Originally posted by WABs_OOE
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The British had an immediate replacement with the British Indian Army. However, the difference between conscript and professional soldiers is six months. In six months time, the conscript would have been battle hardened to the point where while not equal to the professional soldier, he would have been more the proficent to give the professional a real fight and other capabilities would have to be brought to bear to decide an action.
In this case, by the time the Colonies, the Dominions, and British India could send replacement armies, the CP would have negated any training advantage through sheer battle experience.
In this case, by the time the Colonies, the Dominions, and British India could send replacement armies, the CP would have negated any training advantage through sheer battle experience.
The British army reserve which was mobilised immediately in August 1914, in addition to the 247,500 currently-serving troops of the regular army, there were two forms of reserves for men below commissioned rank. The Army Reserve was 145,350 strong and the Special Reserve had another 64,000 men.
Also, Indian Expeditionary Force A which consisted of two cavalry and two infantry divisions (nothing to do with British Indian army) arrived in France in September 1914, only six weeks after the declaration of war, they were moved to the Ypres Salient and took part in the Battle of La Bassée in October 1914. But the poor souls were not accustomed to the continental weather and were poorly equipped to resist the cold. After various problems all Indian Infantry units were withdrawn to Mesopotamia in October 1915. Leaving only cavalry units held in reserve waiting for a break through in the line. They (Infantry) were actually replaced by Kitcheners Pals Army (conscripts) from Britain
Channel the enemy into kill zones. The application of overwhelming firepower always trump superior manpower
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