List of wartime orders of battle for the British 3rd Division (1809–1945)
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An order of battle is a list of the various elements of a military formation organised within a hierarchical command structure. It can also provide information on the strength of that formation and the equipment used.[1] An order of battle is not necessarily a set structure, and it can change depending on tactical or strategic developments, or the evolution of military doctrine. For example, a division could be altered radically from one campaign to another through the adding or removing of subunits, but retain its identity and prior history. The size of a division can vary dramatically as a result of what forces are assigned and the doctrine employed at that time.
3rd Division 3rd Infantry Division | |
---|---|
Active | Raised and disbanded numerous times between 1809 and present |
Country | United Kingdom |
Branch | British Army |
Engagements | Napoleonic Wars Crimean War Second Boer War First World War Second World War |
The first 3rd Division that was formed was a mere 3,747 men strong and did not include supporting weapons such as artillery.[2] In comparison, the 3rd Infantry Division, from the Second World War period, was over 18,000 men strong and supported by 72 artillery pieces and numerous other support weapons.[3] Each war that the division fought in, between 1809 and 1945, has a corresponding order of battle section.