v.1.0 July 29, 2001

When the Reconnaissance Corps was first established in 1941 it was organized, (like the infantry), into battalions, companies, platoons and sections. The establishment for a reconnaissance battalion was 40 officers and 733 other ranks, organised as

• Admin Platoon
• Mortar Platoon
• Anti-Aircraft Platoon
• Signals Platoon
• Anti-Tank Platoon

Coy HQ

Admin Platoon

3 Scout Platoons

• 1 Armoured Reconnaissance Car Section (5 Light Recon Car)
• 2 Carrier Sections (3 Carriers each)
• Assault Platoon (HQ and 4 Rifle Sections)

Company Administrative Platoon

45 x LRC's - Light Reconnaissance Cars (LRC)

67 x Universal Carriers

71 x Three Quarter Ton (15-cwt) Trucks

6 x Three Ton Trucks

71 x Motorcycles

6 x Utility Cars

Plus other vehicles such as water tankers etc.

4-6 2-pounder AT guns

6 3-inch mortars.

126 x Bren .303 Light Machine Guns

4 x Twin .303 Brens (for Anti-Aircraft Pl)

48 x Boys .55-inch Anti-Tank Rifles

12 x Thompson .45 Sub-Machine Guns

18 x 2-inch Mortars

40 x Smith & Wesson .38 Revolvers

Also attached there was a Light Aid Detachment (LAD) initially from the

Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC), the Royal Electrical and Mechanical

Engineers (REME). From 1942,  recce units were henceforth referred to by cavalry designations:

Battalion became Regiment; Company became Squadron; and Platoon became

Troop.