Osprey Elite 56 : Scottish Units in the World Wars

Over the centuries of their existence the Scottish regiments of the British Army have gained a reputation in war that is the envy of all and which can be matched, or surpassed, by very few. Indeed, the very description 'Scottish soldier' conjures up images ranging from the 'thin red streak tipped with a line of steel' of the 93rd Highlanders at Balaclava, and the charge of the Scots greys at Waterloo, to the more recent deeds of Scottish regiments in the Falkland Islands and the Persian Gulf. The reputation of the martial Scots has been built on a solid foundation of achievement. But not all the men who serve in Scottish regiments are Scotsmen, neither in peace nor war. English lads have enlisted in peacetime as a matter of choice, and have been made welcome, in highland and lowland regiments. In the two World Wars the disparity in population between England and Scotland, and the lottery of infantry reinforcement sent many more Englishmen to Scottish battalions. Once absorbed into the family of a British Army battalion a newcomer rapidly absorbs its atmosphere and the pride that comes from belonging. This is especially so of Scottish battalions, which have always absorbed 'sassenachs' with a minimum of fuss, making them more Scottish than the Scots in no time at all. Michael Chappell chronicles the remarkable history of the Scottish units which fought in the two world wars in a book which also contains numerous contemporary photographs and 12 full page colour plates by the author himself.

Contents

• The Divisions
• The Scottish Soldier
• Scottish Divisions in the Great War
• The Second World War
• The Plates