The British started the war with a small but professional army. Great Britain’s initial response to the invasion of Belgium was to send the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) to France. By the end of 1914 it had grown to two Armies (the First and Second) drawn from the British regular army. However, the heavy fighting of the battles of Mons, Le Cateau, the Aisne, and the First Ypres had taken a heavy toll on the manpower of the regulars of the BEF. The arrival of the volunteers of Kitchener’s ‘New Army’, the Canadians, and then the Australians and New Zealanders after Gallipoli, went someway to filling the void.

As the war progressed it became clear that the British high command preferred particular divisions to lead its attacks and the same divisions were used again and again in offensive operations. This practice meant these divisions were able to spend more time training out of the frontline, absorbing new tactics and learning the new weapons. This cycle of training and offensives led to these divisions naturally being the first choice to lead the next offensive. They were often lead by proactive commanders and officers who ensured the training standards of their units was high and up to date with the latest fighting methods.

THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS:

• 2x metal Webley Pistol Teams
• 2x metal Rifle Platoons which contain:
  • 3x SMLE Rifle Teams
  • 1x Hales Rifle Grenade Team
  • 1x Lewis MG Team
• 4x metal Vickers HMG Teams
• 4x 3″ Stokes Trench Mortar Teams
• 2x OQF 18pdr Field Guns
• 1x metal and resin Mark V male or female Tank (with decal sheet)
• 1x metal and resin Mark IV male or female Tank (with decal sheet)
• 1x metal and resin Mark A Whippet Tank
• 1x metal Sniper Team

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These miniatures are supplied unassembled and unpainted