(Last Updated September 03, 2012 )

The ORBAT Utility on the Matrix has both the Static and Fluid ORBAT functions.  The Static ORBAT is best described as that shown in Nicholson's Appendix "B" for November 1918 at Armistice.  This ORBAT was the backbone leading to the initial development of the Matrix as it was the most common reference used when discussing CEF Army Troops and Army Corps.  That lead to the formation of the original Summary Tables and Navigation Chart.

As we progressed with the development of the ORBAT it was necessary to go back in time to the creation of the CEF in 1914 and then to start to follow the development of the "First Contingent" through the periods of the Army Corps in the First Division going to Shorncliffe and then on to France, followed by the Second, Third and Fourth Divisions.  All this time the Army Troops developed on a parallel plane.  It is a complex but interesting field of study and we hope that the ORBAT Utility will assist in the development of a better understanding of the "fluid nature" of the CEF development.

From the "Fluid ORBAT" we then have the ability to jump off to specific "Battle ORBATS" that are not only fixed in a specific time, but in a specific place.  It may be some time until we get to that level, but stay tuned, and please do participate in the ORBAT development.

The "Static ORBAT" Utility

When the "Matrix Project" was first initiated, there were questions as to whether the Matrix was an "ORBAT" (Order of Battle).  The early plan was that this site was not to be an official ORBAT but rather a user friendly resource site for the grand relatives, perhaps even now the "great grand relatives" who are researching their family history.  The ORBAT may be too complex for the amateur historian, but once in the process, then the ORBAT will become an important tool in the progress of the research.  As such, the Matrix will remain as it is, formed upon Nicholson's 1918 "Static ORBAT" and we will add the "Fluid ORBAT" as a separate utility.

With the developing interest in the ORBAT analysis, comments were submitted suggesting that it was perhaps time to prepare a separate page that defined the term, explained how the ORBAT fit into the CEF history, and eventually linking to the various ORBAT resources.  This page is now a reflection of what we have received and what we are undertaking.

Michael Thierens and Bill Alexander have graciously prepared for this project the defining terms of the ORBAT, which we have posted on the "ORBAT Definition Page". This is more or less a quick summary definition:

The "Fluid ORBAT" Project

New for the winter of 2006-2007 was the creation an ORBAT that shows the changes in the Army Troops and Corps Troops for the period prior to the start of the Great War in 1914 through to the signing of the Armistice in 1918.  This is being done by showing what the structure was in each of the quarters of the year, more or less corresponding to major actions.  A new topic has been opened on the CEFSG Forum for this process, so please log on and participate:

Matrix Fluid ORBAT Project

As this project progresses, you will find links here to the pages that begin to assemble this information.  Check the header of this page for those links.

The project has now gone past it's infancy, so you will see "more of the bits and pieces" of information as they are being collected, highlights to show "major changes" and other highlights to mark "work in progress".   In some cases information has been inserted, when a reference was noted during the research process, as often the authors will state "... but that was changed in...".  

In many cases you will see that the terminology and abbreviations are not necessarily consistent, as the terminology varies between authors, as well as between the CEFSG members submitting information.  Piece by piece we are going back to check to see if the units are different or the terminology is different.  Some form of standardization will be required but I can not assure you that what we are now using is correct.

In November 2008 we upgraded the Fluid ORBAT pages to show the major battles in each of the annual quarters from 1914 to 1918.  The primary reference for the battle information is Appendix F of the Nicholson Official History of the CEF.