ISBN 0-85420-361-3
xii + 65 + xxiii pages

Prefix [sic]; Authors [sic] Biography; Introduction; Symbols; Silhouettes Key; Abbreviations; Index of Tables; tables; organigrams; TOEs; Bibliography

Appendices: Staff organization; Supply system; Equipment notes; Communications equipment; Engineer equipment; Divisional reconnaissance units

   Eleven down, unknown number to go.
   J.J. Hays' United States Army Ground Forces series, in progress since 2002, adds another volume and at least four more remain on the schedule. After infantry divisions (three volumes), armored divisions (two volumes), airborne divisions (two volumes), and cavalry divisions (three volumes), Hays has completed the first of his "Field Army and Corps Troops" titles. Note, by the way, that this is "Volume 6" in the series although the fifth volume, The Mountain Division, has not yet been published.
   Mechanized Cavalry devotes to its topic one hundred pages (although the peculiar numbering system makes it difficult to actually calculate the total). This book only deals with non-divisional mech cavalry units; the appropriate divisional volumes cover mech cavalry units assigned to divisions. The approach here is very similar to that used by the author in all the previous titles in this series, but he's added some additional material that moves this book slightly beyond the narrow confines of strict TOE data.
   The Introduction includes two pages about the evolution of non-div mechanized cavalry formations in the US Army. At the beginning of 1940, of fourteen cavalry regiments in the Army, only two were mechanized. By the end of 1941, other than those in the two cavalry divisions and the new 56th Cavalry Brigade, all the horsed regiments had converted to the internal combustion engine. In late 1943 the independent mechanized cavalry regiments were converted into independent mechanized cavalry squadrons and separate mechanized cavalry group HQs to which the squadrons could be assigned as needed. Meanwhile, the group HQs and their attached squadrons could be assigned to higher headquarters as needed. All the non-divisional mechanized squadrons and cavalry group HQs served in the ETO where, in addition to their doctrinal role as recon forces, they were employed in a variety of other duties.
   Hays goes on to list all the US Army WWII cavalry regiments and their eventual dispositions. Some were redesignated as armored regiments, some served in the cavalry divisions, some were inactivated, and most were converted into mechanized formations. The latter are the ones dealt with here.
   Following that introductory material and notes about abbreviations, symbols, silhouettes, etc, the book begins presenting page after page of TOE data for all the non-div formations. These pages variously cover horsed cavalry regiments, mechanized cavalry regiments, mechanized cavalry groups, horsed cavalry squadrons, mechanized cavalry squadrons, cavalry reconnaissance squadrons, and all their subordinate troops. Most of these formations are represented with multiple TOEs covering different periods during the war. For example, separate TOEs apply to the "Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized" for 15 September 1943 and 16 June 1945.
   For each TOE on each date, Hays deals with the data using the same three approaches he developed in his earlier volumes. First, he provides a table with rows of personnel (by rank), vehicles, weapons, and equipment with numbers assigned in columns for the unit and its subordinate formations. The tables also show sub-totals and totals where appropriate to help keep track of everything. Next, he presents the same data in a very attractive organigram showing the unit organization with standard military symbols and vehicle silhouettes. The organigrams are further annotated to show numbers of officers and enlisted men as well as quantities of vehicles, weapons, and equipment. Finally, in the "Detail" section, Hays provides blocks of text about the same unit with further amplification.
   Hays also includes—scattered among the tables—related information such as "radio net" diagrams and notes such as "Tactical employment of the mechanized cavalry reconnaissance squadron." Most of that kind of material, however, is concentrated at the end of the book in a series of appendices covering topics such as staff organization, supply system, equipment notes, communications equipment, engineer equipment, and divisional reconnaissance units.
   Here's an excerpt from the first appendix:

DETAILED DUTIES OF STAFF FUNCTIONS

S-1: PERSONNEL (ADJUTANT): Staff duties include: Receiving and delivering personnel replacements; Preparation of strength and casualty reports; Recreation and morale activities; Leaves of absence, furloughs, discipline, rewards and punishments; The collection and disposition of prisoners of war; Graves registration service, including burials, in coordination with the S-4; Sanitation, assisted by the unit surgeon; Administration of pay, and personnel records. Additionally the S-1 is responsible for the administrative management of the headquarters. This function includes correspondence, mail and post exchange. During combat operations the S-1 is in the rear echelon of the headquarters.

The adjutant supervises the activities of the assistant adjutant, usually a warrant officer, the sergeant major and other enlisted personnel who handle the correspondence, reports and filing of administrative records, orders, bulletins and other matter received and issued by the unit. The personnel sergeant major maintains personnel records for the squadron/regiment.

S-2: INTELLIGENCE: Responsible for matters concerning military intelligence, counter intelligence, security operations and military intelligence training. Principal duty was coordinating intelligence activities within his unit, collecting, processing and disseminating intelligence information. Continuously evaluates enemy forces to determine most probable enemy actions. Establishes and operates observation posts. During combat operations the S-2 is located in the forward echelon in close proximity to the command element.

S-3: OPERATIONS: Responsible for those functions relating to organization, training and combat operations. Preparations of plans and supervision of tactical operations in accordance with the commanders directives. Makes continuous estimates of the tactical situation. The S-3, during combat operations is located in the forward echelon in close proximity to the command element.

S-4: SUPPLY: Preparation of supply plan based on the tactical plan of the unit; supervision of the procurement, storage and issue of all classes of supply; control of squadron trains when troop supply vehicles are operating under squadron/regiment control; supervision of the evacuation of casualties, disabled equipment, prisoners and captured material; supervision of equipment maintenance, assisted by the squadron/regiment motor maintenance officer. During combat operations the S-4 is located with and usually commands the rear echelon.

   The book concludes with a brief bibliography.
   Anyone who has seen earlier volumes in the Hays series will be familiar with what he's doing and how he's doing it. As always, these are books about unit organization and equipment, not about OBs or combat histories. We've always been favorably impressed with the series, and we're sure anyone with an interest in WWII TOEs will want to look into Mechanized Cavalry as well as the earlier titles. If you haven't seen these yet, do yourself a favor and check 'em out.
   Available from online booksellers, local bookshops, or directly from Military Press.
   Thanks to Military Press for providing this review copy.