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

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.

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