Don't know quite how far back in history this goes but the british army never deploys whole regiments in the field. With a new government on the way, and a SDR close after, I would assume changes to regiments would be included. My question to anyone who knows about these things is this, couldn't the army be deployed in it's historical regiments with organic artillery, aviation etc...? Or is this kind of formation considered too inflexible these days?
British Regiments
- Thread starter Entos
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The UK typically deploys (A-STAN) battlegroups built around a single infantry battalion. The battalion in question will be brought up to full strength by augmenting troops from sister battalions from the same or affiliated regiments( war does not stop the need for promotion / trade courses etc.) All-arms personnel will be attached to the battle group, these include personnel from armoured units (man and maintain Mastiff/Ridgeback), formation recce - cav to provide CVRT & Jackal assets deployed at the battlegroup commanders discretion, engineer (IED), sigs, RA (105mm) and REME etc. etc. Battlegroups are very flexible, hence the UK has been able to keep one in theatre (A-STAN and IRAQ) for the previous ten plus years. The following represents the RM battlegroup, which deployed in 2002 to A-Stan. Today they are much larger, with UAV, Apache and dedicated Armoured Corp assets manning mine protected vehicles used as battlefield taxis.Don't know quite how far back in history this goes but the british army never deploys whole regiments in the field. With a new government on the way, and a SDR close after, I would assume changes to regiments would be included. My question to anyone who knows about these things is this, couldn't the army be deployed in it's historical regiments with organic artillery, aviation etc...? Or is this kind of formation considered too inflexible these days?
45 Commando Royal Marines
7 (Sphinx) Commando Battery Royal Artillery – armed with 105mm Light Guns
59 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers
Detachment from Commando Logistics Regiment – Royal Marine, Royal Navy and Army personnel
RAF Chinook helicopters from 27 Squadron
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British Battlegroups are highly felxible and inter operable two main types are inf or armd the make up can also be changed and reconfigerured depending on the operational requirements, most regts operate within there own battlegroups, with their own brigades, however they can also be detached to other brigades for operations and interoperate within other battlegroups without any requirement to change their composition.
2x armd sqns with a single inf company, dedicated artillery bty and support for a fully combined arms battlegroup. the reverse if a inf battlegroup but with the same assets, they also have the ablity to call on higher formation assets if required.
RM im not sure how they form their battlegroups
2x armd sqns with a single inf company, dedicated artillery bty and support for a fully combined arms battlegroup. the reverse if a inf battlegroup but with the same assets, they also have the ablity to call on higher formation assets if required.
RM im not sure how they form their battlegroups
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- #4
Having read a little about the battlegroup concept it seems like an EU/Labour invention to provide rapid reaction formations lifted from the WW2 German idea. Surely though the point of the regimental system is to generate an esprit de corps which must be diluted with battalions being sent off to disparate battlegroups all over the place?
Battalions form part of Regiments, the esprit is at battalion level. Take the Paras for example, 1, 2, 3 & 4(V) Para have there own unique character, celebrate separate battle honours, wear different DZ flashes, they are fearlessly proud of both their regimental and battalion histories. Typically only 1 Para battalion will form the core of a combined arms battle group in A-Stan, supported by airborne gunners (7RHA), engineers (9Sqn) and Cav (HCR) etc. Not being part of a full Regimental deployment in no way impacts their esprit or loyalty to cap badge.Having read a little about the battlegroup concept it seems like an EU/Labour invention to provide rapid reaction formations lifted from the WW2 German idea. Surely though the point of the regimental system is to generate an esprit de corps which must be diluted with battalions being sent off to disparate battlegroups all over the place?
The Regimental system was designed to allow for one battalion to be deployed overseas (Rifles deployed for five years without a break during the Napoleonic Wars), with at least one sister battalion at home recruiting and running the depot/Regimental HQ. Over time training was consolidated in to centralised locations grouping infantry, armour and trades at specialist depots. Trained recruits are fed to their desired Regiments after basic for further role specific training (light, medium or heavy role) and integrated into the historical culture of the unit (guards, para, line infantry), learning the traditions, marches and battle honours. The Regiment you join can be heavily influenced by the recruiting office, the recruiting Sgt can be very convincing! You may enter wanting to join the Guards and end up walking out scratching your head signed up for the Lancers.
The battle group system is all about flexibility, which has allowed the UK to keep a division worth's of assets deployed non-stop on operations for over ten years in Iraq and A-Stan. Quite and achievement for such a small military.
jenflwwrs5
New Member
Having been in a Regiment that has been amalgamated, i can tell you that its not much fun. Amalgamations cause trouble with all ranks and the old parent unit have a great loss of identity.
Take the Glosters as an example!
1 Glosters, then in 94 amalgamated with DERR to form the RGBW, then about five years ago, this changed again to RGBW LI, now all has gone and all the lads from the RGBW LI are part of the Rifles.
What a mess!
Take the Glosters as an example!
1 Glosters, then in 94 amalgamated with DERR to form the RGBW, then about five years ago, this changed again to RGBW LI, now all has gone and all the lads from the RGBW LI are part of the Rifles.
What a mess!
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #7
Isn't this what you get when defence was such a low priority for the previous government- chaos.
And that's my point, taking a regiment with say 4 battalions, what's wrong with deploying the whole thing in a theatre with it's own helicopters, armour and artillery I suppose similar to the American BCT's. Surely if one permanent formation trains together, deploys together and share's a history together it will be easier to command.
And that's my point, taking a regiment with say 4 battalions, what's wrong with deploying the whole thing in a theatre with it's own helicopters, armour and artillery I suppose similar to the American BCT's. Surely if one permanent formation trains together, deploys together and share's a history together it will be easier to command.