Britain almost out of troops.

(British Soldiers above running to sign off and return to civvie street)



The head of the Army has issued a dire warning that Britain has almost run out of troops to defend the country or fight abroad, a secret document obtained by the Daily Telegraph has revealed. Gen Sir Richard Dannatt has told senior commanders that reinforcements for emergencies or for operations in Iraq or Afghanistan are "now almost non-existent".
In the memorandum to fellow defence leaders, the Chief of the General Staff (CGS) confessed that "we now have almost no capability to react to the unexpected". The "undermanned" Army now has all its units committed to either training for war in Iraq and Afghanistan, on leave or on operations.
There is just one battalion of 500 troops, called the Spearhead Lead Element, available to be used in an emergency, such as a major domestic terrorist attack or a rapid deployment overseas.
Gen Dannatt's comments will come as the first serious test of Gordon Brown's policy on defence.
The new Prime Minister has already faced anger over the decision to give Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, the additional part-time role of Scottish Secretary with Tories labelling the move "an insult to our Armed Forces."
Military leaders have privately suggested that a defence review is essential to examine if more money, equipment and troops are needed.
With Britain's military reserve locker virtually empty, further pressure will mount on President George W Bush to review US troop levels in Iraq after fellow Republicans suggesting significant withdrawals.
It also comes at a time when more forces are needed to combat the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Liam Fox, the shadow defence secretary, said the lack of reserves was "an appalling situation and damning indictment" of the way the Government handled the Services.
"They are being asked to carry out tasks for which they are neither funded or equipped for. There is an urgent need to review our strategic approach because we cannot continue over-stretching our Forces."Read It Here

(RG) Wow that’s a shock I would think we should have an enormous Army considering how well servicemen are treated when they return from War, some people are never happy as Lynne Jones Labour MP says "The soldiers seem to want a little empire consisting of their own designated staff and facilities, a fiefdom", how dare they. Us lower classes in the military should just doff our caps (Helmets ) and be grateful. Dannat better watch himself or they will be doing another David Kelly on him.


© Mack (RG) The thoughts of a Falklands War Veteran.