The British are returning to being an off-shore balancer in Europe. Which requires a British Army of the Vistula standing alongside allies to be a true "bleeding ulcer" afflicting continental enemies. Otherwise, the Russians will simply call the police to deal with the lions led by donkeys.
Britain no longer has an army that can decisively influence land warfare in Europe:
In 1914 Lord Kitchener, then secretary of state for war, speaking of the cabinet’s decision to go to war in Europe, thundered, “Did they remember, when they went headlong into a war like this, that they were without an army, and without any preparation to equip one?”
Small numbers would be nothing more than a “speed-bump” against a large attack, as the British Expeditionary Force was in 1914 and again in 1940. Poor preparation, small numbers and limited equipment meant their deployment was more an indication of Britain’s support, rather than real capability to fight a long war against a peer enemy.
Britain is again in this position. Years of spending cuts have removed the ability of British forces to prosecute a war against a peer adversary for an extended time. The number of troops has fallen from 100,000 full-time trained personnel in 2000, to approximately 70,000 today.
The British are pretty much back to their position in 1864 when Germany dismissed their ability to affect Germany's aggression against Denmark:
The Danes resisted, largely because of a mistaken hope of English help, which Bismarck reportedly assessed with the comment, "If Lord Palmerston sends the British army to Germany, I shall have the police arrest them."
The British military is well aware that it inflicts more of an annoying bunion than a bleeding ulcer on the continent, and isn't eager to be sent to the Eastern Front.
The British not so long ago had an army able to have an impact on the continent:
During the Cold War, when we used to spend around 6% of GDP on Defence, the Army had four deployable Divisions, that exercised as a Corps within NATO.
Keep in mind that in 1914 Britain sent six divisions. In 1940 their army on the continent reached 13 divisions. Britain can only dream of such inadequate contributions now.
The problem today is that Britain was shifting their military focus away from the continent. Putin has changed that. It will take time to reverse course and build the British Army of the Vistula.
UPDATE: Wait. What?
UK to order third aircraft carrier due to Russia threat[.]
Because of Russia, Britain wants a third aircraft carrier? I didn't think the Royal Navy had enough escorts for more than one! So much for a British Army of the Vistula.
UPDATE: Mere seconds later, I remembered today is April 1st. Well played.
Damn me for posting before I read to the end, where it claimed the ship "will be capable of deploying an estimated infinity-hundred aircraft[.]"
Again. Well played.
UPDATE: If I'd looked more closely at the photo caption or the byline, I surely would have been deprived of the full joy of the article.
NOTE: TDR Winter War of 2022 coverage continues here.
NOTE: You may also like to read my posts on Substack, at The Dignified Rant: Evolved. Go ahead and subscribe to it.
NOTE: Photo from the Wavell Room article.
