The Redcoat History Podcast

Three of Britain’s Forgotten Military Campaigns (w/Steve Brown)

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  

The Greatest Combined Arms Manoeuvre Battle of WW2? Meiktila 1945 w/ Jack Bowsher

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 

The Forgotten Spaniards Who Fought for Britain in WW2

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 Army Britain Forgot: London’s Territorials in WW1

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 

Why Britain’s Army Is NOT a Royal Army

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)

Britain’s Secret to Winning ‘Small Wars’ - the Mountain Gun!

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. 

A Forgotten War on the Edge of Empire (Live stream)

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/ 

The Incredible History of Canada's Army: 1812-2025

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.

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Busting the Redcoat Myths! A Christmas Special

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/ 

Britain’s “Point of Failure” — The Brigadiers Who Almost Lost WW2

When we think of 1940, we picture Dunkirk, the fall of France and the BEF racing for the Channel. But behind the headlines were real officers making real decisions — the brigadiers. Too senior to ignore, not quite famous enough to be remembered.

In this episode, my friend and part-time co-host Chris Brice talks to military historian Dr Phil McCarty about his new book Point of Failure: British Brigadiers in France and Norway, 1940. They explore who these men were, how they were selected, and why some rose to greatness while others quietly vanished after the débâcle of 1940.

Expect discussion of staff college bottlenecks, Monty and Brooke’s patronage, public school myths, territorials, and why the brigadiers of Normandy look both similar to — and subtly different from — their 1940 predecessors. Plus some cracking stories along the way.

If you enjoy British Army history told through real people rather than map arrows, you’ll enjoy this one.

Purchase Phil's book here - https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/point-of-failure-british-brigadiers-in-france-and-norway-1940.php 

Discover Chris Brice's books here - https://www.helion.co.uk/people/christopher-brice.php 

Join my mailing list for a free eBook about the Zulu War - https://redcoathistory.com/