Bring on the cavalry?
St C was relaxing with the Sunday papers this weekend when he read this article in the Times on Sunday.
Here is the extract that caught my eye.
The offensive, which included British, Danish, Estonian and Afghan troops, began in earnest on December 7.
The first clashes included an attack on a village used as a safe haven by the Taliban when Danish Leopard tanks from the Jutland Dragoons led a combined assault with British and Afghan troops.
The speed of the Leopards caught the Taliban by surprise. After firing a final flurry of 107mm rockets, they fled.
Now, the sharp eyed amongst you will have noticed a couple of points.
The first is that the Danish have a superbly named "Jutland Dragoons" Armoured Regiment (well done them!).
Secondly WHY WERE WE NOT USING OUR OWN CHALLENGER TANKS, it was after all our fight?
It would seem that trying to perform in Iraq & Afghanistan is, yet again, too much for little old us!
The politician would say that we are trying to win a hearts & minds campaign here, and that heavy armour is inappropriate. Clearly this is not true, and it is inexcusable to use our brave and loyal allies when we have that capability of our own. Or do we? The Queen's Royal Lancers ( a most excelent Regiment, that good self had the honour of being attached to as an FOO) and the Queen's Dragoon Guards have both recently lost their heavy capability.
St C
1 comments:
St Crispin, the politicians would say that indeed, but as you basically say in your last paragraph - can we put armour on the ground effectively any more in distant theatres?
Our sea and air capability to move heavy kit have been cut off at the legs. I'd love a post from a purely military point of view...how do we turn this around?
In all probability Dr Liam Fox will be Defence Sec within 18 months. What would be your 5/10 bullet points for his immediate atention?
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