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Originally Posted by atiff
I am sure Leg can comment better on this but... Australian and NZ armed forces would be involved allies, not subordinates. This is engrained after the experiences of WWII.
Even with my limited knowledge, I would feel 99% confident in saying "regular Aus and NZ forces would not join a shooting war in Europe". (Specialist units like SAS might be different.) Regulars might replace British units in the Far East so that those units can go elsewhere, though.
My 2c,
Andrew
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Absolutely agree.
I seem to remember the subject of troops from Commonwealth countries taking part in the Twilight War under UK command coming up a couple of times before...
With the exception of a handful of British overseas territories, none of whom - with all due respect - have significant military forces, Commonwealth countries are Independent States who would decide for themselves whether to go to War or not. The days of Empire, when the Dominions would send their troops to fight - and die - for the mother country are long, long gone. Australia, New Zealand, etc, would be under no obligation to declare War on anyone just because the UK has.
ANZAC troops backfilling for British troops to allow the British to be deployed elsewhere is a possibility. During the Falklands War the Royal New Zealand Navy deployed a Frigate to the Caribbean to allow the Royal Navy warship usually stationed there to join the Task Force.
Quote:
Originally Posted by James Langham
it's not likely but in Korea they did form part of the Commonwealth Division (which also included Belgians under its command!). The 7th COULD become a Commonwealth Division.
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Wasn't Korea under UN auspices? That might make a difference...
Also, one has to bear in mind that the Canadian and ANZAC regular militaries are, relatively speaking, not that large. For example, Canada, which had its own commitments as a NATO member, had I think (going from memory) somewhere in the region of twelve Regular Infantry Battalions at the end of the Cold War, while I seem to recall a recent discussion about Australian troops in Korea where it was suggested that the most the Australians would be able to send overseas without compromising their own security would be a Brigade Group?