Manpower numbers

[antimedic]

Anyone know of a source to find divisional manpower numbers for the NATO nations in the late 80s? I can find US and WP numbers, but that's all.

[TitusPullo]

This is the only thing found sofar for the NATO forces and its only for Tanks:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_War_tank_formations

I hope this helps some

[ArmySGT.]

Originally Posted by antimedic

Anyone know of a source to find divisional manpower numbers for the NATO nations in the late 80s? I can find US and WP numbers, but that's all.

Osprey books.

[ArmySGT.]

Ok..... The main problem for man power numbers that your looking at peace time numbers. NATO allies do not have the resources to keep large forces on hand for contingencies ..... The other thing that is going to throw you is the definitions of Squad, Section, Company, Battalion, Regiment, Divsion, Corps, and Army vary greatly.

I am hazarding a guess that most are intended to be the core cadre of rapidly fielded larger formations during a war time call up. Example, a peacetime four platoon armor company getting poached to make two or three company sized units.... dividing up the active duty among the green troops.

[RN7]

Its hard to find a precise manpower figure for division sizes in most NATO armies, mainly because the composition of divisions in different NATO armies are not the same, and many countries also keep changing the composition of divisions and their component units.

There is some information on French divisions.

Armoured Divisions (10,000 troops)
Light Armoured Divisions (7,400 troops)
Infantry Division (7,500 troops)
Airborne Division (13,500 troops)
Airmobile Division (6,000 troops)
Mountain Division (8,500 troops)
Marine Division (8,000 troops)

The French had a lot of divisions considering the relative size of their army, but French divisions were also smaller than most of other NATO armies especially compared with American, British and West German divisions.

[dragoon500ly]

As far as manpower numbers go, and this is a fair source, try "Armies of NATO'S Central Front"

France
Alpine Chasseur Battalion: 1,107 men
Reconnaissance Regiment: 800 men
Armored Regiment: 800 men
Mechanized Infantry Regiment: 1,000 men

West Germany
Panzergrenadier Company: 130 men
Panzer Company: 65 men

United Kingdom
Mechanized Infantry Battalion: 680 men
Motorized Infantry Battalion: 630 men
Light Infantry Battalion: 590 men
Armored Regiment: 583 men
Reconnaissance Regiment: 548 men
Royal Marine Commando: 800 men

Netherlands
Field Artillery Battalion: 533 men
Reconnaissance Battalion: 750 men
Armored Infantry Battalion (YPR-408): 805 men
Armored Infantry Battalion (YPR-765): 842 men
Armored Battalion: 566 men

Hope this helps!

[antimedic]

Thanks gents