CAVALRY RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON

 

The cavalry reconnaissance squadron is a self-contained unit. It is composed of a headquarters, headquarters and service troop, three reconnaissance troops, an assault gun troop, a light tank company, and a medical detachment.
 

The headquarters contains personnel, transportation and equipment for command, staff, communication, and administration.
 

Headquarters and service troop performs housekeeping duties for the headquarters, and maintenance and supply duties for the squadron.

 

The reconnaissance troop is composed of a troop headquarters and three reconnaissance platoons. Each platoon contains an armored car section and a scout section.

 

The assault gun troop is composed of a headquarters and three two-gun platoons. The headquarters is designed for administration and training while the gun platoons supported the reconnaissance troops or the light tank company.
 

The light tank company is the main support element of the squadron. The tank company provides combat power to over come minor opposition.  It was mostly effective in combat as a unit, supported by the fire of the assault guns to neutralize enemy antitank weapons.
 

Elements of the Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron are mounted in various types of wheeled and track vehicles, the characteristics of which must be appreciated in order to employ the unit effectively. Each tactical vehicle carries a ground mount for a machine gun which could be mounted in or on the vehicle.

 

SQUADRON HEADQUARTERS:
Squadron headquarters contains the commissioned and warrant officer personnel necessary to perform command and staff duties in combat.
   
a.



 

SQUADRON COMMANDER: The squadron commander is responsible to the commander of the group, for the training, administration, and operations of his command. he supervises all phases of training. During operations he visits his units and gains first-hand information. He develops initiative and self-confidence in his subordinates by delegating appropriate command responsibility. A squadron commander is provided with a staff to assist him and relieve him of details so that he may concentrate on major decisions and personal contact with his combat elements.

   
b.


 

EXECUTIVE OFFICER:  The squadron executive is second in command and principal assistant to the squadron commander. He coordinates and supervises all staff activities, keeps informed of the situation, verifies the execution of orders, and may make decisions and issue orders in the absence of the squadron commander. Normally, he remains at the command post when the commander is away.

   
c.

















 

ADJUTANT: The squadron S-1 supervises:

(1) The receiving and delivering of replacements to troops in coordination with S-3.

(2) Preparation of all strength and casualty reports.

(3) Recreation and morale activities.

(4) Leaves of absence, furloughs, discipline, boards, decorations, citations, honors, awards, and punishments.

(5) The collection and disposition of prisoners of war in coordination with the S-2, S-3 and S-4.

(6) Grave registration service, including burials, in coordination with the S-4.

(7) Sanitation, coordinated with the S-4 and assisted by the squadron surgeon.

(8) Preparation of unit journal.

(9) Arranging for quartering parties. Alloting space for subordinate units in bivouac.

   
d.

















 

INTELLIGENCE OFFICER: The squadron S-2 is concerned primarily with the collection, recording, evaluation, and dissemination of information of the enemy. His duties include:

(1) Training of intelligence personnel and such supervision of intelligence and counterintelligence instruction within the squadron as is directed by the squadron commander.

(2) Preparation and issuance of intelligence instructions and reconnaissance instructions.

(3) Posting of S-2 data on unit situation map.

(4) Maintenance of liaison and exchange of intelligence with higher, adjacent, and subordinate units.

(5) Procurement and distribution of maps, aerial photographs, and photomaps.

(6) Establishing and operation squadron observation posts.

(7) Examination of captured personnel, documents, and materiel for information of immediate importance to the squadron.

(8) Verifying camouflage and concealment measures.
   
e.










 

OPERATIONS OFFICER: The squadron S-3 is concerned with the training and tactical operations of the squadron. His duties include:

(1) Preparation of detailed plans.

(2) Maintenance of the situation map and preparation of operations maps.

(3) Planning of security measures to include camouflage and concealment ( Coordination with the S-2 ).

(4) Preparation of data for tactical and training reports.

(5) Planning and supervising all training.
   
f.












 		 SUPPLY OFFICER: The squadron S-4 performs duties to include:

(1) Preparation of supply plans based upon tactical plans, coordinated with S-2 and S-3.

(2) Supervision of the procurement, storage, and issue of all classes of supply.

(3) Control of squadron trains when troop supply vehicles are operation under squadron control.

(4) Supervision of the evacuation of casualties, disabled equipment, prisoners, and captured materiel.

(5) Supervision of maintenance of equipment assisted by the squadron motor officer and communication officer and coordinated with the S-2 and S-3 for priorities.

(6) Security for the rear echelon, coordinated with the S-3.
   
g.

 

MOTOR OFFICER: The squadron motor officer supervises operations of the squadron maintenance platoon with the assistance of the motor transport warrant officer. The specific duties of the motor officer are prescribed by the squadron commander. He is further responsible for the preparation and maintenance of records and reports to supplies, repairs and operations of vehicles.
   
h.















 

COMMUNICATION OFFICER: The squadron communication officer is advisor to the commander and staff on all communication matters. His duties include:

(1) Preparation of communications paragraph for the field order.

(2) Supervision of installation, maintenance, and operation of the communication system, including the squadron message center.

(3) Supervision of maintenance of communication equipment.

(4) Inspection of signal equipment within limits prescribed by the squadron commander.

(5) Preparation, under supervision of the S-3, of the squadron signal operations instructions. Coordinates with higher headquarters.

(6) Technical supervision, within limits prescribed by the commander, of signal operations and of the training of signal agencies of
subordinate units.

(7) Accounting for and distribution of codes and ciphers.

   
i.


 

LIAISON OFFICER: Liaison between the squadron headquarters and that of the higher unit to which the squadron is attached or assigned is effected by the liaison officer. He assists with the transmission of information and informs the squadron commander of changes in plans of operations of the higher unit. The liaison officer was informed of the situation and of the projected employment of the squadron
   
   
   
  

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