The British Army: The New Contemptibles?
Neglected by politicians, today’s British army bears an alarming resemblance to the force of 1914.
Giving evidence in June this year before the Public Accounts Committee on the plans for ‘Army 2020’, in which 30,000 territorials will replace 20,000 regulars, the Chief of the General Staff, Sir Peter Wall, was asked what contingency plans there were in case enough territorials couldn’t be recruited. He replied that to sustain operations the army might have to recall former regulars to the colours.
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