Troops out of Germany.

[Fittster]

"UK troops to withdraw from Germany by end of decade under MoD plans
Under proposals accelerated by defence cuts, troops will return to the UK 15 years earlier than first planned

The British bases in Germany still represent the biggest deployment of UK forces overseas. With civilians, families and children, the British contingent in the country stands at more than 43,000."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/nov/10/uk-troops...

Why are they actually there?

Edited by Fittster on Thursday 10th November 12:05

[Hugo a Gogo]

because the bases and houses etc are there, basically
left over from the cold war

[Bluebarge]

1. More room for training with tanks.
2. In case Putin decides to get even more macho than just riding a horse with no shirt on.

[baldy1926]

Is that more macho than the massive spending spree at the moment on their armed forces.
He is old school kgb with a dislike of the west, his 1st move will be cutting fuel/gas pipes etc and take it from there.
We are having another defence review soon and that will be the disbandment of all heavy armour and we will only have heli portable forces.

[tubbystu]

Probably more important than for a while, right now.

The Germans are taking control of Europe through financial controls and governance and could well be reminded of the errors of their previous two attempts to control the European land mass by other more physical means

[rhinochopig]

Why are they there?

Two answers, one official, one real.

Official - NATO commitment.
Real - Nowhere in the UK for the troops, families, and materiel to live.

[tubbystu]

rhinochopig said:

Why are they there?

Two answers, one official, one real.

Official - NATO commitment.
Real - Nowhere in the UK for the troops, families, and materiel to live.

And to train. We only have Salisbury Plain and Brecons really as set aside areas.

[scenario8]

tubbystu said:

rhinochopig said:

Why are they there?

Two answers, one official, one real.

Official - NATO commitment.
Real - Nowhere in the UK for the troops, families, and materiel to live.

And to train. We only have Salisbury Plain and Brecons really as set aside areas.

You may use Croydon at your leisure.

Please.

[Ginetta G15 Girl]

tubbystu said:

We only have Salisbury Plain and Brecons really as set aside areas.

Have Catterick and Otterburn magically disappeared then?

[Hooli]

scenario8 said:

tubbystu said:

rhinochopig said:

Why are they there?

Two answers, one official, one real.

Official - NATO commitment.
Real - Nowhere in the UK for the troops, families, and materiel to live.

And to train. We only have Salisbury Plain and Brecons really as set aside areas.

You may use Croydon at your leisure.

Please.

And Bradford, Leeds, Manchester, Outer London etc etc

[Defcon5]

Do we actually own the land they are using in Germany then?

[scenario8]

Defcon5 said:

Do we actually own the land they are using in Germany then?

We did in 1945.

I'll get my coat.

[Hugo a Gogo]

Defcon5 said:

Do we actually own the land they are using in Germany then?

the Allies took what land, buildings etc they needed after the war

when they leave, they give it back to the local state

[Asterix]

For large scale tank exercises we use BATUS in Canada as well.

[hornet]

scenario8 said:

You may use Croydon at your leisure.

Please.

And Hemel Hempstead.

[Norfolkit]

tubbystu said:

rhinochopig said:

Why are they there?

Two answers, one official, one real.

Official - NATO commitment.
Real - Nowhere in the UK for the troops, families, and materiel to live.

And to train. We only have Salisbury Plain and Brecons really as set aside areas.

and STANTA here in Norfolk

[Zaxxon]

Who is this German? I hope he or she enjoyed the experience.

[Hugo a Gogo]

Norfolkit said:

tubbystu said:

rhinochopig said:

Why are they there?

Two answers, one official, one real.

Official - NATO commitment.
Real - Nowhere in the UK for the troops, families, and materiel to live.

And to train. We only have Salisbury Plain and Brecons really as set aside areas.

and STANTA here in Norfolk

and Warcop in Cumbria

[cardigankid]

A posting to Germany is a good number, pleasant for the armed forces, good for the local community through sales of vehicles, business for bars, restaurants, cathouses etc. Little chance of trouble. Everybody wins.

[Asterix]

I was posted to (West) Germany for 4 years - absolutely loved it.