Talk:British Army

As a Briton and an historian, I feel I should point out that during this period, the British army, whilst notable, was not the most well developed, nor the best performing army in Europe. That reputation goes to the Prussian Army under Frederick the Great, at least until the beginning of the French Wars that preceded the Napoleonic Wars.

Imp

Your knowledge does you credit sir, my compliments. 'Der Alte Fritz' and his Prusskies were indeed the pre-eminent Military force in Europe, at least until his death in 1786, and the Prussian army's defeats at the hands of the Revolutionary and Imperial French between 1796 and 1806. However, despite my status as an ignorant Colonial Yankee with history degree, I must respectfully make reference to the fact that, with the exception of the legendary Hessians, it was not the Germans that my Revolutionary forbears were concerned with.

Following the Anglo-Prussian alliance's hard won victory over the Kingdoms of France and Austria (among others) in 1763, Prussia claimed the clout in Europe, and Brittania ruled the waves (not to mention the majority of North America). Many of America's Founding Fathers, such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, had witnessed the triumph of British military power over the French and Indians (Washington himself having served alongside the redcoats as Colonel of the Virginia militia), and so, come the bloodshed of the War for Independence, theyt in their own words described the British army as 'the finest musketmen on earth'  and such.

It is for this reason that I, when helping to craft the 'British Army' page, wrote that King George's infantry "were thought to be" the "best in thewestern world."

You are absolutely correct in stating that the Prussians were the military masters of Europe from 1757-1786, but in the thirteen colonies, the finest fusiliers to be found were those of his Majesty, King George III, God save him.

Lord Horatius (talk) 02:40, November 30, 2012 (UTC)Lord Horatius 

During the 18th century i would have to say the Russians had the best martial ability. Their training of line infantry was almost unrivalled (save the Prussians). If you look at Suvorov's men disciplinbe was prized greatly and a focus on the bayonet was emphasised. Deniedoperative (talk) 06:06, November 30, 2012 (UTC)