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British Forces Germany

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British Forces Germany (BFG), is the name for British Armed Forces service personnel and civilians based in Germany.[1] It was first established following the Second World War as the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR).

Although much smaller than the BAOR, it is still the largest concentration of British armed forces permanently stationed outside the United Kingdom.[2] With the end of the Cold War and the Options for Change defence review in the early 1990s, BFG has been considerably reduced. Since the 1990s, the British presence has centred around the 1st Armoured Division, and supporting elements.[1] BFG is concentrated in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony.

Following the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review, the permanent deployment will end by 2020 although some training will still be undertaken with regards NATO capability.[3]

Contents

[edit] History

First established following the Second World War, the forces grew during the Cold War, ultimately consisting of I (BR) Corps and three divisions.

Disbandment of the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) and Royal Air Force Germany (RAFG) following the end of the Cold War reduced the personnel strength of the British Armed Forces in Germany by almost 30,000.[4]

A garrison at Osnabrück was closed in 2009, and until August 2010, was HQ Allied Rapid Reaction Corps.[1][5]

[edit] Present

The BFG is concentrated in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. The divisional HQ is located at Herford, near Bielefeld, with garrisons at Gütersloh, Hohne, and Paderborn.[6] Additionally, the Rhine Garrison area contains Rheindahlen Military Complex. The BFG presence is estimated to contribute 1.5 billion Euros annually to the German economy.[7]

Administrative support for British service personnel in Germany and across Continental Europe is delegated to United Kingdom Support Command. The four Army garrisons in Germany are under the direct administrative control of UKSC.[1] The General Officer Commanding UKSC also functions as head of the British Forces Liaison Organisation (Germany), which is responsible for liaising and maintaining relations with German civil authorities.[8]

Approximately 60,000 people are associated[vague] with British Forces Germany, with only about 40,000 in the army itself, and about 20,000 civilians posted in Germany. The 1st Armoured Division is currently equipped with Challenger 2 MBTs, Warrior IFVs, AS-90 Braveheart howitzers, Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, armoured personnel carriers, Gazelle and Lynx helicopters.[1]

[edit] Off duty life

During the height of "the Troubles" in Northern Ireland, the IRA targeted personnel in Germany between 1988 and 1990. The attacks resulted in the deaths of 9 people, including three civilians, and many wounded.

The British Army Germany rugby union team regularly plays games against emerging rugby nations like Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg.[9]

[edit] Future

Under the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review, the British Army in Germany will be reduced by half by 2015,[10] and permanent deployment will end by 2020,[11] although some training will still be undertaken with regards NATO capability.[3]

[edit] Major Units as of 2009

[edit] 7th Armoured Brigade (The Desert Rats)

[edit] 20th Armoured Brigade (The Iron Fist)

[edit] 1st (UK) Armoured Division - Divisional Units

[edit] 102nd Logistics Brigade

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e British Forces Germany, bfgnet.de
  2. ^ Chandler (2003), The Oxford History of the British Army, p360
  3. ^ a b "Defence review ends Iraq-sized ventures". Ft.com. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0c1835ce-db93-11df-a1df-00144feabdc0.html. Retrieved 2010-10-22. 
  4. ^ BBC News (2004), From occupiers and protectors to guests, news.bbc.co.uk. Accessed 11 February 2006.
  5. ^ Headquarters Structure, arrc.nato.int
  6. ^ House of Commons Hansard, publications.parliament.uk
  7. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3842031.stm BBC
  8. ^ United Kingdom Support Command, ams.mod.uk
  9. ^ British Army (Germany) Rugby ARU website, accessed: 29 March 2010
  10. ^ http://bfbs.com/news/germany/half-britains-troops-germany-leave-2015-40303.html
  11. ^ "Army troop relocations announced by Ministry of Defence". BBC News. 2011-11-10. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15670185. Retrieved 2011-11-10. 

[edit] External links

Coordinates: 52°07′34″N 8°40′59″E / 52.12611°N 8.68306°E / 52.12611; 8.68306

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=British_Forces_Germany&oldid=473399988"
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