British Army 1990's What might have been...

[Louied]

My thoughts on the Gurkhas:

1) Divisional HQ w/Signal Regt (17th)
2) eight Inf Bns, perhaps a Para Bn but at least a Coy
3) three Bde HQ's & signal sqns (48th in Oman, 63rd & 99th in Hong Kong)
4) two Lt Regts RA
5) four Depot/Training Bns in Hong Kong or Brunei with a Bde HQ (26th)
6) An Engr Regt (four Sqns) and Logistic Regt (four Sqns)

All of the above is doable and was exactly what the Gurkhas fielded during the height of the Malayan Emergency & Confrontation.

Side note: I am assuming that besides embodying The Royal Hong Kong Regt (V), which was a RAC unit (HD Recce), a "Hong Kong Defence Regt" would be formed on the onset of the Sino-Soviet War.

Originally Posted by Rainbow Six

In a T2K context what's your thoughts on giving both the Welsh and Irish Guards a second Battalion, which would bring them into line with the other Foot Guards Battalions pre Options For Change? In theory one could also de-amalgamate the Blues and Royals to create a 'new' armoured Regiment and thus make a Guards Armoured Brigade possible (obviously the discussion about manpower would be a concern).

I don't see either the Irish or Welsh Guards getting a second bn, I don't think they would have the population base to support it. If anything I would say the 3rd Bn Grenadier Guards would be reformed.
Now I did think of a slight expansion. Just like the ninth Armd Bde, BAOR commanders wanted the re-establishment of a fourth rifle coy and an assault pioneer pl in each Inf Bn. Again I think that starting in October 1995 this may be feasible. As for extra Inf Bns I was thinking the following:

Each Div of Inf would be tasked to raise ONE Bn starting in November 1996

Guards Div = 3rd Bn The Grenadier Guards
- Third Battalion the Grenadier Guards, although older, is junior to the First and Second Battalions .... The companies from which the Third Battalion was derived were raised in Holland during the exile of King Charles II and did not serve in this country until after the formation of the original companies of the First and Second Battalions from Hansard

Scottish Div = 1st Bn The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

Queen's Div = 4th Bn The Royal Regt of Fusiliers

King's Div = 1st Bn The York and Lancaster Regt

Prince of Wales's Div =2nd Bn The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regt

Light Div = 4th Bn The Light Infantry

As for the Household Cavalry, I don't see any "de-amalgamations". If anything I can see the following:
The Life Guards = Type 43 Armd Regt in Germany, a Sqn of Reservists added to make it a Type 57 Regt. Re-titled 1st Household Cavalry Regt
The Blues & Royals = Armd Recce Regt. One Sqn (FOX CVR (W)) to Special Dutie sForce/Op Candid. reinforced with two Sqns of Reservists. re-titled 2nd Household Cavalry Regt
The Household Cavalry Mounted Regt = Home Defence Recce Regt. Two Sqns joined by another two of Reservists and recruits just released from training. re-titled 3rd Household Cavalry Regt