Czechoslovakian rifle platoon evolution

[Marek_Tucan]

Just got my hands on some second-hand and some first-hand data on Czechoslovakian infantry formations from 1945 to ca. 1970s, so going to share - might be interesting, I hope.

1945, Rifle Company:
-HQ
-2xMarksman
-Mortar section (7): 2x50mm Mortar
-MG section (11): 2xHMG
-1. (SMG) Platoon (as rifles below except primary firearm)
-2. (Rifle) Platoon:
--CO+PSgt
--2xMarksman
--4x Rifle Squad (9): LMG, 1-2 SMG
-3. (Rifle) Platoon (as above)

Rifle: Mosin 91/30, 91/44, Mauser Kar98k, vz.24 (Mauser)
SMG: PPSh-41, MP-38/40
LMG: vz.26, DP, MG-34
MMG: Maxim, SG-43, vz.37, MG-34

1950, Rifle Company:
-HQ
-MG section
-3 Rifle Platoon, each:
--CO
--Marksman
--3x Rifle Squad (9): LMG, 1-2 SMG

Rifle: 7.92mm weapons being phased out, since 1952 vz.52 and 52/57 SLR
SMG: vz.23-26 series added into mix (25 and 26 are later variants for 7.62 Tokarev)
LMG: 7.92mm weapons phased out, since 1952 vz.52 LMG
MMG: As LMG

Motorised and mechanised units being assigned trucks and APCs as needed

1959, Motor Rifle Company (OT-810)
-HQ (OT-810)
-3x Motor Rifle Platoon, each:
--CO
--2x Motor Rifle Squad (8)+OT-810 (1)
--Motor Rifle Squad (rein.) (9)+OT-810 (1): T-21 RCL team with 4-5 rounds

The Co structure is a guesstimate as I was not able to find the Co OOB, only Platoon, so it might well be possible that the RCL is only with the first platoon.


1960, Motor Rifle Company (BTR-50, OT-62, OT-64)
-HQ (5)
-3x Motor Rifle Platoon, each:
--CO
--3x Motor Rifle Squad (7): LMG, P-27 LAW (or later RPG)
-Recoilless Squad (5): T-21 RCL
-6x APC (1)
Seating as follows:
APC 1: Co HQ
APC 2: 1st Plt CO, 1st and 2nd Squad
APC 3: 1st Plt 3rd Squad, T-21 team
APC 4: 2ndt Plt CO, 1st and 2nd Squad
APC 5: 2nd and 3rd Plt 3rd Squads
APC 6: 3rd Plt CO, 1st and 2nd Squad

In OT-62, one rifleman takes place of gunner in each of the APCs turret

Rifle: vz.58
LMG: vz.59

1960, Rifle Company (trucked)

Same as Motor Rifles, only using Praga V3S medium trucks instead of APCs.


196x, Motor Rifle Company (OT-64A)
-HQ
-OT-64A (3)
-3x Motor Rifle Platoon, each:
--CO
--3x Motor Rifle Squad (10):
---OT-64A (3 - gunner, loader, driver)
---Rifle Section (7): 2xLMG, P-27 or RPG

In 1980s an AGL squad was attached to each company to augment firepower:
--AGL Squad:
---OT-64A (3)
---AGL section (7): 2xAGS-17


1970
Motor Rifle Company (BVP)
-HQ
-BVP (2)
-3x Motor Rifle Platoon, each:
--CO
--XO*
--3x Motor Rifle Squad (9):
---BVP (2)
--- Rifle Section (7): LMG, RPG

*XO was commander of the APC element.

To my knowledge, current organisation remains the same, rifle sections are armed with either one or two LMGs and in some squads, 40mm CIS grenade launchers are issued, though spec ops get more of them.

Also have an organisation of recce Platoon (BRDM-1, prolly also OT-65):
-CO
-3x recce squad (5):
--Commander
--Driver
--Senior Scout
--Machinegunner - Scout
--Scout