British Troops Leaving Germany

Jimbuna · 03-05-13, 01:37 PM

All British troops will have left Germany by the end of the decade...it is a shame it is because of further defence cuts.

Thanks to the German people who afforded friendship and hospitality to our people whilst we've been there

Quote:

Four Army bases are to close as part of a shake-up to accommodate thousands of troops returning from Germany.
Claro Barracks in North Yorkshire, Howe in Kent, Craigiehall in Edinburgh and Cawdor in Pembrokeshire will be shut.
Parts of Edinburgh's Redford barracks, Forthside in Stirling and Copthorne in Shropshire will also close.
Returning forces will be stationed around seven sites, including Salisbury Plain, Edinburgh and Leuchars, Catterick and Colchester.
The other sites are Aldershot, Stafford and the East Midlands.
There has been a British army presence in Germany for nearly 70 years.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said the return of troops from Germany marked the end of an era, and thanked the German government and people for their "material and moral" support.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21665240

Betonov · 03-05-13, 01:40 PM

Considering it all, I hope they never have a reason to return.
Unless the come as tourists

Catfish · 03-05-13, 01:59 PM

At least wer will not be occupied by british troops then, anymore

(Though there are enough others like the US)

But seriously, apart from simple economic reasons there is a lot of friendship and friendly competition between the british troops and german people, this is really sad

Jimbuna · 03-05-13, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Betonov

Considering it all, I hope they never have a reason to return.
Unless the come as tourists

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catfish

At least wer will not be occupied by british troops then, anymore

(Though there are enough others like the US)

But seriously, apart from simple economic reasons there is a lot of friendship and friendly competition between the british troops and german people, this is really sad

Rgr that

Oberon · 03-05-13, 02:18 PM

Thanks for having us, Germany.

August · 03-05-13, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catfish

At least wer will not be occupied by british troops then, anymore

(Though there are enough others like the US)

We're leaving as well. They've already announced plans to pull out 2 of the 4 brigades still stationed there and it won't be long before the rest go too.

Schroeder · 03-05-13, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

Thanks for having us, Germany.

Easy to say 70 years after you had invited yourselves.

But it's sad indeed and if it was just to get some NATO forces closer together.

Jimbuna · 03-05-13, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schroeder

Easy to say 70 years after you had invited yourselves.

But it's sad indeed and if it was just to get some NATO forces closer together.

I believe the NATO ideal of mutual protection is as strong as ever but the British decision is based largely on financial constraints.

Schroeder · 03-05-13, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

I believe the NATO ideal of mutual protection is as strong as ever but the British decision is based largely on financial constraints.

Yes, I know. We closed some bases in the States and Canada as well because of that, so it's not a purely British phenomenon.

Jimbuna · 03-05-13, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schroeder

Yes, I know. We closed some bases in the States and Canada as well because of that, so it's not a purelyBritish phenomenon.

Wait a minute!!....When did Germany invade the US and Canada!!

Sailor Steve · 03-05-13, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Wait a minute!!....When did Germany invade the US and Canada!!

They didn't. We invited them in. They've been protecting us from Mexico for as long as I can remember.

Herr-Berbunch · 03-05-13, 02:43 PM

I was only ever there on a few exercises, but I enjoyed the hospitality I received from the Germans and the Dutch over the border. Thank you.

From a forces perspective, it is a shame, but in reality I'm surprised it hadn't happened sooner, in the decade following the wall's downfall.

I just hope that the facilities that are there get used by either the German military or the local populous, and not destroyed a la Wildenrath.

Synthfg · 03-05-13, 02:43 PM

It's more than just economics tho
The NATO / Russian boarder has moved several hundred miles to the east and there is no longer the need to watch for the big red bear

The threats of the 21st century require smaller better equipped rapid deployable forces and the UK can better manage these from home

Not saying moving the troops back to the UK won't have economic benefits, but it's not just an economic move

Catfish · 03-05-13, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Wait a minute!!....When did Germany invade the US and Canada!!

^ Were you never aware about all those Volkswagens and BMWs in your streets ?

August · 03-05-13, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catfish

^ Were you never aware about all those Volkswagens and BMWs in your streets ?

Dig that crazy camo scheme!

03-05-13, 02:43 PM	#12
Herr-Berbunch Kaiser Bill's batman Join Date: May 2010 Location: AN72 Posts: 13,203 Downloads: 76 Uploads: 0	I was only ever there on a few exercises, but I enjoyed the hospitality I received from the Germans and the Dutch over the border. Thank you. From a forces perspective, it is a shame, but in reality I'm surprised it hadn't happened sooner, in the decade following the wall's downfall. I just hope that the facilities that are there get used by either the German military or the local populous, and not destroyed a la Wildenrath. __________________

03-05-13, 01:40 PM	#2
Betonov Navy Seal Join Date: May 2009 Location: Slovenia Posts: 8,647 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	Considering it all, I hope they never have a reason to return. Unless the come as tourists

03-05-13, 01:59 PM	#3
Catfish Dipped Squirrel Operative Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: ..where the ocean meets the sky Posts: 17,799 Downloads: 38 Uploads: 0	At least wer will not be occupied by british troops then, anymore (Though there are enough others like the US) But seriously, apart from simple economic reasons there is a lot of friendship and friendly competition between the british troops and german people, this is really sad

03-05-13, 02:18 PM	#5
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Thanks for having us, Germany.

03-05-13, 02:43 PM	#13
Synthfg Sparky Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 154 Downloads: 64 Uploads: 0	It's more than just economics tho The NATO / Russian boarder has moved several hundred miles to the east and there is no longer the need to watch for the big red bear The threats of the 21st century require smaller better equipped rapid deployable forces and the UK can better manage these from home Not saying moving the troops back to the UK won't have economic benefits, but it's not just an economic move