1938 Hitlers ambitions know no bounds....unfortunately for him he is facing a far more confident UK that had managed its affairs more effectively with regard to Ireland, management of the Great Depression, the formation of the RAF, governence of India and coordination of the Empire. The result is that Hitlers gambit does not work, his bluff is called and his demands for the Sudetenland are spurned with great disdain by Chamberlain. Britain mobilises.
UK military- 5 regular divisions -all extensively mechanised using Universal Carriers (not the OTL Carrier but rather something similar to the Canadian Bobcat), 2 regular armoured divisions- again all mechanised, tanks due to the retention of the EMF are more developed along the lines of the Cromwell.
Post Boer War the Corps of Scouts had been established and still exists. The Corps provides company sized formations of highly motivated snipers, scouts and raiders.
During the Great War the RTC had been formed, now in 1938 it comprises 24 regular battalions (3 in Singapore, 3 in India, 3 in Burma, 6 in Egypt and Middle East, 9 in Britain) and 24 TA battalions (all Britain). The Machine Gun Corps also still exists with 5 bns in UK, 1 in Hong Kong, 1 in Singapore, 1 in Burma, 2 in India, 2 in Middle East, also with several squadrons and companies-again 24 TA battalions plus independent sqdns and companies.
All cavalry and Yeomanry regiments have been converted to either Armoured Car regiments, Armoured Recconaissance or to Tank role (31 regular regiments split as 3 armoured recce, 10 armoured car and 18 tank) (Yeomanry units also to artillery and signals roles as OTL)
1930s Britain established the Experimental Airborne Force and as a result has 4 Airborne Brigades (1 Egypt, 1 India, 2 in UK) each with 3 para battalions, a signals sqdn, engineers sqdn, RASC company, RAOC company, Field ambulance, RA A/T battery, RA light battery, RA AA battery, RA Observer Unit, Scout Corps company, MGC company (Vickers MMG's, and heavy mortars) RTC squadron with light tanks (think Alecto vehicles)
The army also has been involved in the development of mountain warfare operations and possesses a single mountain brigade similarly organised to the Airborne Brigades.
12 TA Divisions (1st line) and 12 second line TA divisions, 5 TA armoured brigades.
Other changes- There is now proper coordination and command of artillery taking into account all the lessons learnt in WW1 along with the development and over 10 years operation of armoured divisions. The 25 pounder is in full service complete with a self propelled version. The 5.5" howitzer is also in full service as is the 7.2" Heavy. A 9.2" Super Heavy is also in use. Again fully mechanised variants are either in service or in development.
Anti aircraft artillery is split between indidual units at local level (20mm Oerlirkons), and area (RA and RAF AAAC with Bofors 40mm, 3.7" and 5.25" heavies). RAF AA Command has been in existence since 1932.
Anti Tank artillery- The 6 pounder is the standard anti tank gun-again due to the retention and practical experience of operating an armoured division force. Boys anti tank rifle still exisits.
Small arms- 38 Webley is being slowly replaced by the 9mm self loading Browning Ingliss. the FEN (for Fn ENfield) self loading rifle is slowly entering service with a 10 round magazine although the 30 round magazine of the also recently introduced Bren can also be used (the FEN is the original FN SLR rifle first developed in 1935 and shown to the UK in 1936 that a lot later on led to the famous FN L1A1 SLR). The UK is also using its own 9mm SMG following the needs of the Experimental Airborne Force. The old bolt action Lee Enfield is retained for snipers and reserve use.
Others- 2" mortar, No36 and No69 grenades, No85 WP, No75. British army is wearing more appropriate clothing and new webbing (the 37 pattern looks more like the 44 pattern, the helmet is the No3 rather than the Brodie except for airborne, mountain and raiding forces who have a cropped down lid akin to the OTL Airborne forces Mk2 pattern, armoured forces have a similiar lid but with basic strap, armoured forces also have the pixie suit-remember the Brits are now expert in armoured warfare even down to whats best for crew comfort)
RAF- the RAF was still formed in 1918 BUT despite protestations from some the RN decided to retain control of all maritime air operations thus the RNAS still exists alongside the RAF. The RAF therefore carries out strategic air operations, tactical support to the army and air defence of the UK and territories. There is greater consideration towards higher calibre cannon on fighters (ie Hurricanes with 20mm...), plus due to the formation of the Experimental Airborne Force there is also something akin to the OTL Hastings, Beverley and Valetta flying in this TL. (Beverley design based on the OTL Hamilcar glider, Valetta on the OTL Wellington). The RAF has also gained the ground air defence role from the RA forming the RAF Anti Aircraft Artillery Corps. The RAF has also formed a small infantry/armoured car force for airfield defence-the RAF Regiment although this regiment has also gained the role of field engineering enabling the RAF to repair damaged airfields and also build defences.
RN- The RN as a result of retaining a major element of air operations is more carrier tolerant (see other threads on how this could play out) and also very proactive with coastal MPA. Probably more development of airships and long range amphibious aircraft. The RM have formed Fleet Operations Brigades to provide amphibious infantry raiders, small boat crews and engineering support (port damage repair etc) to the fleet. The RCN, RAN, RIN (etc) have also received their own contingents of RM as RM(C), RM(A), etc.
In terms of Imperial Defence Canada, Australia, NZ and SA raise regular forces in similar numbers to present day rather than the small regular cadres as OTL with backing of far larger militias. Each is responsible for supplying a third of that force for Imperial Service (OK so maybe this requires another POD in the 1870s to be effective...). India orbat is pretty as OTL except with some alterations to individual equipment as for British forces.
The game is afoot.....how will this revitalised and boosted Britain fare? Will there be an Army putsch againt Uncle Adolf? Will there be a confrontation against Uncle Joe to support the plucky Finns? Will Mussolini dare to face the Lion? What does the present UK in this world look like?
UK military- 5 regular divisions -all extensively mechanised using Universal Carriers (not the OTL Carrier but rather something similar to the Canadian Bobcat), 2 regular armoured divisions- again all mechanised, tanks due to the retention of the EMF are more developed along the lines of the Cromwell.
Post Boer War the Corps of Scouts had been established and still exists. The Corps provides company sized formations of highly motivated snipers, scouts and raiders.
During the Great War the RTC had been formed, now in 1938 it comprises 24 regular battalions (3 in Singapore, 3 in India, 3 in Burma, 6 in Egypt and Middle East, 9 in Britain) and 24 TA battalions (all Britain). The Machine Gun Corps also still exists with 5 bns in UK, 1 in Hong Kong, 1 in Singapore, 1 in Burma, 2 in India, 2 in Middle East, also with several squadrons and companies-again 24 TA battalions plus independent sqdns and companies.
All cavalry and Yeomanry regiments have been converted to either Armoured Car regiments, Armoured Recconaissance or to Tank role (31 regular regiments split as 3 armoured recce, 10 armoured car and 18 tank) (Yeomanry units also to artillery and signals roles as OTL)
1930s Britain established the Experimental Airborne Force and as a result has 4 Airborne Brigades (1 Egypt, 1 India, 2 in UK) each with 3 para battalions, a signals sqdn, engineers sqdn, RASC company, RAOC company, Field ambulance, RA A/T battery, RA light battery, RA AA battery, RA Observer Unit, Scout Corps company, MGC company (Vickers MMG's, and heavy mortars) RTC squadron with light tanks (think Alecto vehicles)
The army also has been involved in the development of mountain warfare operations and possesses a single mountain brigade similarly organised to the Airborne Brigades.
12 TA Divisions (1st line) and 12 second line TA divisions, 5 TA armoured brigades.
Other changes- There is now proper coordination and command of artillery taking into account all the lessons learnt in WW1 along with the development and over 10 years operation of armoured divisions. The 25 pounder is in full service complete with a self propelled version. The 5.5" howitzer is also in full service as is the 7.2" Heavy. A 9.2" Super Heavy is also in use. Again fully mechanised variants are either in service or in development.
Anti aircraft artillery is split between indidual units at local level (20mm Oerlirkons), and area (RA and RAF AAAC with Bofors 40mm, 3.7" and 5.25" heavies). RAF AA Command has been in existence since 1932.
Anti Tank artillery- The 6 pounder is the standard anti tank gun-again due to the retention and practical experience of operating an armoured division force. Boys anti tank rifle still exisits.
Small arms- 38 Webley is being slowly replaced by the 9mm self loading Browning Ingliss. the FEN (for Fn ENfield) self loading rifle is slowly entering service with a 10 round magazine although the 30 round magazine of the also recently introduced Bren can also be used (the FEN is the original FN SLR rifle first developed in 1935 and shown to the UK in 1936 that a lot later on led to the famous FN L1A1 SLR). The UK is also using its own 9mm SMG following the needs of the Experimental Airborne Force. The old bolt action Lee Enfield is retained for snipers and reserve use.
Others- 2" mortar, No36 and No69 grenades, No85 WP, No75. British army is wearing more appropriate clothing and new webbing (the 37 pattern looks more like the 44 pattern, the helmet is the No3 rather than the Brodie except for airborne, mountain and raiding forces who have a cropped down lid akin to the OTL Airborne forces Mk2 pattern, armoured forces have a similiar lid but with basic strap, armoured forces also have the pixie suit-remember the Brits are now expert in armoured warfare even down to whats best for crew comfort)
RAF- the RAF was still formed in 1918 BUT despite protestations from some the RN decided to retain control of all maritime air operations thus the RNAS still exists alongside the RAF. The RAF therefore carries out strategic air operations, tactical support to the army and air defence of the UK and territories. There is greater consideration towards higher calibre cannon on fighters (ie Hurricanes with 20mm...), plus due to the formation of the Experimental Airborne Force there is also something akin to the OTL Hastings, Beverley and Valetta flying in this TL. (Beverley design based on the OTL Hamilcar glider, Valetta on the OTL Wellington). The RAF has also gained the ground air defence role from the RA forming the RAF Anti Aircraft Artillery Corps. The RAF has also formed a small infantry/armoured car force for airfield defence-the RAF Regiment although this regiment has also gained the role of field engineering enabling the RAF to repair damaged airfields and also build defences.
RN- The RN as a result of retaining a major element of air operations is more carrier tolerant (see other threads on how this could play out) and also very proactive with coastal MPA. Probably more development of airships and long range amphibious aircraft. The RM have formed Fleet Operations Brigades to provide amphibious infantry raiders, small boat crews and engineering support (port damage repair etc) to the fleet. The RCN, RAN, RIN (etc) have also received their own contingents of RM as RM(C), RM(A), etc.
In terms of Imperial Defence Canada, Australia, NZ and SA raise regular forces in similar numbers to present day rather than the small regular cadres as OTL with backing of far larger militias. Each is responsible for supplying a third of that force for Imperial Service (OK so maybe this requires another POD in the 1870s to be effective...). India orbat is pretty as OTL except with some alterations to individual equipment as for British forces.
The game is afoot.....how will this revitalised and boosted Britain fare? Will there be an Army putsch againt Uncle Adolf? Will there be a confrontation against Uncle Joe to support the plucky Finns? Will Mussolini dare to face the Lion? What does the present UK in this world look like?
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