Structure

Question 1

describe the structure of the British army from biggest to smallest

Answer 1

a. Army Group (Rare)
b. Army
c. Corps (Rare in peacetime)
d. Division
e. Brigade
f. Battalion/ regiment
g. Company/ Squadron/ Battery
h. Platoon/ Troop
i. Section

Question 2

describe an Army Group

Answer 2

• Army Groups are rare
• Used in major wars (e.g., WWII)
• Comprises multiple armies

Question 3

describe an army

Answer 3

Large operational formation (currently no standing “army” level in peacetime)

Question 4

describe an corps

Answer 4

• Corps are rare in peacetime
• A grouping of multiple divisions
• Example: British forces in NATO or large-scale operations

Question 5

describe a division

Answer 5

• (~10,000–20,000 soldiers)
• Largest standard operational formation
• Composed of multiple brigades
• Led by a Major General
• Examples: 1st (UK) Division (light forces), 3rd (UK) Division (war-fighting)

Question 6

describe a Brigade

Answer 6

• (~3,000–5,000 soldiers)
• Contains 3–5 battalions
• Led by a Brigadier
• Examples: Armoured Brigade Combat Teams, Infantry Brigades

Question 7

describe a battalion/ regiment

Answer 7

• (~500–1,000 soldiers)
• Main combat unit in infantry or cavalry
• Led by a Lieutenant Colonel
• Consists of companies or squadrons
• Examples:
  o Infantry Battalions (e.g., The Parachute Regiment)
  o Cavalry Regiments (e.g., The Household Cavalry)
  o Artillery Regiments (e.g., Royal Artillery)

Question 8

describe a company/ squadron/ battery

Answer 8

• (~100–250 soldiers)
• Infantry = Company
• Cavalry = Squadron
• Artillery = Battery
• Led by a Major
• Contains 3–4 platoons

Question 9

describe a platoon/ troop

Answer 9

• (~25–50 soldiers)
• Infantry = Platoon
• Cavalry/Artillery = Troop
• Led by a Lieutenant or Second Lieutenant
• Contains 3–4 sections