"1983-85 British What If Deployment" Topic
9 Posts
All members in good standing are free to post here. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the posters, and have not been cleared with nor are they endorsed by The Miniatures Page.
Please remember not to make new product announcements on the forum. Our advertisers pay for the privilege of making such announcements.
For more information, see the TMP FAQ.
Back to the Modern What-If Message Board Back to the Cold War (1946-1989) Message Board
Areas of InterestModern
Featured Hobby News Article
Featured Link
Featured Ruleset
Featured Showcase ArticleA walk down memory lane - do you remember the Tank Trap?
Featured Profile Article
|
PVT641 | 29 Jul 2016 10:15 a.m. PST |
I need some help from my British cousin Cold War compatriots for suggestions. My Micro Armor forces are being built around the idea of the US starting it's War on Terror after the Beirut bombing in 1983. Part of the campaign would be operations in Iran with British support. My question is what might Britain have deployed for ground forces to such a campaign. I assume that nothing is transferred from Europe. |
Tgunner | 29 Jul 2016 11:22 a.m. PST |
Don't forget to factor in the Soviets. 1983 was a different world than 2001. Anything the US could do had to take into account a possible Soviet reaction. Invading Iran would have been an action that the Soviets wouldn't have taken lightly. Check out Harold Coyle's Sword Point for an example. In that case it was the US reacting violently to a Soviet invasion of Iran. I would imagine a similar reaction to a US invasion. |
Rapier Miniatures | 29 Jul 2016 11:31 a.m. PST |
Errrr nothing from Europe, technically nothing available in that period, the immediate spares were tied up with increased deployments to the Falklands and other places. On a more practical note, a Division at most, most likely a Brigade of lorried Infantry (in UK they were lorried, the armoured tracked carriers were in Germany etc), so 3 bttns Infantry, add in an Armoured Battalion, probably 3 battalions from rapid response (1 Commando and 2 Parachute batts). More troops would become available as territorials were called up to release regulars. |
Tgunner | 30 Jul 2016 7:50 a.m. PST |
Didn't the Parachute Regiment still field 1,2,and 3 Battalions? |
foxweasel | 30 Jul 2016 7:54 a.m. PST |
It did (does, SFSG is really 1 Para with a few add ons) but one was always in Ireland or committed to something else. |
Navy Fower Wun Seven | 02 Aug 2016 5:31 p.m. PST |
Yes Paras and Marines committed to NATO ACE Mobile Force – typically Royal Machines to the Northern Flank – Norway, and Paras to the Southern Flank, Turkey and Greece or points south – if you could make this a NATO operation to safeguard the Southern flank then by all means factor in 5 Airborne Brigade… |
PVT641 | 04 Aug 2016 6:31 a.m. PST |
Thanks for the info guys, Exactly what I was looking for. |
CAG 19 | 04 Aug 2016 10:58 a.m. PST |
UK Para battalion wasn't assigned to the AMF(L) southern deployment and in the time frame wasn't in role as para trained (based in Bulford). It's place in AFSOUTH being taken by US Airborne Bn. Also the Ge FJ were allowed to go south in place of the Canadian battalion (the BW weren't permitted, as combat troops, to enter Norway at this time but the wire company and UH-1 support flights were) I spent 1986 – 1988 going back and forwards between the Northern and Southern flanks and have memories of the Krakas coming down the road in Turkey as we redeployed to counter a sudden breakthrough on the Eastern side of the country. 3 Cdo Bde weren't part of ACE Mobile and were independent but ear marked to go to AFNORTH as the UK/NL Landing Force (with a Dutch battalion attached). Whether 5 Abn could be released from its rear security role in times of general war and could go and get a tan is up for discussion. Other option as well could be the UKMF ear marked for AFNORTH/Schleswig Holstein could go (Saxon just about being fielded at the end and a Cheiftan regiment) but again depends on the European situation |
PVT641 | 05 Aug 2016 10:37 a.m. PST |
|
|