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I hope this is a simple question. Historically, the WW1 peacetime BEF was approximately six infantry divisions and one cavalry division that would be deployed to the continent (France) in the event of war. Presumably the Imperial German Army, in their planning for the invasion of France through Belgium, must have taken into calculation the size, armament and deployment of the BEF and, on balance, considered the benefits outweighed the risk. I understand the BEF was considered to be high quality by the other armies of Europe, so I assume the German's calculation of the BEF threat was determined primarily by its small size.

My question is really twofold: 1) How much larger would the BEF have to be in order for it to be an effective deterrent to German plans to invade Belgium?
2) How realistic would this be for Britain to achieve? Undoubtedly any peace time expansion would come at the expense of the Royal Navy, but would it jeopardise the combat capability of the RN in a serious way? Would it be politically tenable?

Thank you for the consideration.
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