ARmy Rumour SErvice

Largely a rehash of the story first published by Sam Kiley on Sky News.

Thanks for that H_M, but I didn't see Kiley on Sky News.

Having done a quick search and found nothing on the subject I thought it would be a good idea to put it into the greater arena.

Ho hum

When drawing up "options" you always have a "range" of proposals, to make it look as though the matter has been carefully examined, and all possibilities considered. If some show they will be political suicide, they can be discarded as "just one proposed option". The truth is, the eventual decision will already have been made, regardless of how many "options are on the table".

Originally Posted by nogbad

When drawing up "options" you always have a "range" of proposals, to make it look as though the matter has been carefully examined, and all possibilities considered.

See also the Appreciation/Combat Estimate/Seven Questions where one has to weigh up left & right flanking where the obvious answer (and the actual plan from the beginning) is Bags Of Smoke & Straight Up The Middle

Smoke, eh? Are you some kind of limp-wristed homosexualist?

I expect you'll be issuing ammunition as well, too namby-pamby to close with the French and deliver a taste of cold Sheffield steel.

Bespectacled, non-team-game-playing boffins, with their "estimates" and flanking attacks - damned socialism, I tell you.

Charlie, I think you may have hit on a major bit of defence savings. No more ammunition, just cold steel.

I've posted this before but the 1907 Cavalry Training Manual had it right:

It must be accepted as a principle that the rifle, effective as it is, cannot replace the effect produced by the speed of the horse, the magnetism of the charge and the terror of cold steel.

If we just recruited Gentlemen and stout Yeomen we wouldn't even need procurement as they could reasonably be expected to own a horse & sabre. Now where's my OBE for this cracking plan?

Don't forget to point out that - by taking over the roles of armour - that your plan is 'green' as well, another tick in the box.


On a related subject, I think that a little covering fire might still be needed. Lead's a bit un-friendly, so we'll give the infantry a weapon with re-useable projectiles. They'll be long and thin and made of wood - any fins will also be made from natural materials (feathers maybe?). Now, if only I can come up with some sort of launching device...

We could also just consider the use of longer spears. The HAC's Pikemen might get a bit angsty when they get their call up for Afghanistan, but most of them are old enough to have served there under Roberts...