Australian tank squadrons

DRG · #1 January 7th, 2010, 04:14 PM

Here's another question for someone who knows

In the game currently Australian Tank squadrons starting in 1986 are 3 x 3 tank troops plus one commanders tank and one for the 2IC making 11 tanks total ( 3 x 3+2 =11). BEFORE 1986 the set up is 4x4+2= 18 .

I started looking for info on the Australian Abrams and ended up on a Aussie website where one claim was ......

A / "Our tank Squadrons are equipped with 18 tanks per Sqn, with 4x troops of 4 tanks, 1x for the OC and 1x for the 2IC"

then someone else said.....

B / "We changed from 3 tanks per platoon to 4 and from four platoons per company to three not long ago. Two tanks are for the boss and his XO.......This system steals one manoeuvre element but increases the ability of the platoon to support and cover itself while on the run. "

A/ would be 4x4+2 = 18

B/ would be 4x3+2 =14

If what A/ says is true there never was a reduction in 1986 and if what B says is true then the 1986 change should have been 3x4+2 = 14 and the latest change keeps the same number of tanks in the company but re-organizes the troop which makes sense given what he says about "increases the ability of the platoon to support and cover itself "

Can someone tell me if "B/" is correct and if yes when did the troop change occur ?

Thanks.

Don

FASTBOAT TOUGH · #2 January 8th, 2010, 02:58 AM

Don,
You might get that info from AussieDigger.com it's an ADF Active Duty and Retired Military website that I got some of my info about the ADF HAWKEI by Thales. Website should correct as named in my MRAP thread I believe on page 4.
Pat

FASTBOAT TOUGH · #3 January 8th, 2010, 04:12 AM

The site has changed to "The.....com", while verifying the site on linked to the following
http://www.australian-armour.com/main_page.html and left the question with them to get the official answer. Will pass on the response when I get it.
Pat

DRG · #4 January 8th, 2010, 08:25 AM

Thanks !

Don

FASTBOAT TOUGH · #5 January 9th, 2010, 03:27 AM

Don,
Heard from a Mr. Mick Martin and was rightly corrected in my use of platoon to troop, and it's all good!! He has informed me that currently a troop consists of four tanks. Three troops plus SQD. HQ troop to a SQD. This seems about right as the only fully armored regiment they have (The 4th I believe) took "custody" of 59 Abrams and I believe it was 2 or 3 M88 recovery vehicles as well in 2007/8. Asked Mr. Martin to get back to me concerning any change in troop size as I believe you thought occurred in 1986. He also wants to confirm the SQD. HQ allotment of tanks. Holding the emails as I get them in my hotmail account.
Pat

DRG · #6 January 9th, 2010, 08:28 AM

Thanks Pat.

Don

FASTBOAT TOUGH · #7 January 9th, 2010, 02:28 PM

Don,
Heard from Mick again, confirms troops were at three tanks. Not sure of your time frame as he thinks it might have been into the early 90's, but does say it wasn't much before your date. Looks like a 6yr. "swag" which isn't much help I know. Said he'll get the year to me later this week. And I'm going to contact their tank regiment directly this weekend if the link is still good to tighten this up.
Pat

DRG · #8 January 9th, 2010, 04:37 PM

I think what has happened in our OOB is the number of tanks in a troop and the number of troops in a company ended up mixed up in a creative way.

It should have been four troops in a company ( 4x4+2= 18 ) dropping one tank per troop ( 4x3+2=14 ) but we ended up with the fourth troop dropped as well in the late 80's giving the existing 3x3+2=11 which I believe now is part of the problem. Sometime recently they've re-established the 4 tank troop but changed to three troops so we sort of had it right but at the wrong time and in the wrong order

For obvious reasons I wait until he gets back with the date of the switch back to the four tank troop and when the three tank troop was introduced before making further changes

Don

FASTBOAT TOUGH · #9 January 11th, 2010, 12:33 AM

Don,
This shows the structure as of 1968 which is your start point I believe.
http://www.awm.gov.au/atwar/structur..._structure.asp
Will probably piss someone off at ADF DOD since I'm not media but left inquiry with them about the 4 tank troop date.
Pat

DRG · #10 January 11th, 2010, 08:35 AM

Thanks for looking into this Pat

This shows that in 1968 they were using a 3 tanks per troop , 4 troops per squadron organization. ( and interesting how 1968 can be easily transposed to 1986 which is what we have now ) We had the four tank troop lasting until 1985 so the whole things off and will need a good going over and a good tweak of the picklist once the actual dates are firmed up. I will continue to dig for info and welcome any info anyone can provide.

Don