changes in organising the military Flashcards
when were there military reforms, and what were they called
Duke of York’s reforms 1793-94,
McNeil-Tulloch Report 1855,
Military reforms 1856-68,
Cardwell’s army reforms 1868-74,
Haldane’s reforms 1905-1912,
army in 1914
how did organisation of Navy change between 1790 and 1854
French war period, By 1815 most powerful in world since Battle of Trafalgar 1805, after role was changed to police trade, protect British commerce, banning slave trade.
Size of navy was reduced due to congress of Vienna. only 13 battleships by 1817 also 90% of commissioned officers on half pay
Gunboat diplomacy (using navy as threat while discussions took place)
movement to Steam power, Sir James Graham oversaw first operational steamships (HMS Medea and HMS gladiator) not implemented till 1950s.
Crimean War— screw propeller developed and didn’t interfere with broadside allowing more guns and a faster speed e.g. HMS Duke of Wellington, 1853 carried 131 guns and speed of 10 knots
Sir Grahams reforms 1832 (First Lord of the admiralty) introduced improved administration, less nepotism, bribery and corruption, all crew required to be skilled gunner’s (setting up school) HMS victory developed to do such, system of automatic promotions ended, 2 years minimum amount of service introduced to replace, Civilian run naval office and victualling board abolished, all access of supply under navy
How did organisation of Navy change 1854-1914
good performance at Crimean war continued domination
change from sail and wood to steam and steel, to carry steam engines ad fit more guns due to new 110 pound cannons first ship HMS warrior 1860 (costly and warships could be obsolete on completion)
1889 two power standard introduced due to French, Russian and US, Germany increasing size of navy this meant that Britain had to have combined strength of next two greatest naval powers. 1898 Germany pass law to double size of fleet threating British trade and security
Fisher reforms, Admiral Fisher become first sea Lord 1904-09, Britain no longer self sufficient in food new role was to prevent blockades and keep country supplied
set up Selbourne scheme, all naval officers trained in common later specialising, when reach higher rank all eligible to command ships and opportunity to be promoted to admiral. less meritocratic and less class bound navy, created navy volunteer reserve
Fisher also sold ships as govt wanted to cut spending, and advocated production of submarines 25x cheaper than battleships and potential to increase security, first built 1902
responsible for first destroyers in late 1890s, reformed officer training as both engineers and commanding officers were trained together until 22
The Naval race, development of new class HMS dreadnought in 1906, weighed 20,000 tonnes fully loaded, 12 inch guns, fire up to 18,000 yards, fastest ship 21.6 knots and made every other warship obsolete
development of dreadnought caused arms race, 1908 Germany developed 9 by 1914 Germany had 17 and Britain had 29
what was the first military reform
Duke of York’s reforms 1793-94, poor performance of army in 1973-4 e.g. clothing terrible, soldiers stole off dead French soldiers, officers had to buy own equipment and feed themselves, occasionally hungry
meant need for reform, ended worst excesses of purchase system, established military college to improve professionalism and created light infantry regiment
what was the second military reform
McNeil-Tulloch Report 1855, Crimean war caused public and parliament interest, Sir John McNeil and colonel alexander Tulloch went to Crimea to review. their report was highly critical of army’s high command and officers in charge of commissariat. examples of findings many causalities due to disease, lack of fresh food, camp kettles were not replaced, 40% of horses died to malnutrition, communication poor, short in medicine. (just recommendation many weren’t implemented)
Commissariat was reformed and made more professional. examples of improved army supply, organisation, fed troops meat and vegetables, govt took control of reforms no monarch or generals improvement in medicine but more due to Florence and times journalist)
what was the third (minor) army reform
Military reforms 1856-68, major programme of barrack construction launched after 1856 but little done to enhance service life as soldiers remained poorly paid and military discipline remained harsh e.g. flogging was not abolished till 1881
what was the fourth army reform
Cardwell’s army reforms 1868-74, Crimean war highlighted inefficiency of army against Germany, Cardwell undertook reforms such as short term enlistments so Infantry only had to serve 6 years than join reserve, purchase of commissions system abolished 1971, two regular battalions ( one which served abroad the other at home) , two militia battalions and a quota of reserves introduced. secured greater funding 1870 parliament gave an extra £2 million to get 20,000. branding was abolished,
failures of Cardwell reforms, army lost more men than gained due to short term enlistment, abolishment of purchase system didn’t abolish social composition of army, constant need for men overseas put strain on home battalion. pay was still low.
what was the 5th army reform
Haldane’s reforms 1905-1912, Boer war promoted change where govt looked into planning, recruitment and organisation. by 1905 Germany seen as enemy so new reforms undertook, budget decided size of army, two-line army created an expeditionary force of 150,000 men and a territorial force made of volunteers and militia and former men who had served in the army to support expeditionary force launched in 1907 by 1913 had over 200,000 men. national office training corps introduced combining cadet groups. created imperial general staff to oversee strategic matter in empire e.g. Canadian scouts did what they wanted.
Gave army purpose, but still seen as a poor career option and better paid jobs were in industry but value of reforms shown as efficient mobilisation of British expeditionary force in early months of WW1.
what was the 6th army reform
army in 1914, new reforms Haig sought to improve readiness by holding large scale manoeuvres, general Wilson formulated mobilisation plans (railway timetables and shipping arraignments)
by 1914 improved professionalism but army commanders underestimated use of machine gun and still believed cavalry charge would win battles, Britain had smallest amount of divisions ready for European war just 6
how was military formed in the 17th century
organised by the government and paid for via taxation. traditionally 3 fighting arms and support services, infantry, cavalry and artillery with support from engineers, medical support and commissariat
what were the navy reforms throughout the peroid
French, congress of Vienna, gun boat diplomacy
between French and Crimean, Sir Graham reforms
Crimean change from sail and wood to steam and steel
Boer- two power standard
WW1 fisher reforms and creation of dreadnought, naval race
