Chemical Mortar Battalion - Chemical Mortar Battalions

Chemical Mortar Battalions

Originally, chemical mortar battalions consisted of four mortar companies and a HQ company. In 1943, this "square" organization was modified to three mortar companies for a better fit with the three rifle regiments of the "triangular" infantry divisions.

After the 1943 reorganization, a typical chemical mortar battalion had an establishment of 37 officers, 138 NCOs and 481 junior enlisted men. It consisted of:

• 1 chemical mortar battalion HQ company
  • 1 company HQ section
  • 1 battalion HQ section
  • 1 maintenance section
  • 3 ammo sections
• 3 chemical mortar companies

A chemical mortar company usually had an establishment of 9 officers, 40 NCOs and 118 junior enlisted men. It consisted of:

• 1 mortar company HQ section
• 3 mortar platoons

A mortar platoon consisted of:

• 1 platoon HQ
• 4 squads each of which had 1 Squad leader (Sgt), 1 Gunner (Cpl), 3 Ammo Bearers (Jr. EM), 2 Truck drivers (Jr. EM), 1 Asst. Gunner (Jr. EM)

Chemical mortar battalions were not assigned as integral parts of divisions or other units. As other units went into combat, chemical mortar battalions were attached to them as support. In 1943, General Mark Clark's Fifth Army established a policy that no infantry division would be committed to combat without a chemical mortar battalion attached. As a result, when infantry units were rotated out of combat, the mortar battalions often stayed in the line and were attached to the fresh infantry unit. Chemical mortars were in such high demand that often the companies of a battalion would be split up and assigned to different divisions. Two Fifth Army antiaircraft battalions were retrained as chemical mortar battalions (99th and 100th.) On the first day that General George Patton's Third Army became operational, in the summer of 1944, he issued a standing order to his staff that no infantry division would be committed to combat without a chemical mortar battalion attached, and no infantry regiment would be committed without a mortar company attached.