Company level formations (and more) in Yugoslavia 1945-1993

[Simon Tan]

Partisan?

[bojan]

Kinda.

Territorial Defense was connected to a cities/towns/large villages, even larger factories. Think about cross between US National Guard (under command of the republics, instead of the federal level) and British Home Guard. In case of war, those would form units that would secure their area from saboteurs/paratroopers etc. Hence various independent Co/Plts and even sections - since those were based in smaller villages/towns, where there would be not enough manpower for Brigade or Odred. However, there were designated stay-behind parts of Territorial Defense. They usually had a better armament, more-less equal to the army level (in Slovenia, parts of Croatia and Serbia in particular). Other than them there were multiple levels of "stay behind" units:

- Light Infantry Brigades/Odreds and Regiments from a regular army. They had designation "Partisan" since late 1960s.

- Parts of the Territorial Defense (they were given designation "Partisan" in the early '80s)

- Parts of the "special purpose units" - parts (about 1/2) of paratroopers had a 'light" organization and were supposed to be inserted behind enemy lines to reinforce other stay-behind units.

- Parts of the police and police special forces.

Edited March 7, 2019 by bojan

[Simon Tan]

Were Yugoslav commands regional or non-geographic?

[bojan]

It changed during the time, but in '80s there were 7 army areas, that were supposed to become fronts in case of war. So regional, but there was a large degree of inter-mixing that was supposed to happen at a borders between army areas/fronts.

 

TO was regional, it's main strength was that they knew local terrain well. They were not supposed to be used more than 15-25km from a home place (for a larger units, smaller units were mostly just supposed to provide local security).

 

Air force, most of armored and mechanized units existed to die gloriously in counterattacks buying time for the mobilization plan to be implemented.

Only "Inner bastion" (Bosnia, parts of western and south-western Serbia, Montenegro, southern part of Croatia and Slovenia were expected to be actively defended.

In case of "Czechoslovakian scenario", or WP invading w/o war with NATO It was expected that Novi Sad would fall in a 3-5 days, Zagreb in a 5-7 days, Belgrade (actively defended) in 2 weeks.

"Inner bastion" was estimated to be able to last about month w/o suffering critical breakthrough. After that, either NATO came to help (NATO did have plans for that), war ended or resistance would move to a partisan warfare.

 

In case of all around NATO-WP war expectations were somewhat higher, about 2-3 times longer active resistance duration was expected.

[bojan]

Paratroopers

While there were individual paratrooper companies formed as soon as 1945. (from a 191 former personal of the british trained 1st Paratrooper Battalion that was disbanded mid-1945 and about 200 Soviet trained personal.) they were organized in line of SMG company, w/o own dedicated organization.

In 1946. 46th Parachute Battalion was formed and in 1954. it was incorporate in the newly formed 63rd Parachute Brigade. In line of thinking about nuclear war larger paratrooper units were considered no longer useful, and in late 1959. brigade was disbanded and split into three Parachute bns.

However, 63rd Parachute Brigade was reformed in late 1967., with a different tasks:

- to serve as a regular parachute infantry

- to be used as a rapid reaction force in newly formed helicopter-mobile units

- to be used for reinforcing "partisan" formations.

So it needed 3 separate ToE organizations, and got them.

 

So, in total we have:

1945. org (British), used by 1st Parachute battalion until disbanded in August 1945.

1945. SMG company organization, used by two Soviet trained parachute companies

1946. SMG company organization used by 46th Parachute Batallion

1954. Initial organization used by of 63rd Parachute Brigade

1956. Organization (also known as "heavy organization")

1967. "Light" organization (main purpose being reinforcement of the "partisan" units), based on Light infantry company

1971. "Heavy" or "Line" organization, based on regular Infantry company

1972. "Helicopter" organization - based on SMG company organization

1981. "Unified organization" - unifying "Heavy" and "Helicopter" organization

1982. "Light

1986. "Line"

1987. "Light"

1991. modification of the 1986. org

1993. org

1998. modification of the 1993. org

 

Unlike other formations, parachute infantry formations had specified weapons.

 

Abrevations PSMG - Paratrooper SMG (Padobranski automat) = StG-44

PSMG/Sn - Paratrooper SMG/Sn (Padobranski automat sa optickim nisanom) = StG-44/Sniper scope

SAK - Semi-auto carbine (Polu-Automatski Karabin) = M1 Carbine

Edited April 22, 2019 by bojan

[bojan]

1945. "British" organization

 

Co Hq - 9 men - 1 x LMG (spare), 3 x SMG, 3 x R, 2 x SR, 4 x P

- Co Cmd - SMG, P

- Co 2inC - SMG

- Co NCO - SMG

- Radiomen x 2 - R

- Runner - R

- Sniper x 2 - SR, P

- Medic - P

 

Rifle Platoon x 3 - 34 men - 3 x 51mm Mortar, 1 x ATW, 3 x LMG, 11 x SMG, 20 x R (3 with RG attachment), 3 x P

Plt Command Section - 4 men - 2 x SMG, 2 x R, 1 x ATW

- Plt Cmd - SMG

- Plt 2inC - SMG

- Runner - R

- AT gunner - ATW, R

 

Rifle Section x 3 - 10 men - 1 x 51mm mortar, 1 x LMG, 3 x SMG, 6 x R, 1 x P

- Section Leader - SMG

- Section 2inC - SMG

- LMG gunner - LMG, P

- Assistant - R

- Mortar gunner - 51mm mortar, SMG - main weapon was SMG, mortar had only 6 smoke mines as a ammo load

- Grenadier - R/RG attachment

- Riflemen x 4 - R

 

Can be reinforced with:

AT team x 3 (each added to a Plt Command Section) - 3 men - 1 x ATW, 2 x SMG, 1 x R

- Team leader - SMG

- AT gunner - ATW, R

- Assistant - SMG

 

Total (w/o reinforcements) - 111 ( 9 + 3 x 34 ) men - 9 x 51mm mortar, 3 x ATW, 10 x LMG (9 in Rifle Sections and 1 spare at Co Hq), 34 x SMG, 63 x R, 13 x P, 1 backpack and 12 handheld radios.

 

All weapons and equipment are of the British origin.

Edited March 8, 2019 by bojan

[bojan]

1945. "Soviet style" SMG company based organization:

 

Company HQ - 10 men - 2 x ATR, 8 x SMG, 2 x P

 

Command Section - 5 men - 3 x SMG, 2 x P

- Co Cmd - P

- Co Cmd 2inC/Political officer - SMG

- Co Junior Officer - SMG

- Radimen - SMG

- Medic - P

 

 

AT Section - 5 men - 2 x ATR, 5 x SMG

- Section leader - SMG

- AT gunner 1-2 - ATR, SMG

- Assistant 1-2 - SMG

 

SMG Platoon x 3 - 32 men - 3 x LMG, 28 x SMG, 4 x P

 

Command Section - 2 men - 1 x SMG, 1 x P

- Platoon commander - SMG

- Medic - Pistol

 

SMG Section x 3 - 10 men, 1 x LMG, 9 x SMG, 1 x P

- Section Leader - SMG

- LMG gunner - LMG, P

- Assistant - SMG

- 7 x SMG gunners - SMG

 

Total - 106 men (10 + 3 x 32) - 2 x ATR, 9 x LMG, 92 x SMG, 14 x P

Edited March 8, 2019 by bojan

[bojan]

1946. SMG company based organization

 

Co HQ - 7 men - 3 x SMG, 2 x SR, 4 x P

- Co Cmd - P

- Co Cmd 2inC/Political officer - SMG

- Co Junior Officer - SMG

- Medic - P

- Radioman - SMG

- Scout-sniper x 2 - SR, P

 

SMG Platoon x 3 - 32 men - 3 x LMG, 28 x SMG, 4 x P

Command Section - 2 men - 1 x SMG, 1 x P

- Platoon commander - SMG

- Medic - Pistol

 

SMG Section x 3 - 10 men, 1 x LMG, 9 x SMG, 1 x P

- Section Leader - SMG

- LMG gunner - LMG, P

- Assistant - SMG

- 7 x SMG gunners - SMG

 

Support Platoon - 19 men, 3 x MG, 3 x ATW, 16 x SMG, 3 x P

Command section - 2 men - 1 x SMG, 1 x P

- Platoon commander - SMG

- Radioman - SMG

 

AT Section - 7 men, 3 x ATR/ATW, 7 x SMG

- Section leader - SMG

- AT gunner x 3 - ATR/ATW, SMG

- Assistant x 3 - SMG

 

MG Section - 10 men, 7 x SMG, 3 x MG, 3 x P

- Section leader - SMG

- MG gunner x 3 - MG, P

- Assistant x 3 - SMG

- Ammo bearer x 3 - SMG

 

Total - 122 men (7 + 3 x 32 + 19) - 3 x ATW, 3 x MG, 9 x LMG, 105 x SMG, 2 x SR, 19 x P

Edited March 10, 2019 by bojan

[Simon Tan]

Soviet and British organizations are built around donor equipment?

[bojan]

Yes.

It is not clean however which rifles "British" organization had, only pic available shows Mausers (while LMGs were Bren, SMGs were Sten, ATW was PIAT etc), but that was a parade picture, so not fully relevant.

[Simon Tan]

P14 is Mauser.

[bojan]

Kar98k was in the picture to be exact.

Edited March 8, 2019 by bojan

[bojan]

1954, Parachute SMG company

 

SMG - StG44

C - M1 Carbine

P - various, but a lot of P-38s were used

LMG - MG-42

ATW - M20 Bazooka

 

Co HQ - 7 men, 3 x SMG, 2 x SR, 2 x C, 2 x P

- Co Cmd - PSMG, P

- Co 2inC/PO - PSMG, P
- Co Jr. Officer - PSMG
- Radioman - C
- Medic - C
- Scout-sniper x 2 - SR, P

 

Parachute SMG Platoon x 3 - 36 men - 2 x ATW, 3 x LMG, 22 x SMG, 10 x C, 4 x P
Plt Cmd Section - 9 men - 1 x SR, 4 x SMG, 4 x C, 1 x P

- Plt Cmd - SMG

- Plt 2inC - SMG

- Radiman - C

- Medic - C

- Sniper - SR, P

- AT gunner x 2 - ATW, C
- AT gunner assistant x 2 - SMG

 

Parachute SMG Section x 3 - 9 men - 1 x LMG, 2 x C, 6 x SMG, 1 x P
- Section leader - SMG
- LMG gunner - LMG, P
- Assistant - C
- SMG gunner x 5 - SMG
- Grenadier - C/RG attachment

 

Parachute support platoon - 28 men - 3 x 60mm mortar, 6 x ATW, 14 x SMG, 14 x C
Plt Cmd Section - 4 men - 2 x SMG, 2 x C
- Plt Cmd - SMG
- Plt 2inC - SMG
- Radioman - C
- Medic - C

AT Section x 2 - 7 men - 3 x ATW, 4 x SMG, 3 x C
- Section leader - SMG
- AT gunner x 3 - ATW, C
- Assistant x 3 - SMG

Mortar Section - 10 men - 3 x 60mm mortar, 6 x C, 4 x SMG
- Section leader - SMG
- Mortar gunner x 3 - 60mm mortar, C
- Loader x 3 - C
- Ammo bearer - SMG

 

 

Total - 143 ( 7 + 3 x 36 + 28 ) men - 3 x 60mm mortar, 12 x ATW, 9 x LMG, 83 x SMG, 46 x C, 14 x P

 

Note - LMGs could be separated from a SMG Sections to form a LMG section under command of Plt 2inC. In that case Parachute SMG Platoon had following organization

 

Parachute SMG Platoon x 3 - 36 men - 2 x ATW, 3 x LMG, 22 x SMG, 10 x C, 4 x P
Plt Cmd Section - 8 men - 1 x SR, 3 x SMG, 4 x C, 1 x P

- Plt Cmd - SMG

- Radiman - C

- Medic - C

- Sniper - SR, P

- AT gunner x 2 - ATW, C
- AT gunner assistant x 2 - SMG

 

Parachute SMG Section x 3 - 7 men - 1 x C, 6 x SMG
- Section leader - SMG
- SMG gunner x 5 - SMG
- Grenadier - C/RG attachment

 

LMG Section - 7 men - 3 x LMG, 1 x SMG, 3 x C, 3 x P

- Section leader/Plt 2inC - SMG

- LMG gunner x 3 - LMG, P
- Assistant x 3 - C

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brigade did not have Bn level, but was composed out of companies:

 

Parachute SMG Company x 6

 

Parachute Reconnaissance Company x 3

 

Parachute Support Company x 3 with:

MG platoon - 9 x MG

- Plt Cmd Section

- MG section x 3 - 10 men - 3 x MG

 

Mortar platoon - 6 x 81mm

- Plt Cmd Section

- Mortar section x 3 - 9 men - 2 x 81mm mortar

 

AT platoon - 2 x RCL, 6 x ATW

- Plt Cmd Section

- RCL section - 9 men - 2 x RCL (model or caliber not given, but 75mm M20 based on crew size)

- AT section x 2 - 7 men - 3 x ATW

 

Artillery group - 9 x 76mm light guns (M48 or reworked M1), 6 x 105mm light howitzers (M3)

76mm battery - 9 x 76mm gun

???

- 76mm Platoon x 3 - 3 x 76mm gun (iach gun is single section for a purpose of terminology)

 

105mm Battery - 6 x 105mm howitzer

???

- 105mm platoon x 3 - 2 x 105mm howitzer (iach gun is single section for a purpose of terminology)

 

Various support and logistic parts

 

Looking at Bde composition, it looks it could field three detachments, each composed of one 2 x Para SMG Co, 1 x Para Recce Co and 1 x Para Spt Co

Edited March 10, 2019 by bojan

[bojan]

1956. Parachute SMG Company

This one was supposed to replace 1954. org in 3/6 Parachute SMG companies in the 63rd Parachute brigade

 

 

Co HQ - 7 men - SMG, 2 x SR, 2 x C, 2 x P

- Co Cmd - SMG
- Co 2inC/PO - SMG
- Co Jr. Officer - SMG
- Radioman - C
- Medic - C
- Scout-sniper x 2 - SR, P

 

Parachute SMG Platoon x 3 - 42 men - 3 x ATW, 3 x LMG, 3 x MG tripod, 23 x SMG (3 /scope), 14 x C (3 /RG attachment), 1 x SR, 4 x P
Plt Cmd Section - 5 men - 2 x SMG, 2 x C, 1 x SR, 1 x P
- Plt Cmd - SMG
- Plt 2inC - SMG
- Radioman - C
- Medic - C
- Sniper - SR, P

 

Parachute SMG Section x 3 - 9 men- 1 x LMG, 6 x SMG (1 /scope), 2 x C (1 /RG attachment), 1 x P
- Section leader - SMG
- LMG gunner - LMG, P
- Assistant - C
- SMG gunner x 5 - SMG - SMG gunner 1 is section 2inC
- Grenadier - C/RG attachment

 

Parachute Support Section - 10 men - 3 x ATW, 3 x MG tripod, 6 x C, 4 x SMG
- Section leader - SMG
- AT gunner x 3 - ATW, C
- Assistant x 3 - SMG
- MG ammo bearer x 3 - C, MG tripod

 

Parachute Support Platoon - 30/32 men - 2 x 57/75mm RCL, 3 x 60mm mortar, 4 x ATW, 14/16 x SMG, 16 x C

Plt Cmd Section - 4 men - 2 x SMG, 2 x C
- Plt Cmd - SMG
- Plt 2inC - SMG
- Radioman - C
- Medic - C

 

AT Section - 9 men - 4 x ATW, 5 x SMG, 4 x C
- Section leader - SMG
- AT gunner x 4 - ATW, C
- Assistant x 4 - SMG

 

57/75mm RCL Section - 7/9 men - 2 x 57/75mm RCL, 4 x C, 5/3 x SMG
- Section leader - SMG
- RCL gunner x 2 - 57/75mm RCL, C
- Loader x 2 - C
- Ammo bearer x 2 - SMG
- Ammo handler - SMG - only with 75mm RCL

 

60mm Mortar Section - 10 men - 3 x 60mm mortar, 6 x C, 4 x SMG
- Section leader - SMG
- Mortar Gunner x 3 - 60mm mortar, C
- Loader x 3 - C
- Ammo bearer x 3 - SMG

 

Total - 163/165 ( 7 + 3 x 42 + 30/32 ) men - 3 x 60mm mortar, 2 x 57/75mm RCL, 13 x ATW, 5 x SR, 85/87 x SMG (9 /scope), 60 x C (9 /RG attachment), 13 x P, 5 x backpack radio, 15 x handheld radio

 

During offensive actions LMG gunners and assistants, together with 3 x MG ammo bearer from a Support section form a MG Section of 10 men (commanded by Plt 2inC) In that case Parachute SMG Platoon is formed as following:

 

Parachute SMG Platoon x 3 - 42 men - 3 x ATW, 3 x MG, 23 x SMG (3 /scope), 14 x C (3 /RG attachment), 1 x SR, 4 x P
Plt Cmd Section - 4 men - 1 x SMG, 2 x C, 1 x SR, 1 x P
- Plt Cmd - SMG
- Radioman - C
- Medic - C
- Sniper - SR, P

 

Parachute SMG Section x 3 - 7 men- 6 x SMG (1 /scope), 1 x C (/RG attachment)
- Section leader - SMG
- SMG gunner x 5 - SMG - SMG gunner 1 is section 2inC
- Grenadier - C/RG attachment

 

Parachute Support Section - 7 men - 3 x ATW, 3 x C, 4 x SMG
- Section leader - SMG
- AT gunner x 3 - ATW, C
- Assistant x 3 - SMG

MG Section - 10 men - 3 x MG, 1 x SMG, 6 x C, 3 x P

- Section leader - SMG

- MG gunner x 3 - MG, P

- Assistant x 3 - C

- Ammo bearer x 3 - C

 

 

For a defensive actions MG ammo bearers joins Parachute SMG Sections, so organization of the Parachute SMG Platoon is as following:

 

Parachute SMG Platoon x 3 - 42 men - 3 x ATW, 3 x MG, 23 x SMG (3 /scope), 14 x C (3 /RG attachment), 1 x SR, 4 x P
Plt Cmd Section - 5 men - 2 x SMG, 2 x C, 1 x SR, 1 x P
- Plt Cmd - SMG
- Plt 2inC - SMG
- Radioman - C
- Medic - C
- Sniper - SR, P

 

Parachute SMG Section x 3 - 10 men- 1 x MG, 6 x SMG (1 /scope), 3 x C (1 /RG attachment), 1 x P
- Section leader - SMG
- MG gunner - LMG, P
- Assistant - C

- Ammo bearer - C
- SMG gunner x 5 - SMG - SMG gunner 1 is section 2inC
- Grenadier - C/RG attachment

 

Parachute Support Section - 7 men - 3 x ATW, 3 x C, 4 x SMG
- Section leader - SMG
- AT gunner x 3 - ATW, C
- Assistant x 3 - SMG

 

Armament:

 

SMG - "SMG, paratrooper M43(n)" (StG-44). Scope is M(ZF)41, x 1.5. Ammo load is 7 magazines with 24 rounds each (due the poor reliability magazines were forbidden to be loaded with more than 24 rounds). Additional ammo load - 120 rounds, loose in cardboard boxes.

C - Carbine M1(a) - ammo load was 7 or 9 x 15 rounds mag (Medic, radiomen and weapon gunners had 7, rest had 9). Grenadier has 1 x 15 rounds mag, marked with a horizontal red line with RG blanks and 8 x 15 rounds mags with standard ammo. Additionaly 120 rounds loose in cardboard boxes.

 

MG/LMG - M42(n) or M53. Tripod is always M42(n) with scope. - 650 rounds + 300 with ammo bearer + 300 additional distributed in the Parachute SMG Section

SR - M98(n) with M(ZF)39 x 4 or M(ZF)42 x 6 scope - 85 rounds. Additionally 45 rounds in the 3-part pouch

ATW - M20A1(a) "Bazooka" - 4 rounds, 4 additionally

57mm RCL- 57mm M18A1(a) - 8 x HEAT round, 8 x HEAT round additionally
75mm RCL - 75mm M20 (a) - 8 x HEAT round, 8 x HEAT round additionally

60mm mortar - 60mm M2(a) - 60 rounds in 5 x 12-rounds crates. 60 additional rounds.

Brigade composition stayed as in 1954. org.

Brigade could field 3 x "battle group", each consisting of

 

2 x Parachute SMG Company (probably 1 x 1954 and 1 x 1956 org considering there were 3 of each)

1 x Parachute Reconnaissance Company

1 x Parachute Support Company

1 x Light Artillery Battery:

1 x 76mm platoon (3 x 76mm light guns)

1 x 105mm platoon (2 x 105mm M3 howitzers)

 

Artillery could be also kept centralized at a brigade level and used "as needed" for a support.

 

63rd Parachute Brigade was disbanded in December 1959. as "not being useful at a future nuclear battlefield". It was split in the 3 independent parachute battalions (of unknown composition, probably close to previous "battle groups", but w/o artillery component).

Edited March 30, 2019 by bojan

[bojan]

1954. Parachute Reconnaissance Company

 

Co HQ - 8 men - 3 x SMG, 3 x C, 2 x SR, 2 x P

- Co Cmd - SMG
- Co 2inC/PO - SMG
- Co Jr. Officer - SMG
- Radioman x 2 - C
- Medic - C
- Scout-sniper x 2 - SR, P

 

Parachute Reconnaissance Platoon x 3 - 24 men - 2 x LMG, 2 x SR, 16 x SMG, 4 x C, 4 x P, 3 x bp radio, 5 x HH radio
Plt Cmd Section - 8 men - 2 x LMG, 2 x SMG, 4 x C, 2 x P, 1 x bp radio, 1 x hh radio
- Plt Cmd - SMG
- Plt 2inC - SMG
- Radioman - C
- Medic - C
- LMG gunner x 2 - LMG, P

- Assistant x 2 - C

 

Section can split in the:

Command group - Plt Cmd + Radioman + Medic

Support group - Plt 2inC (has handheld radio) + 2 x LMG gunner + 2 x Assistant

 

Parachute Reconnaissance Section x 2 - 8 men- 6 x SMG, 1 x SR, 1 x C, 1 x P, 1 x bp radio, 2 x hh radio
- Section leader - SMG

- Sniper - SR, P - also section 2inC

- Radioman - C
- SMG gunner x 5 - SMG

 

Section can split in the:

Command group - Section leader + Radioman

Sniper group - Sniper + SMG gunner 1

2 x patrol or observer group 2 x SMG gunner (one has handheld radio)

 

 

Total - 79 ( 7 + 3 x 24 ) men - 6 x LMG, 8 x SR, 51 x SMG, 15 x C, 14 x P, 11 x backpack radio, 15 x handheld radio.

Edited March 25, 2019 by bojan

[bojan]

In December 1959. 63rd Parachute brigade was disbanded and three Independent Parachute battalions were formed. Each had:

2 x Parachute SMG company F-60

1 x Parachute Reconnaissance company - not clear if F-54 as above or modified

Attached support platoons - Mortar (6 x 81mm mortar), RCL (6 x 75mm RCL), AD (6 x AAMG)

 

As weapons, StG-44 stayed main armament, but M1 Carbines were removed, being replaced by pistols with crew-served weapons gunners and SMGs with other.

 

1960. Parachute SMG Company

 

Co HQ - 7 men - SMG, 2 x SR, 2 x C, 2 x P

- Co Cmd - SMG
- Co 2inC/PO - SMG
- Co Jr. Officer - SMG
- Radioman - C
- Medic - C
- Scout-sniper x 2 - SR, P

 

Parachute SMG Platoon - 32 men - 3 x LMG, 26 x SMG, 1 x SR, 6 x P
Platoon Command Section- 5 men - 2 x SMG, 1 x SR, 3 x P
- Plt Cmd - SMG
- Plt 2inC - SMG
- Radioman - P
- Medic - P
- Sniper - SR, P

 

Parachute SMG Section x 3 - 9 men - 1 x LMG, 8 x SMG, 1 x P
- Section leader - SMG
- LMG gunner - LMG, P
- Assistant - SMG
- SMG gunner x 6 - SMG - SMG gunner 1 is section 2inC

 

Parachute Support Platoon - 32 men - 3 x 60mm mortar, 4 x ATW, 3 x MG, 21 x SMG, 11 x P
Platoon Command Section- 3 men - 2 x SMG, 1 x P
- Plt Cmd - SMG
- Plt 2inC - SMG
- Radioman - P

AT Section - 9 men - 4 x ATW, 5 x SMG, 4 x P
- Section leader - SMG
- AT gunner x 4 - ATW, P
- Assistant x 4 - SMG

 

MG Section - 10 men - 3 x MG, 7 x SMG, 3 x P
- Section leader - SMG
- MG gunner x 3 - MG, P
- Assistant x 3 - SMG

- Ammo bearer - SMG

 

60mm Mortar Section - 10 men - 3 x 60mm mortar, 7 x SMG, 3 x P
- Section leader - SMG
- Mortar Gunner x 3 - 60mm mortar, P
- Loader x 3 - SMG
- Ammo bearer x 3 - SMG

 

Total - 135 ( 7 + 3 x 32 + 32 ) men - 3 x 60mm mortar, 4 x ATW, 9 x LMG, 5 x SR, 102 x SMG, 33 x P

Edited July 25, 2019 by bojan

[bojan]

In 1967. 63rd Parachute brigade was reformed. As an temporary armament (due the both domestic and paratrooper weapons programs being late) some 2-3000 AKMS and ~500 RPKS were acquired. Also, automatic pistols were planned for a some roles, initially Stechkin, but after few tests it has shown that automatic fire is basically useless on that one. Then MAC-11 was tested, also found not good enough. Finally, in 1973. vz.61 Skorpion was accepted for service. Meanwhile personnel that was supposed to have automatic pistol usually had either standard pistol or AR.

 

1967. Parachute Infantry Company - based on Light infantry company, but with somewhat stronger support platoon (3 instead 2 x 60mm mortar and 4 instead of 3 x ATW). Main purpose of this company type was a reinforcement of the various "stay behind" units and independent operations behind enemy lines.

 

Co HQ - 8 men - 2 x AR, 2 x SR, 4 x AP, 3 x P
- Co Cmd - AP
- Co 2inC/PO - AR
- Co Jr. Officer - AR
- Medic - P
- Radiomen x 2 - AP
- Scout sniper x 2 - SR, P

 

Parachute SMG Platoon - 26 men, 6 x SAW, 19 x AR, 1 x P
- Plt Cmd - AR
- Medic - P

 

Parachute SMG Section x 3 - 8 men, 2 x SAW, 6 x AR
- Section leader - AR

- SAW gunner x 2 - SAW

- SMG gunner x 5 - AR - SMG gunner 1 is section 2inC

Support platoon - 28 men - 4 x ATW, 3 x MG, 3 x 60mm mortar, 17 x AR, 5 x AP, 6 x P
- Plt Cmd - AR
- Radioman - AP

 

AT Section - 9 men - 4 x ATW, 5 x AR, 4 x AP
- Section leader - AR
- AT gunner x 4 - ATW, P
- Assistant x 4 - AR

 

MG Section - 10 men - 3 x MG, 7 x AR, 3 x P
- Section leader - AR
- MG gunner x 3 - MG, P
- Assistant x 6 - AR

 

Mortar Section - 7 men - 3 x 60mm mortar, 4 x AR, 3 x P

- Section leader - AR
- Gunner x 3 - Mortar, P
- Assistant x 3 - AR

 

Total 114 ( 8 + 3 x 26 + 28 ) men - 4 x ATW, 3 x MG, 3 x 60mm mortar, 18 x SAW, 76 x AR, 2 x SR, 9 x AP, 12 x P

Edited April 17, 2019 by bojan

[bojan]

1971. Parachute Infantry Company

Soon after reforming it became clear that something heavier than 1967. org was needed for a "line company". This was supposed to be a basis of any multi-company drop.

 

Co HQ - 8 men - 2 x AR, 2 x SR, 4 x AP, 3 x P
- Co Cmd - AP
- Co 2inC/PO - AR
- Co Jr. Officer - AR
- Medic - P
- Radiomen x 2 - AP
- Scout-sniper x 2 - SR, P

 

Parachute SMG Platoon - 36 men, 3 x MG, 6 x SAW, 26 x AR, 4 x P
- Plt Cmd - AR
- Medic - P

 

Parachute SMG Section x 3 - 8 men, 2 x SAW, 6 x AR
- Section leader - AR

- SAW gunner x 2 - SAW

- SMG gunner x 5 - AR - SMG gunner 1 is section 2inC

 

MG Section - 10 men - 3 x MG, 7 x AR, 3 x P
- Section leader - AR
- MG gunner x 3 - MG, P
- Assistant x 6 - AR

 

Support platoon - 21 men - 4 x ATW, 4 x 60mm mortar, 13 x AR, 5 x AP, 4 x P
- Plt Cmd - AR
- Radioman - AP

 

AT Section - 9 men - 4 x ATW, 5 x AR, 4 x AP
- Section leader - AR
- AT gunner x 4 - ATW, P
- Assistant x 4 - AR

 

Mortar Section x 2 - 5 men - 2 x 60mm mortar, 4 x AR, 2 x P

- Section leader - AR
- Gunner x 2 - Mortar, P
- Assistant x 2 - AR

 

Total - 137 ( 8 + 3 x 36 + 21 ) men - 4 x ATW, 9 x MG, 4 x 60mm Mortar, 18 x SAW, 93 x AR, 2 x SR, 9 x AP, 19 x P

 

Note - MG Sections can be separated from a Parachute SMG Platoons and form 5th/MG Platoon under the command of Co 2inC.

 

MG Platoon - 31 men - 9 x MG, 22 x AR, 9 x P

- Plt Cmd (Co 2inC) - AR

 

MG Section x 3 - 10 men - 3 x MG, 7 x AR, 3 x P
- Section leader - AR
- MG gunner x 3 - MG, P
- Assistant x 6 - AR

[bojan]

1972. Parachute (Airmobile) Infantry Company

This was practically same as 1971. org, but a support platoon was reinforced by adding RCL section, but it lost 1 x mortar and 1 x ATW. In practice Support platoon had enough manpower and weapons for either version and formation was changed by changing support platoon depending on the intended role (airdrop or helicopter transport).

 

Co HQ - 8 men - 2 x AR, 2 x SR, 4 x AP, 3 x P
- Co Cmd - AP
- Co 2inC/PO - AR
- Co Jr. Officer - AR
- Medic - P
- Radiomen x 2 - AP
- Scout-sniper x 2 - SR, P

 

Parachute SMG Platoon - 36 men, 3 x MG, 6 x SAW, 26 x AR, 4 x P
- Plt Cmd - AR
- Medic - P

 

Parachute SMG Section x 3 - 8 men, 2 x SAW, 6 x AR
- Section leader - AR

- SAW gunner x 2 - SAW

- SMG gunner x 5 - AR - SMG gunner 1 is section 2inC

 

MG Section - 10 men - 3 x MG, 7 x AR, 3 x P
- Section leader - AR
- MG gunner x 3 - MG, P
- Assistant x 6 - AR

 

Support platoon - 27 men - 2 x 82mm RCL, 3 x ATW, 3 x 60mm mortar, 18 x AR, 4 x AP, 5 x P
- Plt Cmd - AR
- Radioman - AP

 

RCL Section - 11 men - 2 x 82mm RCL, 9 x AR, 2 x P

- Section leader - AR
- RCL gunner x 2 - RCL, P
- Assistants x 8 - AR

 

AT Section - 7 men - 3 x ATW, 4 x AR, 3 x AP
- Section leader - AR
- AT gunner x 3 - ATW, P
- Assistant x 3 - AR

 

Mortar Section - 7 men - 3 x 60mm mortar, 4 x AR, 3 x P

- Section leader - AR
- Gunner x 3 - Mortar, P
- Assistant x 3 - AR

 

Total - 137 ( 8 + 3 x 36 + 21 ) men - 4 x ATW, 9 x MG, 4 x 60mm Mortar, 18 x SAW, 93 x AR, 2 x SR, 9 x AP, 19 x P

 

Note - As in 1971. org, MG Sections can be separated from a Parachute SMG Platoons and form 5th/MG Platoon under the command of Co 2inC.

 

MG Platoon - 31 men - 9 x MG, 22 x AR, 9 x P

- Plt Cmd (Co 2inC) - AR

 

MG Section x 3 - 10 men - 3 x MG, 7 x AR, 3 x P
- Section leader - AR
- MG gunner x 3 - MG, P
- Assistant x 6 - AR

[bd1]

did the territorials-stay-behind units wore uniforms? i read some old RAND report from 70´s that compared territorial organisations and Finns were saying that their model differers from yugoslavian because their troops are all in uniforms, hence protected by geneva conventions

[bojan]

Yes. IDK where that report got idea that they were not supposed to use uniforms.

Edited April 17, 2019 by bojan

[bd1]

there was some 1973 rand report on yugo TO which i have not read yet, bit later was the rand report that mentioned this . my first thought was that maybe the factory protection etc units got armband with letters TO on their everyday clothing , like ww2 partisan

 

thanks

[bojan]

No, they had own, blue uniforms. They were also not a stay-behind element.

Edited April 17, 2019 by bojan

[TTK Ciar]

bojan, I really enjoyed reading this thread. Thank you for posting your efforts.

[bojan]

Thank you, I figured that when I have the source material why not post it, it is not like you can find it anywhere on the net

 

 

In 1981. new org was introduced for a "line" Parachute Infantry Company. It replaced 1971. org. It introduced two snipers per platoon, but Co HQ lost it's scout-snipers, but got two runners/scouts. Also some terminology changed.

 

 

1981. Parachute Infantry Company

 

Co HQ - 8 men - 4 x AR, 3 x AP, 1 x P
- Co Cmd - AP
- Co 2inC/PO - AR
- Co Jr. Officer - AR
- Medic - P
- Radiomen x 2 - AP
- Runner/scout x 2 - AR

 

Parachute Rifle Platoon - 38 men, 3 x MG, 6 x SAW, 26 x AR, 2 x SR, 4 x P
- Plt Cmd - AR
- Medic - P

- Sniper x 2 - SR

 

Parachute Rifle Section x 3 - 8 men, 2 x SAW, 6 x AR
- Section leader - AR

- SAW gunner x 2 - SAW

- Riflemen x 5 - AR - R1 is section 2inC

 

MG Section - 10 men - 3 x MG, 7 x AR, 3 x P
- Section leader - AR
- MG gunner x 3 - MG, P
- Assistant x 6 - AR

 

Support platoon - 25 men - 6 x ATW, 4 x 60mm mortar, 14 x AR, 7 x AP, 4 x P
- Plt Cmd - AR
- Radioman - AP

 

AT Section - 13 men - 6 x ATW, 7 x AR, 6 x AP
- Section leader - AR
- AT gunner x 6 - ATW, P
- Assistant x 6 - AR

 

Mortar Section x 2 - 5 men - 2 x 60mm mortar, 3 x AR, 2 x P

- Section leader - AR
- Gunner x 2 - Mortar, P
- Assistant x 2 - AR

 

Total - 147 ( 8 + 3 x 38 + 25 ) men - 6 x ATW, 9 x MG, 4 x 60mm Mortar, 18 x SAW, 96 x AR, 6 x SR, 10 x AP, 15 x P

 

Note - MG Sections can be separated from a Parachute Rifle Platoons and form 5th/MG Platoon under the command of Co 2inC.

 

MG Platoon - 31 men - 9 x MG, 22 x AR, 9 x P

- Plt Cmd (Co 2inC) - AR

 

MG Section x 3 - 10 men - 3 x MG, 7 x AR, 3 x P
- Section leader - AR
- MG gunner x 3 - MG, P
- Assistant x 6 - AR

 

An-26 transport load (5 planes, formal capacity 30 paratroopers each):

 

1st PRPl - MG section (28men ) + Co Cmd + Radioman 1 = 30 men

2nd PRPl - MG Section (28men) + Co 2inC + Radioman 2 = 30men

3rd PRPl - MG section (28 men) + Co Jr Officer + Medic = 30 men

Support Platoon (25 men) + 2 x Runner = 27 men

3 x MG Section = 30 men

 

For a helicopter transport 6 x Mi-8 helicopters were required (formally some helicopters were slightly overloaded as a formal capacity was 24 fully equipped men, 24 x 6 = 144 and Co had 147 men), but I don't have full load plan

Edited April 22, 2019 by bojan