The Redcoat History Podcast

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

#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

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.

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

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 

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.

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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 

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/

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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. 

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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