Australian tank squadrons

[DRG]

Here's another question for someone who knows

In the game currently Australian Tank squadrons starting in 1986 are 3 x 3 tank troops plus one commanders tank and one for the 2IC making 11 tanks total ( 3 x 3+2 =11). BEFORE 1986 the set up is 4x4+2= 18 .

I started looking for info on the Australian Abrams and ended up on a Aussie website where one claim was ......

A / "Our tank Squadrons are equipped with 18 tanks per Sqn, with 4x troops of 4 tanks, 1x for the OC and 1x for the 2IC"

then someone else said.....

B / "We changed from 3 tanks per platoon to 4 and from four platoons per company to three not long ago. Two tanks are for the boss and his XO.......This system steals one manoeuvre element but increases the ability of the platoon to support and cover itself while on the run. "


A/ would be 4x4+2 = 18

B/ would be 4x3+2 =14

If what A/ says is true there never was a reduction in 1986 and if what B says is true then the 1986 change should have been 3x4+2 = 14 and the latest change keeps the same number of tanks in the company but re-organizes the troop which makes sense given what he says about "increases the ability of the platoon to support and cover itself "

Can someone tell me if "B/" is correct and if yes when did the troop change occur ?

Thanks.



Don