Motor Battalion

A Motor Battalion was a specialized type of Infantry Battalion developed during the Second World War. Each Armoured Brigade of an Armoured Division by the end of 1943 had one such Motor battalion. The primary difference between a Motor battalion and a regular infantry battalion was that there was enough motorized transport to move every soldier in the unit.

Organization

• Battalion Headquarters

  • Administration Platoon

  • Signals Platoon

  • Light Aid Detachment (RCEME)

  • Medical

• Close Support Company

  • Company Headquarters

  • Anti-Tank Platoon

    • 4 x 6-pounder Anti-Tank Guns towed by Universal Carriers

  • Anti-Tank Platoon

  • Anti-Tank Platoon

  • Machine Gun Platoon

    • 4 x Vickers Guns mounted on Universal Carriers

  • Machine Gun Platoon

• "A" Company

  • Company Headquarters

  • Carrier Platoon

  • 1 Platoon (4 x armoured halftrack)

  • 2 Platoon (4 x armoured halftrack)

  • 3 Platoon (4 x armoured halftrack)

• "B" Company (as for "A" Company)

• "C" Company (as for "A" Company)

Deployments

Only two infantry battalions were organized as Motor Battalions overseas:

• The Lake Superior Regiment (Motor) of the 4th Canadian (Armoured) Division

• The Westminster Regiment (Motor) of the 5th Canadian (Armoured) Division