Those interested in the Taiwan Army might consider this 500-page book: Taiwan Army Weapons and Equipment: including Marine Corps.
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29 October 2023 (Sunday)
Taiwan's Order of Battle, Finally Orderly
Confusion Ended
By Wendell Minnick (Whiskey Mike) 顏文德
TAIPEI - Finally, I can die in peace.
Tracking Taiwan’s order of battle (OB) for the armed forces over the past 25 years has been a nightmare.
First, this is due to Taiwan’s lack of transparency as the military transitioned from martial law to a democracy.
Second, Taiwan’s armed forces have been tormented by military modernization programs that combined brigades, eliminated commands, and created completely new entities of power over two decades.
For me, as a military journalist serving for Jane’s and later Asia Bureau Chief for Defense News, keeping the ducks in a row has been maddening for my reporting.
It is no surprise that Taiwan’s military modernization programs have been jokingly referred to as “demilitarization” or even “disarmament”.
But now Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) has issued a hardcover book identifying every command, patch, location, mission, etc.
Though the smaller units, such as the Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion (Army Frogmen) are not in the book, nor are squadrons, the OB for brigades and higher are clarified with mission statement and history.
Finally…you do not know the endless arguments between the MND and myself and other Taiwan journalists about what unit is doing what…there were times when the MND was wrong, or Taiwan journalists were wrong, and, of course, myself.
ABOVE: Taiwan Armed Forces Order of Battle; Ministry of National Defense.
ABOVE: You can procure at govbooks or wunanbooks.
Sample:
ABOVE: DESCRIPTION
First: Sword and Harvest: Symbolize the strength of the sword and the victory over the enemy, diligence and simplicity, and endless life.
Second: Grass green, sea blue, sky blue: joint warfare of land, sea and air force and the spirit of steadfast and united struggle.
Third: The overall design highlights the unified command, diligent training, and the ability to defend the homeland and ensure the safety of the eastern region.
ABOVE: The Army’s East Defense Command was established in 1995. The East Defense Command is responsible for conducting contingency control, counter-terrorism, disaster prevention and relief missions, and unifying the command of the three ground forces in times of war to guard the national security of east Taiwan.
ABOVE: DESCRIPTION
“Ares” Information Communications and Electronic Force Command/Cyber Warfare Wing
First, the gold-rimmed round shield: quiet as a rock to guard intrusions.
Second, the tiger spider: move like a tiger spider to gallop through the field to scare off the enemy.
Third, the world stars: like a dragon roaming the web of stars to collect.
Fourth, the digital earth: the victory of a thousand miles away.
For those who can read Mandarin Chinese, please consider this Amazon book: Taiwan Cyberwarfare (2018).
English-language articles on Taiwan cyberwarfare, consider these three Substack articles: Taiwan's Cyber Warfare Wing and Kitsch Liao - Cyberwarfare and 2022 HACKS IN TAIWAN CONFERENCE (HITCON).
ABOVE: DESCRIPTION
Army Special Operations Command
First, inverted diamond appearance: symbolizes that it is as strong as a rock, sincere and united, and gives full play to the integrated combat strength of overall combat and rapid response to achieve the task and mission.
Second, parachute, bayonet and lightning: representing the brave and fierce special forces, which can penetrate the enemy from the air, ground and water to surprise and defeat the enemy.
ABOVE: The predecessor of the Army Special Operations Command was the "First Paratroop Regiment" established in Kunming, Yunnan Province in 1943.
In 1944, the First Paratrooper Regiment was expanded into the Army Commando, which was subordinate to the General Command of the KMT Chinese Army in the Asian Theater of the Allies (World War II).
In 1946, the Army Assault Corps was transferred to the Air Force General Command, and the name was changed to the "Air Force Parachute Corps".
In 1948, the Air Force Parachute Corps was transferred to the Army General Command and renamed the "Army Paratrooper Command".
In 1949, the command was transferred to the Air Force General Command and renamed the "Air Force Paratroopers Command"; in the same year, the name was changed to the "Air Force Paratroopers Corps Command" and moved to Pingtung, Taiwan.
In 40 years, the headquarters of the Air Force was transferred to the Army General Command, and the street was changed to the "Army Paratroopers Corps".