The U.S. Constabulary in Post-War Germany (1946-52)
The end of World War II brought rapid demobilization and an enormous
reduction in the nation's Armored Force. By mid-1948, for example, only
ten Regular Army divisions remained active and only one of these was
organized as an armored division (i.e., the 2d Armored Division). Amid
the disorder of post-war Germany in 1945-46, however, there was still a
need for highly mobile organizations to serve as a multi-capable
security force in occupied areas. Standard infantry units lacked
mobility, and military police units lacked the firepower to perform the
many functions that would be required. A mobile and flexible force would
allow fewer troops to control a larger area with minimum personnel, as
the nation's demobilization policy demanded. Armor and cavalry
organizations were noted for their mobility, so these units formed the
basis of what would be called the U.S. Constabulary.
Gradually, soldiers from various units and specialties, elements of the
1st and 4th Armored Divisions, and existing cavalry units that were
already conducting similar functions, were reorganized and redesignated
as constabulary organizations. The U.S. Constabulary became fully
operational on 1 July 1946. It consisted of its headquarters and special
troops, the 1st, 2d, and 3d Constabulary Brigades, and the 1st, 2d, 3d,
4th [this regiment served in Austria, with one squadron stationed in
Berlin, but did not report to the HQ, U.S. Constabulary], 5th, 6th,
10th, 11th, 14th, and 15th Constabulary Regiments. Each regiment had
three squadrons that conducted routine patrols and maintained static
posts to control the border and crossing points. The Constabulary was
organized to provide unit representation within each significant
geo-political boundary in the occupied zone. Each of the three
Constabulary Brigades was stationed in one of the German "states" in the
U.S. occupation zone. The regiments, squadrons and troops carried this
presence down to the smaller political boundaries. Almost 35,000
soldiers formed the Constabulary, which suffered from a continual loss
of trained personnel due to frequent turnovers. Force reductions in 1947
caused the inactivation of the HQ, 3d Constabulary Brigade, and the 1st,
3d, 5th, and 10th Constabulary Regiments. In addition, the Army
inactivated the regimental light tank troops, and each squadron was
reduced b
As a new and more democratic German nation developed, along with its own
police force, there was less need for the Constabulary's police mission
so it began to transform into a more defensive combat force. By 1948,
German police assumed the Constabulary's old police and border missions,
while the remaining constabulary regiments were strengthened for
possible combat by adding reconnaissance, rifle, and weapons platoons to
each line troop. The Army also inactivated the 15th Constabulary
Regiment and reorganized three more (2d, 6th, and 14th) into armored
cavalry regiments [The U.S. would keep at least two ACRs in Germany
until the end of the Cold War]. The HQ, U.S. Constabulary was
inactivated on 24 Novembe 1950, and most of its elements subordinated to
the concurrently activating Seventh Army. The 2d Constabulary Brigade,
with the 15th and 24th Constabulary Squadrons, were the last operational
units and continued until their inactivation in December 1952.
The U.S. Constabulary: 1946 Organization and Equipment
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Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, U.S. Constabulary was organized
much as a conventional corps headquarters, but was supported by
special troops with an emphasis on communications and intelligence
(both criminal investigation and counterintelligence assets)
activities to assist its mission as a security force. A signal
squadron was dedicated to maintaining open communications between
headquarters and the various constabulary units and posts. There was
also an air liaison squadron to operate the 32 spotter planes (each
regiment was also authorized nine aircraft in its TOE).
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Constabulary brigades were commanded by brigadier generals and
consisted of three regiments.
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Constabulary regiments were commanded by colonels and consisted of the
three line squadrons. Each regimental headquarters had a motorcycle
platoon with 25 motorcycles for traffic control and patrols along the
autobahns, and a horse platoon with 30 horses to patrol difficult
terrain. Regiments also had a light tank troop with 17 M24s to serve
as a mobile reserve and a service troop for administrative functions
and vehicle maintenance.
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Constabulary squadrons were commanded by lieutenant colonels. In
addition to the headquarters troop, each squadron had three mechanized
troops and two motorized troops.
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Each of the constabulary squadrons' five troops had 5 officers and 155
enlisted men. These troops were organized much like a World War II
mechanized cavalry troop, but their patrol and police-type missions
required more light vehicles (jeeps and armored cars) and individual
weapons. The troops' 13 and 12 man reconnaissance sections conducted
basic patrols and made the Army's presence felt in the occupied zones.
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The three mechanized troops were equipped with jeeps and M8 or M38
armored cars. Each troop had three platoons with three
reconnaissance sections. There were 10 armored cars (each mounting a
37mm gun in its turret) in each troop (three per platoon, one per
section, and one for the troop HQ). Other weapons included the
.30-caliber light machine guns mounted on the armored cars and
jeeps. The typical reconnaissance section had thirteen men who
carried five .45-caliber machine guns, seven .30-caliber M1 rifles,
and thirteen .45-caliber pistols as individual weapons.
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Two motorized troops utilized trucks (of various sizes but mostly 1
½ ton) mounting a single .30-caliber light machine gun on each
vehicle.. Heavy weapons authorized in the troop TOE included three
57 mm recoilless rifles and three 81 mm mortars. Like the mechanized
troops they were also organized into three motorized sections, but
only twelve men served in each section They were individually armed
with seven M1s, five .45 machine guns, and twelve pistols.
Prepared by DAMH-FPO / Apr 2000