Division, of an army, is the smallest unit which contains all branches of the service. It is a small army in itself, under a general officer, and capable of acting independently. Its strength and composition are very variable. The table shows a British division on a war footing as laid down under new instructions in 1889.
| Officers. | Non-com. Officers and Men. | Horses. | Guns. | Wagons. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Divisional Staff..... | 18 | 58 | 46 | .. | .. |
| 2 Infantry Brigades } (each 4 Battalions).. } |
260 | 8434 | 1072 | 4 | 236 |
| 1 Squadron of Cavalry... | 6 | 138 | 144 | .. | 4 |
| 3 Batteries of Artillery.. | 19 | 510 | 421 | 18 | 39 |
| 1 Company of Engineers. | 7 | 210 | 70 | .. | 13 |
| Ammunition Column.... | 5 | 155 | 221 | .. | 53 |
| Commissariat & Trans- } port Department.... } |
7 | 157 | 184 | .. | 29 |
| Medical Department.... | 5 | 40 | 6 | .. | 10 |
| Total..... | 327 | 9732 | 2164 | 22 | 384 |
| At Base..... | 16 | 752 |
The guns with the infantry are machine guns. Tents, ammunition, three days' rations for men and two days' forage for horses, are provided for.
The divisions of foreign armies are similar in strength and composition. The name division is also given to a body of cavalry consisting of two or more Brigades (q.v.); and in the British army to three batteries of field artillery, acting under a lieutenant-colonel; to the two guns with their wagons, horses, men, and stores, which constitute a lieutenant's command in a Battery (q.v.); and to the groups of garrison artillery (comprising regulars, militia, and volunteers) which have been formed under the territorial system, in eleven of the military districts of the United Kingdom. See DEPOT.
Naval Division.—For convenience of command and manœuvring, a fleet is divided into two, three, or more divisions, and each division into two subdivisions. Each division is commanded by a flag-officer.