The Republic of Scotland in T2K

[Rainbow Six]

Evening,

I've been doing some work on my own country recently, and thought I'd post the following write up which details the self proclaimed Republic of Scotland.

It is a draft work at the moment, and will eventually form part of a larger work (hopefully!), so your comments and feedback are not only welcomed, they're positively encouraged.

BTW, as usual with what I write, whilst parts are inspired by canon, it's not canonical and is not intended to be.

Cheers

Dave


The Republic of Scotland

Located approximately thirty miles from each other along the A9 road the towns of Perth and Stirling managed to avoid the worst effects of the nuclear attacks of 1997 and 1998 (Stirling was fifteen miles north of Grangemouth, but the prevailing winds saw the fallout of the Grangemouth attack dispersed to the east). Both towns also benefitted from the presence of substantial military garrisons – with a Battalion of Territorial Infantry, Stirling was the site of the Army’s Scottish headquarters, whilst Perth had an overstrength Company of Home Service Force soldiers supported by RAF personnel from the base at Leuchars.

In early 1998 an emergency committee took over the running of Perth. Chaired by the town’s Member of Parliament Alex Stewart, who also happened to be the leader of the Scottish National Party, this committee included town councillors and local military commanders.

A respected Parliamentarian and a powerful orator, Stewart was well known in the local area, commanding huge respect. Under his leadership the people of Perth worked together throughout the dark days of 1998. The military, augmented by local volunteers, actively patrolled the area, setting up checkpoints on roads in and out of the town. Temporary camps were set up to house refugees, whilst most unlawful groups soon moved away in search of easier pickings.

Stewart also made contact with the leadership of Stirling, and by the end of the summer the two towns were working together. Regular convoys were travelling along the A9, escorted by troops, and much of the surrounding countryside had been brought under control. Refugees were assigned to farms, where, in exchange for a fair day’s work, they received a wage, usually paid in food or goods rather than cash. Meanwhile communities began to form militia units. Though relatively poorly armed, these militia units began to take on some responsibility for local defence, freeing up the Territorial troops to concentrate on such tasks as anti marauder operations, escorting convoys and securing their borders.

Towards the end of 1998 most of the Territorials in the area were ordered to redeploy to the North East of England to assist in internal security duties, leaving only a nominal force behind. Alex Stewart realised that such a move might spell disaster for his enclave and met with local military commanders. After discussions that lasted for several days, the commanders advised Stewart that they intended to disobey their orders and would remain in place (many of the troops came from the Perth and Stirling areas and had family living there who they were unwilling to abandon). Further orders to move were ignored, although in February 1999 some one hundred and fifty personnel (mostly RAF) who did wish to redeploy to England travelled south in a small convoy of Land Rovers and Bedford trucks, arriving safely at Catterick Garrison several days later.

The winter of 1998 / 99 was a period of consolidation. In the spring of 1999 the Army moved into Northern Fife, securing control of several towns. They fought several battles with marauder groups, most notably to retake RAF Leuchars, which had been taken over by marauders after being abandoned by the RAF at the end of 1998. By the end of the May most unlawful groups had fled the area and troops had occupied the towns of Cupar and St Andrews as well as RAF Leuchars.

On the 24th of June 1999, the anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, in the shadow of the William Wallace monument in Stirling, Alex Stewart formally declared the formation of the Republic of Scotland, to be governed by a National Emergency Committee based in Perth. The forces under the command of the NEC would henceforth be known as the Scottish Army. Consisting of eleven members, the NEC was basically an extension of the committee that had been governing Perth for the last year; the overwhelming majority of its members were political allies of Stewart, and its inaugural meeting the following day Stewart was unanimously elected as its Chairman.

Whilst Stewart intended that what would become known as the Declaration of Stirling should apply to all of Scotland, and all of the armed forces based there, in practice it applied to only a limited area - parts of Perthshire, Stirlingshire, and Fife – and elsewhere was generally ignored (many people living in the marauder infested areas of the central belt didn’t know of its existence and would have cared even less).

The new Scottish Army included most of the Territorials in central Scotland, although in the Highlands the small Army detachment at Fort George, Inverness and the airmen at RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Kinloss remained loyal to His Majesty’s Government in Oxford.

Soon after the Declaration of Stirling was proclaimed agents of the French DGSE quietly entered the area controlled by the fledgling Republic and made contact with its leadership, initiating secret negotiations that would continue for several months, culminating with Alex Stewart making a clandestine trip to Paris where he met representatives of the French Government. Following these meetings the Scots began to receive limited assistance from the French.

During the autumn the Scottish Army undertook considerable local recruiting, and by the start of 2000 it consisted of two Infantry Battalions (one of which was mechanised) and several Militia formations; many of the new recruits were armed with weapons covertly supplied by the French (mostly Belgian produced FN FAL's).

On the 01st of January 2000 Alex Stewart adopted the title of First Minister and announced plans to draw up a boundary map that would split the area under the NEC’s control into districts; each district would then hold elections to send a representative to Perth, where a Scottish Parliament would be formed. By the end of July practically no progress had been made towards establishing a Parliament; the boundary maps were being constantly redrawn and no attempt had been made to start an election process.

Stewart has ambitious long term plans to further enlarge the area the Republic of Scotland and has set his sights on the City of Edinburgh and the area to the south of Stirling, which includes several of the surviving industrial facilities in the central belt. Taking control of Edinburgh, Scotland’s pre War Capital, would considerably boost Stewart’s claim to represent all of Scotland. Much of this region is in total anarchy however, and the NEC’s forces currently lack the manpower to forcibly overthrow the various marauder groups and local strongmen in the area. Stewart has repeatedly asked his French allies for more and heavier weaponry (including mortars and armoured vehicles); The French are playing a clever diplomatic game, choosing for the moment to neither agree to nor refuse these requests.

He is also well aware of the Highland Coalition, an alliance of towns in the north of the country centred on Fort William and Inverness and supported by the remaining HMG forces in Scotland. Stewart has made several attempts to persuade the Highlanders to join the Republic of Scotland. So far all of these attempts have failed and Stewart is content to ignore the Coalition for the moment, but he knows that expansion to the north may eventually bring him into further contact – and, potentially, conflict – with them.

[RN7]

Bryn Monnery's estimation of what an independent Scottish Defence Force might look like might me helpful here.

The figures are based on late 1990's statistics, and are of course pre-Twilight War figures.

Scotland

Scotland consists of the extreme north of the island of Britain, and many of the islands off the north west. It’s territorial waters extend would 12 miles beyond it’s shores. ~9.6% of the UK’s population are Scottish or of Scottish descent (5.8 million), but the population of Scotland, but the population of Scotland is slightly less, 5.1 million, 8.3% of the total UK population of 61.6 million. GDP is on a par with the rest of the UK if the oil resources of the North Sea (which are in international, not Scottish waters and may not necessarily be ceded to Scotland, but rather to the BP Corporation, which is registered in London). For the purposes of this document we’ll stipulate that Scotland did indeed get the oil fields and has a GNP of roughly £67.7 billion.


Scottish Army

Scottish Regiments
Currently, the British Army has 10 Scottish Regiments. These are, in order of precedence:

1. Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Tank Regiment)
2. 19 Regiment, Royal Artillery (Artillery Regiment)
3. 40 Regiment, Royal Artillery (Artillery Regiment)
4. Scots Guards (Infantry Battalion)
5. Royal Scots (Infantry Battalion)
6. Royal Highland Fusiliers (Infantry Battalion)
7. King’s Own Scots Borderers (Infantry Battalion)
8. The Black Watch (Infantry Battalion)
9. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Infantry Battalion)
10. The Highlanders (Infantry Battalion)

It has been suggested that the Scots Guards would remain as part of the British Army, while the rest would be the core of the new Scottish Army. Currently Scotland does not produce enough soldiers to fill all these regiments, and Ghurkhas, Tongans and Fijians are used to fill out their ranks. They produce sufficient soldiers to fill 4 infantry battalions, and the following amalgamations have been suggested:

Royal Scots and KOSB as Royal Scots Borderers. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and The (Queens Own Cameron, Seaforth and Gordon) Highlanders as The (Argyll, Sutherland, Cameron, Seaforth and Gordon) Highlanders.

In terms of equipment, their share of APC’s would be sufficient for 1 Battalion of Armoured Infantry with Warrior, and another Battalion of Mechanised Infantry with Saxon. The RSDG is currently an Armoured Regiment with 58 Challenger 2 MBT. While the Regiments personnel (~400 men) would go to Scotland, major equipment such as this is not held at Regimental level, but rather in a common pool. Their share of British Armour would be 32 Challenger 2 MBT and 16 Scimitar Light Tanks, which fits nicely a structure of 2 Armoured and 2 Armoured Recce Squadrons. The 2 RA Regiments are both AS-90 regiments, but 19 has recently converted from a Light Gun Regiment. Again, these are not entirely Scottish. Scotlands share of the Artillery units would be 15 AS-90, 3 MLRS and 5 Light Guns (grouped together as a single Field Artillery Regiment). Their share of Air Defence equipment would be 39 Javelin/ Starstreak units (mostly Javelins, I’ll assume Javelin) and 4 Rapier units. In addition, a number of Scots serve in non-territorially aligned support units (Engineers, REME, RAMC, RLC etc.). These support units are 60% of the army, so we’ll prorate to the modern British Army to produce 5,550 support personnel and a Regular Army of 9,250 men. There is currently 1 regular brigade based in Scotland, 52 (Infantry) Brigade, which controls regular infantry battalions in Edinburgh, Preston and Chester.

Scottish Territorial Army
The TA units stationed in Scotland would become part of the Scottish TA. These are:

HQ 51 (Scottish) Brigade
A (Ayrshire) and C (Fife and Fofar) Squadrons, The Queens’ Own Yeomanry (Land Rover Mounted Recce units, ~100 men each)
207 and 212 Batteries, Royal Artillery (Artillery Batteries, ~100 men each)
102 Field Squadron, RE (Engineer Squadron, ~100 men)
32 Signals Regiment, RSigs (Communications Battalion, ~500 men)
Lowland Volunteers (TA Infantry Battalion, ~500 men)
Highland Volunteers (TA Infantry Battalion, ~500 men)
Scottish Transport Regiment, RLC (Logistics Regiment, ~500 men)
Squadron of 23 SAS (Reserve Special Forces, ~70 men)
15 Company of 4th Battalion, the Parachute Regiment (Airborne Infantry Company, ~100 men)
205 Field Ambulance (Medical Battalion) and 255 Medical Squadron (Company)

This gives the corps of a 2nd Brigade, consisting mainly of territorials.

Scottish Navy

Currently the strategic deterrent is based in Scotland, but this doesn’t mean it will be handed over to Scotland. The Submarine Fleet is 10 boats, and handing one of these over would cause apoplexy, especially as the SNP doesn’t want nuclear powered vessels. The Carriers, Assault ships etc. would be retained by the Anglo-Irish state. Scotlands’ share of the navy would be 3 vessels of the Destroyer-Frigate force and 2 Minehunters. Maybe one of the logistics carriers too. None of these are particularly useful for the Scottish Navy, and maybe they could use them as bargaining chips with the Anglo-Irish state for some more useful vessels (like the fisheries patrol craft).

Scottish Air Force

There are current 14 combat squadrons in the RAF. Scotland’s share would be a single combat squadron of 12 aircraft, probably the older Jaguars although Tornado GR.4s are also based in Scotland. Their share of the support force would be a single transport squadron with 4 Hercules, and 2 VC-10 tankers. Maritime Command has 3 squadrons of Nimrods assigned to the GIUK gap in Kinloss. It would be legitimate for one of these to be transferred to the Scottish Airforce. Of the Helicopter force, 2 Chinooks would be transferred to the Scots, along with 3 Wessex. The Army Helicopter force would also hand over 9 Lynx and 9 Gazelle.

Probable ORBAT

Scottish Navy
ex-HMS Sheffield (Type 22/2 Frigate)
ex-HMS Coventry (Type 22/2 Frigate)
ex-HMS Cardiff (Type 42 Destroyer)
ex-HMS Brecon (Hunt class Minesweeper)
ex-HMS Ladbury (Hunt class Minesweeper)

* Crews of these vessels would consist of 1,062 officers and men. The total force is 3,500. Also some naval helicopters.

Scottish Army
Army Level Units
Scottish Special Service Regiment (mix of Reserve and Regular Para’s, Marines and SAS)
Artillery
207/212 Area Air Defence Battery (V) (4 Rapiers)
19 Field Regiment (3 MLRS + 15 AS-90) (2 close support Battery with 6x AS-90 and 1x Depth Fire Battery with a troop of 3 MLRS and a troop of 3x AS-90 Braveheart)
40 Air Defence Regiment (36 Javelin)
51 Mechanised Brigade
Scots Dragoon Guards (1 Arm-Recon Sqn w 8x Scimtar, 2 Tank Sqn w 14x Challenger 2)
Scots Borderers (Armoured Infantry Battalion with Warrior)
The Highlanders (Mechanised Infantry Battalion with Saxon)
Black Watch (Regular Light Infantry Battalion)
52 Infantry Brigade
Scottish Yeomanry (1 Arm-Recon Sqn w 8x Scimitar, 2 Recon Sqn w Land Rovers (Reserve)
Highland Fusiliers (Regular Light Infantry Battalion)
The Lowland Volunteers (Reserve Light Infantry Battalion)
The Highland Volunteers (Reserve Light Infantry Battalion)

* Plus necessary support units. Regular army is 9,250 soldiers backed up by 3,200 reservists.

Scottish Airforce
Fighter Squadron (12x Jaguar or Tornado GR.4)
Transport Squadron (4x Hercules and 2x VC-10)
Maritime Patrol Squadron (8x Nimrod)
Army Support Helicopter Regiment (2x Chinook, 9x Lynx, 9x Gazelle)

* 2,500 strong.

This force would cost around £1.6 billion per annum and require Scotland to keep paying 2.4% of GNP for defence, which is in line with the UK spending rate.


Although I doubt that the Republic of Scotland would be operating an airforce or navy beyond a few helicopters, the army is more realistic. Most regular army regiments, particularly units such as the Scots Guard and the Black Watch are likely to remain loyal to government and the British monarchy in particular, but some territorial army units could defect to a Scottish Republic.

[Rainbow Six]

Cheers RN. That's a very good analysis if we ever become independent IRL (which personally, I actually doubt would ever happen, but that's a whole other discussion...)

I do have a full order of battle for the T2K Republic of Scotland's Army on another PC, but here's a quick summary; note as I'm following a V1 timeline, it's based on the British Army Pre Options for Change:

Headquarters, Scottish Army
Location: Stirling (Stirling Castle)
Strength: 90 men, 1 x FV105 Sultan, 1 x AT105 Command Post Vehicle

(This incorporates some personnel from 52nd (Lowland) Signal Squadron, 32nd Signal Regiment (TA))

Long Range Reconnaissance Group
Location: Dispersed throughout Scotland
Strength: 40 men, 6 x Land Rover WMIK

Formed from volunteers with Regular military experience; operates long range patrols throughout Scotland and fulfills the Special Forces role for the Scottish Army.

1st Infantry Battalion (Mechanised) (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders)
Location: Stirling, Auchterarder
Strength: 365 men
· HQ Company (30 men)
· A Company (90 men, 2 x FV603 Saracen, 2 x Humber Pig)
· C Company (Quick Reaction Force) (90 men, 2 x FV603 Saracen)
· D Company (80 men, 4 x FV1611 Humber Pig)
· W Company (75 men)

The Scottish Army's principal fighting force; formerly the 3rd (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders) Battalion, 51st Highland Volunteers, TA, a TA Battalion tasked with a home defence role. Was retitled 1st Infantry Battalion of the new Scottish Army at the start of 2000 but retained the A & SH title.

2nd Infantry Battalion (Black Watch)
Location: Perth
Strength: 360 men
· HQ Company (30 men)
· A Company (90 men)
· B Company (100 men)
· C Company (90 men)

Formed around a cadre from Z (Black Watch) Company (HSF), 2nd Battalion, 51st Highland Volunteers, augmented by personnel recruited locally during 1999; has retained the Black Watch title

Fire Support Group
Location: Stirling
Strength: 45 men, 1 x FV107 Scimitar, 1 x FV601 Saladin, 1 x Stalwart gun truck, 3 x Land Rover WMIK, 2 x Milan ATGW, 3 x 81mm mortar

In addition to this the Scots have a number of locally raised militia units who operate in a home defence role.

Troops in the two Infantry Battalions wear normal British Army uniform, although many men have added a small Scottish saltire flag to the left sleeve. The Territorial Army and Home Service Force veterans have retained their distinctive Tam O’Shanter regimental headgear, whilst the personnel recruited during 1999 tend to wear floppy hats in DPM camouflage material. Militia units wear elements of British Army uniform mixed with civilian clothing. For the most part they retain their local defence role, with most of their personnel living in their local communities and spending several days at a time on duty on a rota basis.

I agree that there would be no Naval or fixed wing air assets, although I may add a few Gazelle or Westland Scout helicopters.

I also agree that most if not all Regular units would remain loyal to HMG. That said, other than a small detachment of Regulars at Fort George (who have stayed loyal to HMG) don't envisage any significant Regular Army units being in Scotland.

Cheers

[Canadian Army]

You could also add the Atholl Highlanders. The Atholl Highlanders are a Scottish infantry regiment, based in Blair Atholl; the regiment is not part of the British Army. Instead, the regiment is in the private employ of the Duke of Atholl. Currently, the Atholl Highlanders are a purely ceremonial regiment, of approximately 100 men, including pipes and drums. The regiment is responsible for the defence of Blair Castle, the surrounding estate and its inhabitants, but in practice usually only parades twice a year at the regiment's annual inspection when the present Duke comes from his home in South Africa to inspect his men, and the Atholl Gathering Highland Games, which is hosted by the Duke, on the last weekend in May.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atholl_Highlanders

[Rainbow Six]

Originally Posted by Canadian Army

You could also add the Atholl Highlanders. The Atholl Highlanders are a Scottish infantry regiment, based in Blair Atholl

Thanks Canadian Army, good call. I can use them as a local defence militia for Blair Atholl and Pitlochry.