From April 1943 onwards, the British Army settled on the organization featured in this episode for its infantry battalions. These battalions were part of an infantry brigade, which was part of an infantry division. Some minor changes notwithstanding, this organization remained in use through to the end of the Second World War, serving in the Italian and Western-European campaigns (organization in the Far East likely differed). This battalion structure also saw use by Commonwealth forces, as well as by smaller armies in the immediate post-war period, such as the Dutch. Notable features of the British infantry battalion are the inclusion of a fourth rifle company and the widespread use of the tracked and lightly armoured Universal Carrier.

Four Minute Formation provides information-packed overviews of military organizations. Command structure, sub-units and equipment are explained using custom-made organizational charts.


PRIMARY SOURCES:
War Establishment, An Infantry Battalion, II/233/2 (effective 30-4-1943).
The War Office, Infantry Training Part I: The Infantry Battalion (15-1-1944).


SECONDARY SOURCES:
Gary Kennedy, Organization of the British Infantry Battalion 1938 to 1945, http://www.bayonetstrength.uk/.


PHOTOGRAPHS BY ORDER OF APPEARANCE:
IWM B 9005
IWM H 9234


TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Overview
00:47 Headquarters
01:02 HQ Company
01:36 Rifle Companies
02:41 Support Company
04:02 Transport