British Army: 2300AD

Off World Forces

By Dan Hebditch

Introduction

Currently almost half of the British Army's regular brigades are deployed off-world with most serving on the French Arm against the Kafers under the aegis of the Commonwealth Expeditionary Forces. In effect the entire British Army is focused on this struggle which has received priority over all other considerations. However some are beginning to question the long term viability of this heavy commitment. The pressures of the Kafer War have meant that there are now no large scale permanent UK ground forces in the Chinese or American Arms.

Index

II (Commonwealth) Corps

3rd Armoured Division

4th Armoured Division

7th Armoured Division

1st (Commonwealth) Light Division

6th Assault Brigade Group

4 Commando Brigade Group

6 Commando Brigade Group

3rd Light Brigade Group

Crater Defence Force

II (Commonwealth) Corps

II Corps has held the responsibility for major British expeditionary deployments since its formation, and it was the body responsible for the full liberation and mopping up of Beta Canum-4 with Commonwealth, French and German forces under command. It has now re-organised with 2 armoured divisions (7th British and 11th Commonwealth) and three independent brigades (British, Canadian and New African). It has taken the 'Commonwealth' tag because of its multi-national nature.

Corps Recce Group

The II Corps CRG is a small body which deployed only with its regular formations, leaving behind its volunteers with I Corps CRG.

3rd Light Dragoons (18th Hussars) (3 LD)

1st Battalion, The Royal Greys (1 R GREYS)

2 Strategic Regiment, Royal Electronic Warfare and Security (2 REWS)

Corps Artillery Group

10 Heavy Regiment, Royal Artillery (10 RA)

28 Heavy Regiment, Royal Artillery (28 RA)

12 Air Defence Regiment, Royal Artillery (12 RA)

36 Orbital Defence Regiment, Royal Artillery (36 RA)

1st (Guards) Armoured Brigade Group

1st Royal Tank Regiment (1 RTR)

1st Life Guards (1 LG)

2nd Battalion, The Coldstream Guards (2 COLD GDS)

2nd Battalion, The Scots Guards (2 SG)

101 Bn, Guarde Regiment Fusiliers Prinses Irene (101 NL GDS)

1 Regiment, Army Air Corps (1 AAC)

4 Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery (4 RA)

3 Squadron, 1 Armoured Regiment, Royal Engineers

2700 Armoured Tactical Troop, Royal Electronic Warfare and Security (2700 REWS)

3rd Armoured Division

3 Armd Div is currently a part of IV (Alician) Corps defending the colony world of Beowulf. Its normal role is as the main on-Earth deployment armoured division with II Corps and as such it always received the first issues of modern equipment. Consequently although it didn't see action in the Invasion or Liberation it is one of the most capable divisions available to the CEF. It has recently detached one of its brigades to 7 Armd Div and received the re-building 79 Armd Bde in return.

Divisional Manoeuvre Groups

8th Armoured Brigade

9th/12th Lancers (9/12 L)

5th Battalion, The Light Infantry (5 LI)

2nd Battalion, The Connaught Rangers (2 CR)

8 Regiment, Army Air Corps (8 AAC)

10th Armoured Brigade

4th (Queen's Own) Dragoons (4 D)

1st Battalion, The Royal Scots Fusiliers (1 RSF)

1st Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders (1 GORDONS)

10 Regiment, Army Air Corps (10 AAC)

79th Armoured Brigade

X Squadron, 10th/11th (Prince of Wales' Own) Hussars (X/ 10/11 H)

7th Royal Tank Regiment (7 RTR)

3rd Battalion, The Coldstream Guards (3 COLD GDS)

2nd Battalion, The Royal Welch Fusiliers (2 RWF)

79 Regiment, Army Air Corps (79 AAC)

Divisional Recce Group

14th/20th (King's) Hussars (14/20 H)

4th Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment (4 YORKS)

Divisional Artillery Group

6 Heavy Regiment, Royal Artillery (6 RA)

24 Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery (24 RA)

38 Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery (38 RA)

79 Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery (79 RA)

47 Air Defence Regiment, Royal Artillery (47 RA)

Divisional Command Group

3 Armoured Command Regiment

103 Armoured Tactical Squadron, Royal Electronic Warfare and Security (103 REWS)

3 Armoured Regiment, Royal Engineers (3 ARMD RE)

4th Armoured Division

4 Armd Div comprises the remnant of the 'British Army of Alpha Centauri' and is a component of III (Wellon) Corps on Tirane. Its presence is part of the long term commitment of Britain to Wellon's defence. It is also excellently placed to make use of huge training areas available on Tirane. Consequently it is home to much of Britain's manoeuvre warfare expertise and advanced planning on doctrine. The division has spent much time recently simulating combat against Kafer forces. Historically the division traces its history back to Wellington's Army in the Napoleonic Wars and has served in all three World Wars and the Saudi War. The division is the last in the British Army to be equipped with Cavalier and Rifleman, but is slated to convert in the next year to the Montgomery/Templer.

Divisional Manoeuvre Groups

11th Armoured Brigade

1st (King's) Dragoon Guards (1 DG)

2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (2 RRF)

3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (3 RRF)

11 Regiment, Army Air Corps (11 AAC)

12th Armoured Brigade

2nd (Queen's Own) Dragoon Guards (2 DG)

2nd Battalion, The King's Own Royal Border Regiment (2 KORBR)

2nd Battalion, The Queen's Lancashire Regiment (2 QLR)

12 Regiment, Army Air Corps (12 AAC)

13th Armoured Brigade

10th Royal Tank Regiment (10 RTR)

1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Wales (1 RRW)

2nd Battalion, The Royal Green Jackets (2 RGJ)

13 Regiment, Army Air Corps (13 AAC)

Divisional Recce Group

1st Light Dragoons (13th Royal Hussars) (1 LD)

1st Battalion, The Royal Welch Fusiliers (1 RWF)

Divisional Artillery Group

5 Heavy Regiment, Royal Artillery (5 RA)

21 Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery (21 RA)

35 Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery (35 RA)

43 Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery (43 RA)

52 Air Defence Regiment, Royal Artillery (52 RA)

Divisional Command Group

4 Armoured Command Regiment

104 Armoured Tactical Squadron, Royal Electronic Warfare and Security (104 REWS)

4 Armoured Regiment, Royal Engineers (4 ARMD RE)

7th Armoured Division

Located on Beta Canum-4 7th Armd Div is the newest armoured division in the British Army and was initially composed of the crack independent Armoured Brigades. However since its formation the battered 79 Armd Bde was sent back to Beowulf to refit and rebuild, and was replaced by 9 Armd Bde from 3rd Division. The Division and its sub-units have seen much fighting on Beta Canum, but are in good shape with excellent levels of combat experience. However the division's ad-hoc nature is still noticeable as it lacks properly integrated divisional artillery, recce and logistics groups. This has yet to hamper its combat effectiveness but might prove serious against a more organised Kafer threat.

Divisional Manoeuvre Groups

7th Armoured Brigade Group (The Desert Rats)

B Sqn, 1st Recce Bn, Huzaren Prins van Oranje (B/1 NL RECCE)

2nd (Royal Scots Greys) Dragoons (2 D)

1st Battalion, The Cheshire Regiment (1 CHESHIRE)

3rd Battalion, The Queen's Regiment (3 QUEENS)

7 Regiment, Army Air Corps (7 AAC)

17 Medium Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery (17 RHA)

29 Independent Armoured Squadron, Royal Engineers

2007 Armoured Tactical Troop, Royal Electronic Warfare and Security (2007 REWS)

9th (Guards) Armoured Brigade Group

Y Sqn, 10th/11th (Prince of Wales' Own) Hussars (Y 10/11 H)

3rd (King's Own) Dragoons (3 D)

1st Battalion, The Grenadier Guards (1 GREN GDS)

1st Battalion, The Irish Guards (1 IG)

9 Regiment, Army Air Corps (9 AAC)

11 Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery (11 RA)

8 Squadron, 3 Armoured Regiment, Royal Engineers

2079 Armoured Tactical Troop, Royal Electronic Warfare and Security (2079 REWS)

1st RGL Brigade Group

B Sqn, 1st RGL Hussars (B 1 RGL H)

1st RGL Dragoons 'Kampfgruppe Reinhardt' (1 RGL D)

1st RGL Line 'Kampfgruppe Paterson' (1 RGL L)

3rd RGL Line 'Kampfgruppe Jansen' (3 RGL L)

1st RGL Air Regiment

1st RGL Medium Artillery Regiment

1st RGL Engineer Squadron

2010 Armoured Tactical Troop, Royal Electronic Warfare and Security (2010 REWS)

Divisional Recce Group

1st RGL Hussars (1 RGL H) (-B Sqn)

1st RGL Jaegers (1 RGL J) (detached)

1st RGL Light Company

2nd RGL Light Company

Divisional Command Group

7 Armoured Command Regiment

1st (Commonwealth) Light Division

The Light Div is serving on Beta Canum-4 under V (New African) Corps and is assigned to patrol duties in the jungles of the so-called K-Zone. Originally the Light Div was designed to co-ordinate the British Light Bdes operating in the colonies, it also contained heavy combat assets that could be used to bolster the Light Bdes in an emergency. The Light Div served impressively during the Invasion of Beta Canum but took major casualties in the process. As a result on 2 Light Bde remains from its original complement and it has been reinforced with Gurkha and Wellon brigades.

2nd Light Brigade Group

5 Recce Group 'Salamanca'

1st Battalion, The Royal Green Jackets (1 RGJ)

1st Battalion, The Black Watch (1 BW)

2nd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment (2 YORKS)

51 Light Regiment, Royal Artillery (51 RA)

79 Field Squadron, 29 Regiment, Royal Engineers

1st Gurkha Brigade Group

1 Gurkha Recce Group

1st Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles (1 RGR)

3rd Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles (3RGR)

5th Battalion, The Royal Gurkha Rifles (5 RGR)

48 (Gurkha) Light Regiment, Royal Artillery (48 RA)

1 Field Squadron, Royal Gurkha Engineers

1 (Wellon) Airmobile Brigade

Division Recce Group

3rd Royal Tank Regiment (Commando) (3 RTR(Cdo))

The Tarakiwa Rangers (NZ)

Divisional Support Group

5 Regiment, Army Air Corps (5 AAC)

59 Heavy Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery (59 RHA)

6th Assault Brigade Group

6 Asst Bde before the Invasion was simply a crack Light Brigade manned by paratroopers. However when 6 Cdo Bde was caught up in raiding operations the brigade re-roled to spearhead planetary assaults, and reinforced with specialist formations. It saw service on Kimanjano, Beta Canum and Crater during the Liberation and was heavily engaged. After re-grouping on Beowulf the Bde is again the elite spearhead unit of the British forces, operating from the assault ships Normandy and Arnhem. There is great rivalry between this brigade and 6 Cdo Bde which has built upon the historic and bitter divisions between British paratroopers and marines. The Brigade is stationed on Beowulf.

1 Pathfinder Group 'Arnhem'

7 (Assault) Recce Group

Assault Brigade Storm Troop

2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (2 PARA)

6th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (6 PARA)

7th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (7 PARA)

7 Parachute Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery (7 RHA)

6 Assault Fire Support Group

9 Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers

67 Commando Landing Squadron, Royal Engineers

16 Airborne CS Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps

2 Assault Support Company, Royal Space Corps

6 Parachute Field Ambulance, Army Medical Services

2701 Independent Parachute Tactical Troop, Royal Electronic Warfare and Security (2701 REWS)

4 Commando Brigade Group, RM

4 Cdo Bde of the Royal Marines is a conventionally organised Commando Brigade normally deployed on Earth as part of the 1st Commando Division. Reinforced with a Dutch marine battalion it was deployed up to Beowulf shortly after the fall of Kimanjano and was deployed as part of the defence forces in the Ramadenthine Archipelago alongside the Royal Alician Marines. After the Battle of Beowulf the unit remained in this role until the French Relief of Nous Voila where British participation was requested. The unit deployed successfully in the second wave and as the landings were unopposed saw no action. Instead the brigade has been engaged in humanitarian operations in the aftermath of the genocide, although is sometimes called upon to suppress human marauder bands.

2 Recce Squadron, RM

40 Commando, RM (40 Cdo)

42 Commando, RM (42 Cdo)

45 Commando, RM (45 Cdo)

1st Marine Battalion, Royal Netherlands Marine Corps (1 RNLMC)

401 Assault Squadron, RM

46 Commando Regiment, Royal Artillery (46 RA)

4 Commando Air Group (4 CAG)

60 Independent Commando Squadron, Royal Engineers

2 Commando Logistics Regiment (2 CLR)

6 Commando Brigade, RM

6 Cdo Bde is composed of the lightly equipped 'Red Commandos' who act as the Royal Space Navy's elite ground forces. The brigade's original role as orbital assault specialists was overtaken by events during the Invasion and instead they have specialised in raiding ops from RSN warships in company groups or sometimes even smaller units. As a result the brigade has a very high profile and reputation. 69 Cdo is rebuilding after fierce combat during a series of boarding operations in the Henry's Star system.

62 Commando, RM (62 Cdo)

63 Commando, RM (63 Cdo)

69 Commando, RM (69 Cdo) - detached/reforming

1 Commando, Royal Alician Marines (1 Cdo RAM)

6 Commando Fire Support Group

65 Independent Commando Squadron, Royal Engineers

66 Commando Landing Squadron, Royal Engineers

4 Commando Logistics Regiment (4 CLR)

1 Assault Support Company, Royal Space Corps

3rd Light Brigade Group

3 Light Bde was stationed on Earth during the Invasion, however it has been deployed to New Cornwall on Joi to provide the keystone of that colony's defences. The brigade has been augmented by a recently raised New Cornwall battalion and has been heavily involved in getting it up to active status.

6 Recce Group 'Vittoria'

1st Battalion, The Cameron Highlanders (1 C HLDRS)

3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Wales (3 RRW)

1st Battalion, The Royal Ulster Rifles (1 RUR)

1st Battalion, The Duke of New Cornwall's Light Infantry (1 DNCLI)

41 Light Regiment, Royal Artillery (41 RA)

80 Field Squadron, 29 Regiment, Royal Engineers (29 RE)

The Crater Defence Force

The CDF is currently engaged in a long running low intensity conflict with the Kafer remnants on the colony world of Crater in the Henry's Star system. Only one regular British battalion is on-world, however seconded British personnel are prominent throughout the CDF and its units.

1st Bn, The King's Own Royal Border Regiment (1 KORBR)

1st Bn, The Crater Regiment (1 CRATER)

2nd Bn, The Crater Regiment (2 CRATER)

3rd Bn, The Crater Regiment (3 CRATER)

The Armoured Commando

The Storm Commando