MACHINE GUN ORGANISATION

AN AIRLANDING BATTALION OF 1944-45:

The Machine Gun Platoon in more detail ...


(Source: Eastwood et. al., 1994)

A total of 8 guns carried in 8 handcarts. An overall establishment of 1 officer and 43 other ranks.

According to "When Dragon's Flew" (Eastwood et. al., 1994), this was the proposed War Establishment of an Airlanding Battalion in 1943. Upon the return of the 1st Airlanding Brigade to the United Kingdom in late 1943, the Support Company wass increased by adding an additional MMG Platoon and forming and MMG Group with a Captain in command. An additional mortar platoon was also added and one was transported using jeeps and the other using handcarts. This formed a Mortar Group in the same manner as the MMG Group.

The Battalions that were Airlanding Battalions in the Second World War were:

1st Airborne Division:

  • 1st Bn, The Border Regiment
  • 2nd Bn, The South Staffordshire Regiment
  • 7th Bn, The King's Own Scottish Borderers

    6th Airborne Division:

  • 1st Bn, The Royal Ulster Rifles
  • 2nd Bn, The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light infantry
  • 12th Bn, The Devonshire Regiment