MECHANISED ARMY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 61, 23 December 1935, Page 5

MECHANISED ARMY

REORGANISATION IN BRITAIN. CAVALRY AND INFANTRY. UNITS AT HOME AND ABROAD. (United Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, December 22. In order to meet the requirements of modern warfare the War Office announces sweeping (reorganisation, especially directed to the mechanisation of cavalry and infantry regiments. The changes in the cavalry will be made because the division as now organised lacks speed and wide range: of action' of striking power demanded by modern war, in which mechanised troops are employed. Moreover, the tank brigade may require the co-opera-tion of equally mobile troops capable of acting in areas unsuitable to tanks. The infantry reorganisation is designed to reduce the size of the division and increase the proportion, of supporting arms compared with riflemen, to enable greater economy and flexibility of concentration and to simplify training- and the supply of wartime reinforcements. Certain infantry battalions of the Tegular army will become machine-gun and rifle battalions. The existing cavalry divisions, consisting of two horse brigades and divisional troops will, with the Tank Brigade, become a mechanised mobile division, consisting of two mechanised brigades, each comprising two motor cavalry regiments, one cavalry, light tank regiments, and tank brigade and divisional troops.

The cavalry brigade in Egypt will he divided into armoured car, motor and light tank regiments, which rearrangement will eventually apply to the entire cavalry, scheme.

The changes in the infantry will provide brigades, each consisting of three rifle and one machine-gun battalions and two battalions of foot-guards. Thirteen line regiments will become machine-gun units containing antitank gun and mechanised reconnaissance companies. U/ihe remaining guards - battalions and line regiments will become rifle battalions, including a mortar platoon and a light machinegun platoon for the headquarters company. The rifle sections will receive machine-gun training. The Home battalions should be converted in 1936-37, and foreign station battalions later. India will participate in 1939. The application of the policy to the Territorials is being considered.