Britain prepares for invasion while continuing overseas campaigns

The cabinet met at Anson's house in February to discuss the invasion threat. Pitt and Newcastle chose to station troops on the Isle of Wight while retaining the broader strategy. They did not plan to recall British troops from Germany or request Hanoverian reinforcements for home defense, and colonial expeditions continued. Roughly ten thousand regulars were immediately available, supported by a militia of about twenty thousand. The militia was untested as a force, but it trained and contained veterans, so the extra numbers had practical value even without the proficiency of regular troops.