[wulfir]

- Armoured Brigade 49 -

The Armoured Brigade 49 organisation replaced the Armoured Brigade type 43 organisation which had been established during WWII. The new type 49 armoured brigade organisation doubled the number of Armoured brigades from three to six – but without adding to the overall numbers of armoured vehicles, i.e. each brigade now had less.

Previously, the Armoured Brigade 43 organisation had two tank battalions (total of 181 tanks) and an armoured infantry battalion which was now reversed – the new org 49 had each brigade equipped with one tank battalion (67 tanks) and two armoured infantry battalions.

While the infantry strength and support units for the Armoured Brigades were increased, including mortars and artillery, as each brigade needed its own complement, the new organisation meant weaker brigades. The number of infantry battalions grew from three to twelve – without any increase in the numbers of APCs which meant the armoured infantry was not particualry armoured but had to make do with bicyles. This lack of armoured protection and mobility for the majority of the infantry of the Armoured Brigade was a severe drawback.

OOB:

- Armoured Brigade HQ with HQ Company
- Tank Battalion
- Armoured Infantry Battalion
- Armoured Infantry Battalion
- Armoured Special Company
- Tank Destroyer Company
- Armoured Artillery Battalion
- Armoured Mortar Company
- Armoured Anti-Aircraft Company
- Armoured Anti-Aircraft Company
- Armoured Engineer Company
- Armoured Supply Group