138 replies to this topic

[Rick]

Who did Yugoslavia see as it's main adversary during this time? You mentioned a limited advance into Albania for Italy, so I am assuming the Soviet Union?

[bojan]

Yes, USSR after 1948. until the end. Italy was considered possible opponent in the 40/50s, but after that it's threat was diminished, main threat being that it might try to use more global conflict as a pretext to occupy parts of Istra.

Austria was considered unlikely opponent.

With a Greece there was a mutual defense treaty that neither side would allow transit of the enemy troops over own territory..

After 1968. Romania was also considered very unlikely to be an opponent.

[Rick]

Yes, USSR after 1948. until the end. Italy was considered possible opponent in the 40/50s, but after that it's threat was diminished, main threat being that it might try to use more global conflict as a pretext to occupy parts of Istra.

Austria was considered unlikely opponent.

With a Greece there was a mutual defense treaty that neither side would allow transit of the enemy troops over own territory..

After 1968. Romania was also considered very unlikely to be an opponent.

The question then, to me, is why the Soviets would want to invade Yugoslavia? Warm water port? Would they use non Soviet, Warsaw Pact forces? Or is all this just conjecture? 

[bojan]

1965. Naval infantry company

 

Company command - 6 men - 4 x SMG, 2 x P
- Co Cmd - P
- Co 2inC - SMG
- Co Jr. Officer - SMG
- Medic - P
- Radiomen x 2 - SMG

 

SMG platoon x 3 - 39 men - 6 x LMG, 3 x ATW, 30 x SMG, 9 x P
- Plt Cmd - SMG
- Plt 2inC - SMG

 

SMG Section x 3 - 10 men - 2 x LMG, 2 x P, 8 x SMG
- Section leader - SMG
- LMG gunner x 2 - LMG, P
- Assistant x 2 - SMG
- SMG gunner x 5 - SMG - SMG gunner 1 is section 2inC

 

AT Section - 7 men, 3 x ATW, 4 x SMG, 3 x P
- Section leader - SMG
- AT gunner x 3 - ATW, P
- Assistant  x 3 - SMG

 

Support Platoon - 37 men - 2 x 81mm mortar, 6 x ATW, 3 x MG, 26 x SMG, 11 x P
- Plt Cmd - SMG
- Plt 2inC - SMG
- AT half-plt Cmd - SMG
- General support half-plt Cmd - SMG

 

AT section x 2 - 7 men - 3 x ATW, 4 x SMG, 3 x P
- Section leader - SMG
- AT gunner x 3 - ATW, P
- Assistant  x 3 - SMG

 

MG Section - 10 men - 3 x МG, 7 x SMG, 3 x P
- Section leader - SMG
- MG gunner x 3  - MG, P
- Assistant x 3 - SMG
- Ammo bearer x 3 - SMG

 

Mortar Section - 9 men, 2 x MB 81mm mortar, 2 x P, 7 x SMG
- Section leader - SMG
- Gunner x 2 - P
- Loader x 2 - SMG
- Ammo handler x 2 - SMG
- Ammo bearer x 2 - SMG

 

Total - 160 (6 + 3 x 39 + 37) men - 2 x 81mm mortar, 3 x MG, 18 x LMG, 15 x ATW, 120 x SMG, 40 x P, 1 x truck, 1 x 3/4t light vehicle

 

1965 Naval infantry battalion 
700 men. Naval infantry brigade had 3 x Bn

 

Bn command - 10 men - 6 x SMG, 4 x P, 3 x motor vehicle

 

Naval infantry company x 3 - 160 men - 18 x LMG, 3 x MG, 2 x 81mm mortar, 15 x ATW, 120 x SMG, 40 x P

 

Naval infantry support company - 94 men - 6 x 81mm mortar, 4 x 82mm RCL, 12 x 12.7mm AAMG, 80 x SMG, 14 x P, 4 x motor vehicle
Co command
Mortar platoon - 6 x 81mm mortar
RCL Platoon - 4 x 82mm RCL
AAMG platoon x 2 - 6 x 12.7mm AAMG

 

Recce platoon - 21 men - 2 x LMG, 21 x SMG
- Plt Cmd - SMG

Recce section x 2 - 10 men, 1 x LMG, 10 x SMG
- Section leader - SMG
- LMG gunner - LMG, SMG
- Assistant - SMG
- SMG gunner x 7 - SMG - SMG gunner 1 is section 2inC

 

Pioneer platoon - 30 men - 1 x LMG, 25 x SMG, 5 x P, 2 x motor vehicle

 

Signal platoon - 21 men - 21 x SMG, 3 x motor vehicle

 

Logistics platoon - 44 men - 18 x SMG, 26 x P, 10 x motor vehicle

Edited by bojan, 27 February 2019 - 0814 AM.

[bojan]

The question then, to me, is why the Soviets would want to invade Yugoslavia? Warm water port? Would they use non Soviet, Warsaw Pact forces? Or is all this just conjecture? 

 

Regime change, as in Hungary/Czechoslovakia.

Strategic positioning in the global conflict.

Trying to do a shortcut toward Italy in a global conflict.

 

As for a plans, only one that was leaked, from 1968. included Soviet, Hungarian and Bulgarian troops.

[Rick]

The 1965 Naval Infantry Company; 9 men for two 81mm mortars(and I presume mortar ammunition?) . Any vehicles in this organization? Seems a rather heavy load to carry for only 9 men.

[bojan]

Mortar section weapons and ammo loaded in the Co's only truck, together with ATW's ammo.
Co HQ had 3/4t vehicle (Dodge WC), it also had trailer that loaded MG section's weapons and ammo.
In pre-1971 formations more trucks were supposed to be alocated from a Bn/Bde logistic company in the field, enough that Co could carry reinforced (usually tripple) ammo load and load all crew served weapons.
Exceptions were Naval infantry Cos in the close defense role which were primary static formations with only listed transport (single truck and 3/4t light vehicle).

[bojan]

1965. Independent SMG company of the Naval infantry brigade.

 

Company command - 6 men - 3 x SMG, 3 x P
- Co Cmd - P
- Co 2inC - SMG
- Co Jr. Officer - SMG
- Medic x 2 - P
- Radiomen - SMG

 

SMG platoon x 3 - 30 men - 2 x LMG, 4 x ATW, 24 x SMG, 6 x P
- Plt Cmd - SMG
 

SMG Section x 2 - 10 men - 1 x LMG, 1 x P, 9 x SMG
- Section leader - SMG
- LMG gunner - LMG, P
- Assistant - SMG
- SMG gunner x 7 - SMG - SMG gunner 1 is section 2inC

 

AT Section - 9 men, 4 x ATW, 5 x SMG, 4 x P
- Section leader - SMG
- AT gunner x 4 - ATW, P
- Assistant  x 4 - SMG

 

Total - 96 (6 + 3 x 30) men - 6 x LMG, 12 x ATW, 75 x SMG, 21 x P, 1 x 3/4t light vehicle

Edited by bojan, 01 November 2018 - 0459 AM.

[Nikolas93TS]

Hi Bojan,

 

Thank you for this great thread. I do have some questions thought.

 

I am aware M3/M5 halftracks were delivered to Yugoslavia, but how common were those mechanized formations? Were they just experimental, and if not, for how long they persisted after OT M-60 was introduced? I was surprised to note mortar carriers, I didn't know Yugoslavia operated them.

 

Did Naval Infantry used similar or identical organization to regular infantry after 1971? And do you have some common guidelines on Territorial Defense organization (squads, larger equipment transitions etc)?

 

Best regards,

Nikola

Edited by Nikolas93TS, 19 February 2019 - 1431 PM.

[bojan]

Hi Bojan,

 

Thank you for this great thread. I do have some questions thought.

 

I am aware M3/M5 halftracks were delivered to Yugoslavia, but how common were those mechanized formations? Were they just experimental, and if not, for how long they persisted after OT M-60 was introduced? 

 

There was total of about 100 M3/M5 delivered, out of which some 60 were used for a mechanized infantry, so basically 3 or 4 companies that were attached to a tank Brigades. Since halftracks were judged to be poorly suited for a mechanized infantry no more companies were formed, and those companies were disbanded in 1960s.

Other than that there was a single company with M59 APCs, 1958-1964.

So a real mechanization had to wait for M-60 APC.

 

Did Naval Infantry used similar or identical organization to regular infantry after 1971?

 

 

No, they had 1969 and 1975 org that were distinctive.

After that things get murky, according to some sources there was 1981. org, but that was most probably training version of 1975.

In 1985. Naval infantry company was standardized with a standard infantry company and it shares 1985/1987/1990 org.

 

 

And do you have some common guidelines on Territorial Defense organization (squads, larger equipment transitions etc)?

 

TO is a total bottomless hole, they had something like 5 or 6 different company orgs used simultaneously in '80s, plus there were independent companies and even independent platoons and sections.

Edited by bojan, 03 March 2019 - 0607 AM.

[bojan]

1969. Naval infantry company

 

Co HQ - 10 men, 4 x SMG, 6 x P
- Co Cmd - P
- Co 2inC/PO - SMG
- Co Jr. Officer - SMG
- Medic - P
- Radiomen x 2 - SMG
- Driver x 2 - P - 5t truck & light vehicle
 

SMG Platoon x 3 - 41 men, 6 x LMG, 4 x ATW, 30 x SMG, 11 x P

- Plt Cmd - SMG
- Medic - P

 

SMG Section x 3 - 10 men, 2 x LMG, 2 x P, 8 x SGM
- Section Leader - SMG
- LMG Gunner x 2 - LMG, P
- Assistant x 2 - SMG
- SMG gunner x 5 - SMG - SMG Gunner 1 is section 2inC

 

AT Section - 9 men - 4 x ATW, 5 x SMG, 4 x P

- Section leader - SMG
- AT gunner x 4 - ATW, P
- Assistant x 4 - SMG

 

Support Platoon - 30 men - 2 x 81/82mm mortar, 3 x MG, 3 x ATW, 20 x SMG, 10 x P
- Plt Cmd - SMG
- Medic - Pi
- Radioman - SMG
- Driver - P, 5t truck

 

MG Section - 10 men - 3 x MG, 7 x SMG, 3 x P
- Section leader - SMG
- MG gunner x 3 - MG, P
- Assistant x 3 - SMG
- Ammo bearer x 3 - SMG

 

Mortar Section - 9 men - 2 x MB 81/82mm mortar, 2 x P, 7 x SMG
- Section leader - SMG
- Mortar gunner x 2 - P
- Loader x 2 - SMG
- Ammo bearer x 2 - SMG
- Ammo handler x 2 - SMG

 

AT Section - 7 men - 3 x ATW, 3 x P, 4 x SMG
- Section leader - SMG
- AT Gunner x 3 - ATW, P
- Assistant x 3 - SMG

 

Total 163 ( 10 + 3 x 41 + 30 ) men - 18 x LMG, 2 x 81/82mm mortar, 15 x ATW, 114 x SMG, 49 x P, 3 x motor vehicle (1 x light vehicle and 2 x 5t truck)

[bojan]

1975. Naval infantry company

This is same basic org as 1969. version, but SMGs were replaced by ARs )Term "SMG gunner" ("Automaticar") stayed, but they were armed with ARs), M53 LMG got replaced by M72 SAW and lost assistants. Naval infantry companies never used SAR (M59/66), they transitioned from SMGs to M70 series.

 

Co Cmd - 10 men - 3 x AR, 7 x P

- Co Cmd - P
- Co 2inC/PO - AR
- Co Jr Officer - AR
- Medic - P
- Radioman - P
- Runner - AR
- Driver x 2 - P - 1 x light vehicle with trailer, 1 x 5t truck

 

SMG platoon x 3 - 38 men, 6 x SAW, 4 x ATW, 27 x AR,  5 x P
- Plt Cmd - AR
- Medic - P

 

SMG Section x 3 - 9 men - 2 x SAW, 7 x AR
- Section leader - AR
- SAW gunner - SAW
- SMG gunner x 6 - AR - SMG Gunner 1 is section 2inC

 

AT Section - 9 men - 4 x ATW, 5 x AR, 4 x P
- Section leader - AR
- AT Gunner x 4 - ATW, P
- Assistant x 4 - AR

 

Support Platoon - 31 men - 2 x 82mm Mortar, 3 x MG, 3 x ATW, 19 x AR, 12 x P
- Plt Cmd - AR
- Medic - P
- Radioman - P
- Driver - P, light vehicle with a trailer

 

MG Section - 10 men - 3 x MG, 7 x AR, 3 x P
- Section leader - AR
- MG Gunner x 3 - MG, P
- Assistant x 3 - AR
- Ammo bearer x 3 - AR

 

Mortar Section - 10 men - 2 x 82mm mortar, 3 x P, 7 x AR
- Section leader - AR
- Mortar Gunner x 2 - Mortar, P
- Assistants x 6 - AR
- Driver - P, 5t truck

 

AT Section - 7 men - 3 x ATW, 3 x P, 4 x AR
- Section leader - AR
- AT Gunner x 3 - ATW, P
- Assistant x 3 - AR

 

Total 155 ( 10 + 3 x 38 + 31 ) men - 18 x SAW, 2 x 82mm mortar, 15 x ATW, 103 x AR, 34 x P, 2 x light vehicle with trailer, 2 x 5t truck, 14 x radio.

 

Paras are next one.

Edited by bojan, 20 February 2019 - 0734 AM.

[Nikolas93TS]

Thanks!! Paratroopers are interesting because I am partially aware of their peculiar feature, that field organization could differ depending on offensive/defensive operations. 

Edited by Nikolas93TS, 24 February 2019 - 1326 PM.

[bojan]

Paras after 1967 and reestablishment of the 63rd Para Brigade they had two paralel orgs, "light one", used as a fast reaction force, generally following org of the "light company" and "line" generally following org of the infantry company. They also got sniper rifle/section in 1979 org. Like Hill and Mountain company they also got "modular" support platoon in the later orgs.

 

But first expanded on TO.

[bojan]

1973. Territorial Defense Company from "Odred"

 

Co HQ - 6 men - 2 x SMG, 2 x R, 2 x P
- Co Cmd - P
- Co 2inC/PO - SMG
- Co Jr.O - SMG
- Radiomen - R
- Medic - P
- Runner - R

 

Rifle Platoon x 3-5 (most often 4) - 27 men - 3 x LMG, 14 x SMG, 9 x R, 4 x P
- Plt Cmd - SMG
- Runner - R
- Medic - P
 

SMG section  - 8 men - 1 x LMG, 7 x SMG, 1 x P

- Section leader - SMG

- LMG gunner - LMG, P

- Assistant - SMG

- SMG gunner x 5 - SMG - SMG gunner 1 is section 2inC

Rifle Section x 2 - 8 men - 1 x LMG, 3 x SMG, 4 x R, 1 x P

- Section leader - SMG

- LMG gunner - LMG, P

- Assistant - R

- Riflemen x 3 - R

- SMG gunner x 2 - SMG - SMG gunner 1 is section 2inC

 

 

Total (for a company with 4 x Rifle platoon) - 114 ( 6 + 4 x 27 ) men - 12 x LMG, 58 x SMG, 38 x R, 18 x P, 25 x AT hand grenades RBK (6 per platoon/2 per smg/rifle section + 1 in Co Hq)

 

Only AT weapons are AT hand grenades and rifle-grenades.

Edited by bojan, 03 March 2019 - 0715 AM.

[bojan]

1973. Territorial Defense company from a Battalion/Brigade

Co HQ - 6 men - 2 x SMG, 2 x R, 2 x P
- Co Cmd - P
- Co 2inC/PO - SMG
- Co Jr.O - SMG
- Radiomen - R
- Medic - P
- Runner - R

 

Rifle Platoon x 3 - 27 men - 3 x LMG, 14 x SMG, 9 x R, 4 x P
- Plt Cmd - SMG
- Runner - R
- Medic - P

 

SMG section  - 8 men - 1 x LMG, 7 x SMG, 1 x P

- Section leader - SMG

- LMG gunner - LMG, P

- Assistant - SMG

- SMG gunner x 5 - SMG - SMG gunner 1 is section 2inC

 

Rifle Section x 2 - 8 men - 1 x LMG, 3 x SMG, 4 x R, 1 x P

- Section leader - SMG

- LMG gunner - LMG, P

- Assistant - R

- Riflemen x 3 - R

- SMG gunner x 2 - SMG - SMG gunner 1 is section 2inC

 

Support Platoon - 16 men - 6 x ATW, 9 x SMG, 1 x R, 6 x P
- Plt Cmd - SMG
- Runner - R

 

AT Section x 2 - 7 men - 3 x ATW, 4 x SMG, 3 x P

 

Total - 103 ( 6 + 3 x 27 + 16 ) men - 6 x ATW, 9 x LMG, 53 x SMG, 30 x R, 20 x P, 19 x AT hand grenades (6 per rifle plt - 2 per smg/rifle section + 1 in Co Hq)

Edited by bojan, 03 March 2019 - 0639 AM.

[bojan]

1973. Territorial Defense company from an Independent Battalion

 

Co HQ - 6 men - 2 x SMG, 2 x R, 2 x P
- Co Cmd - P
- Co 2inC/PO - SMG
- Co Jr.O - SMG
- Radiomen - R
- Medic - P
- Runner - R

 

Rifle Platoon x 3 - 27 men - 3 x LMG, 14 x SMG, 9 x R, 4 x P
- Plt Cmd - SMG
- Runner - R
- Medic - P

 

SMG section  - 8 men - 1 x LMG, 7 x SMG, 1 x P

- Section leader - SMG

- LMG gunner - LMG, P

- Assistant - SMG

- SMG gunner x 5 - SMG - SMG gunner 1 is section 2inC

 

Rifle Section x 2 - 8 men - 1 x LMG, 3 x SMG, 4 x R, 1 x P

- Section leader - SMG

- LMG gunner - LMG, P

- Assistant - R

- Riflemen x 3 - R

- SMG gunner x 2 - SMG - SMG gunner 1 is section 2inC

 

Support Platoon - 12 men - 2 x ATW, 2 x 60mm Mortar, 5 x SMG, 3 x R, 4 x P
- Plt Cmd - SMG
- Runner - R

 

AT Section - 5 men - 2 x ATW, 3 x SMG, 2 x P

- Section leader - SMG

- AT gunner x 2 - ATW, P

- Assistant x 2 - SMG

 

Mortar Section - 5 men - 2 x 60mm mortar, 1 x SMG, 2 x R, 2 x P

- Section leader - SMG

- Mortar gunner x 2 - 60mm mortar, P

- Assistant x 2 - R

 

Total - 99 ( 6 + 3 x 27 + 12 ) men - 2 x ATW, 2 x 60mm mortar, 9 x LMG, 49 x SMG, 32 x R, 18 x P, 20 x AT hand grenades (6 per rifle plt - 2 per smg/rifle section + 1 in Co Hq + 1 in Support Platoon)

Edited by bojan, 03 March 2019 - 0647 AM.

[bojan]

1973. Territorial Defense Independent Company

 

Co HQ - 6 men - 2 x SMG, 2 x R, 2 x P
- Co Cmd - P
- Co 2inC/PO - SMG
- Co Jr.O - SMG
- Radiomen - R
- Medic - P
- Runner - R

 

Rifle Platoon x 3 - 27 men - 3 x LMG, 14 x SMG, 9 x R, 4 x P
- Plt Cmd - SMG
- Runner - R
- Medic - P

 

SMG section  - 8 men - 1 x LMG, 7 x SMG, 1 x P

- Section leader - SMG

- LMG gunner - LMG, P

- Assistant - SMG

- SMG gunner x 5 - SMG - SMG gunner 1 is section 2inC

 

Rifle Section x 2 - 8 men - 1 x LMG, 3 x SMG, 4 x R, 1 x P

- Section leader - SMG

- LMG gunner - LMG, P

- Assistant - R

- Riflemen x 3 - R

- SMG gunner x 2 - SMG - SMG gunner 1 is section 2inC

 

Support Platoon - 14 men - 3 x ATW, 2 x 60mm Mortar, 6 x SMG, 3 x R, 5 x P
- Plt Cmd - SMG
- Runner - R

 

AT Section - 7 men - 3 x ATW, 4 x SMG, 3 x P

- Section leader - SMG

- AT gunner x 2 - ATW, P

- Assistant x 2 - SMG

 

Mortar Section - 5 men - 2 x 60mm mortar, 1 x SMG, 2 x R, 2 x P

- Section leader - SMG

- Mortar gunner x 2 - 60mm mortar, P

- Assistant x 2 - R

 

Total - 101 ( 6 + 3 x 27 + 14 ) men - 3 x ATW, 2 x 60mm mortar, 9 x LMG, 50 x SMG, 32 x R, 19 x P, 20 x AT hand grenades (6 per rifle plt - 2 per smg/rifle section + 1 in Co Hq + 1 in Support Plt)

Edited by bojan, 03 March 2019 - 0940 AM.

[bojan]

1973. Territorial Defense Independent Company (Urban)

 

Co HQ - 6 men - 2 x SMG, 2 x R, 2 x P
- Co Cmd - P
- Co 2inC/PO - SMG
- Co Jr.O - SMG
- Radiomen - R
- Medic - P
- Runner - R

 

SMG Platoon x 2 - 27 men - 3 x LMG, 23 x SMG, 4 x P
- Plt Cmd - SMG
- Runner - SMG
- Medic - P

 

SMG section  x 3 - 8 men - 1 x LMG, 7 x SMG, 1 x P

- Section leader - SMG

- LMG gunner - LMG, P

- Assistant - SMG

- SMG gunner x 5 - SMG - SMG gunner 1 is section 2inC

 

Rifle Platoon x 2 - 27 men - 3 x LMG, 10 x SMG, 13 x R, 4 x P
- Plt Cmd - SMG
- Runner - SMG
- Medic - P

 

Rifle Section x 3 - 8 men - 1 x LMG, 3 x SMG, 4 x R, 1 x P

- Section leader - SMG

- LMG gunner - LMG, P

- Assistant - R

- Riflemen x 3 - R

- SMG gunner x 2 - SMG - SMG gunner 1 is section 2inC

 

 

Support Platoon - 12 men - 4 x ATW, 7 x SMG, 1 x R, 4 x P

- Plt Cmd - SMG

- Runner - R

 

AT Section x 2 - 5 men - 2 x ATW, 3 x SMG, 2 x P

- Section leader - SMG

- AT gunner x 2 - ATW, P

- Assistant x 2 - SMG

Total - 126 ( 6 + 2 x 27 + 2 x 27 + 12 ) men - 12 x LMG, 75 x SMG, 29 x R, 22 x P, 37 x AT hand grenade (3 per SMG and Rifle section + 1 in Co Hq)

[Chris Werb]

Why were the Yugo M59 APCs retired so early*? (I never realised Yugoslavia had them).

 

*Other than their being a bit crap