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Palgrave Macmillan

The British Army, the Gurkhas and Cold War Strategy in the Far East, 1947–1954

  • Book
  • © 2002

Overview

Authors:
  1. Raffi Gregorian

    1. US Department of State, Washington, USA

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Part of the book series: Studies in Military and Strategic History (SMSH)

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Table of contents (11 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xviii
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  2. Introduction

    • Raffi Gregorian
    Pages 1-10

  3. ‘Future Defence Policy’: the Far East as Strategic Backwater, 1945–48

    • Raffi Gregorian
    Pages 11-31

  4. National Service, the Gurkhas and the Reorganization of the British Army, 1946–48

    • Raffi Gregorian
    Pages 32-50

  5. FARELF and the Malayan Emergency, 1948–50

    • Raffi Gregorian
    Pages 51-76

  6. ‘To the Last Round’: the Defense of Hong Kong, 1948–50

    • Raffi Gregorian
    Pages 77-108

  7. Adapting to Reality: the Far East and Cold War Strategy, 1950–54

    • Raffi Gregorian
    Pages 109-134

  8. Between the American Scylla and Chinese Charybdis: Hong Kong, 1950–54

    • Raffi Gregorian
    Pages 135-164

  9. Manpower, the Strategic Reserve, and the Malayan Emergency, 1950–54

    • Raffi Gregorian
    Pages 165-179

  10. Siam and the Commonwealth Defense of Malaya

    • Raffi Gregorian
    Pages 180-202

  11. Limited Liability and the Defense of Southeast Asia, 1950–54

    • Raffi Gregorian
    Pages 203-224

  12. Conclusion

    • Raffi Gregorian
    Pages 225-236

  13. Back Matter

    Pages 237-335
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Keywords

About this book

This book argues that postwar Britain's 'imperial over-extension' has been exaggerated. Britain developed and adjusted its defence strategy based upon the perceived Communist threat and available resources. It was especially successful at adapting to meet the strategic and resource challenges from the Far East from 1947-54. There British and Gurkha forces were deployed only in contingencies that threatened vital British interests, while the U.S. and Commonwealth allies were persuaded to accept key wartime missions, thus preserving Britain's ability to fight in Western Europe.

Reviews

'...his writing is polished and accessible, his case is presented with seductive clarity, well illustrated by charts and maps. Above all he provides a compelling perspective on a neglected period of recent history whose lessons become increasingly relevant to our current security.' - Dr John Mackinlay, Centre for Defence Studies, RUSI Journal

Authors and Affiliations

  • US Department of State, Washington, USA

    Raffi Gregorian

About the author

RAFFI GREGORIAN is Senior Advisor on Balkans issues in the State Department's Office of Kosovo and Dayton Implementation.

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