The British often conducted counterinsurgency operations with Regiments which were half the size of Brigades. These Regiments had close understanding of the AO due to ability to conducted protracted operations, which gave them the opportunity to understand the terrain and build important ties with the indigenous society fighting the insurgents. This is quite unlike U.S. approach of using Divisions and Corps. They strived to use minimal force necessary to achieve victory.
The mission for local security was conducted by local police with requisite assistance from the regiment. Funds were minimal, therefore, not much was destroyed to be fixed later, which simplified and reduced the need for Civil Affairs and nation building.
One of the principles of counterinsurgency is technology is not the be all, end all. The British soldiers in unison fought like the insurgents. They conducted ambushes and tracked the insurgents to their safe havens capture or kill them regardless of the austerity of the terrain.
The mission for local security was conducted by local police with requisite assistance from the regiment. Funds were minimal, therefore, not much was destroyed to be fixed later, which simplified and reduced the need for Civil Affairs and nation building.
One of the principles of counterinsurgency is technology is not the be all, end all. The British soldiers in unison fought like the insurgents. They conducted ambushes and tracked the insurgents to their safe havens capture or kill them regardless of the austerity of the terrain.
