'Such as they are'

[Leyland]

Occasionally I've come across the phrase 'such as they are' or 'such as it is' in reading English-language books, but I'm not quite sure what it signifies.

For example, in a history book I've come across this:

"Austro-Hungarian reinforcements, such as they were, arrived far too late to make a difference to the battle."

What would the use of the phrase 'such as they were' indicate about the reinforcements in this context, for instance?

Thanks.

 

[GoesStation]

The writer is minimizing the value of the reinforcements. Austria-Hungary sent some soldiers, but they were small in number, ill equipped, or poorly trained and therefore not very useful.

 

[Leyland]

Thank you!

 

[GoesStation]

Thank you!

You're very welcome. We appreciate the gratitude, but (for future reference) we prefer that you express it by clicking the "Thank" button at the bottom left-hand corner of the post. It saves time for everyone.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Right. "Such as they are" implies that they're not much.