The Army of the Rhine will leave Germany. British Land Forces Army of the Rhine

During recent years due to deterioration economic situation Great Britain and rising inflation, as well as the strengthening of the national independence of a number of countries of the former British Empire, the British military-political leadership was forced to partially reduce its armed forces in various parts of the world and focus its main efforts on strengthening the aggressive North Atlantic bloc and developing closer military-political and economic cooperation with and other participating countries. Already in peacetime, it allocated over 70% of the formations and units of the ground forces to the command of the joint armed forces of NATO in Europe.

Despite the country's economic difficulties, the militaristic circles of Great Britain, acting contrary to the easing of international tension, continue to build up their military potential.

The UK Armed Forces consist of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Reserve components. Recruitment is carried out by recruiting volunteers. According to foreign press reports, the total number of regular armed forces is about 340 thousand, reserves - over 230 thousand people.

The ground forces are the largest branch of the British armed forces. They consist of a regular army (over 170 thousand people, including 7.7 thousand Gurkha riflemen), a regular reserve (about 110 thousand people) and a territorial army volunteer reserve - TADR (more than 50 thousand people). Ground forces are divided into types of troops and services. The main branches include infantry, artillery, army aviation, engineers and signal troops; to services - transport, artillery-technical, repair and restoration, medical and others.

The supreme governing body of the UK's ground forces is the Department of the Army, headed by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of Defense for the Army. He exercises administrative leadership of the ground forces and is responsible for their construction, condition, recruitment, mobilization deployment, logistics and R&D in the field of weapons.

Responsibility for operational use of the Army is entrusted to the Chief of the Army Staff, who is directly subordinate to the Chief of the Defense Staff of the British Armed Forces.

According to Western press reports, combat strength The regular British ground forces have four divisions, eight separate infantry (motorized infantry) brigades, five separate armored reconnaissance regiments, a separate parachute sabotage and reconnaissance regiment, two NUR missile regiments, two heavy artillery regiments, two missile defense regiments, as well as support and maintenance units.

Formations and units of ground forces in the European theater of war are intended to conduct combat operations both independently and as part of the joint armed forces of NATO. Organizationally, they are consolidated into the command of the ground forces in the metropolis, the British Army of the Rhine (in) and a separate motorized infantry brigade stationed in West Berlin.

The combat composition of the ground forces command in the metropolis includes: the 3rd infantry division (three air transport brigades), five separate infantry brigades, the 22nd separate parachute sabotage and reconnaissance regiment, units and units of various branches of the military and services.

These units and formations include a contingent of British ground forces, allocated in accordance with the plans of the bloc's command to NATO mobile forces: a separate infantry (air transport) battalion, an artillery battery, an armored reconnaissance squadron, a communications company, a sapper platoon, support and service units with a total strength of about 1.5 thousand people. These personnel are considered to be trained for combat in Arctic conditions and are often involved in exercises held in Northern Norway.

Formations and units of ground forces stationed in the metropolis form the so-called mobile forces of Great Britain and are part of the strategic reserve of the Supreme Allied Commander of NATO Armed Forces in Europe. They are intended mainly to strengthen British troops in Germany in the event of an emergency in Europe, as well as for the defense of the British Isles. In addition, units and subunits of the ground forces, including those from the British Rhine Army (BRA), have been used for a number of years in Ulster to suppress the national democratic protests of Northern Irish civil rights fighters. According to the foreign press, currently in Northern Ireland there are three brigade headquarters, an armored reconnaissance regiment, up to 20 infantry units, three engineering squadrons, two squadrons of army aviation helicopters and the Northern Irish Territorial Infantry Regiment (about 14 thousand people in total). Before being sent to this area, unit personnel undergo special training in special centers, where soldiers and officers study the “experience” of Vietnam and gain skills in conducting punitive operations.

British Army of the Rhine(headquarters in Rheindalen) numbering over 55 thousand people is the largest and most combat-ready group of British ground forces. Its content constitutes Britain's main contribution to the NATO military organization. At the same time, the BRA is an important political instrument of London in Western Europe. Its commander is also the commander of NATO's Northern Army Group.

The basis of the BRA is the 1st Army Corps, which, together with the West German, Belgian and Dutch army corps, forms the Northern Army Group, which is part of NATO's combined armed forces. The 1st Army Corps (headquarters in Bielefeld) is considered the most combat-ready unit of the British ground forces, equipped with nuclear attack weapons and other modern weapons and military equipment. It consists of the 2nd Motorized Infantry Division (Lübbecke), the 1st Armored Division (Förden), the 4th Armored Division (Herford), the 1st Artillery and 7th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Brigades, two separate armored reconnaissance regiments, units and support and maintenance units.

As reported in the foreign press, the number of British troops stationed on the territory of Germany during the period of mobilization deployment in the event of an emergency in Europe can be more than doubled due to the transfer of formations and units from the territory of the metropolis.

A separate Berlin motorized infantry brigade of about 3 thousand people is stationed in the English zone of West Berlin. It is not part of the joint NATO armed forces in Europe and is intended to provide security in the British sector of the city.

Units and subunits of the British ground forces stationed in overseas territories are intended to protect the interests of the British monopoly, maintain British influence in dependent countries, and also to support reactionary regimes fighting the national liberation movement. Judging by reports in the foreign press, there are relatively small contingents of ground forces in the overseas territories, which can be significantly reinforced in the event of an emergency.

In Gibraltar The basis of the garrison is an infantry battalion. In the coming years, the number of garrison personnel is planned to be reduced by 10%.

At British military bases on the island. Cyprus two infantry battalions, an armored reconnaissance squadron, as well as support and service units are deployed. In addition, the UN emergency forces on this island include a reduced infantry battalion, an armored reconnaissance squadron, a flight of army aviation helicopters and the corresponding logistics units of the British ground forces.
One infantry battalion of Gurkha Rifles is stationed in Brunei (Southeast Asia). Discussions are currently underway between the UK and the Brunei government regarding the timing of the battalion's withdrawal from the area.

The largest contingent of British troops with a total number of about 9 thousand people is stationed in Hong Kong. It consists of five infantry battalions (of which three are Gurkha), an armored reconnaissance squadron, two engineering squadrons, an army aviation squadron and logistics support units. In 1976-1977, this garrison is planned to be reduced to four infantry battalions (three of them Gurkish) and an engineering squadron.

In Belize(formerly British Honduras) is an infantry battalion.

For several years, a large group of British military advisers and instructors has been supporting the Sultan of Oman in the armed struggle against the patriots of Dhofar.

The command of the ground forces believes that already in peacetime it is necessary to have well-trained and equipped reserves, ready for immediate use in case of emergencies. The UK ground forces reserves consist of reservists and personnel of units and units of the territorial army volunteer reserve.

The first category is intended for the general replenishment of the regular army with trained personnel (if necessary, bringing it to wartime levels). Completed and assembled units and subunits are allocated from the TADR to the regular troops. In addition, TADR is entrusted with the tasks of covering the mobilization deployment of ground forces and ensuring the internal security of the country.

The TADR combat structure includes the 44th brigade, two separate armored reconnaissance regiments, two separate parachute sabotage and reconnaissance regiments, 35 separate infantry battalions, five artillery and seven engineering regiments, as well as communications and logistics units.

In order to increase the combat readiness of reserve components, their training is closely linked with the combat training of units and subunits of the regular army. The command of the ground forces systematically involves units and subunits of the TADR in the exercises of formations and units of the 1st Army Corps of the British Army of the Rhine. The tactics of small units in combat are constantly being improved. various types battle (Fig. 1).

Rice. 1. Training of TADR reservists in overcoming obstacles in one of the training centers

The command of the ground forces pays great attention to equipping units and formations with modern weapons and military equipment. Thus, in the near future it is planned to replace the outdated Onest John missile launchers with American-made missiles with nuclear warheads. Units and formations are armed with about 900 medium tanks (Fig. 2) and 180 light tanks. After the appropriate modernization, the Chieftain tanks will remain in service with tank units until the mid-80s. Work continues on the creation of a new MVT 80 tank jointly with Germany.

Rice. 2. Medium tanks "Chieftain" at tactical exercises

The artillery units are armed with 105-, 155- and 203.2-mm howitzers, as well as 175-mm cannons. Currently, the 105 mm mountain howitzer is being replaced by a light 105 mm howitzer gun. Together with Germany and Italy, it is also developing the SP70 self-propelled howitzer. Serial production of these systems is planned to begin by the end of the 70s.

The main means of military air defense are the Thunderbird missile defense system (12 launchers), designed to combat air targets at high and medium altitudes, missile defense systems and 40-mm anti-aircraft guns - to destroy low-flying air targets. The latter are being replaced by ZURO systems. The development of a missile defense system to combat low-flying air targets continues.

The infantry units are armed with 81-mm mortars, 84-mm anti-tank grenade launchers, 120-mm Wombat recoilless rifles (Fig. 3), ATGM launchers, as well as various types of light and heavy machine guns, 7-caliber automatic rifles, 62 mm and pistols.

Rice. 3. Loading a 120-mm Wombat recoilless rifle onto a vehicle during tactical training of a motorized rifle unit

The main means of transporting infantry are tracked armored personnel carriers; there are also armored vehicles of the type, and others. Reconnaissance units are equipped with combat reconnaissance vehicles and Simitar.

Army Aviation operates approximately 120 Scout helicopters, 175 Sioux helicopters and more than 40 helicopters. Gazelle helicopters, intended to replace outdated Sioux helicopters, continue to enter service with army aviation units. They are used primarily for reconnaissance, airborne fire support, transport of personnel and evacuation of the wounded. The arrival of general-purpose Lynx helicopters is expected, which are expected to be used for transporting personnel, fighting tanks and other armored targets, conducting reconnaissance, etc.

The highest tactical unit of the British ground forces is the army corps, the main one is the division. The brigade belongs to the lowest tactical formation. As noted in the foreign press, the British army has three types of divisions (infantry, motorized infantry and armored).

The infantry division includes three air transport brigades (three infantry battalions and one light artillery regiment), a medium artillery regiment and a light anti-aircraft artillery regiment, an army aviation regiment, as well as support and service units. The number of personnel in the division is over 16 thousand people. The units are armed with 18 139.7 mm howitzer guns, 36 105 mm mountain howitzers, 18 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns, 54 81 mm mortars, 54 120 mm Wombat recoilless anti-tank guns, ATGM launchers, army aviation helicopters and other weapons.

A motorized infantry division (about 13 thousand people) includes an armored brigade (two motorized infantry battalions, two tank regiments, a light self-propelled artillery and engineer regiments) and a motorized infantry brigade (three motorized infantry battalions, a tank and a light self-propelled artillery regiment), a medium self-propelled artillery regiment, a regiment army aviation, as well as units and subdivisions of divisional subordination. The division is armed with over 150 Chieftain medium tanks, four 203.2 mm and 12 155 mm self-propelled howitzers, 36 105-mm self-propelled guns, 30 81-mm mortars, about 50 Swingfire ATGM launchers, 30 120-mm Wombat recoilless anti-tank guns, 240 84-mm anti-tank grenade launchers, as well as about 30 Scout and "Gazelle" (up to 50% of them are armed with ATGMs), as well as about 3 thousand armored personnel carriers, armored vehicles, cars and motorcycles.

An armored division includes two brigades of the same type (two tank regiments, two motorized infantry battalions, a light self-propelled artillery and an engineering regiment), a medium self-propelled artillery regiment and an army aviation regiment, as well as support and maintenance units of divisional subordination. The division's personnel number is about 13 thousand people. In service there are over 200 Chieftain medium tanks, four 203.2 mm and 12 155 mm self-propelled howitzers, 36 105 mm Abbot self-propelled guns, 24 81 mm mortars, 24 120 mm recoilless anti-tank guns, about 50 Swingfire ATGM launchers, up to 200 84-mm anti-tank grenade launchers, as well as about 30 Scout and Gazelle helicopters (half armed with ATGMs), about 3 thousand armored personnel carriers, armored vehicles, cars and motorcycles.

The artillery brigade includes a headquarters battery, two heavy artillery regiments of three batteries (a total of 12 175-mm M107 self-propelled guns), an artillery instrumental reconnaissance regiment and two missile regiments of the NUR "Onest John".

The anti-aircraft artillery brigade includes a headquarters battery, a Thunderbird missile defense regiment (12 launchers) and two light anti-aircraft artillery regiments of three batteries.

There are no regular reconnaissance units in British divisions. Reconnaissance in the interests of formations is carried out by the forces and means of the corps commander. Thus, the 1st Army Corps has two separate armored reconnaissance regiments. The regiment consists of a headquarters squadron and three reconnaissance squadrons, an army aviation squadron, and support and service units. The number of personnel in the regiment is up to 600 people. The armored reconnaissance regiment is armed with about 100 Scorpion light amphibious tanks, Simitar combat reconnaissance vehicles and armored vehicles, six Gazelle helicopters, Swingfire ATGM launchers, radar detection stations and other weapons.

The main tactical unit (unit) is an infantry (motorized infantry) battalion, which includes a headquarters company, a fire support company and three infantry companies, as well as support and service units. The battalion has over 700 personnel and is armed with six 81-mm mortars, six 120-mm recoilless anti-tank guns, up to six Swingfire ATGM launchers, grenade launchers, light and heavy machine guns, automatic rifles and pistols.

A tank regiment is a tactical unit and consists of a headquarters squadron, three tank squadrons and logistics support units. The number of personnel in the regiment is over 500 people, weapons - 50 medium Chieftain tanks, up to six Swingfire ATGM installations, armored personnel carriers, armored vehicles, cars and motorcycles.

The British Ministry of Defense decided to carry out a reorganization of the ground forces in 1976-1980, which British military experts consider the largest since the end of the Second World War. A variant of the new organizational structure is shown in Fig. 4.

Rice. 4. Proposed organization of the British ground forces (option)

By 1980, within the 1st Army Corps of the BRA (without increasing the number of personnel), it is planned to create four (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th) armored divisions without brigade command, an artillery division and the 5th corps field group.

Into armored divisions new organization it is planned to include two tank regiments, three motorized infantry battalions, an armored reconnaissance regiment, a direct artillery support regiment (five batteries) and a general artillery support regiment, as well as combat and logistics support units.

The 5th Corps Field Group is expected to include three motorized infantry battalions, an armored reconnaissance regiment, and support and service units.

On the basis of the formation and units of the ground forces command in Great Britain in 1977-1979, it is planned to create three field groups (6, 7 and 8), equivalent to reinforced brigade groups, which will be designed to strengthen the joint NATO armed forces in Europe.

The British Army occupies a special place in NATO. First of all, due to the high political activity of this country in the international arena. The British armed forces have taken part in almost every major armed conflict on the planet since 1945. And the rich imperial past to this day positions the Royal Navy as second in the world, after the American. Sometime up to 2/3 british army was placed under Alliance command. However, significant changes have occurred in the UK over the past time. They also affected its armed forces.

Formally, at the moment, the total strength of the British army, including aviation and navy, is about 200 thousand people: including 113 thousand in the ground forces, 52 thousand in the air force and 43 thousand people in the navy . However, the country is currently conducting a large-scale military reform, the attitude towards which is ambiguous even among the British themselves. Back in the early 90s of the twentieth century, the British Armed Forces had 1.2 thousand tanks, 3.2 thousand armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles, 700 artillery systems and almost 850 combat aircraft. But the optimization of the composition and cost of maintaining the British army, which began in 2010, has fundamentally reduced these numbers.

In November 2010, the UK published a new strategy national security. The set of documents bears the unifying name " Britain Strong in an Age of Uncertainty". It formulates the main future threats that the country will face for the period until 2020 - 2030. The main message is the idea that after the collapse of the USSR, the likelihood of any " great war" completely disappeared. In connection with this, 16 other threats took first place, among which the first degree of significance includes: international terrorism, cyber attacks, national-level disasters, natural threats, pandemics and crises in international relations.

The last point is the most curious, since, at first glance, it directly contradicts the original basic message of the document. However, the entire national security strategy is presented in the newfangled style of streamlined, outwardly loud, but internally rather meaningless formulations. They are designed to clearly exaggerate the real meaning of the concepts involved. For example, a crisis in international relations actually means only a low-intensity local military conflict in which Great Britain will take part only as part of a coalition force. The main regions in which the use of British military force the band from West Africa to Southeast Asia. The main type of enemy is non-state paramilitary forces. An advanced industrialized country with a modern high-tech army is not even considered theoretically as an enemy. Consequently, military development is carried out in accordance with ideas about the composition and nature of future threats.

British Army Lieutenant General Nick Carter

Based on the mentioned national security strategy, two fundamental documents were developed that became the basis for further military development in the country: “On Strategic Defense and Security” and the Armed Forces Reform Plan “Army 2020”, authored by Lieutenant General Nick Carter. Formally, at the moment, “Army 2020” is still only at the discussion stage in the national parliament, but events have already begun in the country that are suspiciously similar in composition and nature to what General Carter presented to the House of Lords. Therefore, the program will be accepted and the prospects of the British armed forces should be further assessed on its basis.

British Land Forces

According to the UK's senior military and political leadership, such a structure should ensure improved feedback and mutual understanding with the Ministry of Defense, as well as other government agencies. It is believed to be more effective and less costly in the current geopolitical and economic conditions.

According to the Army 2020 plan, all UK ground units are reduced to two basic components: high intensity units ( Reaction Division) and adaptive parts ( Adaptive Division).

High intensity parts include:

The 1st Armored Division, which forms the basis of the so-called British Army of the Rhine, is stationed in Germany with headquarters in the city of Herford. Officially, the division includes the 7th and 20th Armored Brigades, the 4th, 6th, 11th and 12th Infantry, the 1st Artillery Brigade, the 39th Royal Artillery Regiment and the 22nd Regiment communications. The BRA was once the backbone of NATO's entire Northern Group of Forces in Europe, but those days are long gone. At the moment, the division has 70 - 75% of its regular strength in personnel and no more than 80% in standard equipment. Although it is still in Europe, half of its current strength (in total the 1st BTC numbers 20 thousand people) will be returned to the metropolis by the end of 2015, and the entire division will return to the Islands by 2020. As the British Prime Minister said, more than 65 years have passed since the war in Europe, the Cold War ended more than 20 years ago, and there is “no need to keep expensive troops in Germany.”

Commander of the 7th Armored Brigade, Brigadier James Woodham

3rd Division (3rd Division) consisting of: 1st, 4th and 12th mechanized brigades, as well as the 19th “light” brigade). Today it is the most combat-ready and equipped unit in the British Army.

The 16th Air Assault Brigade, despite its name, consists of: the 5th Airborne and 24th Air Brigade. The brigade was created in 1999 in accordance with the program of reorganization of ground units in order to obtain the most highly mobile instrument. Its specialty is the landing of light infantry in the form of airborne assault forces supported by helicopter units. The brigade's staff size is 8 thousand people.

The burgundy beret is a distinctive feature of British paratroopers

3rd Marine Brigade (up to 3 thousand commandos) consisting of: 40th, 42nd, 45th Marine Battalions, 1st Battalion of the Infantry Regiment, 43rd Anti-Sabotage Marine Battalion, 29th Artillery regiment (two L115 howitzer batteries), 24th Engineer Regiment, and logistics support regiment.

In the future, two divisions will be formed into one, of some unified composition, including three “standard” mechanized brigades. Why the British focus on “standard” will be discussed below. For now, it is worth noting that a standard brigade should consist of two motorized infantry battalions (about 400 - 460 people each on modernized Warrior infantry fighting vehicles), a tank regiment (about 600 people, 56 Challenger II MBTs), a medium reconnaissance regiment (about 500 people on promising Scout infantry fighting vehicles SV) and a mobile motorized infantry regiment (about 700 people on promising FRES UV armored personnel carriers). The division includes separate artillery and engineering regiments, as well as a logistics support regiment. The artillery regiment (769 people) consists of a command and headquarters, a headquarters battery, two batteries of 155-mm M109 howitzers with 6 guns each, and an anti-tank battery (30 Swingfire ATGM launchers). In fact, this unit is only called a regiment. In terms of armament, it is simply an artillery battalion, reinforced by a company of anti-tank weapons, according to old Soviet standards.

True to their name, high-intensity units are designed to "quickly respond to global threats" and conduct "high-intensity" combat operations. The total number of this component is approximately 55 thousand soldiers, sergeants and officers.

Royal Irish Regiment in Iraq

The adaptive units include seven infantry brigades stationed throughout the UK. In the future, these brigades are also expected to be brought to a “standard form” consisting of: 2 - 4 infantry battalions on light armored vehicles and MRAP-type vehicles, as well as several (up to 3) “light cavalry” or armored reconnaissance squadrons on light wheeled armored vehicles. But this point raises great doubts in view of the specifics of the organization and traditions of the British army.

The adaptive units will include the Territorial Army and reservists. It is expected that as a result of the reforms, some of the regular military personnel will be fired and replaced by reservists, whose number is expected to increase to 30 thousand people. True, it is not yet clear how London intends to resolve the issue with employers who are not too ready to let employees serve in the Army Reserve, since the period of absence of an employee from the workplace can reach one year. Again, there is a problem with the quality of reservists. According to reviews from the UK Ministry of Defense, at the moment only 1 out of 19 reservists is able to serve in army conditions. The military expresses hope that by 2020 - 2025 London will be able to achieve a level “at least like in the US National Guard,” where every tenth reservist is capable of serving in the army. But whether this can be achieved is a big question.

British reservists

The task of adaptive units is to conduct counterinsurgency and soft power operations.

The future status of the Joint Helicopter Command is not entirely clear. Formally, it includes the above-mentioned 16th Air Assault Brigade, the Troop Support Helicopter Command (two regiments of AH-64 Apache attack helicopters) and helicopter units abroad. Organizationally, the UWC is part of the Ground Forces, but the 16th Airborne Brigade belongs to the Reaction Division, and the remaining units are part of the Adaptiv Division.

Also not mentioned in the documents is the 17th Gurkha Brigade (formerly the 17th Gurkha Infantry Division), consisting of a training company and five infantry battalions, a signal regiment and a motor vehicle regiment. It is only known that after the transfer of Hong Kong to China, the Gurkha brigade stationed there was transferred to Great Britain. Its number was reduced to 2.5 thousand people. Of the five battalions, two remained; the supply units were also severely cut. But where the brigade was deployed next is currently unknown. It is logical to assume its use as part of adaptive parts.

Her Majesty's Gurkhas with the British Expeditionary Force in Afghanistan, Gilnd Province

Ensuring the combat operations of both components will be carried out by the Unified Command of Support and Logistics Support (Forse Troop And Logistics Support), which is subordinate to up to eight different brigades: artillery, reconnaissance, engineering, medical, communications (two) and logistics support (also two).

No less mysterious is the further fate of individual British artillery regiments. At the moment, there are 10 of them, with different composition, different weapons and different numbers. It is assumed that they will be consolidated into a new artillery brigade and subordinated to Forse Troop And Logistics Support. But for now, we can more or less confidently talk about the preservation in the future of only three artillery regiments, transferred to new unified states: three batteries of six 155-mm AS-90 self-propelled guns, one M270 MLRS MLRS battery and two platoons of Exactor Mk2 missile systems. It is expected that such a structure will provide the ability to solve fire missions at ranges of up to 300 km. Starting from 45 km and further, targets are hit by MLRS with conventional and special long-range missiles, and up to 25 - 30 km, they are covered by cannon artillery and Exactor missile systems.

British Army Palace Cavalry

A separate difficulty of the British army is its traditions.

Saving master John Osborne became the hero of the day in Great Britain.
Photo by Reuters

The British armed forces are facing drastic cuts. This was announced by Prime Minister David Cameron. He presented the White Paper on the defense issue to parliament, emphasizing that this is not only about saving costs on the army, but also its “new alignment.”

Yesterday, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne tabled a draft budget in the House of Commons that would involve deep spending cuts across all departments. At the same time, the budget of the military department, amounting to 37 billion pounds sterling, is intended to be reduced by 8% over the next four years. Compared to other expenditure items, which are being cut by even 40% in some ministries, this is a gentle approach. But the scale of the planned cuts and their political implications are impressive.

It is noteworthy that London is fixing its position in the defense field on the eve of the November NATO summit, which should approve the alliance's strategy for the next decade. Announced cuts in virtually all branches of the British armed forces have already caused concern in Washington. According to the German Spiegel, the United States expressed doubts that, due to its austerity plans, Great Britain “will remain militarily capable.” Prime Minister Cameron and Foreign Office head William Hague tried to reassure their main ally.

London's decision to withdraw the British Army of the Rhine from Germany has a special political significance. It will happen not by 2035, as previously expected, but faster. It has now been decided that the 20,000-strong contingent will be halved in 2015, and the remaining half will return to the British Isles by 2020.

More than 65 years have passed since the war in Europe; the Cold War has been gone for 20 years. As the British Prime Minister noted, there is now “no need to keep expensive troops in Germany.” Thus, following Russia, the second of the four victorious powers will liberate German soil from its military presence. In the new European situation, this is a natural development. Sooner or later it will raise the question of basing US troops and headquarters in Germany. The Germans, however, would initially like to remove American nuclear weapons overseas.

According to the plans announced in London, the total number of the royal armed forces will decrease by 42 thousand people (25 thousand of them are civilian personnel, and the rest are soldiers). The ground forces will suffer the least - by 7 thousand soldiers and officers. But their tank and artillery fleet will be reduced by 40%. In addition to the 80 Harrier vertical take-off aircraft being withdrawn from service without replacement, the Royal Air Force will have to abandon the Nimrod reconnaissance aircraft. It is planned to close a number of air bases, the Air Force personnel will be reduced by 5 thousand military personnel. Significant changes are ahead for the British Navy. He loses 24 warships.

The British Prime Minister found the courage to admit that the country in the foreseeable future will not be able to afford an expeditionary force of more than 30 thousand people. This means that Britain will no longer be able to cope with operations like the Iraq War, which, at least initially, involved a third more British troops.

Britain is not alone in its desire to improve its finances and economy, in particular by cutting defense spending in combination with reform of the armed forces. Germany, for example, is doing the same thing.

And uninvolved in the Spanish campaign, in the Army of the Rhine under the command of Marshal Nicolas Davout. On April 1, 1809, the army was disbanded, and its units joined the newly formed German Army.

• 1st Infantry Division (Divisional General Charles Morand)
• 2nd Infantry Division (Divisional General Louis Friant)
• 3rd Infantry Division (Divisional General Etienne Gudin)
• 4th Infantry Division (Divisional General Louis Saint-Hilaire)
• reserve infantry division (divisional general Nicolas Oudinot)
• 1st Heavy Cavalry Division (Divisional General Etienne Nansouty)
• 2nd Heavy Cavalry Division (Divisional General Raymond Saint-Sulpice)
• 3rd Heavy Cavalry Division (Divisional General Jean-Louis d'Espagne)
• 1st Light Horse Brigade (Brigadier General Jean-Charles Beaupré)
• 2nd Light Horse Brigade (Brigadier General Claude Pajol)
• administration of the Hanseatic cities (Marshal Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte)
• Danzig Directorate (Divisional General Jean Rapp)

Second Empire

Famous representatives

• General Louis Baraguay d'Hilliers
• General Adam Philippe Custine
• General Victor Claude Alexandre Fannot de Lagorie
• General Francois-Joseph d'Offenstein
• Utopian socialist Francois Marie Charles Fourier
• General François-Oscar de Negrier

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Literature

• Clerget, C. Tableaux des armées françaises pendant les guerres de la Révolution. - Librairie militaire, 1905.

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