Organization 70th Armor Regiment

1 organization

1.1 light tank battalion
1.2 medium tank battalion
1.3 heavy tank battalion
1.4 regimental battalion
1.5 division 86 battalion

organization

the 70th tank battalion, , later battalions of 70th armor regiment, saw numerous changes table of organization , equipment on years. battalion formed light tank battalion, converted standard tank battalion configuration during world war ii. after war, redesignated heavy tank battalion, in guise fought in korean war. when reactivated in 1960s, battalions reorganized again. saw active service relatively minor changes until 1980s when reorganized again modernized tank battalions.

light tank battalion

as light tank battalion, 70th tank battalion equipped m5 stuart tanks, updated version of m3 stuart. battalion organized follows:

headquarters , headquarters company – included battalion staff , battalion command headquarters section, including 3 m5s. headquarters company included reconnaissance section equipped “peeps” (jeeps), mortar platoon equipped 81 mm mortar half-tracks, , assault gun platoon equipped 3 m8 howitzer motor carriages (m8 hmc), m5 chassis upgunned short-barreled 75mm howitzers in open topped turrets.


service company – consisted of battalion maintenance platoon , battalion supply , transportation platoon.


companies a, b, , c – each company identically organized 3 platoons of 5 m5 tanks, plus company headquarters tank section of 2 additional m5s total of 17 tanks per company. each company had maintenance section, had additional m5 recovery vehicle, there no suitable light recovery vehicles based on m5 chassis.

medium tank battalion

the 70th tank battalion reorganized when converted light tank battalion standard medium tank battalion organization. m5 stuarts replaced m4 shermans , new organization follows:

headquarters , headquarters company – included battalion staff , battalion command headquarters section, including 2 m4s. headquarters company maintained reconnaissance section , mortar platoon, while assault gun platoon re-equipped m4 tanks armed 105 mm assault guns in enclosed turrets. 70th consolidated 3 assault guns assigned tank companies assault gun platoon.


service company – consisted of battalion maintenance platoon , battalion supply , transportation platoon. supply , transportation platoon more doubled number of trucks in order support increased logistical requirements of thirstier , heavier-gunned sherman medium tanks compared lighter stuarts.


companies a, b, , c – medium tank companies closely followed earlier organization of light tank companies, except equipped m4 shermans instead of m5 stuarts. each company still organized 3 platoons of 5 tanks, plus company headquarters tank section 2 additional tanks total of 17 tanks per company. each tank company maintenance section had dedicated m32 tank recovery vehicle, based on m4 chassis. each company supposed have assault gun, but, mentioned above, transferred battalion s assault gun platoon.


company d – new company d medium tank battalion’s light tank company. light tank company mirrored organization of medium tank companies, still had m5 stuart tanks. each company still organized 3 platoons of 5 tanks, plus company headquarters tank section 2 additional tanks total of 17 tanks. company maintenance section equipped m32 tank recovery vehicle in case—as happened—a platoon of medium tanks attached company provide heavier firepower.

heavy tank battalion

the 70th tank battalion once again underwent massive reorganization when converted heavy tank battalion. primary changes in tank companies, reduced three.

headquarters , headquarters company – included battalion staff , battalion command headquarters section, including 2 tanks in headquarters tank section. headquarters company still had reconnaissance section , mortar platoon. assault gun platoon deleted organization.


service company – still consisted of battalion maintenance platoon , battalion supply , transportation platoon.


companies , c – equipped m4a3e8 sherman tanks. tank equipped high velocity 76 mm gun , heavier horizontal volute suspension. heavy tank companies organized 4 platoons of 5 tanks, plus 2 company headquarters tanks, total of 22 tanks in each company. tank recovery vehicle m74.


company b – equipped m26 pershing tanks, equipped 90 mm gun. despite heavier gun, pershing not liked unreliable , difficult maintain. while in korea, pershings withdrawn , replaced m4a3e8 sherman tanks. otherwise company organization identical companies , c.

regimental battalion

when 70th re-emerged in 1963 part of combat arms regimental system, once again had new organization. battalion still had headquarters , headquarters company , 3 tank companies. however, service company had been replaced combat support company, took on several of functions contained within headquarters company.

headquarters , headquarters company – included battalion staff , battalion command headquarters section, had 3 tanks in headquarters tank section. headquarters company had maintenance section , support platoon assigned it, along medical platoon.


combat support company – consisted of scout platoon , mortar platoon. these platoons mounted on m113 variants.


companies a, b, , c – line tank companies equipped m60 tank variants. companies once again organized 3 platoons of 5 tanks, 2 tanks in company headquarters tank section. company still maintained maintenance section, equipped m88 recovery vehicle.

division 86 battalion

when army reorganized in mid-1980s, under termed division 86 force structure, battalions of 70th armor regiment took on new structure. combat support company eliminated, functions consolidated headquarters company. additional line tank company added, bringing total four; these companies made considerably leaner, essential company administration , supply functions consolidated headquarters company.

headquarters , headquarters company – included battalion staff , battalion command headquarters section, headquarters tank section once again reduced 2 tanks. headquarters company held maintenance assets of battalion consolidated 1 large platoon, although each tank company had maintenance team attached operations in field. similar arrangement made medical platoon, consisted of 2 aid stations under battalion control , medical evacuation team attached each tank company. scout , mortar platoons assigned company under direct battalion control. support platoon remained in headquarters company , mess sections consolidated operate single mess team battalion.


companies a, b, c, , d – each company had 3 tank platoons which, first time, reduced 4 tanks per platoon. company headquarters section still had 2 tanks, total of 14 tanks per company. initially, tanks m60a1 variants, later replaced m1 abrams tanks.




^ zaloga, pp. 23,26
^ zaloga, pp. 22–24
^ best, p. 122.