British Military Question

[Rudey]

What countries is this composed of and how exaclty is it broken up? Is it basically any former member of the empire? I've heard of Scotland being the Blackwatch regiment.

-Rudey

[RACooper]

Umm.. the British Military is made up of units from the United Kingdom and a few old British Empire units, such as the Ghurka Rifles.

Now the Black Watch (Royal Highlander Regiment) is a Scottish infantry regiment one of 6 Scottish infantry regiments (the other is a Guards regiment).

Here's a handy link for the land forces of the British Military and the Commonwealth:
http://regiments.org/default.htm

for a list as of 1995 here's a link:
http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/lists/ba1995.htm

I assume this is related to the deployment of the Black Watch to the area south of Baghdad to relieve US forces?

[dekeguy]

As a follow on to comments regarding the Blackwatch, Royal Highland Regiment (HM's 42nd Regt of Foot) it appears that with the ever shrinking situation of the British Army that regiment is programmed to stand down and be removed from the Order of Battle. This almost happened back in the 1950's but the Highland Division was brought up to strength and the Regiment avoided amalgamation or redundency. This time it appears that they will lay up their colours and cease to be an active unit in the next couple of years. Too bad as this is a fine old regiment with a lot of history and some very impressive battle honours.
Of course, it can lay dormant for a while and be reconsitiuted in the future when needed again.

[RACooper]

Actually it looks like during the re-org. taking place for 2005-08 the Black Watch will survive as an element of the new Highland Regiment (large regiment - think overstrength brigade) with the Black Watch being the 1st Bat. of this new large regiment.

Here's a link to the proposed order of battle for 05-08 as layed out by Hoon in July '04:
http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/lists/ba2005.htm

[dekeguy]

RACooper,
Thganks for the excellent info. Appreciate it!
dekeguy

[RACooper]

Hey no problem the Black Watch (we have one in Canada - Royal Highland Regiment) has always been important to my family as members served in the old regiment as far back as the French-Indian War (an ancestor was wounded at Ticonderoga) and during the American Revolution (or Rebellion depending on who you ask ).

Unfortunately my family's connection to either the Canadian or British regiment hasn't always been as members... during WW2 on great uncle fought against the Canadian Black Watch during the battle of Normandy... as a member of the 12th SS. In all his years he said he could never forget the battle of July 25th, 1944 - nor had he said had he ever seen such bravery in the face of overwhelming odds -

Here are some quotes from that action for the viewpoint of the Germans:
***
We noticed a body of infantry -- about three to four hundred men - advance south. This was most impressive and perplexing. The soldiers were marching upright, holding rifles across their breasts in readiness, as if on parade drill.
***
They did not go for cover but kept on marching upright. To us, soldiers with four or five years of experience in Russia, this was an almost unreal sight.
***
The last picture I remember is ah, a few Canadian soldiers, mostly wounded, trying to get north. You should know we did not fire on retreating men. We had been too deeply impressed, and embarrassed, by this sacrifice and gallantry of a battalion which had no chance against our position, no close air support and meagre artillery. I think the dominating feeling was, let these poor men get home safely.
***


As for why they regiment attacked despite the odds against them, here's what one of the 15 (out of 325) survivors said:
We were Black Watch. we never learned the word retreat. And I didn't want to be branded a coward, I didn't want to bring disgrace on my family, on my regiment
This attitude is still alive and well amongst the current troops as well...

[RACooper]

Well the Black Watch has officially entered their new cantoment.... led by the traditional lone piper advnacing into the face of the enemy at dawn - pretty freaky footage the piper crossing the bridge....

Their official deployment purpose is to cut-off a supply route used by insurgents to re-supply Fallujah - the so called "rat-runs"... unfortunately they have already suffered casualties.

[dekeguy]

Regarding the lone piper...

Did you see an old British film (early 1950s I believe) called "The Guards)? There is a scene where a Scots Guards Platoon Commander has received his orders and is speaking with his NCO. "Colour Sergeant, we are to advance and seize the position at these coordinates, then hold until the main attack goes in and we are releived". "Sir" says the NCO in a very matter of fact manner. "I think this is going to be a bit rough, afterall they are dug in and have automatic weapons and we only have fifteen men and a piper" opines the officer. The NCO replies, somewhat indignantly, "But sir, he is a very good piper"!!!!

Speaks volumes to me.

[Tom Earp]

Picture in the Kansas City Star showed a Piper in Iraq this morning!

Thanks for the info, it is very interesting!