Organization: How Armies are Formed for War

by Hubert Foster

The Expeditionary Force

The Expeditionary Force comprises essentially the following bodies of Troops:

One Cavalry Division, as Independent Cavalry.

Two Mounted Brigades, as Army Protective Cavalry.

Six Infantry Divisions, to which may eventually be added a seventh from the Mediterranean and South Africa.

The Force will be provided with a General Head-Quarters, and with an Army Head-Quarters if it is proposed to divide it into two Armies.

There will also be allotted to the Force certain Units under the immediate command of the Commander-in-Chief, termed “Army Troops.” Some of these Units will also be allotted to any separate Armies which may be formed.

Units of Troops will also be provided for duties on the Lines of Communication. These will consist of the “L. of C. Defence Troops,” and of the Head-Quarters and Administrative Services on the Lines of Communication.

The composition of the various Head-Quarters, and the number and nature of the Units of Army Troops, and of the Units on the L. of C., will depend on the conditions of the campaign, which will vary according to the enemy to be encountered, the climate and nature of the theatre of war, and the character of the Lines of Operations and Communications.

It was explained in the previous chapter that in order to allow of normal Establishments to be drawn up, the assumption is made that the war will take place in a civilized country and in a temperate climate. A normal Line of Communications is also assumed, consisting of a Seaport or a Base, a railway from it 100 miles long, and two lines of road 30 miles long from Railhead to the Advanced Bases.

The following pages show the composition of the whole Force and of the various Subordinate Commands forming it, as well as that of the various Head-Quarters, the “Army Troops,” and the Troops on the Lines of Communication. The Establishments of the various Fighting Units are also given, followed by a table of their strength in round numbers of officers, men, and horses actually belonging to the Unit.

Some notes on the general principles on which the Establishments have been drawn up will first be given.

A Medical Officer is attached to each unit, and a Veterinary Officer to each mounted unit.

Two to five men of the Medical Corps are attached to each unit, according to its strength.

A Bâtman—that is, an officer’s servant or groom—is provided for each Officer, and a second one if he has more than one horse. Bâtmen are armed and trained soldiers, taken from the unit, and available for duty in its ranks.

Draught Horses are allotted as follows: six to each gun or ammunition-wagon, four to each wagon, and two to each cart. Spare horses are provided at the rate of 10 per cent. of the total.

One Driver is provided for each pair, and 10 per cent. of spare drivers are added, but this number is 5 per cent. in the case of Divisional Ammunition Columns, and T. and S. Parks.

Two Trumpeters, Drummers, or Buglers, are allotted to each Squadron or Company of Fighting Troops.

The Regimental Sergeant-Major is a Warrant Officer. There is one in each Cavalry Regiment, Infantry Battalion, and Artillery Brigade.

Expeditionary Force
COMPOSITION OF SUBORDINATE COMMANDS

CAVALRY BRIGADE

Head-Quarters.
3 Cavalry Regiments.

CAVALRY DIVISION

Head-Quarters.
4 Cavalry Brigades.
Cavalry Divisional Troops:
Cavalry Divisional Artillery:
Head-Quarters.
2 Horse Artillery Brigades.
Cavalry Divisional Engineers:
Head-Quarters.
4 Field Troops.
1 Wireless Telegraph Company.
1 Transport and Supply Column.
4 Cavalry Field Ambulances.

INFANTRY BRIGADE

Head-Quarters.
4 Infantry Battalions.

DIVISION

Head-Quarters.
3 Infantry Brigades.
Divisional Troops:
Divisional Mounted Troops:
2 Mounted-Infantry Companies.
Divisional Artillery:
Head-Quarters.
3 Field Artillery Brigades.
1 Field Artillery (Howitzer) Brigade.
1 Heavy Battery and Ammunition Column.
1 Divisional Ammunition Column.
Divisional Engineers:
Head-Quarters.
2 Field Companies.
1 Divisional Telegraph Company.
Administrative Services:
1 Divisional Transport and Supply Column.
1 Divisional Transport and Supply Park.
3 Field Ambulances.

MOUNTED BRIGADE

Head-Quarters.
2 or 1 Cavalry Regiments.
1 or 2 Mounted-Infantry Battalions.
1 Horse Artillery Battery and Ammunition Column.
1 Transport and Supply Column.
1 Cavalry Field Ambulance.

ARMY TROOPS

2 Mounted Brigades, to act as Army Protective Cavalry.
2 Squadrons, } as Escort for Head-Quarters.
1 Infantry Battalion, }
2 Cable Telegraph Companies, }
2 Air-line Telegraph Companies, } Communication Units.
3 Balloon Companies, }
2 Bridging Trains.
1 Transport and Supply Column.
2 Field Ambulances for the Army Troops.