Square division
Encyclopedia
A square division is a designation given to the way military divisions are organized. In a square organization, the division's main body is composed of four regimental elements. Since a regiment
could be split into separate battalion
s for tactical purposes, the natural division within a division would be to have two regiments bound together as a brigade
. On an organizational chart and if the entire division were formed up in the field, the two brigades of two regiments would typically form a square, hence the name.
Most European divisions were organized as square divisions prior to World War I
. They were generally reorganized as triangular division
s during that war. A triangular division
generally had its infantry organized into three regiments, either directly controlled by the division headquarters or under a single brigade command. See, for example, the organizational changes of the Imperial German Army's
1st Division
. Triangular divisions were smaller, allowing for more divisions to be formed, and were considered more suited for the positional warfare which characterized World War I. A square division typically advanced with two brigades in line or with the brigades echeloned (one ahead of the other), with one regiment forward and one in reserve ready to engage when the first regiment came into contact with the enemy. In positional warfare, the regiments were formed in line to cover as much of a sector as possible, and typically formed their own reserves, with 1-2 battalions forward and the rest in reserve.
During World War I, the United States Army
formed its divisions as square divisions, in contrast to the prevailing European norm. The United States had the manpower to form the divisions, and expected to be engaging in more offensive operations as the stalemate of the trenches was broken late in the war. United States Army divisions remained organized as square divisions after the war and up to World War II
. In World War II, the U.S. Army reorganized its divisions as triangular divisions. Since the war, combined arms
doctrine has all but eliminated the purpose of the all-arms regiment, and brigades are generally organized as combined arms units. The brigades are themselves typically triangular, with three subordinate battalions. Recent reforms in the United States and several European countries have placed greater emphasis on the brigade as the major tactical formation, with the division now acting more like a corps headquarters, controlling several relatively autonomous brigades and parceling out support units based on the tactical situation.
Imperial Japanese Army
divisions were organized as square divisions prior to 1938 when they began to form triangular divisions during the Second Sino-Japanese War
.
The Chinese National Revolutionary Army
divisions were organized as square divisions prior to mid-1938 during the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
could be split into separate battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
s for tactical purposes, the natural division within a division would be to have two regiments bound together as a brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
. On an organizational chart and if the entire division were formed up in the field, the two brigades of two regiments would typically form a square, hence the name.
Most European divisions were organized as square divisions prior to World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. They were generally reorganized as triangular division
Triangular division
A triangular division is a designation given to the way divisions are organized. In a triangular organization, the division's main body is composed of three regimental maneuver elements. These regiments may be controlled by a brigade headquarters or directly subordinated to the division commander...
s during that war. A triangular division
Triangular division
A triangular division is a designation given to the way divisions are organized. In a triangular organization, the division's main body is composed of three regimental maneuver elements. These regiments may be controlled by a brigade headquarters or directly subordinated to the division commander...
generally had its infantry organized into three regiments, either directly controlled by the division headquarters or under a single brigade command. See, for example, the organizational changes of the Imperial German Army's
German Army (German Empire)
The German Army was the name given the combined land forces of the German Empire, also known as the National Army , Imperial Army or Imperial German Army. The term "Deutsches Heer" is also used for the modern German Army, the land component of the German Bundeswehr...
1st Division
1st Division (German Empire)
The 1st Division was a unit of the Prussian/German Army. It was formed in Königsberg in March 1816 as a Troop Brigade . It became the 1st Division on September 5, 1818. From the corps' formation in 1820, the division was subordinated in peacetime to the I Army Corps...
. Triangular divisions were smaller, allowing for more divisions to be formed, and were considered more suited for the positional warfare which characterized World War I. A square division typically advanced with two brigades in line or with the brigades echeloned (one ahead of the other), with one regiment forward and one in reserve ready to engage when the first regiment came into contact with the enemy. In positional warfare, the regiments were formed in line to cover as much of a sector as possible, and typically formed their own reserves, with 1-2 battalions forward and the rest in reserve.
During World War I, the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
formed its divisions as square divisions, in contrast to the prevailing European norm. The United States had the manpower to form the divisions, and expected to be engaging in more offensive operations as the stalemate of the trenches was broken late in the war. United States Army divisions remained organized as square divisions after the war and up to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In World War II, the U.S. Army reorganized its divisions as triangular divisions. Since the war, combined arms
Combined arms
Combined arms is an approach to warfare which seeks to integrate different branches of a military to achieve mutually complementary effects...
doctrine has all but eliminated the purpose of the all-arms regiment, and brigades are generally organized as combined arms units. The brigades are themselves typically triangular, with three subordinate battalions. Recent reforms in the United States and several European countries have placed greater emphasis on the brigade as the major tactical formation, with the division now acting more like a corps headquarters, controlling several relatively autonomous brigades and parceling out support units based on the tactical situation.
Imperial Japanese Army
Imperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
divisions were organized as square divisions prior to 1938 when they began to form triangular divisions during the Second Sino-Japanese War
Second Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. From 1937 to 1941, China fought Japan with some economic help from Germany , the Soviet Union and the United States...
.
The Chinese National Revolutionary Army
National Revolutionary Army
The National Revolutionary Army , pre-1928 sometimes shortened to 革命軍 or Revolutionary Army and between 1928-1947 as 國軍 or National Army was the Military Arm of the Kuomintang from 1925 until 1947, as well as the national army of the Republic of China during the KMT's period of party rule...
divisions were organized as square divisions prior to mid-1938 during the Second Sino-Japanese War.