Tank Brigade 010/500

[Art]

Below are links from another topic to organizational tables for the tank brigade, TO&E 010/500-010/506. That was the basic organization of the tank brigade in the last part of the war. Tables were printed in August 1944 and reflect changes made by that moment (tank crews enlarged to 5 men, AT rifle company deleted).
Overview of the tank brigade:
https://pamyat-naroda.ru/dou/?docID=130459867
010/500 tank brigade HQ:
https://pamyat-naroda.ru/dou/?docID=130459868
010/501 tank battalion (3 in a brigade):
https://pamyat-naroda.ru/dou/?docID=130459869
010/502 Motor submachine-gun battalion:
https://pamyat-naroda.ru/dou/?docID=130459870
010/503 anti-aircraft machine-gun company:
https://pamyat-naroda.ru/dou/?docID=130459871
010/504 HQ company:
https://pamyat-naroda.ru/dou/?docID=130459872
010/505 service company:
https://pamyat-naroda.ru/dou/?docID=130459873
010/506 medical platoon:
https://pamyat-naroda.ru/dou/?docID=130459874

[Art]

Tables in English. For explanation of ranks see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranks_and ... _1943–1955
Special services ranks (technical, administrative, intendancy, medical) are explicitly designated by adding techn, adm, int or med.

Brigade summary:

1. Brigade HQ
2. 3 tank battalions
3. Motorized submachine-gun battalion
4. Anti-aircraft machine-gun company
5. HQ company
6. Technical service company
7. Medical platoon

II. Personnel
General – 1
Officers – 248
NCOs – 535
Privates – 561
Total 1345 men

Special department (SMERSh counterintelligence section) – 8 men

Total with SMERSh – 1354 men

III. Equipment
T-34 – 65
Armored carriers (lend-lease scout cars) – 3
RSB radio – 1
RB with an enlarged antenna – 1
12-RP radios – 6
RB radios – 3
RBS radios – 3
Total radios – 14

IV. Weapons
Carbines – 7(?)
57(76)-mm guns – 4
82-mm mortars- 6
Medium machine-guns – 4
DShK machine-guns – 9
DP light machineguns – 22
Pistols- 4(?)

V. Transport vehicles
Cars – 2
“Willys” jeeps – 2
Trucks 1,5-ton – 82
Trucks 2,5-ton – 59
Staff bus – 1
Ambulances – 3
Mobile workshops “A” – 6
Mobile workshops “B” – 1
Mobile recharging stations – 1
Fuel tankers – 9
Total 166 automobiles
Motorcycles – 13
Trailers – 2
Kitchen trailers – 8
Kitchen boiler -1
Large water heater – 1
Small water heater – 1

Tank brigade HQ, TO&E 010/500

I. Organization
1. Command
2. Staff
3. Chiefs of services
4. Political department
5. Special department
6. Technical section
7. Supply service

II. Personnel
General – 1
Officers – 38
NCOs – 6
Private – 1
Total – 46 men
+ Special department – 8 men

III. Motor transport
Car – 1 (for special department)
Pistols – 34

Detailed organization:
1. Command
Brigade commander (major general)
Political deputy, also chief of political department (colonel)
Deputy commander (colonel)
Deputy commander, supply officer (lt.col)
Aide, technical service officer (techn lt.col)
Total 5 men

2. Staff
Chief of staff (col)
Deputy chief of staff, operations (lt.col)
COS aide, operations (major)
Aide, intelligence (major)
Aide, personnel (adm capt)
Senior aide, special communication (capt)
Aide, special communication (sr.lt)
3 liaison officers (capt)
File work officer (adm lt.)
Clerk, HQ sergeant (adm sergeant major)
Senior clerk (adm sergeant)
Total 13 men

3. Chiefs of services
Chief engineer officer (major)
Chief chemical officer (major)
Communication officer (major)
Brigade doctor (medical lt.col)
Total 4 men

4. Political department
Deputy chief, organization (lt.col)
(Department chief, deputy brigade commander (lt.col))
Aide, komsomol work (major)
Agitator (major)
Instructor, file work (capt)
Department secretary (lt)
Total 5 men

Party commission:
Part-time secretary

5. Special department (SMERSh)
/separate organization/ - 8 men, 1 car

6. Technical section
(chief of section, also brigade technical officer)
Aide, supply and maintenance (techn capt)
Aide, POL supply ( techn sr.lt)
Electric engineer (techn capt)
File work officer (adm lt)
Senior clerk (adm serg)
Total 5 men

5. Supply service
(brigade supply officer)
Aide-de-camp (capt – sr.lt)
Total 1 man

a) Ordnance supply
Chief of ordnance supply (techn captain)
Aide (techn sr. lt.)
File work officer (adm lt)
Senior clerk (adm sergeant)
Total 4 men

b) Food supply
chief of food supply (int captain)
aide, procurement (int lt)
File work officer (adm lt)
Senior clerk (adm serg)
Total 4 men

c) Clothing supply
Chief of clothing supply (int capt)
Clerk sergeant (adm sergeant major)
Total 3 men

d) Paymaster section
Paymaster chief (int capt)
File-work officer (int lt)
Total 2 men

Total supply section – 14 men
Total brigade HQ - 46 men + 8 men in the special department

Brigade HQ is catered by the HQ company.

Tank battalion, TO&E 010/501 (3 in a brigade)

I. Organization
1. Battalion HQ
2. 2 T-34 tank companies
3. Service platoon
4. Supply section
5. Medical aid station

II. Personnel
Officers – 45
NCOs – 100
Privates – 21
Total 166 men

III. Equipment
T-34 tanks – 21
12-RP radio – 1
Submachine-guns – 21

4. Motor transport
Trucks 1,5-ton – 6
Trucks 2,5-ton – 7
Mobile workshop “A” – 1
Fuel tankers – 2
Motorcycle w/sidecar - 1
Kitchen trailer – 1

V. Weapons
Rifles, carbines – 11
Carbines – 23
Pistols – 65
PPSh submachine-guns – 21

Detailed organization

1. Battalion HQ
A. Command
Battalion commander (maj)
Political deputy (capt)
Deputy commander (capt)
aide, technical officer (techn capt)
Aide, supply officer (int capt)
Total 5

B. Staff
Senior adjutant (capt)
Adjutant (sr.lt)
Communication officer (sr.lt)
File work, paymaster (adm lt)
Chemical instructor (sr.sergeant)
Senior clerk (adm sergeant)
Total 6

C. Party section
Party organization officer – specially assigned
Total 1

D. Technical section
(Battalion technical officer)
Aide, auto&tank supply officer (techn sr.lt)
POL supply officer (techn lt)
Ordnance supply officer (techn sr.lt)
Senior clerk (adm serg)
Total 4

E. HQ platoon
(platoon commander, battalion communication officer)
Tank commander (lt)
Tank driver (techn sr.sergeant)
Tank radio operator, machine gunner (sr.serg)
Gunner (sr.serg)
Chief of radio station (sr.srg)
Radio operator (cpl)
Cyclist (pvt)
Driver (pvt)
1 T-34 radio tank
12-RP radio
Truck 1,5-ton for radio and personnel
Motorcycle w/sidecar
Total 8 men
Total battalion HQ – 24 men

II 2 tank companies, each:
Company commander (cpt)
Aide, technical officer (techn sr.lt)
Tank technician (techn.lt)
Tank commander (lt)
Motor fitter (techn. sergeant major)
Tank driver (techn. sr serg)
Radio operator, machine gunner (sr.serg)
Gunner (sr.serg)
1 T-34 radio
Total 8 men

3 tank platoons, each:
Platoon commander (st.lt)
2 tank commander (lt)
3 tank drivers (techn.serg)
Senior radio operator also machine-gunner (sr.serg)
3 gunners (sr.srgt)
2 machine-gunners, junior drivers (jr.serg)
1 T-34 radio
2 T-34
3 gun loaders (serg)
Total 15 men in a platoon

Total 53 men in a company

III. Service platoon
Platoon commander (techn. sr.lt)

a) Maintenance section
Maintenance technician (techn. lt)
Senior master (techn sr serg)
Fitter (techn jr serg)
Electrician (pvt)
Radio master (techn serg)
Driver-fitter (techn jr serg)
Dirver (pvt)
Field repair workshop “A”
Truck 1,5-ton for spare parts and personnel
Total 7 men

b) Weapons maintenance section
Junior weapons technician (techn lt)
Small-arms master (techn serg)
Gun master (techn serg)
Driver (pvt)
Workshop truck 1,5-ton
Total 4 men

c) Transport section
Auto mechanic (techn serg)
Auto technician (techn lt)
Motor and POL dump storekeeper (techn serg)
Ordnance and ammo dump storekeeper (techn serg)
Section leader (serg)
11 drivers (pvt)
Truck 2,5-ton, food and kitchen – 1
Trucks 2,5-ton, ammunition – 6
Truck 1,5-ton, POL - 1
Truck 1,5-ton, personnel and staff files – 2
Fuel tankers – 2
Kitchen trailer – 1
Total 16 men

Total platoon – 28 men

IV. Supply section
Battalion sergeant (sergeant major)
Senior cook (techn sr. serg)
Cook (pvt)
Cobbler (pvt)
Total 4

V. Medical aid station
Senior medical officer (medical sr.lt)
Medical instructor (medical sr.serg)
2 medics (pvt)
Total 4 men

Total battalion – 166 men

Comment: 5th crewmen is added to T-34 crew with introduction of T-34-85

[Art]

Motorized submachine-gun battalion TO&E 010/502

I. Organization
1. HQ
2. 2 submachine-gun companies
3. Tank-rider company
4. Anti-tank battery
5. Mortar company
6. Anti-tank rifle company
7. Service platoon
8. Medical aid station

II. Personnel
Offciers- 37
NCOs – 108
Privates – 306
Total 451 men

III. Equipment
57(or 76)-mm guns – 4
82-mm mortars – 6
AT rifles- 18
Medium machine-guns – 4
DP light machine guns – 18
12-RP radio – 1
RB radio – 1
RBS radio – 3

IV. Motor transport
“Willys” jeep – 1
Trucks 1,5-ton – 22
Trucks 2,5-ton – 5
Trucks 3-ton (cross-country) – 4
Ambulances – 1
Mobile workshops “A” – 1
Motorcycles w/sidecar – 2
Kitchen trailers – 3

Rifles – 30
Carbines – 100
Pistols – 7
PPSh submachine-guns – 342

Detailed organization
1. HQ
A. Command
Battalion commander (maj)
Political deputy (capt)
Deputy commander (capt)
Aide, technical officer (techn capt)
Aide, supply officer (int capt)
Total 5 men

B. Staff
Senior adjutant (capt)
Adjutant (sr.lt)
Communication officer (sr.lt)
File work officer, also paymaster (adm lt)
Chemical instructor (sr.serg)
Senior clerk (adm serg)
Total 6 men

C. Party&political section
Party organization officer – specially assigned
Komsomol organization officer – specially assigned
Total 2 men

D. Technical section
(chief of section, battalion technical officer)
Ordnance supply officer (techn sr.lt)
Clerk (pvt)
Total 2 men

E. HQ section
Section leader, chief of radio station (sr serg)
3 radio operators (cpl)
Senior radio operator (serg)
Driver (pvt)
1 12-RP radio
3 RBS radios
Truck 1,5-ton for radio
Total 6 men
Total HQ – 21 men

2. 2 submachine-gun companies, each:
Company commander (cpt)

A. HQ section
Company sergeant (sergeant major)
Messenger (pvt)
Medical instructor (med sergeant major)
Medic (pvt)
Total 4 men

B. 3 sumbachine-gun platoons, each:
Platoon commander (lt)
a) 3 submachine-gun squads, each:
squad leader (serg)
machine gunner (jr.serg)
machine gunner (pvt)
6 submachine gunners (pvt)
Total 28 men in a platoon
C. Machine gun platoon
Platoon commander (lt)
2 squad leaders (serg)
2 assistant squad leaders (jr.serg)
6 machine gunners (pvt)
Total 11 men

Total 101 men in a company

3. Tank rider company
Company commander (cpt)
Company sergeant (sergeant major)
a) 3 submachine-gun platoons, each:
platoon commander (lt)
3 squad leader (serg)
27 submachine-gunners (cpl)
Total 31 men in a platoon
Total 95 men in a company

4. Anti-tank battery
Battery commander (capt)
Battery sergeant (sergeant major)
Cyclist (pvt)
Motorcycle w/sidecar
Total 3 men

B. HQ platoon
Platoon commander (lt)
a) Scout squad
squad leader (serg)
senior scout (cpl)
2 scouts (pvt)
Total 4 men

b) Communication squad
squad leader, chief of radio station (serg)
senior telephone man (cpl)
telephone man (pvt)
radio operator (cpl)
RB radio station
Truck 1,5-ton for personnel and signal equipment
Total 11 men in a platoon

C. Two firing platoons:
2 platoon commanders (lt)
4 gun leaders (sr.serg)
4 gun layers (serg)
4 assistant gun layers (jr.serg)
12 gun numbers (pvt)
1 senior driver (techn jr.serg)
3 drivers (pvt)
4 57(or 76)-mm guns
4 trucks 3-tons (cross-country)

Total 44 men in a battery

5. Mortar company
Company commander (capt)

a) HQ section
Company sergeant, section leader (sergeant major)
Scout (pvt)
2 telephone men (pvt)
Driver (pvt)
Truck 1,5-ton
Total 5 men

b) 2 mortar platoons, each:
platoon commander (lt)
3 section commanders (serg)
3 assistant section leaders (jr.serg)
9 mortar numbers (pvt)
2 drivers (pvt)
3 82-mm mortars
2 1,5-ton trucks
Total 18 men

Total 42 men in a company

7. Service platoon
Platoon commander (techn sr.lt)

a) 2 motor transport sections:
2 section leaders (serg)
2 senior drivers (techn jr.serg)
Ammunition dump chief (serg)
15 drivers (pvt)
cyclist (pvt)
1 Willys jeep
Trucks 1,5-ton for personnel – 14
Trucks 2,5-ton for ammunition – 2
Truck 1,5-ton for fuel and spare parts – 1
Motorcycle w/sidecar
Total 21 men

b) Maintenance section
Auto technician (techn lt)
Section leader (techn sr.serg)
Electric mechanic (techn serg)
Gun master (techn serg)
Small arms master (techn serg)
Driver, also fitter (techn jr.serg)
Field workshop “A”
Total 8 men

c) Supply section
Section leader (sergeant major)
Store man (serg)
Senior cook (adm sr.serg)
Cobbler (pvt)
3 cooks (pvt)
3 drivers (pvt)
Truck 2,5-ton for kitchen – 3
Kitchen trailer – 3
Total 12 men

Total 44 men in a platoon

8. Medical aid station
Battalion doctor (med capt)
Medical instructor (med sr.serg or sergeant major)
2 medics (pvt)
Driver (pvt)
Ambulance
Total 5 men

Total 451 men in a battalion

Comment: AT rifle company was deleted to compensate for additional crew men with introduction of T-34-85

[Gary Kennedy]

Thanks Art, and just in case anyone is interested the Anti-tank Rifle Company should (I think) have looked like this;

Company commander (Captain or Senior Lieutenant)
Company Sergeant (Starshina)

Three Platoons, each

Platoon commander (Lieutenant)
Platoon Sergeant (Senior Sergeant)
3 Squad commanders (Sergeants)
3 Assistant Squad commanders (Junior Sergeants) (also man anti-tank rifle) - each with anti-tank rifle
3 Anti-tank riflemen (Lance-corporals) - each with anti-tank rifle
6 Assistants (Privates)

Total, Company, 53 all ranks (18 anti-tank rifles)

Extrapolated from 010/345, allowing for deletion of Deputy Commander, Political Officer and Medical Sergeant from Company HQ, and deletion of transport detachment of Sergeant, 4 drivers and 4x 1.5-ton trucks.

[Art]

Thanks, continuation:

Anti-aircraft machine gun company 010/503

I. Organization
1. HQ
2. HQ section
3. 3 machine-gun platoons
4. Transport section

II. Personnel
Officers – 4
NCOs – 13
Privates – 21
Total 48 men

III. Equipment and transport
DShK machine guns – 9
RB radio – 1
Trucks 1,5-ton – 11
Kitchen boilers – 1

Detailed organization
1. HQ
Company commander (capt)

2. HQ section
Auto mechanic (techn serg)
Company sergeant (sergeant major)
Machine gun master (techn sergeant)
Chief of radio station (serg)
Radio operator (cpl)
RB radio – 1
Total 5 men

3. AA machine-gun platoon
Platoon commander (lt)
2 squad leaders (serg)
3 assistant squad leaders (jr.serg)
3 machine gunners (pvt)
3 drivers (pvt)
DShK machine guns – 3
Trucks 1,5-ton – 3
Total 13 men in a platoon

4. Transport section
Senior driver (techn jr.serg)
Driver (pvt)
Cook (pvt)
Trucks 1,5-ton for personnel, food and boiler – 2
Kitchen boiler – 1
Total 3 men

Total company – 48 men

HQ company of the tank brigade TO&E 010/504

HQ company of the tank brigade TO&E 010/504

I. Organization
1. Command
2. Signal platoon
3. Recon platoon
4. Sapper platoon
5. Commandant and traffic control platoon
6. Service platoon

II. Personnel
Officers – 10
NCOs – 44
Privates – 112

III. Equipment
T-34 radio tanks – 2
Armored carriers – 3
DP light machine guns – 4
“Bren” light machine guns – 3
RSB radio – 1
RB radio with enlarged antenna – 1
RB radio – 1
12-RP radio – 2

IV. Motor transport
Cars – 1
Willys jeep – 1
Trucks 1,5-ton – 10
Trucks 2,5 ton – 2
Staff bus – 1
Total 15 automobiles

Motorcycles w/sidecars – 8
Kitchen trailers – 1
Rifles – 6

Detailed organization:

1. Command
Company commander (cpt)
Aide, technical officer (techn lt)
Senior medical officer (med sr.lt or lt)
Company sergeant (sergeant major)
Total 4 men

2. Signal platoon
Platoon commander (sr lt)

a) HQ tanks
2 tank commanders (lt)
2 tank drivers (techn sr.serg)
2 radio operators (sr.serg)
T-34 radio – 2
2 gunners (sr.serg)
Total 8 men

b) Messenger section
section leader (serg)
driver (pvt)
3 cyclists (pvt)
Willys jeep
3 motorcycles w/sidecar
Total 5 men

c) Radio section
(chief of RSB radio station, platoon commander)
5 senior radio operators (serg)
6 radio operators (cpl)
Electric mechanic (techn serg)
RB radio with enlarged antenna – 1
RSB radio – 1
12-RP/RB/ radio – 3
Truck 1,5-ton for radio and personnel – 2
Total 14 men

d) 3 wire sections
3 section leaders (serg)
3 senior wire men (cpl)
12 wire men (pvt)
Driver (pvt)
Truck 1,5-ton -1
Total 19 men

e) Air warning post
post leader (serg)
2 signallers (pvt)
Driver (pvt)
Truck 1,5-ton
Total 4 men

Total platoon - 51 men

3. Recon platoon
Platoon commander (lt)
Assistant commander (sr.serg)
Total 2

a) Motorcycle squad
squad leader (serg)
2 machine gunners (jr.serg)
7 submachine gunners (cpl)
5 cyclists (pvt)
DP light MGs - 2
Motorcycles w/sidecars – 5
Total 15 men

b) Armored carrier squad
squad leader (sergeant major)
2 carrier commanders (sr.serg)
3 carrier drivers (techn serg)
3 machine gunners (jr.serg)
9 submachine gunners (cpl)
Armored carriers - 3
Bren machine guns – 3
Total 18 men

c) 2 motor rifle squads
2 squad leaders (serg)
14 riflemen (cpl)
1 driver (pvt)
Truck 1,5-ton – 1
Total 17 men

Total 52 men in a platoon

4. Sapper platoon
Platoon commander (lt)
3 squad leaders (serg)
21 sappers (pvt)
2 drivers (pvt)
Trucks 1,5-ton – 2
Total 27 men

5. Commandant and traffic control platoon
Platoon commander, also staff commandant (sr.lt)
Assistant commander, also squad leader (sr.serg)
Squad leader (serg)
2 machine gunners (jr.serg)
12 riflemen (pvt)
DP light MGs – 2
Total 17 men

6. Service platoon
Auto mechanic (techn serg)
Platoon commander (lt)
Assistant platoon commander? (serg) [platoon commander in the original]
Chief of food dump (cpl)
Storekeeper (cpl)
Senior cook (adm sr.serg)
Cook (pvt)
Cobbler (pvt)
Senior driver (techn jr.serg)
6 drivers (pvt)
Car – 1
Staff bus – 1
Truck 2,5-ton for ammunition, engineer and chemical material) – 1
Truck 1,5-ton for personnel – 3
Truck 2,5-ton for food and kitchen – 1
Kitchen trailer – 1
Total 15 men

Total 166 men in a company

[Art]

the final part

Technical service company TO&E 010/505

I. Organization
1. Command
2. Vehicles maintenance platoon
3. Special operations platoon
4. Ammunition transport platoon
5. POL, spare parts and food supply platoon
6. Supply section

II. Personnel
Officers -19
NCOs – 52
Privates – 52
Total 123 men

III. Equipment and transport
Trucks 1,5-ton – 17
Trucks 2,5-ton- 7
Fuel tankers – 5
Mobile workshops “A” – 2
Mobile workshops “B” – 1
Mobile recharging stations – 1
Motorcycle w/sidecar – 1
Trailers – 2
Kitchen trailer – 1
Large water heater1 – 1
Small water heater – 1
Rifles – 35

Detailed organization
1. Command
Company commander (techn capt)
Deputy commander, supply officer (techn capt)
File work officer, paymaster (int lt)
Senior medical officer (med sr.lt)
Company sergeant (sergeant major)
Cyclist (pvt)
Motorcycle w/sidecar

2. Vehicles maintenance platoon
Platoon commander (techn sr.lt)

a) 4 tank maintenance sections
4 section leaders, maintenance technicians (techn lt)
4 senior masters (techn sr.serg)
3 fitters (techn jr.serg)
4 mechanic-adjuster (techn sr.serg)
2 drivers, also fitters (techn jr.serg)
Mobile workshop “A” – 2
Large water heater – 1
Small water heater - 1
Trucks 1,5-ton for personnel and instruments – 2
Total 24 men

b) wheeled vehicles maintenance section
section leader, maintenance technician (techn lt)
2 senior masters (techn sr.serg)
2 fitters (pvt)
2 electric mechanics (pvt)
Driver, also fitter (techn jr.serg)
Truck 1,5-ton with instruments kit – 1
Total 7 men
Total in platoon – 32 men

3. Special operations platoon
Platoon commander (techn sr.lt)
a) Mechanical and thermal operations section
section leader (techn leader)
welder (cpl)
turner (cpl)
senior coppersmith (cpl)
blacksmith (cpl)
carpenter (pvt)
vulcanization operator (pvt)
3 drivers, also fitters (techn jr.serg)
Mobile tank repair workshop “B” – 1
Truck 2,5-ton for welding unit – 1
Truck 2,5-ton for smith and vulcanization equipment – 1
Total 10 men

b) Weapons maintenance section
section leader, gun technician (techn lt)
small arms technician (techn lt)
senior gun master (techn sr.serg)
small arms master (techn serg)
optical master (techn jr.serg)
driver, also fitter
truck 2,5-ton for weapons workshop – 1
Total 6 men

c) electric equipment maintenance section
Section leader, electric technician (techn lt)
Radio technician (techn lt)
Electric mechanic (techn serg)
Senior electrician (cpl)
Battery attendant (pvt)
2 drivers, also electricians (techn jr.serg)
Mobile recharging station – 1
Truck 1,5-ton for electric workshop – 1
Total 7 men

Total 24 men in the workshop

4. Ammunition transport platoon /0.5 authorized ammo unit/
Auto technician (techn lt)
Platoon commander (lt)
2 section leader (serg)
2 senior drivers (techn jr.serg)
Auto mechanic (techn serg)
17 drivers (pvt)
Ammunition dump chief (techn serg)
3 laboratory assistants (cpl)
Trucks 2,5-ton for ammunition – 20
Total 28 men

5. POL, spare parts and food transport platoon
Platoon commander (techn lt)

a) POL transport section /0.5 of authorized fuel load/
Auto mechanic (techn serg)
Section leader (serg)
POL dump chief (techn serg)
10 drivers (pvt)
Fuel tankers – 3
Trucks 1,5-ton with barrels for fuel – 5
Trucks 1,5-ton with barrels for lubricants – 2
Total 14 men

b) Spare parts and food transport section
Auto mechanic (techn serg)
Section leader (serg)
Spare parts dump chief (techn serg)
Food dump chief (adm serg)
2 senior drivers (techn jr.serg)
6 drivers (pvt)
Truck 1,5-ton for food – 4
Truck 2,5-ton for spare parts – 4
Trailers for spare parts – 2
Total 12 men

Total 27 men in the platoon

5. Supply section
Section leader (serg)
Senior cook (adm serg)
Cook (pvt)
2 drivers (pvt)
Cobbler (pvt)
Truck 1,5-ton for food and personnel - 1
Truck 2,5-ton for kitchen – 1
Kitchen trailer – 1
Total 6 men

Total company – 123 men

Medical platoon TO&E 010/506

I. Organization
1. Command
2. Medical section
3. Transport section

II. Personnel
Officers – 5
NCOs – 3
Privates – 6
Total 14 men

III. Motor transport
Truck 1,5-ton – 1
Ambulances – 2
Total 3 automobiles

Detailed organization
1. Command
Platoon commander (med major or capt)
Aide, medical supply (med lt)
Total 2 men

2. Medical section
Section commander (med capt)
Senior medical officer (med sr.lt)
Medical officer (med lt)
2 medical instructors (med sergeant major)
4 medics (pvt)

3. Transport section
Section leader (serg)
2 drivers (pvt)
Truck 1,5-ton for personnel and materiel – 1
Ambulances or specially equipped 1,5-ton trucks – 2
Total 3 men

Total platoon – 14
Platoon receives all supplies from the technical service company.

[Eugen Pinak]

Art - thank you very much. I have searched for this very shtat for a long time without success. And now you supplied all the details.

[Leo Niehorster]

Art — Outstanding. And the translations are very welcome, indeed. Many thanks.
Leo

[C.GILLONO]

Many thanks!

[Art]

It occurred to me that it would be interesting to compare organization of basic tank units at the end and at the start of the war to see what changes were made and what experience was gained. So we have TO&E of the tank brigade 010/500 which was active on VE day and TO&E of the tank regiment/tank divisions 010/30, which was the principal type of Soviet tank unit in June 1941:
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... 9&t=215153

Below is a comparison by components
Total strength:
Tank Brigade (010/500, Nov 1943):
1354 men, 166 automobiles, 65 medium tanks
Tank Regiment (010/30, February 1941):
1687 men, 193 automobiles, 172 tanks (31 heavy, 103 medium, 38 light and flame)

Organization:
Tank brigade – 4 main combat units (3 tank battalions and SMG battalion), 2 support units (HQ company and AA MG company), service company
Tank regiment – 4 main units (1 heavy, 2 medium and 1 flame tank battalion), 5 support units (HQ tank platoon, recce company, sapper company, communication platoon, commandant platoon), 2 service units (motor transport battalion and maintenance company)
Tank brigade has fewer elements and is easier to control. The brigade is truly tactically independent unit combining tanks and infantry, while the regiment needs to be supported by external infantry. Brigade is only slightly smaller in terms of personnel and motor vehicles but has 2.5 times less tanks. The tank regiment is too large to be fight as a whole unit in most situations and needs to be employed by parts in combat.

Communication means and equipment:
a) Radios:
Tank Brigade – 14 radios/ Tank Regiment – 7 radios
By type:
RSB 1/0
RB w/large antenna and 5-AK 1/7
RB and 12-RP 9/0
RBS 3/0
Distribution of radios:
In Brigade/Regiment HQ – 5/2
In tank battalions – 3/4
In motor SMG battalion – 5/0
In AA elements – 1/0
In service elements – 0/1

Tank brigade is obviously superior in radio equipment. It has more radios in HQ elements and superior range (RSB vs 5-AK). The smallest element having radios is tank battalion in both cases, but the 1943 battalion is smaller and more agile giving better tactical flexibility. The only advantage of the tank regiment is a radio in service unit (motor transport battalion)

b) HQ tanks (above company level):
Tank brigade: 1 in each tank battalion and 2 in the brigade HQ, total 5 tanks or 1/13 of the total number
Tank Regiment: 3 in the regiment HQ, 2 in the heavy battalion, 2 in each medium battalion, 3 in flame battalion, total 12 or 1/14 of the total number.
Approximately equal status

c) Mobile means of communication:
Tank brigade – HQ company – 3 motorcycles and 1 jeep, each tank battalion – 1 motorcycle, motor SMG battalion – 1 motorcycle, service company – 1 motorcycle. Total 8 motorcycles and 1 jeep
Tank regiment – recce company – 2 motorcycles, sapper company – 2 motorcycles, signal platoon – 3 armored cars, 10 motorcycles; heavy tank battalion – 3 motorcycles, 3 armored cars; each medium battalion – 3 motorcycles and 1 armored car, flame tank battalion – 5 motorcycles; motor transport battalion – 7 motorcycles, maintenance company – 2 motorcycles. Total 37 motorcycles, 8 armored cars.

Tank regiment has far more messenger motorcycles and cars, at least on paper.

[Der Alte Fritz]

Excellent material.
Which brings us neatly onto one of my favourite subjects the amount of support given to armoured units.
For 1941:
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=197956

The Type A Workshop is for light repairs


The Type B Workshop is for Medium repairs


but how does the level of support compare between the 1941 and 1945 units? Certainly in terms of the amount of spares carried, the 1945 organisation devoted only a handful of vehicles to carrying spares while the 1941 organisation had dozens of vehicles carrying spares.

[Art]

Reconnaissance:
Tank brigade – recon platoon in the HQ company, 52 men, 5 motorcycles. 3 armored carriers, 1 truck
Tank regiment – recon company, 97 men, 17 armored cars, 22 motorcycles.
No dedicated recon elements in battalions. All in all the tank brigade is weaker, especially in the number of recon vehicles. Also it doesn’t have any radios on vehicles to pass information from recon elements HQs. On the other hand infantry component of its recon platoon is relatively stronger which gives an advantage in combat engagements, while the 1941 recon company seems to be limited to patrolling tasks. The general conclusion is that the tank brigade is only supplied to meet the bare minimum of requirements of an independent formation.

Engineer support:
Tank brigade – sapper platoon/HQ company with 27 men and two trucks
Tank regiment – sapper company with 94 men, 10 trucks, 2 motorcycles
Once again the tank brigade is equipped with only minimal engineer element which is barely sufficient for an independent formation

Chemical support:
Tank brigade – no
Tank regiment – flame tank battalion with 27 T-26 flame tanks (also could be used for spraying chemicals), 3 degassing vehicles and other equipment

Since no chemical weapons were used by both sides, allocation of much chemical equipment to the tank regiment seems to be redundant.

Infantry:
Tank brigade – SMG battalion with 3 infantry companies, 450 men
Tank regiment – no

Anti-aircraft support:
Tank brigade – AA machine-gun company with 9 12,7-mm machineguns
Tank regiment – no.

Motor transport (only vehicles meant for hauling supplies):
Tank brigade – 9 trucks in each tank battalion’s transport section, 3 trucks in a SMG battalion, 1 in a HQ company, 38 in a service company, total 69. By type: 45 2.5ton, 15 1.5ton trucks, 9 tankers. Total capacity about 150-160 tons (not clear which type tankers were), or about 2.3-24. tons per tank. By type of cargo:
Ammunition - 41 2.5ton trucks = 102.5 tons
POL – 11 1.5ton trucks and 9 tankers = 30-40 tons
Food – 4 1.5-ton trucks = 6 tons
Spare parts – 4 2.5ton trucks and 2 trailers = about 12 tons
Since it was a normal practice for infantry and sappers to travel on tanks, some trucks carrying personnel (up to 20) could be presumably used for supply operations
Tank regiment – 67 trucks in a motor transport battalion and 20 trucks in a maintenance company. All apparently ZIS (3-ton) type. Total capacity 261 tons, 1.5 tons per tank. By type of cargo:
Ammunition – 36 3-ton trucks = 108 tons
POL – 23 trucks and tankers = 69 tons
Food and misc. material (engineer, chemical, medical etc) – up to 8 – 24 tons
Spare parts – 20 trucks = 60 tons

Tank brigade has a clear advantage in transport capabilities; especially notable is an increased amount of cargo space for ammo. On the other hand far less spare parts were carried by tank brigade’s organic transport. While all tank regiment’s transport (except spare parts platoon) in centralized under motor transport battalion, the tank brigade has less than 60% of transport capacity in the service company and the rest in battalions. This is a consequence of constituent battalions and brigades elevated to the status of administratively independent units.

Maintenance:
Tank brigade – 11 men, “A” workshop for tanks and weapons workshop in each tank battalion, 8 men and “A” workshop in a SMG battalion, 56 men, 2 “A” mobile workshops, 1 “B” workshop, automobile, weapons and electric workshops, mobile recharging station. Total 97 men, 6 “A” workshops”, 1 “B” workshop, 4 weapons workshops, automobile and electric workshop, welding unit, recharging station. Of them assigned to tank maintenance – tank maintenance section in each tank battalion (7 men and “A” workshop), 4 tanks maintenance sections (24 men 2 “A” workshops) and special operations section (10 men, “B” workshop”, welding unit) in a service company. Total 55 men, 5 “A” workshops, 1 “B” workshops. Related to the number of tanks – 1 men per 1.2 tanks, 1 “A” workshop per 13 tanks, 1 “B” workshop per 65 tanks. In addition in each tank company 3 men without workshop and special instruments are assigned to overseeing technical status of tanks, total 18 men.

Tank regiment – maintenance company with heavy tank maint. platoon (15 men, 1 “B” and 1 “A” workshop), two medium tank maint. platoons (17 men, 1 “B” and 1 “A” workshop), automobile maint. workshop (14 men, 1 “B” and 1 “A”), electrotechnical platoon (20 men, 3 mobile recharging stations), ordnance workshop with 30 men and 4 workshop trucks. Total 113 men, 4 “B” and 4 “A” workshops, 3 recharging stations, 4 ordnance workshop trucks. Of them assigned to tank maintenance – 3 tank maintenance platoons with 49 men, 3 “B” and 3 “A” workshops or 1 man per 3.5 tanks, 1 “B” workshop per 57 tanks and 1 “A” workshop per 57 tanks. In addition 1 technical officer in each tank company (10-16 tanks).

Unequivocal superiority of the tank brigade.

Evacuation:
Tank brigade – no.
Tank regiment – evacuation platoon with 4 heavy and 6 medium tractors

Medical service:
Tank brigade – 4 men in each tank battalion, 5 men and an ambulance truck in a SMG battalion, medical platoon with 14 men, 2 ambulances and 1 truck 1.5ton. Total 31 men, 3 ambulances.
Tank regiment – 5 men and 1 ambulance in each tank battalion, medical aid station with 10 men, Total 30 men and 4 ambulances.

Roughly equivalent organization. Tank brigade has slightly more medical personnel in proportion to the aggregate personnel strength.

[Art]

A similar analysis of a pre-war tank regiment/motorized division, TO&E 05/73. See the detailed organization here:
http://www.niehorster.org/012_ussr/41_o ... k-rgt.html
By June 1941 there were 31 such regiments, on in each of existing motorized divisions.

Total strength: 1670 men, 243 automobiles, 238 BT tanks

Organization: HQ, 4 tank battalions, 3 support units (recon company, communication and commandant platoon), 8 service units (motor transport company, maintenance company and smaller elements).
Regiment is all-tank unit, it needs to be cooperate with external infantry, engineers and artillery. Tank battalions must fight independently in many situations. The number of service units is too large, and some of them (club, printing office) are redundant. Unlike tank regiment/tank division all tank battalions have uniform organization; there are no heavy tanks that hamper marches, no special purpose flame tanks.

Communication equipment:
13 5-AK radios: 4 in the HQ element, 8 in tank battalions (2 in each battalion), 1 in motor transport company not counting tank radios
The regiment is better supplied with radios than 010/30 regiment. The smallest element with radios is the tank battalion similar to 010/30 yet it has 2 radios instead of 1.
Wire section with 21 men is available in the communication platoon unlike 010/30.

HQ tanks: above company level 5 tanks for the regimental HQ in the recon company, 3 in each tank battalion, total 17. 1 per 14 tanks, the same number as in the tank brigade and tank regiment 010/30. In companies 2 command tanks instead of 1. Total in a tank battalion 3 command tanks in a battalion HQ and 6 command tanks in companies, total 9 out of 54, whereas in a medium tank battalion/tank regiment 010/30 – 5 out of 50. In general 05/73 is somewhat superior.

Mobile means of communication: recon company – 2 motorcycles, communication platoon – 3 armored cars, each tank battalion – 1 armored car, 6 motorcycles; motor transport company – 2 motorcycles, maintenance company – 2 motorcycles. Total 7 armored cars, 30 motorcycles. Less messenger vehicles in proportion to the number of tanks than in 010/30. Yet stronger sections in tank battalions.

Reconnaissance: recon company with 17 BT tanks (not counting regimental HQ tanks) and 2 armored cars, 94 men. No infantry in recon company, too few armored cars. Radios on tanks and armored cars are available to transmit info. In addition commandant platoon (40 men) is employed for route reconnaissance.

Engineer support – no

Chemical support – no.

Infantry – no

Anti-aircraft support – no dedicated elements, some tanks have machineguns installed on turrets .

Motor transport: motor transport company with 2 POL platoons, 2 ammunition platoons, 2 spare parts platoons. Total 122 ZIS trucks and tankers, 366 ton capacity or 1.5 ton per tank. By type of cargo:
Ammunition – 30 ZIS-5 trucks, 90 tons
POL – 40 fuel tankers, 6 oil tankers, 10 ZIS trucks for lubricants. Total 56 vehicles, 168 tons.
Spare parts – 36 trucks, 108 tons.
In addition 16 trucks and 12 2-ton trailers in a motor transport platoon for misc loads, 72 tons.
In general somewhat better transport capacity than in the 010/30 regiment. Less load is alotted to ammunition (not surprising for tanks with 45-mm guns) and more to fuel and spare parts which makes the regiment more autonomous. All transport vehicles under single command in a motor transport company.

Maintenance: maintenance sections (5 men, “A” workshop) in a recon company, each of 12 tank companies, a motor transport company. Maintenance company with 4 tank maintenance platoons (total 36 men, 4 “B” workshops), 1 automobile maintenance platoon (13 men, 1 “B” and 1 “A” workshop), electric workshop (21 men, 5 recharging stations, 3 trucks). Ordnance workshop with 28 men and 4 workshop trucks. Total 168 men, 15 “A” workshops, 5 “B” workshops, 7 workshop trucks, 5 recharging stations. Of them assigned to tank maintenance – 13 sections in tank and recce companies (65 men, 13 “A” workshops), 4 platoons in a maintenance company (36 men, 4 “B”) workshops. Total 101 men, 13 “A” and 4 “B” workshops or 1 men per 2.4 tanks, 1 “A” workshop per 18 tanks, 1 “B” workshop per 60 tanks. In addition 1 technical officer and 9 mechanics without instruments in each tank company and a recon company, total 130 men.
Tank regiment 05/73 is far superior to the 010/30 regiment on maintenance capabilities. Compared with a tank brigade – similar number of workshops, yet less proportionally maintenance personnel.

Evacuation: evacuation platoon with 13 men and 10 “Komintern” type tractors. Less tractors per tank than in a 010/30 tank regiment.

Medical support: medical section in each tank battalion (6 men, 1 ambulance truck), regimental medical station with 11 men; 5 drivers, 4 ambulance trucks and 1 GAZ truck for medical materials in a motor transport company. Total 40 men, 8 ambulances, 1 truck.
Tank regiment 05/73 has a superior organization.

Conclusion: in some respects a better unit organization than a tank regiment/tank division due to a stronger maintenance support and more independent tank battalions with stronger command and communication sections. The weakness was a lack of engineer and antiaircraft support and all-tank recon elements.

[Alejandro_]

Hello Art

Brigade summary

Did the TOE changed much for a IS-2 Independent Guards heavy tank brigade? I am trying to compare the size of the maintenance units assigned to Soviet medium/heavy tanks brigades and German heavy tank battalions/other units.

[Art]

From reference info on tankfront.ru a heavy tank brigade must consist of
- HQ (Shtat 010/500)
- HQ company (010/504)
- three standard IS-2 regiments (010/460) or two IS-2 and one ISU regiment
- recon company (010/526)
- anti-aircraft company (010/527, lend-lease M-15)
- technical company (010/504)
- medical platoon (010/506)
- SMERSH rifle section (010/516)
So in a nutshell the same technical company as in the standard tank brigade. IS regiment must have their own maintenance elements.