How many troops are there in a brigade

A colonel had the command and administrative duties for an infantry, cavalry, or artillery regiment, made up of varying numbers of companies. The colonel was expected to lead his regiment into battle personally to ensure that it performed to its utmost ability.

For this reason, colonels were often killed or wounded in action. A lieutenant colonel was the second in command of an infantry, cavalry, or artillery regiment. He had to assist the colonel in all duties, and in battle, he helped lead the regiment into the fight. If the colonel was killed or wounded, the lieutenant colonel immediately took command of the regiment. A major was third in command of an infantry, cavalry, or artillery regiment and assisted the colonel in administrative and combat duties.

In battle, an infantry major led the regimental attack, positioning himself at the front with the color guard. If the colonel and the lieutenant colonel were killed or wounded, the major took command of the regiment. A captain had command of a company of infantry or cavalry, or an artillery battery of guns.

In addition to his administrative duties, an infantry captain led his company into battle by giving the proper commands for the movement and fighting of his troops, in concert with the other companies in the regiment. Lieutenants were second in command of infantry and cavalry companies and artillery batteries.

Infantry lieutenants assisted the company captain in their positions behind the line of battle by guiding the troops in their movements and firing. A sergeant major was a regimental staff member responsible for keeping reports for the regiment. In battle, he advanced on the left, behind the line of battle, to help guide troop movement.

Sergeants served either in the regimental color guard or in the individual companies of the regiment. There could be divisions, related to administrative duties, within the rank—for example, first sergeant, ordnance sergeant, and quartermaster sergeant. Infantry sergeants advanced either in or behind the line of battle, depending on individual responsibilities.

They helped guide troop movements and kept the men in their positions by example and force of command. Corporals served either in the regimental color guard or in the individual companies of the regiment.

During combat, infantry corporals who were not part of the color guard were positioned in the line of battle. They helped to keep a uniform line in the movement of the company. This is a formation consisting of three infantry battalions or three cavalry or armoured regiments.

During the world wars a brigade numbered between 3, and 4, men. When forming part of a division, a brigade has no internal support. But when operating independently usually called a brigade group , it includes supporting reconnaissance, artillery, engineers, supply and transport.

A brigade is commanded by a major-general or brigadier. A division is made up of three infantry, cavalry or armoured brigades. Divisions are usually equipped to operate independently in the field, and have a full complement of supporting reconnaissance, artillery, engineers, medical, supply and transport troops.

During the World Wars, the average British division numbered around 16, men. Divisions are commanded by a lieutenant-general or major-general. The British Army currently has two deployable divisions. This is a tactical formation made up of two or three divisions and commanded by a lieutenant-general. Corps are normally identified by Roman numerals. An army is a formation consisting of two or more corps. They are commanded by a general or a field marshal. An army in the Second World War numbered about , men.

Eleven British armies were formed during the First World War. More than one army operating together is known as an army group. But what ranks are there in the British Army and how are they denoted? Since the 18th century, regiments have kept animals as mascots to work with them, bring luck and strengthen morale.

Soldiers who fought on horseback were known as cavalry. Often dominating the battlefield, they performed a variety of roles, from smashing enemy formations to scouting and reconnoitring. The regiment or corps is the key administrative component of the British Army. Each has its own long history, traditions and insignia. To its soldiers, the regiment is a military family that provides comradeship and a unique identity. The Black Watch can trace its origins back to the early 18th century.

It went on to fight in nearly all the British Army's campaigns and is now part of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Be the first to hear about our latest events, exhibitions and offers. Simply enter your email address below to start receiving our monthly email newsletter. The brigades A brigade is a collection of different regiments and supporting units that have been grouped together for a specific purpose. A fighting brigade will traditionally contain infantry, cavalry and artillery regiments together with many supporting cap badges.

The composition of each brigade will differ depending on its responsibility but could often contain 5, soldiers. A regiment varying in size from a battalion to a number of battalions. Army brigades in full: 1 Mechanised brigade 4 Armoured brigade 7th Armoured brigade Desert Rats 12 Mechanised brigade 15 north-east brigade 16 air assault brigade 19 Mechanised brigade 20 Armoured brigade 39 Infantry brigade 42 north-west brigade 49 east brigade 43 Wessex brigade 51 Scottish brigade 52 Infantry brigade Logistics brigade brigade.

The divisions A division would traditionally be made up of three or four brigades depending on the specific role it is to undertake, and is configured in a similar fashion to a brigade but on a larger scale.

It provides mobile firepower and is in the process of being equipped with the Challenger 2 main battle tanks. It is also equipped with armoured reconnaissance vehicles that use advanced technology to locate the enemy.

In addition, the Household Cavalry provides troops for ceremonial duties. Jump to our guide to individual Household Cavalry and Royal Armoured corps regiments. Royal regiment of Artillery The Royal Artillery provides indirect fire support and air defence for the army in the field, working closely with other corps. Their equipment ranges from hand-held air defence weapons to self-propelled tracked gun and multiple launch rocket systems. Known as the "Gunners", they also operate various surveillance and target acquisition systems.

They started to use the Phoenix remotely piloted aircraft, which provides real-time target information, in Kosovo. Jump to our guide to the British army's armour.

The infantry See further below for details on each infantry regiment. The Infantry's main role in war is to make contact with and destroy the enemy on the ground. Making up just over one fifth of the army, they can operate in any terrain or climate. Delivery to the combat zone can be by air, sea or land. The Warrior armoured infantry fighting vehicle enables infantry to operate alongside tanks and close to the enemy while remaining well protected.

Jump to our guide to individual infantry regiments. The Royal Engineers The Royal Engineers' prime task is to improve the army's mobility while restricting the enemy's. Their responsabilities range from building bridges and destroying them, to clearing minefields and laying anti-vehicle mines, surveying and producing maps for all the services, constructing camps, generating electricity, building airstrips for the RAF and bomb disposal. Engineer regiments.

The Royal Logisitcs corps Responsible for the provision and distribution of vehicles, equipment and stores, transporting personnel, mail and freight by rail, road, sea and air, providing catering, fuel and ammunition.

Army Physical Training corps Maintains the fitness of the army. The Army Air corps This corps' tasks range from armed action, reconnaissance, directing artillery and ground attack aircraft to moving troops and stores, evacuating casualties or acting as an airborne command post.

They currently operate Lynx and Gazelle helicopters as well as Islander light aircraft. Apache attack helicopters will be introduced over the next few years. The Adjutant Generals corps Provides support in a number of areas including financial management, administration, education and policing. The Royal corps of Signals The Royal Signals provide essential communication and electronic warfare support to commanders on the battlefield.

They are capable of passing information securely and instantaneously across the globe using state-of-the-art communications systems. Includes Queen's Gurkha Signals. The Intelligence corps Critical information about the enemy is supplied to commanders by the Intelligence Corps.

They also help to protect troops from enemy spying. Royal Army Veterinary corps Cares for the army's animals. Small Arms School corps Trains instructors in all aspects of infantry weapon handling. The Army Medical services Responsible for the sick and wounded on the battlefield and for providing for the medical needs of army personnel and their families in peacetime garrisons.

The Royal Army Chaplains' department Provides chaplains of all denominations and is responsible for moral and spiritual welfare. The regiments The infantry corps has 32 regiments, made up of 40 battalions. It recruits in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Formed in by amalgamating the Queen's regiment and the Royal Hampshire regiment, which have forbears back to Its two current regular battalions are based in Hampshire and are both armoured, with the 1st battalion using Warrior combat vehicles and the 2nd battalion using the Saxon vehicle.

The 1st battalion is part of 1 Mechanised Brigade and was deployed with its Warrior vehicles to Kosovo. The King's Own Royal Border regiment The successor of three former regiments, dating from as early as , which were amalgamated in In recent years, the regiment has completed several tours of Northern Ireland and became a meachanised regiment using the Warrior combat vehicle.

A battalion was deployed to Macedonia in The Royal regiment of Fusiliers Formed in from four other regiments. The regimental HQ is in the Tower of London, where they operate a ceremonial guard. Mascot is an Indian Black Buck antelope. Currently has two regular battalions with upcoming tours in Northern Ireland and probably also in the Balkans, using the Warrior armoured vehicle.

The King's regiment Formed in , its soldiers are called Kingsmen and many recruits come from Liverpool and Manchester. The colonel in chief of the regiment was the Queen Mother, until her death in In the same year, the regiment's 1st battalion acquired Warrior vehicles and established itself in a new base in North Yorkshire. The regiment's motto is "Difficulties be damned". The Royal Anglian regiment Formed in from the regiments of the East Anglian brigade, but has a history dating back to The regiment today has two battalions.

The 1st battalion the Vikings are stationed in Pirbright, Surrey, specialising in a light mechanised role, and are equipped with Saxon personnel carriers. The 2nd battalion the Poachers are stationed in Chepstow, Gwent, and are a light role battalion specialising in jungle operations.

The Devonshire and Dorset regiment The county regiment of Devon and Dorset was formed in with the amalgamation of the Devonshire regiment and the Dorset regiment, which had forbears back to the 17th century. In recent years, the regiment has been heavily involved in operations in Bosnia and Northern Ireland. The Light infantry The Light Infantry was created from five regiments between and The regiment's 1st battalion is currently serving as armoured infantry in Paderborn, Germany, equipped with the Warrior vehicle.

The 2nd battalion is in Dhekelia, Cyprus for at least two years. The Prince of Wales's Own regiment of Yorkshire Founded in , this is the oldest line infantry regiment in the county, serving for over years in every major military campaign and operation.

Nicknamed the Yorkies, reflecting their Yorkshire roots, it is a light role infantry battalion, with the capacity to switch between a war-fighting role and a humanitarian support role.

Currently based in Chester. The Green Howards have a link to the Scandinavian royal family dating back to , when Princess Alexandra of Denmark presented colours to the regiment. The regimental motto is nemo nos impune Lacesset - no one molests us with impunity. Has one armoured division. However, it has spent much of the last years on garrison duty outside the UK. It now consists of the 1st battalion and the Kings and Cheshire regiment. It claims to be one of the most distinguished regiments of the British army.

Personnel wear the 'flash' of five black ribbons on the collar, which is worn by all serving Welshmen. The Royal regiment of Wales Among the oldest regiments in Wales, and one of the most decorated infantry regiments in Britain.