Difference between Light Inf Battalion & Infantry Battal

[David W]

During WWII The Allies sometimes fielded Light Infantry Battalions, like the Durham Light Infantry. How would the T.o&E of a Light Infantry battalion differ from that of an ordinary one?

[Tom Houlihan]

1/3 less calories?

I'm sorry... I just couldn't pass that one up!

[David W]

O.K TOM, I FORGIVE YOU, ALTHOUGH ONLY JUST. AND BECAUSE IT'S EASTER & CHRIST FORGAVE HIS TORMENTORS. I ONLY HOPE YOUR PREVIOUS 632 POSTS WERE MORE INFORMATIVE.

Kind Regards grudgingly given Dave W

[daveh]

http://www.bayonetstrength.150m.com/Bri ... h_army.htm is a study of the type of battalions fielded by the British army in WW2.

The name of a British regiment such as the Durham Light Infantry reflects the Regiment's history and is not necessarily a guide to the organisation of its component battalions during WW2.

[David W]

Great Link. Thanks very much. Dave W

[Andreas]

As DaveH points out, it is a tradition thing. The Light Infantry battalions all have a similar coat of arms, AFAIK, with a hunting horn (?) at the bottom, a crown at the top, and the regimental name in the centre. My guess (not being in any way knowledgeable about 19th century and earlier Napoleonic warfare) is that the Light Infantry is drawing its tradition from the skirmishers of those days?

AFAIK, by WW2 this had become obsolete, and all infantry battalions were organised on the same TO&E, and received the same training.

[David W]

Thanks Andreas