The Redcoat History Podcast

The famous Boer War - 1899 - 1902. It’s a conflict that has one of the most familiar and depressing stories in British military history. The Boers we’re told were deadly marksmen, brilliant horsemen and natural soldiers - while the British Army blundered from one disaster to another until sheer numbers finally proved decisive. But what if that story is not quite true? Let’s not forget for example that the early part of the war also saw British victories at Talana Hill, Elandslaagte, Belmont, Graspan and Modder River. And according to my guest today, historian and author Chris Ash, much of what we think we know about the conflict has been shaped by myth, politics and selective memory. In this chat Chris will lay out his views on all of the myths - did we stumble from one defeat to another and were the Boers the super soldiers that we are lead to believe? Now, it’s fair to say that Chris has some very strong views, but that is exactly why I wanted to sit down with him. On this channel I love to encourage debate and break away from the accepted opinions. If you disagree with what he says then feel free to comment but please be sure to supply sources for any counter argument. Chris's website and blog can be found here - https://www.chrisash.co.za/

So, who were these men in redcoats - the lower ranks - that fought Britain’s wars across the globe? They marched across Europe and thrashed the French, overcame huge odds in India and stood to-to-toe with the fiercest opponents on earth. But despite their courage and ability to endure any hardship - society and, sometimes, even their own officers held them in low regard - to say the least. Today we are going to examine their backgrounds, how they were recruited, their training, their love for booze and of course we will ask were they really the scum of the earth?

The British army officer has one of the most impressive, but also most polarising, reputations in military history. On the one hand, he is the calm, polished gentleman. Sword in hand, Chin up. Standing in the smoke while the men around him look at him for courage and inspiration. On the other hand, he is also seen as the chinless aristocrat. The idiot in a fancy uniform - A man who may know exactly which fork to use at dinner, but not necessarily which direction the enemy is attacking from. But which image reflects the reality? In this episode we will explore the history of British army commissions…examine the brave warriors who lead us to incredible victories and look at the bizarre stories of children with commissions, rich fools, petty tyrants, and men who had absolutely no business being trusted with soldiers’ lives. Join my patreon here to help support the study of British military history and get early access to my videos and podcasts - https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory

This episode is part of my new Osprey-sponsored Redcoat Vs... series - here is a link to their books - http://ospreypublishing.com/ In 1845, British redcoats arrived in northern New Zealand expecting a simple colonial campaign. What they found instead was a brutal lesson in Māori warfare. Behind walls of sharpened timber, hidden trenches, loopholes, underground shelters and cleverly designed pā fortifications, Māori warriors showed the British Army that courage and bayonets were not enough. In this episode of Redcoat Vs..., we look at the Flagstaff War which is also known as Hōne Heke’s War or the Northern War. We examine the fighting at Kororāreka, Ōhaeawai and Ruapekapeka, the strengths and weaknesses of the redcoats, the brilliance of Māori pā design, and the hard lessons the British learned in New Zealand. Join the patreon for early access to content and regular updates from me - www.patreon.com/redcoathistory

The British army’s regimental system is uniquely confusing. It’s been the backbone of the British army for centuries. Some would argue it’s the secret to our success. . . But what exactly is it? How did it begin? How has it changed over the centuries and is it still relevant and important for a 21st century military force? Stay tuned to the end to find out my thoughts on that. Join my YouTube channel to get access to perks: / @redcoathistory Sign up for my newsletter and get a free eBook: https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/ Join my Patreon page: / redcoathistory - you will get early access to videos and extra content.

Three more forgotten campaigns… The strange, sprawling, global war fought by British soldiers, sailors, marines and East India Company troops in places most people never associate with the redcoat at all. Today we are heading first to the River Plate, where Britain tries to break into Spanish South America through Montevideo and Buenos Aires with some courage, some skill, and quite a lot of misplaced optimism Then we go to Mauritius, or Isle de France, a French base in the Indian Ocean where Napoleon’s ships were making life deeply unpleasant for British trade. And finally, we end up in Java, where a British expeditionary force lands in the East Indies to take on a Dutch colony that had effectively become part of Napoleon’s empire. Three campaigns. Three continents. Three very different stories. Support the channel and join my Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory Buy Steve's books here - https://www.helion.co.uk/people/steve-brown.php

Today we’re looking at the British Army as it exists now… how it’s organised, why the regimental system looks so baffling to outsiders, and who these regiments and corps actually are. If you’ve ever looked at a list of British army regiments and been totally confused as to what each one does then this is the episode for you. Sign up for my newsletter and get a free eBook: https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/

For more books on this era visit the GOAT of military history books Osprey Publishing - https://ospreypublishing.com Napoleon’s cavalry should have crushed the British - but in Spain during the Peninsular war, a smaller British force kept humiliating them. Why? That’s what we are exploring today. Sign up for my newsletter and get a free eBook: https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/ Join my Patreon page: / redcoathistory - you will get early access to videos and extra content.

Today we’re diving into the life of one of the most famous, and in many ways, most controversial, soldiers of the Victorian British Army: Field Marshal Lord Roberts. A man adored by his troops, feared by his enemies… and not without his critics. This isn’t just the story of “Bobs” the hero. It’s the full picture. The victories. The ambition. The rivalries. And the uncomfortable questions that still hang over his reputation. Now, I didn’t actually conduct this interview myself - credit where it’s due. This one was brilliantly handled by my mate Chris Brice, who sits down with historian Rodney Atwood to really get into the weeds on Roberts’ life and career. Rodney’s book The Life of Field Marshal Lord Roberts is available https://amzn.to/4eyglsG Join my Patreon page for exclusive access to podcasts, videos and photos - https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory

Thanks to Osprey Publishing for sponsoring this series 'The British army Vs...' You can check out all the books mentioned via this link - ospreypublishing.com In today's episode, we explore how the British Army learned to fight in North America during the French and Indian War, facing a completely different kind of warfare against Native American warriors in the American wilderness. From the shock of early encounters like the Battle of Monongahela to the gradual adaptation of redcoat tactics, this is the story of how British soldiers were forced to rethink everything they knew about war. Fighting in dense forests against an elusive enemy who used ambush, concealment, and mobility, the British Army had to evolve or fail. This video breaks down the clash between European linear warfare and irregular woodland fighting, and explains how the redcoats adapted, improved, and ultimately became effective in one of the most challenging theatres of war in British military history.

The Peninsular War saw Britain, Portugal and Spain team up in an unlikely alliance against the might of Napoleon's France. These days the Spanish and the British both think they won the war single-handed...But what is the truth? Was Spain a useless ally or were they actually surprisingly helpful? Let's find out. Join my Patreon here - patreon.com/redcoathistory

Now, When people think of the British Army in the age of Napoleon, they usually picture the big stuff - Waterloo. Salamanca. Lines of redcoats smashing French columns. But that was only part of the story. Because the British Army of this era was not just fighting set-piece battles in Spain and Belgium. It was everywhere. Corsica. Egypt. The Low Countries. Strange little expeditions, half-forgotten raids, awkward amphibious landings, sieges, disasters, and operations that now sit in the shadows of the more famous campaigns. And some of them are extraordinary. In this episode, I’m joined once again by historian Steve Brown - he is a Goliath of British military history of the Napoleonic era and his books are incredible . Today he is digging into three neglected actions: the invasion of Corsica in 1794, the Ostend raid of 1798, and the Fraser expedition to Egypt in 1807. They may be obscure, but they are anything but dull. We’ve got Horatio Nelson losing the sight in an eye, British troops smashing their objectives and then being wrecked by the weather and Highlanders and Swiss soldiers ending up in Egyptian slave markets. So put the big battles out of your mind for a bit and grab a brew. I started off by asking Steve what made him want to research these obscure corners of the Great War against France. Buy Steve's books here - https://amzn.to/4rlq6x1 Join my Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory

In this episode, we speak with historian Jack Bowsher about his remarkable new book Thunder Run: Meiktila 1945, which tells the extraordinary story of the final battles of the Burma Campaign in the Second World War. While most histories end with the famous victories at Imphal and Kohima, the dramatic reconquest of Burma in 1945 is often dismissed as little more than “mopping up.” In reality, it was the culmination of years of hard-earned experience by the British and Indian armies, fighting in one of the most challenging environments of the war and without the lavish resources seen in other theatres. At the heart of the story is the stunning armoured thrust on the Japanese supply hub at Meiktila—an all-arms blitz of tanks, motorised infantry, artillery, and air power that shattered the Japanese Burma Area Army. It is one of the most remarkable victories of the war, and yet remains one of its least-known battles. Jack'sBook can be purchased here - https://amzn.to/4u8xSNs

Today we are talking about Spaniards - Spanish Republicans - the defeated side of the Civil War… men who get driven into exile and scattered across Europe. Some end up in British uniform before the fall of France. Some join the Pioneer Corps and then quietly drift into far sharper corners of the war: commandos, SOE networks, North Africa, Italy, Normandy… even the long road to Berlin. Yet again and again they prove themselves as soldiers. Our guest today is Sean Scullion — a serving British soldier and a lifelong Spain specialist. This is the story of the men who kept going - after Spain, after France, and after the world decided to forget them. Sean’s book is called Churchill’s Spaniards and is available from Helion and company. Here is a link to buy - https://amzn.to/3MG2pkR If you want to support British military history and keep this channel going then please join my Patreon - https://patreon.com/RedcoatHistory

The Territorials in WW1 were an important part of the British army, yet they are often forgotten - overshadowed by the Pals battalions of the new army. Well, there is a now new book that examines the vital yet often overlooked contributions of London’s Territorial Force - exploring its unique structure, socioeconomic composition and military operations. In today’s live stream, I talk to two of the authors to find out more. The book can be purchased here - https://amzn.to/4rf2c7l Support British history and join my Patreon here - patreon.com/redcoathistory

Visit Osprey publishing to see their incredible catalogue of military history books - https://www.ospreypublishing.com Britain has a Royal Navy. A Royal Air Force. And yet… a British Army. Not a Royal Army. Why? If you’ve ever tried to find a clear answer, you’ll know how unsatisfying the usual explanations are. Tradition. Regiments. Legal technicalities. All true - and all incomplete. The full reason lies far deeper, in a violent and deeply uncomfortable chapter of British history. To find it, you have to rewind nearly four hundred years, to the English Civil War - a moment when England experimented with something new, dangerous, and unprecedented. This episode follows that experiment as it spirals out of control: the first redcoats, armies choosing sides, kings losing authority, and politicians learning lessons the hard way. My main sources for this video were: Lord Carver, The Seven Ages of the British Army (London, 1984) Fortescue, A History of the British Army Vol. 1, (London, 1899) The Army and the Restoration of 1660 by Godfrey Davis (Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research, Vol 32, No. 129)

Mountain guns sound obscure — until you realise they let the British Army haul artillery up goat tracks and into places the enemy thought were safe. In this episode, friend of the show Chris Brice, speaks to a career Royal Artillery officer whose research traces the story from early improvisation to the formal creation of ten Royal Artillery mountain batteries in 1889 — and why this “forgotten” weapon mattered more than most people realise. Subscribe for more British military history, and sign up at redcoathistory.com for updates and extras and a free eBook.

Britain’s empire was built on more than famous battles. In this live Redcoat History discussion, I’m joined by Cam Simpson and Jon Pick to explore Britain’s forgotten frontier wars — from the North-West Frontier of India to Moorosi’s Rebellion in southern Africa. We’ll tackle the myths, the real fighting, and what life was actually like on the edge of empire — then open it up to your questions. Cam's new book can be purchased here - https://amzn.to/3LhZA8S Sign up for my mailing list here - https://redcoathistory.com/2021/10/27/free-book-the-military-history-geeks-guide-to-the-anglo-zulu-war/

Canada has a rich military history. Alongside the British they stood toe-to-toe with the Americans in the war of 1812, battled the Boers, shocked the German's on the Western Front in both world wars and proved themselves amongst the world's greatest warrior nations. But do they still have what it takes? In this podcast, I explore both the past and the present of the Canadian army. Are there other nations armies you would like me to look into? I was thinking Australia and also South Africa could be next if this episode is well received. Join my Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory Sign up for the Redcoat History Newsletter - https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/

Today I am joined by Dr Chris Brice and the brilliant Daniel Harrington from the Clasps of Courage YouTube channel. Expect honest analysis, good humour, and a behind-the-scenes look at how we make military history content. Have a great Christmas and be sure to buy your gifts here - https://redcoathistory.com/