What with sub-standard sa80's, our regiments being disbanded or merged. Our troops borrowing from US troops, outdated aircraft, and Special forces that aren't equipped properly!
I would say the best period was around the War of Spanish Succession. Well drilled troops, a brilliant commander in Marlborough and well supplied by the Royal navy.
Today we have nuclear weapons, and modern technology, of course our armed forces would be better than the armed forces used in the beginning of the 18th century.
Hard to tell, really. Britain has never had military dominance in the form of it's army in the same way the Germans or the French have, probably largely because the first arm to get priority was always the navy. But what it lacked in size, it could often make up in quality.
Malborough's army is probably a good exampe as any. But I wouldn't rule out Dr Jones's remarks about our current one. Despite the equipment related horror stories, the current British army does seem to be surprisingly competent and daresay, effective in its operations.
But not very good at looking after it's veterans throughout history though. Just read in the paper today about ex-ghurkas having to queue up in charity shops for help. And one is a VC, unbelievable.
The modern army is probably the most precise and potent, the trouble with the past is sometimes we lacked leadership ability due to the class system and the practice of buying a commission, usually as a last resort for an uninspiring offspring.
I would offer Cromwell's new model army, as a candidate.
Originally posted by Manic Aardvark II: The modern army is probably the most precise and potent, the trouble with the past is sometimes we lacked leadership ability due to the class system and the practice of buying a commission, usually as a last resort for an uninspiring offspring.
I would offer Cromwell's new model army, as a candidate.
agree with fubar, peninsula army was probebly the most efficent army when under wellingtons command. won against the odds consistently and made up a fair amont of the british force at waterloo.
How about August-November 1918? It might be the only time when the British Army (with the Commonwealth Corps attached) was the most potent land force on the planet. The Hundred Day offensive was largely led by the British with the Canadians and ANZACs at the spearhead. The Germans were a spent force, the French were still shaken from 1917 and the USA was learning the lessons of 1914-16.
Originally posted by Maniakes: How about August-November 1918? It might be the only time when the British Army (with the Commonwealth Corps attached) was the most potent land force on the planet. The Hundred Day offensive was largely led by the British with the Canadians and ANZACs at the spearhead. The Germans were a spent force, the French were still shaken from 1917 and the USA was learning the lessons of 1914-16.
the fact that the germans were a spent force somewhat quilifies the acchievment i think. the original bef performed wonders against overwhelming odds but by the end of the war no army could consider itself to be in good nick.
the fact that the germans were a spent force somewhat quilifies the acchievment
You could argue that it was because the allies were very effective in utillising the intelligence concerning the german supply depots and thier sunsequent destruction that resulted in the german army being a spent force
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We really have dinosaurs today, without any question. You just need the right weather conditions, as I see it, to get huge creatures. And in the ocean, of course, we have huge creatures....this is where the plesiosauruses seem to be today, and perhaps also this fire breathing dragon is still down there -- very rare, but occasionally there.
--Rev. Walter Lang Founder, Bible-Science Association
the fact that the germans were a spent force somewhat quilifies the acchievment
You could argue that it was because the allies were very effective in utillising the intelligence concerning the german supply depots and thier sunsequent destruction that resulted in the german army being a spent force
the germans were forced into a do or die attack because the yanks were coming. they would be overwhelmed with the manpower and ordinance the usa could muster. they broke through all over the british lines using a forerunner of blitzkrieg before out running thier meagre supply lines. as at alamein this proved fatal. appreciate that the troops we had were conscripts and not the motivated volenteers who had been wasted in 1915 16 17. aside from the original bef the british army was never efficient in ww1 due mainly to outdated tactics and stubborn generals
the fact that the germans were a spent force somewhat quilifies the acchievment
You could argue that it was because the allies were very effective in utillising the intelligence concerning the german supply depots and thier sunsequent destruction that resulted in the german army being a spent force
the germans were forced into a do or die attack because the yanks were coming. they would be overwhelmed with the manpower and ordinance the usa could muster. they broke through all over the british lines using a forerunner of blitzkrieg before out running thier meagre supply lines. as at alamein this proved fatal. appreciate that the troops we had were conscripts and not the motivated volenteers who had been wasted in 1915 16 17. aside from the original bef the british army was never efficient in ww1 due mainly to outdated tactics and stubborn generals
I was referring to the use of both battlefield and strategic intelligence. The cracking of the ADVHX cypher gave the allies access to many of the german tactical plans, imncluding as mentioned the locations of the supply depots.
The attack you refer to did at one point cause grave concern in britain but the lines held, the troops regrouped and counter attacked.
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We really have dinosaurs today, without any question. You just need the right weather conditions, as I see it, to get huge creatures. And in the ocean, of course, we have huge creatures....this is where the plesiosauruses seem to be today, and perhaps also this fire breathing dragon is still down there -- very rare, but occasionally there.
--Rev. Walter Lang Founder, Bible-Science Association
The British Army was undoubtedly at its best back in the days when wars were fought on the strict understanding that on no account whatsoever are the enemy allowed to be armed with anything other than vegetable matter....
Originally posted by Nautius Maximus: The British Army was undoubtedly at its best back in the days when wars were fought on the strict understanding that on no account whatsoever are the enemy allowed to be armed with anything other than vegetable matter....
what? like at crecy,agincourt,wateloo,talavera,quebec.el alamein. please.
Originally posted by Nautius Maximus: The British Army was undoubtedly at its best back in the days when wars were fought on the strict understanding that on no account whatsoever are the enemy allowed to be armed with anything other than vegetable matter....
Sounds like something from the final episode of blackadder goes forth
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We really have dinosaurs today, without any question. You just need the right weather conditions, as I see it, to get huge creatures. And in the ocean, of course, we have huge creatures....this is where the plesiosauruses seem to be today, and perhaps also this fire breathing dragon is still down there -- very rare, but occasionally there.
--Rev. Walter Lang Founder, Bible-Science Association
