Olivers Part-time Army: Territorial Army (Volunteer) Infantry 1979-80

.

At the end of 1979 there were 38 volunteer Territorial Army infantry battalions. 3 battalions had been formed from cadres of 3 Yeomanry Regiments, other infantry units amalgamated disbanded artillery batteries. Thus in a few cases, rifle companies might be designated 'Squadron' or 'Battery' in what was to all intents and purposes an infantry battalion.

• Royal Wessex Yeomanry    
• Queen's Own Mercian Yeomanry    
• Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry    
• 1st, 2nd battalions 52nd Lowland Volunteers    
• 5th, 6th/7th battalions Queen's Regiment    
• 4th battalion King's Own Royal Border Regiment
• 5th, 6th battalions Royal Regiment of Fusiliers 
• 5th/8th battalions King's Regiment    
• 5th, 6th, 7th battalions Royal Anglian Regiment    
• 1st, 2nd Wessex Regiment (Volunteers)    
• 5th, 6th, 7th battalions Light Infantry   
• 1st, 2nd, 3rd Yorkshire Volunteers    
• 1st, 2nd Mercian Volunteers    
• 3rd battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers
• 3rd, 4th battalions Royal Regiment of Wales    
• 4th, 5th battalion Royal Irish Rangers    
• 3rd battalion Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment    
• 4th battalion Queen's Lancashire Regiment    
• 1st, 2nd, 3rd 51st Highland Volunteers    
• 4th battalion Royal Green Jackets    
• 4th, 10th (X), 15th battalions Parachute Regiment

Units with NATO assigned roles were the best equipped with four rifle and a HQ company consisting of   Recce, Mortar, Anti-Tank and Assault Pioneer platoons. The Parachute battalions (V) also incorporated a machine-gun platoon. Battalions destined for home defence had a smaller HQ company (just a mortar battery),command element and much lighter scales of equipment. These home defence battalions were not expected to sustain long term operations in the field or undertake all arms maneouvre battles.

For Winter of '79 you can base Territorial Army units on genuine formations or have some fun creating your own, with their own unique name, dress & barrack uniforms, lineage and customs.

Cheers
Mark
.