Post by ∬: Erhard Strumfelder on Dec 24, 2008 13:35:55 GMT
The blunt truth of the matter is that Great Britain was not prepared for a war with any country, let alone with Germany. The British Army was unequipped for the job it would eventually have to fulfil, and it did not have enough men or machines to fight a war. However, both the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy were some of the best in the world for their time. The RAF had well trained pilots and brilliant fighter and bomber aircraft. The Royal Navy followed in its tradition of being the best navy on the seas, and had well trained an equipped crews, even if some of their ships dated from WWI.
The British government believed that a war would never take place between themselves and Germany, and that they could reach a peace agreement with Hitler. This lead to denial, and even in 1939, the British Army was in no state to fight a war. When war did break out, they sent a large force over to France, known as the British Expeditionary Force which would help their Allies. It was believed that the war would resemble WWI, as this was the new ‘Modern Warfare’. However, to their complete surprise it would be the opposite, fast moving and rapid. It took Dunkirk for the British government to realise this.
As the men had fled, many weapons and vehicles had been abandoned. Because of this, a new munitions drive began, and new designs were accepted. No longer would the UK rely on America for weapons and ammunition. They would be self sufficient. With the thread of invasion looming, and the RAF holding off bigger and bigger attacks, there was race to turn Britain into a fortress. New weapons were built and designed, including the Sten and Bren, and everybody was trained to fight and to resist. Paratroops were trained, and Britain prepared itself for war.
The British army was the smallest out of the seven belligerents, and therefore had to be much better trained to cope with the same problems. Britain began to fight back against Germany, and all the time they were growing in experience. Soon, no other soldier was as well trained as a British Tommy.
Because of their small numbers, the British learnt to make small, meaningful strikes against their enemy, rather than the large offensives the Russians and Americans were known for. During the war, the UK launched a raid at St Nazaire, Dieppe and Arnhem, and although none were ultimately successful, the British military had turned itself around in just two years. Even today, British troops are said to be, pound for pound, the best soldiers in the world.
The British government believed that a war would never take place between themselves and Germany, and that they could reach a peace agreement with Hitler. This lead to denial, and even in 1939, the British Army was in no state to fight a war. When war did break out, they sent a large force over to France, known as the British Expeditionary Force which would help their Allies. It was believed that the war would resemble WWI, as this was the new ‘Modern Warfare’. However, to their complete surprise it would be the opposite, fast moving and rapid. It took Dunkirk for the British government to realise this.
As the men had fled, many weapons and vehicles had been abandoned. Because of this, a new munitions drive began, and new designs were accepted. No longer would the UK rely on America for weapons and ammunition. They would be self sufficient. With the thread of invasion looming, and the RAF holding off bigger and bigger attacks, there was race to turn Britain into a fortress. New weapons were built and designed, including the Sten and Bren, and everybody was trained to fight and to resist. Paratroops were trained, and Britain prepared itself for war.
The British army was the smallest out of the seven belligerents, and therefore had to be much better trained to cope with the same problems. Britain began to fight back against Germany, and all the time they were growing in experience. Soon, no other soldier was as well trained as a British Tommy.
Because of their small numbers, the British learnt to make small, meaningful strikes against their enemy, rather than the large offensives the Russians and Americans were known for. During the war, the UK launched a raid at St Nazaire, Dieppe and Arnhem, and although none were ultimately successful, the British military had turned itself around in just two years. Even today, British troops are said to be, pound for pound, the best soldiers in the world.
