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The British army of the Napoleonic wars - probably the most effective force we’ve ever deployed. Time and time again our small expeditionary army took on and beat the mighty French.
But what was our secret? Well today, we are looking at one important aspect - the British regiment. . . how were our infantry and cavalry units organised? What is a troop? A squadron? A company and a platoon? What was different about the elite flank companies? In this episode I am joined by the incredible historian Steve Brown.
His latest book can be pre-ordered here - https://amzn.to/4imBup6
If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/
You can also get early, ad-free access to my videos and podcasts by joining my patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory
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WW2 - The war in Burma. The forgotten 14th Army struggling against Japanese "super soldiers" deep in the jungle.
But did you know there was another, completely overlooked aspect to the campaign -Tanks.
Yep, the British and allied troops did deploy them and they proved to be incredibly effective.
Today we are exploring the forgotten role that tanks played in the jungle and on the Indian and Burmese plains.
These are stories that will shock you - a sword fight inside a British tank, the logistics of deploying armour in the mountains above the clouds, and the incredible tale of the 'Thunder Run to Meiktila,' - a battle that set the tone for the use of armour and all-arms tactics through to the present day.
By the way here is the link to Jack's book - https://www.chiselbury.co.uk/bookstore/p/forgotten-armour-tank-warfare-in-burma-by-jack-bowsher and the discount code at checkout is REDCOAT20.
My patreon page is here - https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory
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Manglende episoder?
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Today on the podcast we are looking at the history of the Royal Yorkshire Regiment…a unit that can trace its roots back to 1685.
We’ll discuss the antecedent regiments that came together to form the modern regiment, look at their battle honours and important dates and then examine the role of the regiment in today’s modern British army.
Put the kettle on guys, cause this is a film for the true military history geek - we are going down another historical rabbit hole and it may take some time.
Please support the show and sign up for my Patreon page. When you sign up you get early access to my podcasts and videos - https://www.patreon.com/c/RedcoatHistory
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I bet like me you thought tanks and armoured vehicles had replaced Britain’s horse mounted cavalry after WW1.
Well, we were wrong.
Imagine this: in 1939, Britain still had a number of cavalry regiments that hadn’t been mechanised. . . They still rode horses and carried sabres.
These were territorials with no real place in modern warfare, yet by 1941, they were riding into battle in Syria, leading patrols, swimming rivers under aircraft attack, and somehow rewriting the book on cavalry warfare.
They were actually incredibly important.
Today, we ate joined by the brilliant —Jonathan Washington, former Yeomanry soldier himself and author of “FIGHTING VICHY FROM HORSEBACK” - It’s a cracking book All about A Division that Wasn't Meant to Fight - Britain’s 1st Cavalry Division in World War II.
Here is the link to buy his book - https://amzn.to/4hlkBun
And here is the link to my newsletter - http://bit.ly/redcoathistory
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The 23rd of May 1842…Ring a bell? Probably not…unless you are a massive military history geek like me.
Well, it was the date of the Battle of Congella - the first time that British redcoats and Boer farmers went toe to toe.
It wasn’t a big battle but it was an important one and is almost completely forgotten - until now.
Join me in this episode as I explore the long forgotten battelfields.
If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/
If you are very generous, you can also buy me a coffee and help support the channel via https://ko-fi.com/redcoathistory
or
www.patreon.com/redcoathistory
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While the world remembers Dunkirk, the story of the Lothians and Border Yeomanry has faded into the shadows. These brave men from southern Scotland fought a desperate retreat across France, making their final stand at St. Valery, only to be left behind as the 'miracle' of Dunkirk unfolded miles away.
Join us as we uncover their forgotten sacrifice, with insights from Andrew Karsgaard, the author of a cracking new book who has brought this incredible story back to life. A tale of courage, comradeship, and a battle lost to history.
Andrew's book can be purchased on Amazon via this link - https://amzn.to/3Yaoaeb
Sign up for my mailing list here - https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/
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Six Victoria Crosses were won by 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers on the first day of the Gallipoli campaign.
This is the story of those incredible men and their actions.
If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/
If you are very generous, you can also buy me a coffee and help support the channel via https://ko-fi.com/redcoathistory or sign up for the Patreon and get early access to my videos here - https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory
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Do you love military history? Then this is the podcast for you.
The Forlorn Hope. Brave lads who volunteered for near-suicidal missions, such as first into the breach of a siege. Their name is mainly synonymous with the Napoleonic Wars. But what is the history of the Forlorn Hope?
Who were they?
How did armies find enough volunteers for such suicidal missions?
James Mace co-wrote this episode and he writes fantastic fiction books that can be found here - https://amzn.to/4cJZ8be
and here - https://www.amazon.com/stores/James-Mace/author/B002BMES4O?
If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/
Further Reading: Peter Snow - To War with Wellington - https://amzn.to/3yT8aF4
Richard Holmes - Redcoat - https://amzn.to/4e7g8Jr
Private Wheeler - Letters from the Peninsular - https://amzn.to/3z3qFqg
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#Arnhem80 - 80 years ago this week, the 1st Airborne Division was dropped into Arnhem as part of Operation Market Garden.
While history often recalls the chaos and tragedy of the battle, one man’s bizarre bravery stands out: Major Allison Digby Tatham Warter, a British officer so eccentric that he carried an umbrella into battle. This is his story - brought to life in a script written by my good friend Neil Thornton.
If you would like to get hold of Neil's excellent book then here is the link to purchase it - https://amzn.to/3MJgE4A
For more content like this join my patreon - https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory
And buy your military history merch here - https://redcoathistory.myspreadshop.co.uk/
or https://www.redbubble.com/people/RedcoatHistory/shop?asc=u
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Today, we're diving deep into one of the most dramatic and overlooked chapters of the Peninsular War. We’re focusing on Wellington's first taste of battle against the mighty French army —the gritty and fiercely fought battles of Rolica and Vimeiro in 1808.These Two clashes set the stage for a legendary career and changed the course of history!
Today I'm joined by Rob Griffith.He’s an acclaimed historian and the author of "So Just and Glorious a Cause: Britain and the Liberation of Portugal - Rolica and Vimeiro, 1808." His book can be purchased via this link - https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/so-just-and-glorious-a-cause-britain-and-the-liberation-of-portugal-rolica-and-vimeiro-1808.php?
Use the discount code RHP15 at checkout to receive 15% off.
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Gunboat Diplomacy at Its Best: The Shortest War in History
When we think of wars from the 19th century, we often imagine protracted conflicts that dragged on for months or even years. However, one war was so brief that it lasted less time than the first half of a football match (or soccer, for our American friends). The Anglo-Zanzibar War of 1896 holds the record as the shortest war in history, and it's a fascinating tale of imperial power, naval might, and rapid resolution.
Thanks to Dr Chris Brice for researching and co-writing this episode. His books can be found here - https://amzn.to/4cx1H0e
If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/
Further Reading Angus Konstam British Gunboats of Victoria’s Empire (Osprey, 2022) - https://amzn.to/3yZaWsc
Phillip J Haythornthwaite The Colonial Wars Source Book (Caxton, 2000)- https://amzn.to/3X952g2
Ian Hernon Britain’s Forgotten Wars: Colonial campaigns of the 19th century (Sutton, 2003) - https://amzn.to/3Z3PXz2
Kevin Patience Zanzibar and the Shortest War in history (1994) - https://amzn.to/3AHzE0O
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The Indian Mutiny of 1857. Known in India these days as the First War of Independence. A bitter hard-fought conflict in the sweltering heat of northern India.
It’s a war we’ve covered here on Redcoat History before but it’s a fascinating conflict that saw a small number of redcoats massively outnumbered and surrounded, far from support and short on supplies.
It was a war that showed Victorian British society at its best and its worst. I think its a war we should study and remember…
Well, today I am joined by the wonderful Eva Chatterji to discuss her new book - The Lucknow Residency: A Story of 1857
Eva's book is available here - https://amzn.to/3Atvmdf
If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/
If you are very generous, you can also buy me a coffee and help support the channel via https://ko-fi.com/redcoathistory or you can sign up for my Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory
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WW1 - waves of young soldiers walking forward into a storm of steel.
Generals - a set of blundering fools - sat safely behind the lines drinking champagne.
The British unwillingness to accept new technology and new tactics.
These are the stories we grew up with. That we still see in the popular media.
But what if they are wrong?
What if I could explain to you today that the British and Empire armies of the First World War were actually dynamic and forward thinking institutions.
And what if the we could show that the infamous German stormtroopers, often considered the super soldiers of WW1, were simply following the same same tactics that the BEF had already adopted?
Sound interesting?
Then get yourself a brew and let’s bust some myths.
Sign up for my monthly newsletter: http://bit.ly/redcoathistory
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In this episode, you’re going to hear about 5 men who won a shed load of medals… not just military ones, but Olympic ones too.
Buy Redcoat History Merch here - https://bit.ly/redcoatshirts
Max Fahler's Substack - https://maxfahler.substack.com/
If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/
You can also join the Patreon over at https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory
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Today we are talking about the “Good Americans” - those who stayed loyal to the crown during the American Revolution. Lieutenant General James Robertson, a senior British general in America said that it was always his intention to subdue the bad Americans with the “Good Americans.”
Well, he was referring to those brave loyalists - the men who knew right from wrong and respected their King.
Special thanks to today's wonderful guest Todd Braisted. His website is https://www.royalprovincial.com/
If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/
You can also get early access to my films and podcasts when you sign up over at www.patreon.com/redcoathistory
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It’s a WW1 campaign that is largely forgotten. In fact it’s been derided as a sideshow.
But was it?
Today I am joined by Jake Gasson - https://x.com/JakeGasson1918 - to discuss the Salonika campaign of 1915-1918.
At its peak, the British Salonica force or BSF numbered over 200,000 soldiers - but many senior officers felt this was a huge waste of resources.
In today’s episode Jake will talk us through the campaign and then explain why some senior German figures felt that the campaign was in fact of huge strategic importance - perhaps even the reason the allies won the war.
He then goes on to discuss his PhD thesis about boredom during the campaign and its effect on morale and unit cohesion. It's fascinating stuff.
Sign up for my mailing list here - http://bit.ly/redcoathistory
And join the Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory
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Today’s Podcast is all about a forgotten war in the mountains of southern Africa, and it’s about King Moshoeshoe, the most incredible king you’ve never heard of.
It’s about how to win when you have no chance.
We’ll learn how British soldiers intimidated their enemy by cooking lunch in the middle of a battle, and we’ll see how cattle rustling can get you into a lot of trouble.
If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/
You can also get extra content by signing up for my Patreon account via
www.patreon.com/redcoathistory
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A special thanks to today's sponsor - Osprey Publishing - The destination for military history books.
Here is the link to their website - https://bit.ly/redcoatosprey
Britain and Portugal...It’s the longest continuing alliance in global history… and Winston Churchill said it was an alliance “without parallel in world history”.
In today’s Podcast we will explore some forgotten conflicts like that of 1762 . . .then we’ll take a look at how the two armies fought side by side in the Peninsular war and take a deep look at the Battle of Bussacco - the battle that forged the Portuguese army.
We’ll then examine the role of the "Pork and beans" as they were known on the western front in the First World War.
It’s fascinating stuff.
Stay tuned till the end to find out how The Portuguese also played a part in Britain’s Falklands campaign in 1982.
If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/
If you are very generous, you can also buy me a coffee and help support the channel via
https://ko-fi.com/redcoathistory
or
sign up for my Patreon page via
www.patreon.com/redcoathistory
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This episode is a detailed look at the history of Maori soldiers, especially in the two world wars. German Field marshal Erwin Rommel allegedly said of them, "Give me a Maori Battalion and I will conquer the world." But what is the full history and just how effective were they? let's find out.
If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/
If you are very generous, you can also buy me a coffee and help support the channel via https://ko-fi.com/redcoathistory or sign up for my patreon over at patreon.com/redcoathistory
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His life was straight from the pages of a swashbuckling novel…
Some even say he was the inspiration for Harry Flashman…
Do you know who it is?
It's Colonel Frederick Gustavus Burnaby of the Royal Horse Guards.
Built like a brick outhouse, strong as an ox, brave as a lion…I could keep going on but I think let’s get stuck in to today’s interview with John Hawkins.
John’s written a two volume history of Burnaby’s life and really knows his stuff.
Please sign up for my newsletter and receive your free eBook on the Battle of Isandlwana - https://redcoathistory.com/2021/10/27/free-book-the-military-history-geeks-guide-to-the-anglo-zulu-war/
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