World War II Armed Forces – Orders of Battle and Organizations

Last Updated 26.09.2006

Abbreviations and Terms Used (Go to this page for abbreviations used to describe ships, vessels, and craft)

Air Units VB Bombing Squadron VC Composite Squadron VC Battleship Observation Squadron VCS Cruiser Scouting Squadron VD Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron VF Fighting Squadron VF(N) Night Fighting Squadron VGF Escort Fighting Squadron VGS Scout / Torpedo Bomber Squadron VH Air-Sea Rescue Squadron VJ Utility Squadron VN Training Squadron VN-D Training Squadron (District) VO Observation Squadron VOS Observation Scout Squadron VOT Operational Training Squadron VP Patrol Squadron VPB Patrol Bombing Squadron VP-D Patrol Squadron (District) VR Transport Squadron VRE Transport-Evacuation Squadron VRF Ferry Squadron VRS Service Squadron VS Scouting Squadron VSB Scout Dive-Bombing Squadron VS-D Scouting Squadron (District) VSO Scout & Observation Squadron VT Torpedo Squadron VTB Torpedo Bombing Squadron VX-D Experimental Squadron (District) ZJ Airship Utility Squadron ZN Airship Training Squadron ZP Airship Patrol Squadron ZQ Barrage Balloon Squadron ZS Airship Scouting Squadron

Unit Types BATDIV Battleship Division CARDIV Carrier Division CRUDIV Cruiser Division DESDIV Destroyer Division DESFLOT Destroyer Flotilla DESRON Destroyer Squadron MINEDIV Mine Division MINERON Mine Squadron SERVRON Service Squadron SUBDIV Submarine Division SUBRON Submarine Squadron Miscellaneous (F) Flagship (CF) Cruisers Flagship (FF) Flotilla Flagship (SF) Squadron Flagship (SFF) Service Force Flagship (DAFF) Destroyers, Atlantic Fleet Flagship (DAFF) Destroyers, Atlantic Fleet Flagship AS American Samoa BWI British West Indies HI Hawaiian Islands MI Mariana Islands PI Philippine Islands TA Territory of Alaska BM Boatswain's Mate (enlisted rank) CG Coast Guard CGC Coast Guard Cutter CBM Chief Boatswain's Mate (senior enlisted rank) CPNAB Contractors Pacific Naval Air Bases (civilian construction workers, employees of companies under US Navy contract) NAB Naval Air Base NAD Naval Ammunition Depot NAS Naval Air Station NORTC Naval Reserve Officers Training Course NRAB Naval Reserve Air Base USAT United States Army Transport USCG United States Coast Guard USCGC United States Coast Guard Cutter USNR United States Navy Reserve M/S Motor Ship (civilian vessel – diesel powered) S/S Steam Ship (civilian vessel – steam powered) USS United States Ship (US Navy vessel)