Battalion, an infantry unit for both tactical and administrative purposes. The war-strength of a British battalion is 1096 of all ranks, or 1000 bayonets. This is found to be the largest number of men that can be controlled in action by one commander, and has been adopted as the proper strength of a battalion in all European armies. Its front in two-deep line, or in modern attack formation, is 340 yards. A British battalion is divided into eight companies, each commanded by a captain, with two lieutenants under him; the companies are also grouped, for tactical purposes only, into two half-battalions (formerly called wings), each commanded by a major. The whole is under a lieutenant-colonel, who has, as regimental staff, an adjutant (captain or lieutenant), and a quartermaster (captain or lieutenant), who is always promoted from the ranks, a surgeon, and paymaster. The sergeant-major and bandmaster are warrant officers, but do not hold commissions. The other non-commissioned officers are 8 colour-sergeants (1 per company), 32 sergeants, 1 quarter- master-sergeant, 1 sergeant-instructor of musketry, 1 orderly-room-sergeant, 1 paymaster-sergeant, 1 sergeant-drummer, 1 sergeant-piper (in Highland battalions), 1 armourer-sergeant, 1 sergeant-pioneer, 1 sergeant-cook, and 40 corporals. There are also drummers and bandsmen. See BAND.
Every battalion takes into the field 3 small-arm ammunition carts, 1 water cart, and 8 general-service wagons for baggage, requiring 45 horses. When manoeuvring, a group of two or more battalions forms a brigade of infantry. A battalion is made up to war-strength by calling up reserve men. For linked battalions, see the article ARMY (BRITISH).