THE BLACK Watch, as we predicted earlier this week, has come out fighting for its existence—and hopes to mount a UK-wide challenge to the Government.

We told on Tuesday that the gloves were coming off in the battle against infantry cuts and senior figures fired the first salvos yesterday.

Retired Brigadier Gary Barnett, on behalf of the regiment, launched a campaign to halt the proposed cuts by Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon and General Sir Michael Jackson.

The brigadier said they had attracted support from most, but not all, Labour MPs in the area as well as winning massive public backing.

He said it is clear that the Government proposals do not have support of the vast majority of those serving in The Black Watch.

“As serving officers and soldiers cannot easily express their views publicly against the proposals, it falls to those no longer serving to speak up for them and act on their behalf,” Brigadier Barnett said.

He said that the campaigners would not do anything that does not have the support of those serving in Iraq and their campaign will be conducted with the operational efficiency of the army in mind.

Brigadier Barnett said, “We are not alone in considering it to be wrong that the Defence Secretary should say the time is right to replace soldiers with technology at a time when we have moved from the cold war to a war on terrorists.”

He added, “If operations requiring the infantry continue to be at the present level there will be very great difficulty in retaining the numbers required. The infantry is over-stretched in a way which is sure to impact on recruiting and retention.”

Black Watch campaigners said that the local TA battalion has provided over 200 reinforcements for the army over the last three years but there will be a point at which the goodwill of employers will run out.

They added that they have heard no arguments that persuade them that battalions from large regiments are more operationally efficient than single-battalion regiments.

“It is clear to us that the advantages of a sense of belonging, continuity, regional connections, recruiting forces and esprit de corps far exceed the perceived disadvantages of the small regiment. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” the brigadier said.

Black Watch campaigners will be lobbying those with influence in support of their aims, including civic leaders and politicians.

They have also written to the colonels of all small infantry regiments to promote the idea of a UK stand against the proposed cuts.

Brigadier Barnett has invited all regiments and supporters to send representatives to Save Our Scottish Regiments rally in Dundee on October 23.