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Korean Unit Organization


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Originally posted by Exeter:

Hi,

I'm currently creating some Korean battles featuring Canadians, but am having trouble finding any imformation at all on how Canuck battalions where organized at the time. If anyone knows of any good sources it would be greatly appreciated.

Getting an accurate weapons mix would be difficult; by 1952 large numbers of weapons in Canadian units had been exchanged for foreign designs - M1 Garands, M1 carbines, and SMGs - not sure if these changes were official or not. I think 2 RCR estimated 50 percent of their weapons were of US manufacture. The Lee Enfield was not popular in the face of massed Chinese "burp guns".

Establishments (TO&E) are elusive, but a post at my forum at www.canadiansoldiers.com my yield some answers for you. The organization was similar to WW II, but Vickers platoons were once again part of the infantry battalion (not specialist battalions). Not sure if the 2-in mortar was used in Korea or not; off the top of my head I think perhaps not.

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Dorosh: If I recall correctly, the 2in mortar was dropped in favour of the 60mm, but one was held in each company for smoke purposes. As for foreign designs, they traded to get their hands on M1 Garands, M2 Carbines and Thompsons as their Enfields and Stens where quite inadequite. Also I believe an extra Bren was added per squad and 12 halftracks where deployed for the mortar platoon (since converted to 81mm) but that's all I can find from my books.

Any information on battalions would be excellent, Stoat, as my battles/ops are currently purely battalion sized. The fact that Vickers, .30 and .50 Brownings where all used by Canadians has thrown me for a loop on how they were deployed.

And Junk, do you know of any mods for huts that look like those in your Korean War Main Screen, as well as field guns? BTW, all your Korean mods all currently in use :D

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The first battalion deployed was 2 Battalion Princess Patricia's Light Infantry (PPCLI). All three battalions rotated through and served in Korea. Other infantry forces were all three battalions of the Royal Canadian Regiment, Royal 22e Regiment (the Van-Dooz), 2 Battalion The Black Watch Of Canada, 4 Battalion the Canadian Guards, and 2 Battalion The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada.

Armored forces were Lord Strancotha's Horse.

Artillery was 1st and 2nd Regiments of Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (RCHA) and 81st Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery (RCA),later 4th Regiment RCHA.

Regiments where all three battalions went to Korea never served as complete regiments, but rotated battalions through one at a time. Likewise, Lord Strancotha's Horse squadrons rotated through.

I could not identify engineer units but I did locate info on No. 20 Canadian Field Dental Detachment. I somehow doubt this unit saw combat, but they probably could have been an effective force deterrent. (threaten the Chinese with root canals)

I could get you dates for each unit but that might take some time.

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Good information stoat, but I misunderstood you as I thought you had the to&e for the battalions. The order of battle for the 25 CIB is on KVA Canada as posted by junk2drive, complete with dates of service.

And Dorosh, whoa, there's loads of info to sift through on your forum even with a search, but I think I found the correct post. Those 75mm RCLs are going to hard to replace, and 6pdrs are the closest things to them for the Allies. Would anyone suggest using 6pdrs, or just should I just forget about this whole issue with the 75s?

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Originally posted by stoat:

[QB] The first battalion deployed was 2 Battalion Princess Patricia's Light Infantry (PPCLI). All three battalions rotated through and served in Korea. Other infantry forces were all three battalions of the Royal Canadian Regiment, Royal 22e Regiment (the Van-Dooz), 2 Battalion The Black Watch Of Canada, 4 Battalion the Canadian Guards, and 2 Battalion The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada.

The BW, CG and QOR all deployed after the armistice in 1953 - though several men died there and are now listed on the Peacekeeper's Roll of Honour.

Armored forces were Lord Strancotha's Horse.
Bah. Armoured, if you please, and Lord Strathcona would spin in his grave....unless he's been secured with the Golden Spike.

I could not identify engineer units but I did locate info on No. 20 Canadian Field Dental Detachment. I somehow doubt this unit saw combat, but they probably could have been an effective force deterrent. (threaten the Chinese with root canals)
I have colour photos taken by Major Garth Evans (on loan from a friend) in Korea. He was a dentist with this unit. Many shots of them in shirtsleeves in the field, drinking beer. Not one picture of any of the dental boys with weapons. Some of his pics are on my website.

brass.jpg

brasone.jpg

Almost of no use whatsoever for CM, but interesting to me nonetheless. :D Funny that you should mention them, eh?

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  • 2 weeks later...

Yes, but don't expect anything all that soon. Thanks to the help I recieved as accurate a TO&E as I can compile now exists. The maps I have are useable, but still extremely painful to use for copying terrain. The scenario I am currently working on is 2nd RCR's attack on Hill 152 in Operation Osmosis, on a 2.8kmx2.8km map. It may take a few weeks, but it will eventually appear on the Proving Grounds.

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