L6 Squadron in RECo (and separate battalions)

[Htar]

while i dig through some Italian Armors, i noticed the personnel composition in the Command Section almost larger than the whole 4 tank platoons combine, its largely because the maintenance priority was given to tracked vehicles, L6 was no exception. I wonder why it says "1+2+49" when Leland only mention like 26 personnel, where's the other 26 guys?

L6 Squadrons from the separate Battalions shared similarities with RECo(1942) with only differences in Reserve Tank, they have Reserve Tank Platoon identical to that of Regular Tank Platoons (5 tanks) while RECo dont.

(i wonder if SPA Dovunque 35 or 41 have Wrecker/Recovery variant because google images tells me it exist, what about other trucks?)

 

[jwsleser]

Htar

I am trying to understand your question. The Formazione di Guerra (FdG) data you posted from Leland's site appears to be from p.42 1942 RECo. There is also the one on p.24 Other Armored Units, AS42 Type.

This is from the original FdG from the 1942 RECo. Leland likely didn't see the need to break everything down.





Pista! Jeff

 

[Htar]

Htar

I am trying to understand your question. The Formazione di Guerra (FdG) data you posted from Leland's site appears to be from p.42 1942 RECo. There is also the one on p.24 Other Armored Units, AS42 Type.

This is from the original FdG from the 1942 RECo. Leland likely didn't see the need to break everything down.
View attachment 1507
View attachment 1508

View attachment 1509

Pista! Jeff

Well, I was looking after the Ragrupp. Esplorante Corazzata and not AS42 reconnaissances, as I am interested in 2nd-Gen Light Tank Battalions (especially the only italian armored unit in Gariboldi's ARMIR) because they shared many similarities with RECo in general.

I was quite confused when Squadra Comando looks odd like why theres 8 drivers for 5 vehicles? more big than Carri M? until I notice they're reserve drivers, and so i'll take this uhhh, HQ Platoon a grain of salt.

One thing I noticed is when I calculate the Squadron's Personnel in RECo and 2nd-Gens, Leland says 168 personnel + 28 Tanks in 2nd-Gens whilst I calculate my own, it says 165? (149 + 16 because the inclusion of 5th tank platoon/reserve which says to be identical to line platoons) Why?

I was quite half-awake yesterday, so forgive me if I write erratically/being out of touch

 

[jwsleser]

Htar

That L6 company FdG is from the Ragruppamento Esplorante Corazzata FdG. It is the same one that Leland used in the bit you posted above. The FdG was implemented in 1942, hence the RECo 1942.

Leland wrote on p.46

Thus, by 11 March 1942 the three L.6 battalions that had been raised (excluding RECo assignments) were the III Battalion of the Lancieri di Novarra (destined for North Africa), the LXVII Bersaglieri Battalion (being sent to the eastern front to reinforce the 3rd Celere Division), and the III Battalion of the Cavalleggeri di Alessandria (assigned to the Balkans). The organization of the L.6 squadron was established by a TO&E published in October 1941 and was identical to that of the L.6 squadron in the Type 1942 RECo except for the addition of a reserve tank platoon, identical to the line platoons. This gave the squadron a strength of 7 officers, 26 enlisted and 135 other ranks with 28 L.6/40 light tanks.

Two tank squadrons, plus a headquarters squadron, made up the battalion. The battalion HQ included four more L.6 tanks, two of which were for command purposes and the other two to act as radio links. Two trucks with trailers were provided to transport these tanks under the orders of February 1942, when the III Novarra was formally ordered into existence. The headquarters squadron TO&E published in August 1942 retained these four tanks but dropped the trucks and trailers and it seems likely that the transporters in the tank squadrons were dropped at the same time. The bulk of the rest of the HQ squadron was made up of two repair sections. Each of these sections had two sergeants, 17 corporals, and 4 privates and operated out of three heavy trucks, one of which carried personnel, one spare parts, and one, with a trailer, was equipped as a shop. It would seem that one of these repair sections usually provided forward support to the line squadrons, while the other operated as a semi-fixed installation near battalion HQ. Other elements of the battalion HQ squadron included four motorcycle dispatch riders, a five-man pioneer team, four medical personnel, and three heavy trucks, one for ammunition, one for fuel and supplies, and one to carry personnel. The light tank battalion was thus characterized by a high degree of autonomy in terms of repair assets and reserve vehicles and personnel but had surprisingly little in the way of logistical support.

There is an FdG for a L6 battalion in A.S. Normally the A.S. organizations are a bit different from the metropolitan organizations because of the different operating environment.

Pista! Jeff

 

[Htar]

I did some more digging and stumble upon regioesercito site with more cleaner and fresh look, when I look through L6 Squadrone Corazzato for Lancieri di Novara, I notice the additional Camioncini + 3 more guys for the riparazioni, also notice the missing Tank Transports for Commands, I assume this takes from August 1942 where Tank Transporters began to fallen out of favors, the rest looks similar to Light Tank Squadron from 1942 RECo in general. I'm not too sure for LXVII Armored Bersaglieri in Russia but I would assume they follow the changes

1942 Reggimento Fanteria tipo Africa Settentrionale

(ignore the "Fanteria" name, webmaster hadn't change the site's title probably)

 

[jwsleser]

The website states that the organization shown is from June (giugno) 1942. Leland implies that the three separate battalions had the same organization. Unless someone can offer different information, that diagram likely represents the LXVII btg. berg. cor. I will note that the totals at the bottom of the charts are incorrect.

I will offer the following from Benvenuti's I carri armata del Regio Esercito carri armata 2, part terza L6 sviluppo ed operazioni p.69. Se th comment about the autoblinde.

FRONTE RUSSO 1942- 1943

Più preciso è il quadro dell'attività degli L.6 sul fronte russo.

La 3ª divisione Celere P.A.D.A. (Principe Amedeo Duca d'Aosta) nel novembre del 1942 era stata ritirata dalla linea ed aveva subito dei rimaneggiamenti per consentire di colmare le perdite e di avvicendare alcuni reparti in linea da oltre un anno.

Il gruppo carri L. "S. Giorgio” rimasto da parecchio tempo senza carri, era stato rimpatriato nel mese di luglio ed al suo posto era giunto al fronte il LXVII battaglione bersaglieri motocorazzato dotato di carri L.6 ed il XIII gruppo semoventi da 47 del reggimento Cavalleggeri di Alessandria”. Già il 27/8/42 aliquote del LXVII operarono in appoggio al 5° alpini respingendo un attacco isso nel vettore di Jagodnj.

All’inizio di Dicembre del 1942 la divisione, ancora in fuse di riorganizzazione, veniva fatta rientrare in linea per coprire un settore di fronte rimasto scoperto per il trasferi mento di una divisione tedesca verso un altro settore in crisi.

L’ 11 dicembre il LXVII Battaglione bersaglieri corazzati ed il XIII gruppo semoventi i furono trasferiti in rinforzo ah corpo d’armata costituito dalle divisioni Cosseria e Ravenna.

Il settore del fronte italiano presidiato dalle due divisioni era sotto la pressione di un forte attacco russo che si era annunciato fin dai primi di dicembre; fra il 16 ed il 21 i russi sfondavano il fronte nel settore della divisione Ravenna.

I carri del 67° bersaglieri andarono perduti nei combattimenti contro i russi dilaganti nel settore della Ravenna, nella zona «di Gadjucja e Foronovo. I pochi mezzi sopravvissuti scomparvero nella disastrosa ritirata dell’A.R.M.I.R.

Il Battaglione corazzato che era stato costi tuito a Siena il 25/2/42 con due compagnie carri L.6, la 2ª e la 3ª tratte dal 68° Btg. bersaglieri corazzato del 18° reggimento, aveva iniziato il suo ciclo operativo con 55 o 58 carri L.6 ed cra articolato su 2 compagnie di 5 plotoni ciascuna; ( 5º plotone: riserva) ogni plotone aveva cinque carri, il plotone comando disponeva anche di afcunì carri centro radio, (è possibile ma non con fermato che il comando del battaglione di sponesse di un paio di autoblinde con radio F.3 M. peri collegamenti).

I carri giunsero in Russia verniciati color sabbia, così come venivano consegnati dalla Ansaldo, e furono debitamente mascherati dagli equipaggi con sapienti applicazioni di fango sugli scafi e sulle torrette; una parti colare cura fu messa nel ricoprire le insegne di plotone fra cui è degna di nota quella del 5º plotone che anzichè riportare delle strisce verticali, corrispondenti al numero del plotone sul rettangolo con il colore della compagnia (vedi appendice parte Il) aveva una unica striscia diagonale.

L'insolita presenza del 5° plotone è dovuta probabilmente alla composizione di un plotone con i carri di riserva in modo da dare una sufficiente autonomia operativa al re parto lontano dalle basi di rifornimento.

Pista! Jeff