All the kings men!

Possibly it would be fair enough to have a full senario laid out -perhaps in the "what if" discussion group.

It is not my intent nor do I think anyone else intends to give your opinion a battering, we are trying to explain to a recently joined and enthusiastic member the background of a highly respected units of the British Army and that despite the apparent superficiality of its public profile (the apparent Tin Soldier thing) it is probably one of the hardest units in the British or possibly any army. -(incidently I am not a member or ex member of the houshold Division).

regards

Steve

 

To be fair the Guards are no different than any other Infantry Regiment in the British Army apart from the fact they do more Drill and parades. As far as fighting ability goes they are all much of a much ness regarding their roll and training doctrine. The only thing that may give them a bit of a edge is their Esprit de corps. But then again so does the old Light Infantry now 'The Rifles' and probably a dozen more that I can't be bothered to go through.

In short they are Infantry that's all.

Cheers

 

And just to make it clear, that isn't their fault

 

Stefan.....It is, you have to be thick to get in which usually means they didn't listen at school :lol:

 

I don't know, I've got two ex-woodentops in my troop. I mean clearly they were intelligent enough to join the cavalry but still, there is some hope

 

Promotion goes sideways as well as up....

This soldier is depriving some village somewhere of its idiot....

I'm sure I saw that crossed out on my evaluation once...must have mistook me for a woodentop

 

I always liked 'this soldier sets low standards which he consistently achieves.'

 

Its when you read
"this man will go far- and I wish he would!"

Drew I mentioned esprit de corps in #8. All Regiments and Batalions in the Army have some form of esprit de corps, Certainly in WW2 Guards units were used to stiffen up the Line as they had been in previous wars this does not deminish any other infantry unit. It also has to be remembered (Stefan) that the Guards had the Guards Armoured Division (Cromwells and Shermans) and The Guards Army Tank Brigade (churchills).

~Steve

 

Maybe so Steve, but they just ain't cav!

Some might say that's a good thing, but that is a matter of opinion.

 

My mistake I guess I mis made my point.

I didnt say that they would run away when things get bad. Many western armies made their doctrine and strategies gearing towards retreat when all is lost. The leaders of the SS were more or less political and the soldiers knew that they might be forced to fight to the last. The SS were mainly volunteers up to this point and they knew what they were getting in to. That type of soldier dosent have a strong fear of Death.

Although to make into the royal guards you would have to have a willingness to die for the King.

So I guess Im not sure even what I meant.

If you guys need me ill be in the corner

 

ere....stefan...I think hes alluding to your sexuality matey...I'd shoot im...

 

Too true Razin, there are enough quotes and stories about how they affected morale when some of their units still marched in order into Dunkirk to make me admire em. And as you say Guards armoured dont need any help in talking for themselves.

They did though used to put other service folk off in my time, when they elluded to themselves being an elite at times. So I also see where Drew is coming from.

But the Coldsteams actions in the rearguard at Dunkirk gives em enough credance to me to ascertain they could be impressive.

 

It doesn't take much research to see that when facing death, quite a few of 'that type of soldier' were just as scared as the rest of us would be. The only difference is that their motivation is political, compare that to the motivation fighting for his home and his family and suddenly you see indoctrination isn't all it is cracked up to be.

I also do not believe any nation as a doctrine 'geared towards retreat when all is lost.' Not wasting lives needlessly maybe, but there are more than enough 'heroic last stands' to suggest that soldiers of free nations don't wet their pants and leg it when the balloon goes up.

 

Completely agree, I too can certainly see where Drew is coming from, certainly the arrogance and elitism are the worst and negative aspects of the forces. and the Guards are worst in that respect. My view is the best without the rest are probably dead, so I don't have an attitude to any arm of service even the QM.

~Steve

 

Sacrilige....That man....get over here...

 

I am aware you're differentiating the Lancers, Royal Hussars and DGs etc from other Armoured Forces, but certain senior members of GATB and GAD that I met were certainly arrogant (or self assured) enough to consider themselves better than anyone else.

~Steve

 

Steve, I guess they just hadn't spotted the difference between 'thinking' themselves the best and 'being' the best.

DISCLAIMER: I am not trying to suggest that TA Cavalry are 'the best,' I'm not totally mental

 

Stefan

I know a good shrink

 

thanka you'll of ya!for you're info on this topic.

excellent,i did not realised the kings men actaully froute against the waffen ss soliders.
the kings men muste have gave it hard back att the waffen ss.

Cheers.

 

Blimey Hedie..shhhh...you'll have the neighbours in ww2 Talk hearing and coming over the fence....Kingsmen....That term actually belongs to another bunch of squaddies...The Kings Regiment...They call themselves kingsmen and proud of it.

There are also the Queens....which will make formerjughead giggle no end..

The British army regiment system would take much too long to explain....your better coming over and just joining up you'll learn on the job. We have plenty of room for female soldiers...Accents dont matter.