Royal Belgium Army
KINGDOM OF BELGIUM
ROYAL BELGIUM ARMY
Note: The Belgium Army would take 3-4 days to deploy its lead combat forces to their GDP positions along the International German Border (IGB). It would take up to 14 days to fully mobilize the reserve forces. Belgium maintains 10 days of war stocks.
1st Belgium (BE) Corps: Cologne, FRG; assigned to NORTHAG.
2 Gendarme Security Companies: (provide headquarters security)
1st Long Range Reconnaissance Company (ESR):
2nd Jaagers te Paard: 40 Leopard I, 8 M113
1st Jaagers te Paard: 24 Scimitar, 24 Scorpion, 12 Striker (w/Swingfire ATGM), 12 Spartan w/recon teams
4th Chassuers a Cheval: 24 Scimitar, 24 Scorpion, 12 Striker (w/Swingfire ATGM), 12 Spartan w/recon teams
3rd Line Infantry Battalion: 3 M113A1-B-CP; 3 Cos, each HQ co (1 AIFV-B-25, 1 AIFV-B-12.7, 2 M113A1-B w/81mm mortar), 3 Platoons (each, 2 AIFV-B-25, 2 AIFV-B-12.7, 4 Rifle sections, 2 Milans); 1 recce co (3 Scimitar, 2 Scorpions, 3 Spartans w/3 Recon Teams), 1 Mortar platoon (4 truck-towed 4.2 mortars).
14th Line Infantry Battalion: 3 M113A1-B-CP; 3 Cos, each HQ co (1 AIFV-B-25, 1 AIFV-B-12.7, 2 M113A1-B w/81mm mortar), 3 Platoons (each, 2 AIFV-B-25, 2 AIFV-B-12.7, 4 Rifle sections, 2 Milans); 1 recce co (3 Scimitar, 2 Scorpions, 3 Spartans w/3 Recon Teams), 1 Mortar platoon (4 truck-towed 4.2 mortars).
13th Artillery Group (Corps Artillery Command)
3rd SSM Battalion: 6 Lance
6th Artillery Battalion: 18 M109A2
Artillery Battalion: 18 M109A2
72nd Artillery Battalion: 12 203mm M115 towed howitzers
20th Artillery Battalion: 12 M110A2
13th Artillery Battalion: 18 M109A2
14th Anti-Aircraft Battalion: 27 Gepard
35th Anti-Aircraft Battalion: 27 Gepard
43rd SAM Battalion: 18 IHAWK
64th SAM Battalion: 18 IHAWK
Corps Engineering Assets:
1st Genie Field Engineering Bn: 2 Equipment Cos (LOC), 1 Bridge (10 M48AVLB), 1 NBC
10th Genie Field Engineering Bn: 3 Eng Co
17th Genie Field Engineering Bn: 3 Eng Co
3rd Genie Bridging Bn: 1 Uniflot Bridge Co, 2 Mobile Floating Armored Bridge Cos
6th Genie Bn: 2 field engineer Cos, 1 Bridging Co (10 M48AVLB), 1 Atomic Demolition Co.
3 Aviation Squadrons - 16th, 17th, and 18th: 13 Alouette II each
1st Infantry Division (Mech); Liege, Belgium
1st Mech Infantry Brigade - Leopoldsburg, Belgium: 4 Sultans
2nd Lancers: 40 Leopard I, 8 M113
1st Carabineers: 21 AIFV-B w/25mm gun, 21 AIFV-B w/12.7mm HMG, 6 M113A1-B w/81mm mortar, 3 M113A1-B-CP (command posts), 3 Scimitar, 2 Scorpion, 3 Spartan w/3 Recon Teams, 18 Milan ATGM, 36 Infantry Sections w/Blindicide, 4 trucks towing 4 4.2 mortars.
Bevrijding Battalion: 21 AIFV-B w/25mm gun, 21 AIFV-B w/12.7mm HMG, 6 M113A1-B w/81mm mortar, 3 M113A1-B-CP (command posts), 3 Scimitar, 2 Scorpion, 3 Spartan w/3 Recon Teams, 18 Milan ATGM, 36 Infantry Sections w/Blindicide, 4 trucks towing 4 4.2 mortars.
18th Artillery Battalion: 18 M109A2
13th Anti-tank Company: 12 Jagdpanzer Kanone, 12 M113A1-B-MIL
68th Engineer Company: (see below)
7th Mech Infantry Brigade - Marche-n-Femenne, Belgium: 4 Sultans
1st Lancers: 40 Leopard I, 8 M113
1st Ardennes Rifles: 21 AIFV-B w/25mm gun, 21 AIFV-B w/12.7mm HMG, 6 M113A1-B w/81mm mortar, 3 M113A1-B-CP (command posts), 3 Scimitar, 2 Scorpion, 3 Spartan w/3 Recon Teams, 18 Milan ATGM, 36 Infantry Sections w/Blindicide, 4 trucks towing 4 4.2 mortars.
12th Line Battalion: 21 AIFV-B w/25mm gun, 21 AIFV-B w/12.7mm HMG, 6 M113A1-B w/81mm mortar, 3 M113A1-B-CP (command posts), 3 Scimitar, 2 Scorpion, 3 Spartan w/3 Recon Teams, 18 Milan ATGM, 36 Infantry Sections w/Blindicide, 4 trucks towing 4 4.2 mortars.
1st Artillery Battalion: 18 M109A2
8th Anti-tank Company: 12 Jagdpanzer Kanone, 12 M113A1-B-MIL
67th Engineer Company: (see below)
12th Motorized Infantry Brigade (Reserve) - Liege, Belgium: 4 Sultans
3rd Lancers: 40 Leopard I, 8 M113 (active forward deployed as part of covering force)
2nd Ardennes Rifles: Line Infantry Battalion: 3 M113A1-B-CP; 3 Cos, each HQ co (1 AIFV-B-25, 1 AIFV-B-12.7, 2 M113A1-B w/81mm mortar), 3 Platoons (each, 2 AIFV-B-25, 2 AIFV-B-12.7, 4 Rifle sections, 2 Milans); 1 recce co (3 Scimitar, 2 Scorpions, 3 Spartans w/3 Recon Teams), 1 Mortar platoon (4 truck-towed 4.2 mortars).
3rd Rifle Battalion: Line Infantry Battalion: 3 M113A1-B-CP; 3 Cos, each HQ co (1 AIFV-B-25, 1 AIFV-B-12.7, 2 M113A1-B w/81mm mortar), 3 Platoons (each, 2 AIFV-B-25, 2 AIFV-B-12.7, 4 Rifle sections, 2 Milans); 1 recce co (3 Scimitar, 2 Scorpions, 3 Spartans w/3 Recon Teams), 1 Mortar platoon (4 truck-towed 4.2 mortars).
15th Artillery Battalion: 18 M109A2
12th Anti-tank Company: 12 Jagdpanzer Kanone, 12 Jeep w/Milan
12th Engineer Company: (see below)
12th Long Range Recon Company (ESR):
16th Infantry Division (Mech); Soest, FRG
4th Mech Infantry Brigade - Soest, FRG: 4 Sultans
4th Lancers: 40 Leopard I, 8 M113
1st Grenadiers: 21 AIFV-B w/25mm gun, 21 AIFV-B w/12.7mm HMG, 6 M113A1-B w/81mm mortar, 3 M113A1-B-CP (command posts), 3 Scimitar, 2 Scorpion, 3 Spartan w/3 Recon Teams, 18 Milan ATGM, 36 Infantry Sections w/Blindicide, 4 trucks towing 4 4.2 mortars.
5th Line Battalion: 21 AIFV-B w/25mm gun, 21 AIFV-B w/12.7mm HMG, 6 M113A1-B w/81mm mortar, 3 M113A1-B-CP (command posts), 3 Scimitar, 2 Scorpion, 3 Spartan w/3 Recon Teams, 18 Milan ATGM, 36 Infantry Sections w/Blindicide, 4 trucks towing 4 4.2 mortars.
2nd Artillery Battalion: 18 M109A3
9th Anti-tank Company: 12 Jagdpanzer Kanone, 12 M113A1-B-MIL
14th Engineer Company: (see below)
17th Armored Brigade - Siegen, FRG: 4 Sultans
1st Guides Battalion: 40 Leopard I, 8 M113
2nd Guides Battalion: 40 Leopard I, 8 M113
1st Carabineers Cyclists: 21 AIFV-B w/25mm gun, 21 AIFV-B w/12.7mm HMG, 6 M113A1-B w/81mm mortar, 3 M113A1-B-CP (command posts), 3 Scimitar, 2 Scorpion, 3 Spartan w/3 Recon Teams, 18 Milan ATGM, 36 Infantry Sections w/Blindicide, 4 trucks towing 4 4.2 mortars.
2nd Carabineers Cyclists: 21 AIFV-B w/25mm gun, 21 AIFV-B w/12.7mm HMG, 6 M113A1-B w/81mm mortar, 3 M113A1-B-CP (command posts), 3 Scimitar, 2 Scorpion, 3 Spartan w/3 Recon Teams, 18 Milan ATGM, 36 Infantry Sections w/Blindicide, 4 trucks towing 4 4.2 mortars.
19th Artillery Battalion: 18 M109A3
2nd Anti-tank Company: 12 Jagdpanzer Kanone, 12 M113A1-B-MIL
15th Engineer Company: (see below)
10th Mech Infantry Brigade (Reserve) - Limberg, Belgium: 4 Sultans
8th Lancers: 40 Leopard I, 8 M113
2nd Carabineers: Line Infantry Battalion: 3 M113A1-B-CP; 3 Cos, each HQ co (1 AIFV-B-25, 1 AIFV-B-12.7, 2 M113A1-B w/81mm mortar), 3 Platoons (each, 2 AIFV-B-25, 2 AIFV-B-12.7, 4 Rifle sections, 2 Milans); 1 recce co (3 Scimitar, 2 Scorpions, 3 Spartans w/3 Recon Teams), 1 Mortar platoon (4 truck-towed 4.2 mortars).
4th Line Battalion: Line Infantry Battalion: 3 M113A1-B-CP; 3 Cos, each HQ co (1 AIFV-B-25, 1 AIFV-B-12.7, 2 M113A1-B w/81mm mortar), 3 Platoons (each, 2 AIFV-B-25, 2 AIFV-B-12.7, 4 Rifle sections, 2 Milans); 1 recce co (3 Scimitar, 2 Scorpions, 3 Spartans w/3 Recon Teams), 1 Mortar platoon (4 truck-towed 4.2 mortars).
74th Artillery Battalion: 18 M109A2
10th Anti-tank Company: 12 Jagdpanzer Kanone, 12 Jeep w/Milan
10th Engineer Company: (see below)
10th Long Range Recon Company (ESR):
Para-Commando Regiment
Leuren, Belgium
assigned to the AMF, expected to reinforce Norway
Recon Squadron: 32 Scorpion
1st Para-Commando Battalion:
2nd Para-Commando Battalion (Reserve):
3rd Para-Commando Battalion:
4th Para-Commando Battalion (Reserve):
Artillery battalion: 18 towed 105mm howitzers
Para-Commando Anti-Tank Co:
Note: recon squadron may have been mixed Scorpion/Scimitar; Artillery battalion may have only had a battery of 6 105mm howitzers and/or two batteries of 8 120mm mortars. Additionally, there may have been 9 Para-Commando companies held at cadre status to be filled out by reserves: 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39.
Interior Forces
provide security within Belgium and replacements to the 1st BE Corps.
5th Ardennes Rifles (Light Infantry Battalion):
3rd Carabineers Cyclists (Light Infantry Battalion):
4th Carabineers Cyclists (Light Infantry Battalion):
9 Provincial Regiments: each with 2-5 infantry and recce battalions
1st Regt Brabant:
2nd Regt Hainaut:
3rd Regt W. Flanders:
4th Regt E. Flanders:
5th Regt Antwerp:
6th Regt Limburg:
7th Regt Liege:
8th Regt Luxembourg:
9th Regt Namur:
4 Engineer Battalions:
4th (light)
11th (light)
27th (heavy)
31st (heavy)
4 Engineer Companies:
4th (equipment)
3rd (equipment)
7th (bridging)
8th (bridging)
15th Aviation Squadron: (mixed unit)
Note 1: Belgium held significant quantities of older equipment in reserve or storage during the end of the 1980s, including 28 (or more) M108 105mm SP howitzers, 419 (IISS) or 554 (Janes) AMX-VCI tracked personnel carriers, 77 M-75 tracked APCs (may have still been in some engineering units), 25 M-41s, plus unknown numbers of unmodified M-47 gun tanks, M114 155mm towed howitzers, M59 155mm towed howitzers, M115 203mm towed howitzers, M44 155mm SP howitzers, and likely significant numbers of M101 105mm howitzers.
Note 2: At least some brigade anti-tank companies received M113A1-B-MIL vehicles in the late 1980s. This vehicle was an M113 with two side-by-side hatches replacing the central hatch on standard vehicles; the left-hand hatch mounted a .50 cal HMG, the right one, a Milan firing post. 56 were procured by 1988. I have made the guess (which is all it is) that the regular brigades had them. It is also possible that each brigade had 9, rather than 12, and all six had them.
Note 3: Equipment Holdings:
Tanks: 334 Leopard 1Be, 25 M41
APC: 514 AIFV-B (including variants), 525 M113A1-B (including variants), 554 AMX-VCI (reserve? Phasing out), 43 BDX, 77 M-75
CVR(T) Family: Belgium acquired a total of 701 CVR(T) variants, including at least 157 Scimitars, 136 Scorpions, 266 Spartans and 43 Strikers. Others received included Samsons (recovery) and Sultans (command).
Tank Destroyers: 80 Jagdpanzer Kanone
Artillery: 41 M109A3 155mm SP, 117 M109A2 155mm SP, 28 M108 105mm SP, 11 M110A2 203mm SP, 21 M101 105mm towed, 6 Lance launchers
ATGM: 420 Milan (325 mounted on vehicles)
Air Defense: 714 Mistral order 1988, deliveries underway in 1989, 54 Gepard twin 35mm SP, 56 twin 20mm AA guns, 56 M55 Quad .50 cal AA guns, and 100+ M167 towed 20mm gatling AA guns. It is likely that at least some of these were assigned to airfield defense with the air force.
Helicopters: 59 Alouette II, 3 SA330H Puma
Note 4: Engineers:
Armies of NATOs Central Front provides some fairly detailed lists of what Belgian engineering units had but it is not always clear which battalions had which organization. There were 3 basic types of battalions: Equipment (2 equipment cos, 1 NBC co, 1 AVLB co w/10 M48AVLB), Field (3 field engineer cos, may be in APCs), and Corps Bridging (1 Uniflot Co, 2 MOFAB co). The reserve battalions are probably all field, with the heavy in APCs and the light in trucks (just a WAG, really). 6 Genie Bn had a unique org as noted above.
Brigade Engineering Companies: 3 platoons of engineers, primarily equipped for obstacle creation and demolition, mounted in APCs. They had M75s through the mid-1980s, may have converted to M113.
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The reason that the American Army does so well in wartime, is that war is chaos, and the American Army practices chaos on a daily basis.
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