The Redcoat History Podcast

WW2's Forgotten British Cavalry and The Battle for Syria (1941)

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 

Ambush!: How the Boers First Took on the British Empire (1842)

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 

Overshadowed by Dunkirk: The Untold Story of the Lothians at St. Valery (1940)

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/ 

The FORGOTTEN Gallipoli Story - 6 VCs Earned Before Breakfast

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 

The Forlorn Hope - The Most Dangerous Job in History

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

 

Arnhem: The LEGENDARY British Para Who Fought the SS with an Umbrella

#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

 

The Battles That Made Wellington a Legend (But Almost Ended His Career)

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.

How Britain Won the Shortest War in History...

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

 

 

Last Stand at Lucknow - INCREDIBLE Story of Survival Against the Odds (w/ Eva Chatterji)

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: Britain's Forgotten Stormtroopers

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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