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{{British Army}}
The '''British Army''' is the [[Army|land armed forces]] of the [[United Kingdom]]. It numbers 99,400 fully trained and professional regulars (as of April 2004).
The '''British Army''' is the [[Army|land armed forces]] branch of the [[British military]]. In contrast to the [[Royal Navy]] and the [[Royal Air Force]], the British Army does not include ''royal'' in its title, because of its roots as a collection of disparate units. The British Army has taken part in campaigns throughout the world, and has a long and distinguished history in warfare. Today the Army is one of the most technologically advanced land forces in the world, and is deployed in many of the world's war zones as part of a fighting force, and in [[United Nations]] peacekeeping forces.


In contrast to the [[Royal Navy]] and the [[Royal Air Force]], the British Army does not include ''Royal'' in its title, because of its roots as a collection of disparate units. It is under the command of the [[British monarch]], as [[Commander-in-Chief]] of the [[UK Armed Forces]].


==History==
==History==
''See main article, [[History of the British Army]]''
===Foundation===
Prior to the [[English Civil War]] in XX, there was no standing army in [[England]] or [[Scotland]]. Troops were raised by the [[British monarch|King]] when required, a development of the feudal concept of [[fief]] (in which a lord was obligated to raise a certain quota of [[knights]], men at arms and [[yeomanry]]) under greater control of the King). After the Civil War, parliament assumed control of the Army, and standing companies based on [[Oliver Cromwell|Cromwell]]'s [[New Model Army]] formed the concept of the first [[regiment]]s. The [[English Restoration|Restoration]] of [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] saw the Model Army kept as a standing force, and the King raised further regiments loyal to the Crown. On January 26th, [[1661]] Charles II issued the warrant that officially founded the British Army.


===The Founding of the Army===
===Bill of Rights===
This period in British history saw the Union of England and Scotland into [[Kingdom of Great Britain]]. In an effort to control the powers of the monarch, Parliament passed the [[English Bill of Rights|Bill of Rights 1689]] to prevent a standing army in peacetime without the consent of Parliament. To this day, annual continuation notices are required for the British Army to remain legal. However, now the Army was under the control of Parliament, and the last King to lead his troops into battle was [[George II of Great Britain|King George II]] at XX.
The British Army did not exist as a single, distinct entity before the [[Act of Union 1707|Act of Union]] of [[1707]] which united [[England]] and [[Scotland]], but its origins date back to the aftermath of the [[English Civil War]]. Before the Civil War, England had no standing army - units were raised as required by the King, who would warrant gentlemen to raise companies. This was a development of the feudal concept of [[fief]] (in which a lord was obligated to raise a certain quota of [[knights]], men at arms and [[yeomanry]]) under overall control of the King - raising companies without a warrant could be considered treasonable, whereas feudal lords could raise their fief to fight each other.


===British Empire===
After the Civil War, parliament assumed control of the Army, and standing companies based on [[Oliver Cromwell|Cromwell]]'s [[New Model Army]] formed the concept of the first [[regiment]]s. Cromwell's companies did not yet assume the unique names that came later to be associated with British Army Regiments, instead they would name their companies after psalms or biblical phrases, or were often identified with the gentleman (typically with the [[Military rank|rank]] of [[Colonel]]) who had raised the company, eg ''[[George Monck|Monck]]'s Regiment of Foot''. (now known as the [[Coldstream Guards]].)
From around [[1692]] until [[1914]], the United Kingdom was the dominant military and economic power in the world. The [[British Empire]] expanded in this time to include colonies throughout the Americas, [[Africa]], [[Asia]] and [[Australasia]]. Although the [[Royal Navy]] is widely regarded as being vital for the rise of Empire, and British dominance in the world, the British Army played an important role in colonisation. Firstly British Army troops provided garrisons for the colonies, protecting them against foreign powers, and hostile natives. Troops also helped capture strategically important territories for the British, allowing the British Empire to expand throughout the globe.


The British Army fought American colonists in the [[American Revolutionary War]]; the Chinese in the [[First Opium War|First]] and [[Second Opium War]]s; the Boers in the [[Boer War]]; and uprising in [[India]] (the [[Indian Mutiny]]).
With the [[English Restoration|Restoration]] of [[Charles II of England|Charles II]] the concept of standing regiments found favour with the King. As well as retaining some existing loyal standing units, he raised his own, one of the first being the ''First or Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards'', today shortened to the [[Grenadier Guards]]. On January 26th, [[1661]] Charles II issued the warrant that officially founded the British Army.


===European Wars===
The oldest surviving regiment in the British Army is the [[Honourable Artillery Company]] (given a royal charter in [[1537]]), now a [[Territorial Army]] unit. It is not considered the most senior, however, because it fought for the Parliamentarian cause in the Civil War and doesn't have unbroken service to the crown. This honour instead goes to the [[Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers]], also now a Territorial Army unit, which was founded in [[1539]]. The oldest surviving ''regular'' unit is the [[Royal Scots]], founded in [[1633]].
Despite its increasingly global commitments, Britain's backdoor was still unstable, and many wars on the European continent were fought with various opponents. As well as foreign powers, Britain was still not politically stable at home, with uprisings to support the [[House of Stuart|Stuart monarchy]] deposed in XX. The [[Jacobite Rebellions]] ended at the [[Battle of Culloden]], the last land battle on British soil.


On the continent, British foreign policy was to contain aggression by its competitor powers such as [[France]] and [[Spain]]. The territorial ambitions of the French led to the [[War of the Spanish Succession]] and the [[Napoleonic Wars]]. Russian territorial aggression led to the [[Crimean War]].
The [[British monarchy|Monarch]] is the formal head of the Armed Forces and is the only person who can declare [[war]] and [[peace]], though these powers are exercised today only on the advice of responsible [[Cabinet_of_the_United_Kingdom|Ministers]]. The [[English Bill of Rights|Bill of Rights]] of [[1689]] prevents a standing army in peacetime without the consent of Parliament.


===World Wars===
:''That the raising or keeping a standing army within the kingdom in time of peace, unless it be with consent of Parliament, is against law''.
By [[1914]], the United Kingdom was no longer the world's dominant military or economic power, as [[Germany]] and the [[United States of America]] were now stronger economically, and were funding larger military expenditure. The UK was now allied with France and Russia, and when war broke out in [[1914]], the British Army sent an [[British Expeditionary Force
|Expeditionary Force]] to France and Belgium to prevent Germany from occupying these countries. The War would be the most devastating in British military history, with over XX killed. Major battles included the [[Battle of the Somme]]. Advances in technology saw the advent of the [[tank]] and [[aircraft]] which were to be deceive in future battles. Trench warfare dominated the war, and the use of chemical and poison gases added to the devastation,


In 1939, [[World War II]] broke out with the German invasion of [[Poland]]. British assurances to the Polish led the British Empire to declare war on Germany, allied with France. Again an Expeditiory Force was sent to France, only to be hastily evacuated as the German swept across France and the Low Countries in [[1940]]. Only the [[Battle of Dunkirk|Dunkirk evacuations]] saved the entire Expeditory Force from capture. Later, however, the British would have success, defeating the Italians and Germans at the [[First Battle of El Alamein
No such prohibition applies to the [[Royal Navy]]. [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliamentary]] consent is currently given by the Army and Royal Air Force Acts of 1955 and annual Continuation Orders passed by Parliament.
|Battle of El Alamein]] in [[North Africa]], and the [[Battle of Normandy||D-Day invasions of Normandy]]. In the Far East, the British Army battled the [[Japan|Japanese]] in [[Burma]]. World War II saw the British army develop Commando units


===1945-1990===
===The Army in the 18th and 19th centuries===
[[image:Troops_Falklands.jpg|thumb|250px|British Army in the Falkland Islands during the 1982 war.]]
* [[Jacobite Rebellions]]
After the end of the World War II, the British Empire declined with the independence of [[India]], and other colonies in Africa and Asia. Accordingly the strength of the British military was reduced, in reorganisation of Britain's reduced role in world affairs. However, a large deployment of British troops remained in Germany, facing the threat of [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] invasion. The [[Cold War]] saw massive technological advances in warfare, and the Army saw more technological advanced weapons systems installed.
** [[Battle of Preston (1715)]]
** [[Battle of Culloden]]
* [[War of the Spanish Succession]],([[Battle of Blenheim|Blenheim]])
** [[Queen Anne's War]]
* [[War of Jenkins' Ear]]
* [[War of the Austrian Succession]]
* [[Seven Years' War]]
* [[Fourth Anglo-Dutch War]]
* [[American Revolution]]
**[[American Revolutionary War]]
* [[Napoleonic Wars]],(including [[Peninsular War ]], [[Battle of Waterloo]]),
* [[Anglo-American War]]
* [[Crimean War]]


Despite the decline of the British Empire, the Army was still deployed around the world, fighting in the [[Korean War]], the [[Suex crisis]] of [[1956]], and colonial wars in Oman and Malaysia. In [[1982]] the British Army, alongside the [[Royal Marines]] helped to recapture the [[Falkland Islands]] during the [[Falklands War]] against [[Argentina]].
Numerous colonial wars including:
* [[First Opium War]] and [[Second Opium War]]
* [[The Great Game]]
** [[First Anglo-Afghan War]], [[Second Anglo-Afghan War]], [[Third Anglo-Afghan War]]
* Sudan campaigns
** [[Charles_George_Gordon#Africa|Siege of Khartoum]] by the forces of the self-proclaimed [[mahdi]], [[Mahommed Ahmed]].
** '''Anglo-Egyptian Nile Expeditionary Force''' and the [[Battle of Omdurman]]
* [[Zulu War]]
* [[First Boer War]] and [[Second Boer War]]


From the 1960s, the British Army has been deployed in large numbers in [[Northern Ireland]], to quell civil unrest among the population, and to prevent terrorist attacks. The [[Bloody Sunday]] incident has made the Army a target for [[Irish Republican Army|IRA]] terrorists.
===The Army and the First World War===
[[Image:Vickers machine gun crew.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Vickers machine gun and crew]]


===1990-present===
:''See [[World War I]].''
The ending of the [[Cold War]] saw a 40% cut in manpower, significantly reducing the size of the Army. Despite this, the Army was been deployed in an increasingly global role. In [[1991]], the United Kingdom was the second largest contributor to the coalition force that fought [[Iraq]] in the [[Gulf War]]. Later the Army would see service in the former [[Republic of Yugoslavia]] in the [[Bosnia War]] and the [[Kosovo War]]. In [[2003]], the United Kingdom was the only other major contributor to the United States led [[2003 invasion of Iraq|invasion of Iraq]].


The Army has also been deployed in many peacekeeping operations, such as in [[Sierra Leone]] and in the [[war against terrorism]]. The [[Special Air Service|SAS]] unit of the British Army is specifically trained for anti-terror operations, and fought in [[Afghanistan]] in [[2001]]. A battalion of SAS troops is always present in the UK mainland to respond to terrorist attacks.
The [[British Expeditionary Force]] (BEF), organized by [[Richard Burdon Haldane]], was sent to France at the beginning of World War I. Bloodied by [[trench warfare]], the BEF was replaced by [[Kitchener]]'s army of volunteers and then expanded by conscription. The [[tank]] was developed during the war leading to the formation of the [[Royal Tank Regiment|Tank Corps]]. The [[Royal Flying Corps]], parent to the RAF, was formed under the Army on the Western Front. In the Near East the Army fought with more British Empire troops.


====Major Actions====
==The Army today==
[[Battle of Mons]], [[Battle of the Somme]], [[Battle of Ypres|Ypres]], [[Battle of the Marne|Marne]], Gallipoli, Palestine.


====Equipment and Uniform====
===Statistics===
The standard rifle in this period was the Short Magazine [[Lee-Enfield]] Rifle (SMLE). Officers and some other ranks were equipped with a [[Webley Mk IV|Webley]] revolvers. Support for the infantry came in machine guns such as the [[Lewis gun|Lewis]] and [[Vickers machine gun|Vickers]]. It was during this period that the [[Brodie helmet]] was introduced, giving one of the classic visual attributes of the British [[Tommy Atkins|"Tommy"]].


{| border=1 style="border-collapse: collapse;"
===The Army and the Second World War===
| bgcolor="#ff2222 align="center" colspan="2" | '''British Army statistics'''
''See [[British military history of World War II]] and [[British Commandos]]''
|-
| Personnel (Regular Army)
| 112,700
|-
| Personnel ([[Territorial Army]])
| 40,000+
|-
| [[Main Battle Tank]]s
| 386 [[Challenger 2]]
|-
| [[Infantry fighting vehicle]]s
| 575 [[Warrior Tracked Armoured Vehicle|Warrior]]
|-
| [[Armoured Personnel Carrier]]s
| 4,000+
|-
|[[Artillery]]
| 400
|-
|[[Aircraft]]
| 290


|-
====Major Actions====
|}
[[Battle of France]], [[Battle of Dunkirk]], [[North African Campaign]], [[Allied invasion of Italy|Italian Campaign]], [[Operation Overlord]], [[Operation Market Garden]], [[Battle of the Bulge|Ardennes Offensive]], [[South-East Asian Theatre of World War II|South-East Asian Theatre]]


====Equipment and Uniform====
===Current Deployments===
{| border=1 style="border-collapse: collapse;"
The standard rifle in this period was the [[Lee-Enfield]] Rifle in its No.4 Mk1 form, although equipment shortages after [[Battle of Dunkirk|Dunkirk]] meant many older forms of the Lee-Enfield were brought back into use. Other infantry weapons included the [[Bren|Bren gun]], [[Thompson submachine gun]], [[Sten gun]] and [[Vickers machine gun]]. The [[Brodie helmet]] continued to be standard issue. Battledress consisted of a khaki-coloured woollen tunic and trousers.
|- bgcolor=cccccc
!Country!!Dates!!Deployment!!Details
|-
| [[Belize]] || [[1981]]- || British Army Training and Support Unit Belize
||British troops have been based in [[Belize]] since the country gained independence from the UK in [[1981]]. Until [[1994]] Belize’s neighbour, [[XX]] claimed the territory, and British troops were based in Belize to provide a deterrent force
|-
| [[Bosnia]] || [[1995]]- || 3,000 troops || British troops were based in Bosnia to provide peacekeeping role under UN Security Council resolutions.
|-
| [[Brunei]] || [[1962]] - || . Infantry battalion and helicopter flight ||Centre of the Army's jungle warfare school.
|-
| [[Canada]] || c[[1700]]- || Training centre|| Training centre in the [[Alberta]] prairie. Regular exercises every year.
|-
| [[Cyprus]] || [[1960]]- || Two resident infantry battalions, [[Royal Engineers]], 16 Flight Army Air Corps and Joint Service Signals Unit at [[Ayios Nikolaos]]||The UK retains two [[Sovereign Base Areas]] in Cyprus after the island's independence. The bases serve as forward bases for deployment in the Middle East.
|-
| [[Falkland Islands]] || [[1982]]- ||, an infantry company group and a Engineers Squadron || Constant occupation since [[1833]], except brief period in [[1982]] when [[Argentina]] invaded. Previously a small battalion of [[Royal Marines]] served as garrison. After 1982 the garrison was strengthened by increased Army troops.
|-
| [[Germany]] || [[1945]]- || 25,000 troops, 300 Challenger tanks ||British forces remained in Germany after the end of [[World War II]]. Forces declined considerably after the end of the Cold War, although the lack of accommodation in the UK means forces will continue to be based in Germany.
|-
| [[Kenya]] || || Training centre|| The Army has a training centre in Kenya, under agreement with the Kenyan government. It provides training facilities for three infantry battalions per year
|-
| [[Kosovo]] || [[1999]] || 3,500 troops|| After the [[Kosovo War]] in 1999, the British Army led the NATO deployment in Kosovo to restore peace to the province. Since then, the UK has withdrawn some forces, as other nations provided troops..
|-
| [[Middle East]] || [[1990]] || >20,000 troops ||Since the [[Gulf War]] in 1991, the UK has had a considerable military presence in the Middle East. Current deployments include the 20,000 troops in [[Iraq]] where the British control the southern section of the country around [[Basara]], as well as support staff in [[Saudi Arabia]] and [[Kuwait]]. The British also regularly train in [[Oman]].
|-
| [[Sierra Leone]] || [[1999]] || around 100|| The British Army were deployed to Sierra Leone, a former British colony, in 1999 to aid the government in quelling violent uprisings by militiamen, under [[United Nations]] resolutions. Troops remain in the region to provide military support and training to the Sierra Leone government.
|}


===Cold War===
===Formation and structure===
'' See main article: Structure of the British Army]]''
In the aftermath of [[WWII]], the Army concentrated most of its combat firepower in Germany. For the first time in its history, it maintained the bulk of its forces in continental [[Europe]] in peacetime, after they ceased being an army of occupation. The [[British Army of the Rhine]] (BAOR) was formed to control British formations in [[West Germany]]. It varied in size during its lifetime, but for a good proportion of the time, it consisted of four divisions, with about 55,000 men in total. Another unusual feature of the formation was that it had a British [[corps]] headquarters permanently established in peacetime as a manoeuvre formation. This was [[British I Corps|I Corps]]. Usually in peacetime there are not enough British formations in one place to merit this level of headquarters being established.
The structure of the British Army is complex, due to the
different [[British Army|origins]] of its various constituent parts.
In terms of the nature of its servicemen, it is divided into the '''Regular Army''' (full-time professional soldiers) and the '''[[Territorial Army]]''' (part-time paid soldiers). In terms of its military structure it is divided into [[corps]] (administrative groupings by common function), and [[division (military)|divisions]] and [[brigade]]s (large [[formation]]s, somewhat fluid in nature).


The [[regiment]] is in some respects the most important unit of the British
The BAOR lasted until [[1993]], when it was disbanded as part of the [[Options for Change]] defence cuts. The Army has not completely pulled out of Germany. [[British 1st Armoured Division|1st Armoured Division]] is still based in the country as part of [[British Forces Germany]].
Army. It is the largest "permanent" tactical unit in most corps, although it is only an administrative and ceremonial grouping of [[battalion]]s in the [[infantry]]. Typically, a regiment or battalion consists of around 700 soldiers and is commanded by a [[Lieutenant Colonel]]. Many infantry regiments today consist of only one regular battalion, although many also contain another Territorial Army battalion.


A typical battalion or regiment follows a structure similar to the
====Major Actions====
following:
*[[Malayan Emergency]], [[Korean War]], [[Aden]], [[Suez Crisis]], [[Indonesian Confrontation]]


* [[Company (military unit)|Company]] (or [[Squadron]]) of about 100 soldiers, commanded by a [[Major]].
====Equipment and Uniform====
* [[Platoon]] (or [[Troop]]) of about 30 soldiers, commanded by a [[Lieutenant]]
The standard rifle in this period was initially the Lee-Enfield family of rifles, but these were replaced in the 1950s with the L1A1 [[FN FAL|Self Loading Rifle]] (SLR)
* [[Section (military unit)|Section]] of about 8 soldiers, commanded by a [[Corporal]]


Sections can be subdivided into two fire teams for tactical purposes.
===Modern British Army===


===Recruitment===
Since [[1962]], when the last period of [[conscription]] ([[National Service]])
ended, the army has been a wholly professional force of volunteers. About one quarter of the Army is provided by the part-time members of the [[British Army/Territorial Army|Territorial Army]].


The Army mainly recruits within the United Kingdom, and normally has a recruitment target of around 25,000 soldiers per year. Low unemployment in Britain has resulted in the Army having difficulty in meeting its target, and in the early years of the 21st century there has been a marked increase in the number of recruits from other (mostly [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]]) countries, who as of mid-2004 comprised approximately 7.5% of the Army's total strength. In July 2004 there were 5,620 foreign soldiers from 42 countries in the Army (not counting over 3,000 [[Nepal]]ese [[Gurkha]]s). After Nepal, the nation with most citizens in the British Army is [[Fiji]], with 1,895, followed by [[Jamaica]] with 960; soldiers also come from more prosperous countries such as [[Australia]] and [[South Africa]].
====Major Actions & Deployments====


==Oath of Allegiance==
*'''Northern Ireland'''


The British Army has been serving in [[Northern Ireland]] in the 'military aid to the civil authorities' capacity for over thirty years. Their presence has been controversial among many on both sides of the Irish border. In particular, allegations of collusion with [[unionist]] terrorists have been common, although these were more often levelled at the home regiment, the [[Ulster_Defence_Regiment|UDR]], now the [[Royal_Irish_Regiment|RIR]]. Since the [[Irish_Republican_Army|IRA]] ceasefire, the army presence in the region has been intentionally reduced both to ease remaining tensions and to relieve personnel for duties elsewhere. The demilitarisation of Northern Ireland is part of the [[Good Friday Agreement]].

*'''[[Falklands War]]'''

*'''[[Gulf War]]'''

*'''Sierra Leone'''
After initial combat operations to quell anti-government militia activity, the army has remained to train, equip and support government forces. During combat with the militia, several soldiers and officers were kidnapped and held by the West Side Boys in a stronghold surrounded by dense jungle and swamps. The Parachute Regiment and the SAS mounted a rescue mission via boat and helicopter. One member of HM forces died. However, the action was executed with textbook precision and all hostages were released.

*'''[[Bosnian War]]'''

*'''[[Kosovo War]]'''

*'''Afghanistan'''
British forces were part of the spearhead group that initiated actions in [[Afghanistan]] that was implemented in response to the [[September 11, 2001 attacks|9/11]] terrorist attacks in [[2001]]. In the aftermath of the invasion British forces remain in the capital [[Kabul]] as a protection force for the new government as part of a [[NATO]] multi-national force. Smaller groups also operate in Northern territories to work with tribal leaders in an attempt to end violence and drug trafficking. <!-- A Brigade of Gurkha Rifles currently fulfill this role ?-->

*'''2003 Iraq War''' [[2003 invasion of Iraq|Invasion]] and [[2003 occupation of Iraq|Occupation]].

The British Army is also based in a variety of locations, in varying degrees of strength.

*In [[Belize]], [[Central America]] the British provides a small administrative force as part of [[British Army Training Support Unit Belize]] (BATSUB), to support the 6 annual exercises that take place in Belize. A flight from the [[Army Air Corps]] is based there to provide helicopter support for exercising units.

*In [[Brunei]], the British provide a [[Brigade of Gurkhas|Gurkha]] battalion, supported by a small garrison unit and a [[Bell 212]] flight from the Army Air Corps.

*In [[Canada]] the [[British Army Training Unit Suffield]] (BATUS) is based in [[Alberta]]. A small permanent staff is based as part of BATUS. The vast and uninhabited BATUS provides large-scale armoured and mechanised training for 6 regiments annually, exercises lasting for approximately 6-weeks.

*In [[Cyprus]] a considerable British force is based there, located in the [[Sovereign Base Areas]] and as part of the [[United Nations|UN]] peacekeeping force.

*In the [[Falkland Islands]], since the [[Falklands War]], the British Army has maintained a garrison force there.

*In [[Germany]], the garrison force there represents the largest overseas contingent of the British Army, with roughly about 25,000 soldiers stationed there and a considerable amount of equipment based there.

*In [[Gibraltar]], the garrison force is provided by an indigenous regiment, the [[Royal Gibraltar Regiment]] which is on the Army regular establishment.

*In [[Kenya]] a small permanent administrative unit, the [[British Army Training and Liaison Staff Kenya]] (BATLSK), is stationed there to provide support for the three battalions that annually deploy there for exercises that last for 6-weeks.

====Equipment and Uniform====

''See [[Modern equipment and uniform of the British Army]]''

==Structure and Personnel==
===Ranks===
The various ranks, in descending order, are as follows (note that certain rank titles in the British Army are usually hyphenated):

====Officers====
*[[Field Marshal]] - this rank is no longer in general use, although it is still available for use in certain circumstances.
*[[General]]
*[[Lieutenant General|Lieutenant-General]]
*[[Major General|Major-General]]
*[[Brigadier]]
*[[Colonel]]
*[[Lieutenant Colonel|Lieutenant-Colonel]]
*[[Major]]
*[[Captain]]
*[[Lieutenant]]
*[[Second Lieutenant]]

====Soldiers====
*[[Warrant Officer|Warrant Officer Class 1]]
*[[Warrant Officer|Warrant Officer Class 2]]
*[[Staff Sergeant]]
*[[Sergeant]]
*[[Corporal]] or [[Bombardier (rank)|Bombardier]]
*[[Lance Corporal|Lance-Corporal]] or [[Lance Bombardier|Lance-Bombardier]]
*[[Private (rank)|Private]] - Note that many regiments and corps have distinctive (and descriptive) names for this rank, such as Trooper (Tpr), Rifleman (Rfn), Sapper (Spr), Signaller (Sig) and Craftsman (Cfn). The different classes of private function mainly as pay grades, and have little other significance.

===Structure of the British Army===
See [[Structure of the British Army]].

===Recruitment===
The Army only recruits within the United Kingdom, and normally has a recruitment target of around 25,000 soldiers per year. Low unemployment in Britain has resulted in the Army having difficulty in meeting its target, and in the early years of the 21st century there has been a marked increase in the number of recruits from other (mostly [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]]) countries, who as of mid-2004 comprised approximately 7.5% of the Army's total strength. In July 2004 there were 5,620 foreign soldiers from 42 countries in the Army (not counting over 3,000 [[Nepal]]ese [[Gurkha]]s). After Nepal, the nation with most citizens in the British Army is [[Fiji]], with 1,895, followed by [[Jamaica]] with 960; soldiers also come from more prosperous countries such as [[Australia]] and [[South Africa]].

===Oath of Allegiance===
All soldiers must take the Oath of Allegiance on joining the Army. Those who believe in God use the following words:
All soldiers must take the Oath of Allegiance on joining the Army. Those who believe in God use the following words:


Line 166: Line 130:


Others replace the words "swear by Almighty God" with "solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm".
Others replace the words "swear by Almighty God" with "solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm".

==See also==

* [[List of senior officers of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
* [[British military history]]
* [[British military history of World War II]]
* [[British military rank insignia]]
* [[Comparative military ranks]]
* [[Comparative military ranks of World War I]]
* [[Comparative military ranks of World War II]]
* [[List of British Army Regiments (1881)]]
* [[List of British Army Regiments (1962)]]
* [[List of British Army Regiments (1994)]]
* [[List of Regiments of Foot]]
* [[List of nicknames of British Army regiments]]
* [[Military Aid to the Civil Power]]
* [[Military Aid to the Civil Community]]
* [[Military unit]]
* [[UK topics]]
* [[The Royal British Legion]]

===Units===

* [[British 7th Armoured Division|7th Armoured Division]]
* [[11th Hussars]]
* [[Artists' Rifles]]
* [[Coldstream Guards]]
* [[British Commandos|The Commandos]]
* [[Grenadier Guards]]
* [[Honourable Artillery Company]]
* [[King's German Legion]] ([[1803]] - [[1816]])
* [[Kings Royal Rifle Corps]] (formerly The Duke of York's Own Rifle Corps and the 60th Royal American Regiment)
* [[The Black Watch]]
* [[Long Range Desert Group]] Forerunners of the SAS
* [[Royal Welch Fusiliers]]
* [[Scots Greys]]
* [[Special Air Service]] famous for their work in the anti-terrorist role
* [[The Parachute Regiment]] The 'Red Berets'

Land units of the British Armed Forces which are ''not''
part of the British Army include;

* [[Royal Marines]]
* [[Special Boat Service]]
* [[RAF Regiment]]

===Members of the British Army===

* [[Henry Shrapnel]] - Inventor of [[shrapnel]]
* [[Robert Baden-Powell]] - Boer War hero & founder of the [[Scouting]] movement
* [[B.H. Liddell Hart]] - [[WWI]] officer and military strategist
* [[Simon Fraser, 15th Lord Lovat]] - [[WWII]] British Army Commando
* [[Claude Auchinleck]] - WWII General
* [[Bernard Montgomery|Field Marshal Montgomery]] - WWII Allied commander
*[[Adrian Carton De Wiart]] Famous hero in WWI and WWII
* [[Spike Milligan]] - WWII, Various posts.


==External links==
==External links==
Line 227: Line 135:
* [http://www.1914-1918.net/ '''The British Army in the Great War''']
* [http://www.1914-1918.net/ '''The British Army in the Great War''']
* [http://www.arrse.co.uk/ The Army Rumour Service - an unoffical site for news, gossip and discussion.]
* [http://www.arrse.co.uk/ The Army Rumour Service - an unoffical site for news, gossip and discussion.]
{{British Military}}



[[Category:British Army| ]]
[[Category:British Army| ]]

Revision as of 21:00, 22 March 2005

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The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British military. In contrast to the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, the British Army does not include royal in its title, because of its roots as a collection of disparate units. The British Army has taken part in campaigns throughout the world, and has a long and distinguished history in warfare. Today the Army is one of the most technologically advanced land forces in the world, and is deployed in many of the world's war zones as part of a fighting force, and in United Nations peacekeeping forces.


History

See main article, History of the British Army

Foundation

Prior to the English Civil War in XX, there was no standing army in England or Scotland. Troops were raised by the King when required, a development of the feudal concept of fief (in which a lord was obligated to raise a certain quota of knights, men at arms and yeomanry) under greater control of the King). After the Civil War, parliament assumed control of the Army, and standing companies based on Cromwell's New Model Army formed the concept of the first regiments. The Restoration of Charles II saw the Model Army kept as a standing force, and the King raised further regiments loyal to the Crown. On January 26th, 1661 Charles II issued the warrant that officially founded the British Army.

Bill of Rights

This period in British history saw the Union of England and Scotland into Kingdom of Great Britain. In an effort to control the powers of the monarch, Parliament passed the Bill of Rights 1689 to prevent a standing army in peacetime without the consent of Parliament. To this day, annual continuation notices are required for the British Army to remain legal. However, now the Army was under the control of Parliament, and the last King to lead his troops into battle was King George II at XX.

British Empire

From around 1692 until 1914, the United Kingdom was the dominant military and economic power in the world. The British Empire expanded in this time to include colonies throughout the Americas, Africa, Asia and Australasia. Although the Royal Navy is widely regarded as being vital for the rise of Empire, and British dominance in the world, the British Army played an important role in colonisation. Firstly British Army troops provided garrisons for the colonies, protecting them against foreign powers, and hostile natives. Troops also helped capture strategically important territories for the British, allowing the British Empire to expand throughout the globe.

The British Army fought American colonists in the American Revolutionary War; the Chinese in the First and Second Opium Wars; the Boers in the Boer War; and uprising in India (the Indian Mutiny).

European Wars

Despite its increasingly global commitments, Britain's backdoor was still unstable, and many wars on the European continent were fought with various opponents. As well as foreign powers, Britain was still not politically stable at home, with uprisings to support the Stuart monarchy deposed in XX. The Jacobite Rebellions ended at the Battle of Culloden, the last land battle on British soil.

On the continent, British foreign policy was to contain aggression by its competitor powers such as France and Spain. The territorial ambitions of the French led to the War of the Spanish Succession and the Napoleonic Wars. Russian territorial aggression led to the Crimean War.

World Wars

By 1914, the United Kingdom was no longer the world's dominant military or economic power, as Germany and the United States of America were now stronger economically, and were funding larger military expenditure. The UK was now allied with France and Russia, and when war broke out in 1914, the British Army sent an [[British Expeditionary Force |Expeditionary Force]] to France and Belgium to prevent Germany from occupying these countries. The War would be the most devastating in British military history, with over XX killed. Major battles included the Battle of the Somme. Advances in technology saw the advent of the tank and aircraft which were to be deceive in future battles. Trench warfare dominated the war, and the use of chemical and poison gases added to the devastation,

In 1939, World War II broke out with the German invasion of Poland. British assurances to the Polish led the British Empire to declare war on Germany, allied with France. Again an Expeditiory Force was sent to France, only to be hastily evacuated as the German swept across France and the Low Countries in 1940. Only the Dunkirk evacuations saved the entire Expeditory Force from capture. Later, however, the British would have success, defeating the Italians and Germans at the [[First Battle of El Alamein |Battle of El Alamein]] in North Africa, and the |D-Day invasions of Normandy. In the Far East, the British Army battled the Japanese in Burma. World War II saw the British army develop Commando units

1945-1990

File:Troops Falklands.jpg
British Army in the Falkland Islands during the 1982 war.

After the end of the World War II, the British Empire declined with the independence of India, and other colonies in Africa and Asia. Accordingly the strength of the British military was reduced, in reorganisation of Britain's reduced role in world affairs. However, a large deployment of British troops remained in Germany, facing the threat of Soviet invasion. The Cold War saw massive technological advances in warfare, and the Army saw more technological advanced weapons systems installed.

Despite the decline of the British Empire, the Army was still deployed around the world, fighting in the Korean War, the Suex crisis of 1956, and colonial wars in Oman and Malaysia. In 1982 the British Army, alongside the Royal Marines helped to recapture the Falkland Islands during the Falklands War against Argentina.

From the 1960s, the British Army has been deployed in large numbers in Northern Ireland, to quell civil unrest among the population, and to prevent terrorist attacks. The Bloody Sunday incident has made the Army a target for IRA terrorists.

1990-present

The ending of the Cold War saw a 40% cut in manpower, significantly reducing the size of the Army. Despite this, the Army was been deployed in an increasingly global role. In 1991, the United Kingdom was the second largest contributor to the coalition force that fought Iraq in the Gulf War. Later the Army would see service in the former Republic of Yugoslavia in the Bosnia War and the Kosovo War. In 2003, the United Kingdom was the only other major contributor to the United States led invasion of Iraq.

The Army has also been deployed in many peacekeeping operations, such as in Sierra Leone and in the war against terrorism. The SAS unit of the British Army is specifically trained for anti-terror operations, and fought in Afghanistan in 2001. A battalion of SAS troops is always present in the UK mainland to respond to terrorist attacks.

The Army today

Statistics

British Army statistics
Personnel (Regular Army) 112,700
Personnel (Territorial Army) 40,000+
Main Battle Tanks 386 Challenger 2
Infantry fighting vehicles 575 Warrior
Armoured Personnel Carriers 4,000+
Artillery 400
Aircraft 290

Current Deployments

Country Dates Deployment Details
Belize 1981- British Army Training and Support Unit Belize British troops have been based in Belize since the country gained independence from the UK in 1981. Until 1994 Belize’s neighbour, XX claimed the territory, and British troops were based in Belize to provide a deterrent force
Bosnia 1995- 3,000 troops British troops were based in Bosnia to provide peacekeeping role under UN Security Council resolutions.
Brunei 1962 - . Infantry battalion and helicopter flight Centre of the Army's jungle warfare school.
Canada c1700- Training centre Training centre in the Alberta prairie. Regular exercises every year.
Cyprus 1960- Two resident infantry battalions, Royal Engineers, 16 Flight Army Air Corps and Joint Service Signals Unit at Ayios Nikolaos The UK retains two Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus after the island's independence. The bases serve as forward bases for deployment in the Middle East.
Falkland Islands 1982- , an infantry company group and a Engineers Squadron Constant occupation since 1833, except brief period in 1982 when Argentina invaded. Previously a small battalion of Royal Marines served as garrison. After 1982 the garrison was strengthened by increased Army troops.
Germany 1945- 25,000 troops, 300 Challenger tanks British forces remained in Germany after the end of World War II. Forces declined considerably after the end of the Cold War, although the lack of accommodation in the UK means forces will continue to be based in Germany.
Kenya Training centre The Army has a training centre in Kenya, under agreement with the Kenyan government. It provides training facilities for three infantry battalions per year
Kosovo 1999 3,500 troops After the Kosovo War in 1999, the British Army led the NATO deployment in Kosovo to restore peace to the province. Since then, the UK has withdrawn some forces, as other nations provided troops..
Middle East 1990 >20,000 troops Since the Gulf War in 1991, the UK has had a considerable military presence in the Middle East. Current deployments include the 20,000 troops in Iraq where the British control the southern section of the country around Basara, as well as support staff in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The British also regularly train in Oman.
Sierra Leone 1999 around 100 The British Army were deployed to Sierra Leone, a former British colony, in 1999 to aid the government in quelling violent uprisings by militiamen, under United Nations resolutions. Troops remain in the region to provide military support and training to the Sierra Leone government.

Formation and structure

See main article: Structure of the British Army]] The structure of the British Army is complex, due to the different origins of its various constituent parts. In terms of the nature of its servicemen, it is divided into the Regular Army (full-time professional soldiers) and the Territorial Army (part-time paid soldiers). In terms of its military structure it is divided into corps (administrative groupings by common function), and divisions and brigades (large formations, somewhat fluid in nature).

The regiment is in some respects the most important unit of the British Army. It is the largest "permanent" tactical unit in most corps, although it is only an administrative and ceremonial grouping of battalions in the infantry. Typically, a regiment or battalion consists of around 700 soldiers and is commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel. Many infantry regiments today consist of only one regular battalion, although many also contain another Territorial Army battalion.

A typical battalion or regiment follows a structure similar to the following:

Sections can be subdivided into two fire teams for tactical purposes.

Recruitment

The Army mainly recruits within the United Kingdom, and normally has a recruitment target of around 25,000 soldiers per year. Low unemployment in Britain has resulted in the Army having difficulty in meeting its target, and in the early years of the 21st century there has been a marked increase in the number of recruits from other (mostly Commonwealth) countries, who as of mid-2004 comprised approximately 7.5% of the Army's total strength. In July 2004 there were 5,620 foreign soldiers from 42 countries in the Army (not counting over 3,000 Nepalese Gurkhas). After Nepal, the nation with most citizens in the British Army is Fiji, with 1,895, followed by Jamaica with 960; soldiers also come from more prosperous countries such as Australia and South Africa.

Oath of Allegiance

All soldiers must take the Oath of Allegiance on joining the Army. Those who believe in God use the following words:

I swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors and that I will as in duty bound honestly and faithfully defend Her Majesty, her heirs and successors in person, crown and dignity against all enemies and will observe and obey all orders of Her Majesty, her heirs and successors and of the generals and officers set over me. [1]

Others replace the words "swear by Almighty God" with "solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm".

External links

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