The Norrbotten Armoured Battalion ( sv, Norrbottens pansarbataljon), designation Pbat/I 19 or P 5, is a Swedish Army

armoured Armour (British English) or armor (American English; see spelling differences) is a covering used to protect an object, individual, or vehicle from physical injury or damage, especially direct contact weapons or projectiles during combat, or f ...

battalion A battalion is a military unit, typically consisting of 300 to 1,200 soldiers commanded by a lieutenant colonel, and subdivided into a number of companies (usually each commanded by a major or a captain). In some countries, battalions a ...

, one of the few new formations raised in the 20th century. It is still in active service, and is currently garrisoned in Boden,

Norrbotten Norrbotten (), known in English as North Bothnia, is a Swedish province (''landskap'') in northernmost Sweden. It borders south to Västerbotten, west to Swedish Lapland, and east to Finland. Administration The traditional provinces of Swe ...

as part of

Norrbotten Regiment The Norrbotten Regiment ( sv, Norrbottens regemente), designation I 19, is a Swedish Army arctic armoured, light infantry and commando regiment that traces its origins back to the 19th century. The regiment's soldiers were originally recruited f ...

History

The Norrbotten Armored Battalion (P 5) was raised on 1 April 1957, by decision through letters patent of 1 June 1956, based on a parliamentary decision in May 1956. The unit was raised to meet the needs of the armored units in

Upper Norrland Upper Norrland ( sv, Övre Norrland) is a National Area ( sv, Riksområde) of Sweden. The National Areas are a part of the Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) of Sweden. Geography Övre Norrland is the northernmost region o ...

. On 30 June 1975, the battalion disbanded as an independent unit and on 1 July 1975 it was amalgamated into a training battalion in

(I 19). The name of the regiment was changed to that of the Norrbotten Regiment with the Norrbotten Armored Battalion (I 19/P 5). For a short time in the 1990s, the regiment ceased to exist as it was merged with the wartime organised

Norrbotten Brigade The Norrbotten Brigade ( sv, Norrbottensbrigaden), also NMekB 19, is a Swedish Army mechanized brigade located in the province of Norrbotten, active since 2022. It was previously active from 1949 to 2000. The brigade is located at Boden Garrison, ...

. In 2000, the battalion was re-raised, this time as one of five battalions in Norrbotten Regiment, retaining its old name, but not the designation P 5 (5th Armoured Regiment) it originally had, even though it is still in common use. The battalion is as of 2006 one of the three Swedish Army training regiments for armoured units. The battalion has been garrisoned in Boden during its whole existence.

Campaigns

*None

Organisation

;2008 *Support company (Command & control, supply, mortar and recon platoons) *Armoured infantry company (incl one tank platoon) *Supply company (Command & Supply, Medics, Repair, Refuel & Ammo and Infantry platoon) *Infantry company *Engineer company *Guard company ;2004 *Headquarters/mortar company *Tank company *Armoured infantry company *Supply company

Heraldry and traditions

Colours, standards and guidons

The unit presents one battalion standard which was established by Army Order 417/1 1959. It was drawn by Brita Grep and embroidered by hand in insertion technique by Libraria. The standard was presented to the former Royal Norrbotten Armoured Battalion (P 5) in Boden by His Majesty the King

Gustaf VI Adolf Gustaf VI Adolf (Oscar Fredrik Wilhelm Olaf Gustaf Adolf; 11 November 1882 – 15 September 1973) was King of Sweden from 29 October 1950 until his death in 1973. He was the eldest son of Gustaf V and his wife, Victoria of Baden. Before Gustaf Ado ...

on 28 July 1961. It was used as battalion standard until 1975 and then as a traditional standard at

(I 19). From 1 July 1994, the standard was carried by the Norrbotten Regiment and Norrbotten Brigade (MekB 19). From 1 July 2000, the standard was again carried by the Norrbotten Armoured Battalion. The standard may be used according to the decisions of CO I 19. Blazon: "On blue cloth powdered with yellow estoiles the provincial badge of

Västerbotten Västerbotten (), known in English as West Bothnia or Westrobothnia, is a province (''landskap'') in the north of Sweden, bordering Ångermanland, Lapland, North Bothnia, and the Gulf of Bothnia. It is known for the cheese named after the p ...

; a white reindeer at speed, armed and langued red. Blue fringe."

Coat of arms

The coat of arms of the Norrbotten Armoured Battalion (P 5) 1957–1975 was also used by the Norrbotten Regiment and Norrbotten Brigade (MekB 19) 1994–2000. Blazon: "Azure, powdered with estoiles or, the provincial badge of Västerbotten, a reindeer courant argent, armed and langued gules. The shield surmounted two arms in fess, embowed and vambraced, the hands holding swords in saltire, or".

March

On 10 July 1958, the Chief of the Army, Lieutenant General

Thord Bonde General Count Thord C:son (Carlsson) Bonde af Björnö (17March 1900 – 18October 1969) was a Swedish Army officer. His senior commands include military commander of the VII Military District in 1955, commander of the III Military Distr ...

established "I flaggskrud" as the battalion march. On 15 June 1994, the march was taken over by the Northern Service Regiment (''Norra underhållsregementet'', Uhreg N). From 2001, the march was transferred back to Norrbotten Armoured Battalion.

Commanding officers

Commanding officers from 1957 to 1975: *1957–1963: Karl Henrik Bergh *1963–1966: Nils Olof Axel Östlund *1966–1967: Per Anton Björkman *1967–1968: Per Gunnar Brissman *1968–1975: Arne Gillis Hallner Hallagård *1975–1975: Stig Barke *1975–1980: ? *1980–1981: Sven-Åke Jansson

Names, designations and locations

Footnotes

References

Notes

Print

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External links

*
Föreningen P 5
{{DEFAULTSORT:Norrbottens Pansarbataljon Armor units and formations of the Swedish Army Battalions of the Swedish Army Military units and formations established in 1957 Military units and formations disestablished in 1994 Military units and formations established in 2000 1957 establishments in Sweden 1994 disestablishments in Sweden 2000 establishments in Sweden Boden Garrison