Reductions in Armed Forces Overseas

A file of reports, memoranda, and meeting minutes concerning reductions in the size of the British armed forces deployed overseas after the Second World War. Subjects discussed in the documents include the strategic demands for the defence of the Commonwealth; fears about the vulnerability of countries such as Greece to Soviet domination if British forces were withdrawn; the importance of British troops stationed in Palestine to control of the Middle East; negotiations with the Egyptian government over the stationing of troops in Egypt, and the resulting dispute between the cabinet and the Chiefs of Staff; a list of British overseas commitments; discussions about the reduction in the size of the British forces stationed abroad; the effect of manpower reductions on the strength and capabilities of the British armed forces; and American concern about the British military reductions.