion (GAAL)
· HHQ Service Battery (BCS)
· 3 Batteries (40mm Bofors and M16 half-track)
[to be replaced by AMX with dual 30mm]
Engineer Regiment (Regiment de Genie)
· 2 Companies w/Gillois Bridging equipment
NBC Unit
Supply and service elements [including, but I think not all are indicated]
· Supply Company
· Medical Battalion
· Heavy Maintenance Company
Armored Brigade (Brigade Blindee)
[*]HHQ Company
[*]Signal Company
[*]Recon Company
· 3 Recon Platoons: 6x AML; 3x Jeeps, 3x Jeeps w/SS-11 each (?)
Mechanized Regiment (Regiment Mecaniseé)
· HHQ Service Company(CCS)
· 3 mechanized infantry companies (each):
- HQ & Support Platoon: 2x jeeps; 2x AMX-VTT; 2x AMX-VTT w/ 81mm mortars; 1x 1½ ton truck
- 4 Infantry Platoons; each:
Command Group (Groupe de Commandement): 1x AMX-VTT
1 Officer (Mat 49 SMG)
1 NCO (Mat 49 SMG)
9 Soldiers (1x pistol; 5x Mat 49; 2x semi-auto rifles, 1x rifle w/grenade launcher; 1x LRAC 73 mm )
(Radios: 1 SCR 508 - 1 PRC 10 - 2 TRPP 8)
3 Combat Groups (Groupes de combat), each 1 AMX-VTT
1 NCO (Mat 49 SMG)
1 Driver(Mat 49 SMG)
Rifle Team (Equipe Grenadier Voltigeur)
1 Corporal (Mat 49 SMG)
4 Soldiers (1x Mat 49 SMG; 2x semi-auto rifles; 1x rifle w/grenade launcher)
Light Machine gun Team
1 Corporal (1x BAR or AA52;1 pistol)
2 Soldiers (2x semi-auto rifles)
[*]1 Support Detachment: 5x 4-ton truck Berliet 8 KT; 1x 4-ton truck Berliet 8 KT with crane
2 Tank Regiments
· HHQ Service Company (ECS)
· 3 Tank Companies (each):
- HQ Platoon:: 2x jeeps, 1x AMX VTT; 2x AMX-13 or M47 Patton
- 3 Tank Platoons: 3x jeeps; 1x 1½ ton truck; 5x AMX-13 or M47 Patton each
- Maintenance Section: 1x jeep; 1x 4 ton truck; 1 AVR AMX-55)
- Supply Section: 1x 1½ ton truck; 1x 4 ton truck
[*]Antitank Company
- HQ Platoon: 2 jeeps, 1x AMX-VTT
-3 Tank Platoons (each): 3x jeeps; 1x 1½ ton truck; 2x AMX-VTT; 4x AMX-13 w/ SS.11
[*]Maintenance Detachment: 1x jeep; 1x 4 ton truck; 1x AVR AMX-55
Artillery Regiment
- HQ Battery (BHR)
- 2 Artillery Units:
HQ Supply Battery (BCS) [includes 2x reserve guns]
2 Batteries: 4x AMX 105 each.
Engineer Company: no details; includes AMX VTT; 2x bridgelayers AMX; 6x Gillois bridgelayers
Supply Battalion
[*]HQ Transport Company
[*]Medical Company
[*]Maintenance Company
[*]Administrative Company
Infantry Brigade (Brigade d'Infanterie)
[*]HHQ Company
[*]Signal Company
[*]Recon Company: same as Armored Brigade
[*]Motorized Infantry Regiment
· HHQ Company (CCS)
· 2 Tactical Group HQs (Etat Major Tactique de Groupe de Compagnies)
· Heavy Mortar Co: 6x 120mm
· AT Co: 12x x 106mm RR on jeeps; 6x SS-10 on jeeps
· 6 Infantry Companies, each:
- 1 HQ Platoon: 2x 7.62mm LMGs; 2x 12,7mm HMGs; 2x 81mm Mortars
- 4 Infantry Platoons: each
Command Group (Groupe de Commandement): 1 2½ ton truck
1 Officer (Mat 49 SMG)
1 NCO (Mat 49 SMG)
8 Soldiers (1x 12,7mm HMG; 1x LRAC 73 mm )
(Radios: 1x PRC 10 - 2x TRPP 8)
3 Combat Groups (Groupes de combat), each 1x 2½ ton truck w/7.62mm LMG
1 NCO
1 Driver
Rifle Team (Equipe Grenadier Voltigeur)
1 Corporal (Mat 49 SMG)
4 Soldiers (2x Mat 49 SMG; 1x semi-auto rifle; 1x rifle w/grenade launcher)
Light Machine Gun Team
1 Corporal (1x BAR or AA52; 1x pistol)
2 Soldiers (2x semi-auto rifles)
[*]Mechanized Regiment – see above
[*]Tank Regiment – see above
[*]Artillery Regiment– see above
[*]Engineer Company – see above
[*]Supply Battalion– see above
[*]Régiment d'infanterie - DOT
· HQs & HQs Supply Company (CCS)
· 1x AT Platoon: ENTAC ATGM
· 3x Infantry Companies
· 1x Recon Platoon: 4 Recon Sections each (2x jeeps per section)
· 3x Commando Platoons (each): 3x Commando Sections (1 NCO/7 men, 1x LMG, 1x ATR)
· 1x Heavy Section (2x 81mm Mortars; 3x 106mm RR)
Mountain Brigade
[*]HHC
[*]Signal Company
[*]1 Armored Recon Battalion
· HHC: 9x SS-11 on jeeps
· 3x Recon Companies: 12x AML each
[*]4x Mountain Battalions
[*]Mountain Artillery Regiment
[*]Engineer Company
[*]Supply Battalion
[*]Transport Company
[*]Medical Company
[*]Maintenance Company
[*]Administrative Company