British Warfare: Changes in Organising the Army

British Warfare: Changes in Organising the Army

1. McNeil-Tulloch Report 1855 (Crimean War 1854-56)

   • Causes
     • Organisational structure still the same as 1815
     • Looked at the conditions of the common soldier
     • Supply Problems
     • Sympathetic Public
   • Findings
     • Poor troop health due to lack of fresh food
     • Most casualties as a result of disease
     • Not receiving full daily ration
     • Supplies although at the destination were slow to be distributed to the troops
     • Poor Communication between Officers and Command
     • Main improvement recommended was the improvement of organisation and supply
   • Impact
     • Army became responsible for ancillary services
     • Shifted control of the army mainly relied on the government to play a central role
     • Professional reform of the Commissariat
     • Official status of poor conditions couldn't be ignored
       • Caused a scandal among the public and the politicians

2. Cardwell Reforms 1868-74

   • Causes
     • Crimean War revealed the weaknesses of the British Army
     • Expansion of the Empire meant a larger Army and Navy was needed
     • Prussian Army began to modernise causing pressure
     • Recruitment was a concern, not many young men were willing to join the army
     • Promotion system still relied mainly on status and wealth rather than promotion on merit
   • Reforms
     • Flogging banned and Branding abolished
     • Purchasing of Commissions was abolished
     • Changed the terms and conditions of joining the army: Serve 6yrs regulars and 6yrs reserves
     • Regiments would be linked to a geographical area
   • Impact
     • Advantages of wealth still prominent
     • Recruitment issue was solved as the economy began to decline
     • Conditions such as low pay not resolved

3. Haldane's Army Reforms 1905-12 (2nd Boer War 1899-1902)

   • Causes
     • In 2nd Boer War had been outclassed by a group of irregulars mostly farmers
     • British Army shown to be cumbersome and inefficient
     • Supply networks inefficient
     • Equipment substandard
     • Soldiers in poor physical condition
   • Reforms
     • Expeditionary and Territorial Forces
       • Expeditionary fully professional force used for deployment overseas
       • Territorial part-time volunteer used for home defence
     • Officer Training Corps
       • Cadet groups to teach skills needed to become an army officer
     • Imperial General Staff
       • Oversee all strategic matters in the Empire. Meant all local units would be reorganised
   • Impact
     • 1914: Social Composition not changed significantly
     • Army improved professionally. developed tactical skills and new organisational framework
     • Army remained small in size