The Redcoat History Podcast

The Brown Bess Musket: With Rob from Britishmuzzleloaders (Ep. 16)

In this episode my good friend Rob from the excellent Britishmuzzleloader YouTube channel tells me all about the history, development and use of the Brown Bess Musket (used by the bulk of the British army during the Peninsular War and beyond). 

"Brown Bess" is a nickname for the British Army's muzzle-loading smoothbore flintlock Musket and its derivatives. Ever wondered where the name came from or why the weapon was in use for so long? Then have a listen and find out. 

To keep up to date with my podcast and YouTube channel please subscribe to my newsletter and receive your free eBook all about the Martini-Henry Rifle. https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/

The Peninsular War, Part 4: The Battle of Corunna (Ep.15)

It's December 1808 as we join the British army after their small but impressive victory at the Battle of Sahagun. With the might of Napoleon's Grande Armee streaming towards him, Sir John Moore is forced to retreat through northern Spain to the coast. Will the British Expeditionary Force be caught and destroyed in the snow? Will discipline break down? Or, can Sir John Moore steer them to one final victory before they escape? This month's episode is a long, hard look at one of the most famous campaigns in British military history. So, take off your pack, place your musket by your side and pour yourself a stiff drink - you are going to need it. 

The Peninsular War, Part 3: Sir John Moore takes command, the advance into Spain and the Battle of Sahagun (Ep.14)

1808 - In the latest installment of The Redcoat History Podcast we meet Sir John Moore and follow the British Expeditionary Force as it advances into Spain to challenge the mighty Napoleon himself. We charge at the battle of Sahagun alongside the 15th Hussars in what the historian Charles Oman considered the greatest cavalry action of the Peninsular War.

Will Moore prove himself a great General or will the army be defeated and embarrassed once more?

By the way, for those of you like my podcasts about the Anglo-Zulu War, you will be pleased to discover that my new book is now available on Amazon as a Kindle download. Here is the link: https://amzn.to/3elkI7X

The Peninsular War: Part 2, The Battle of Vimeiro (Ep.13)

In the second part of my deep dive into the Peninsular war of 1808-1814, we follow Sir Arthur Wellesley and his small expeditionary force as they tackle Portugal's French occupiers. We examine the battle of Vimeiro - can Wellesley prove his mettle against "Boney's invincibles" or will he and his men be pushed back into the sea? 

The Peninsular War: Part 1, The Battle of Rolica (Ep.12)

Welcome to a new season of The Redcoat History Podcast. In season three we will be taking a deep dive into the Peninsular war – Yes, that’s right, think Richard Sharpe and the South Essex. It is a conflict that saw the Duke of Wellington rise to fame and the development of arguably the greatest and most successful British army to ever take the field.

In this, the first, episode we meet Sir Arthur Wellesley (soon to become the Duke of Wellington) and have ringside seats as he takes on the all-conquering French army at Rolica...Will he emerge victoriously or will the British be thrown back into the Atlantic ocean? 

To stay up to date with all the episodes and to get your free ebook about the Martini-Henry rifle please be sure to subscribe to my newsletter - https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/

The battle of Plassey Part 3: The final showdown (Ep.11)

In today's show, a small force of British and Indian Redcoats take on the might of the Nawab of Bengal. Is it finally curtains for Clive of India or is it just the beginning? Join me as we take a deep dive into this incredibly important historical battle - The battle of Plassey, which marks the beginning of the British Empire in India. 

For show notes and to join my mailing list (and receive your free eBook about the Martini-Henry Rifle) please visit www.redcoathistory.com

If you are on Instagram you can link up with me there also where I am @redcoathistory 

The battle of Plassey Part 2: Clive of India and how to capture a fort single-handed (Ep. 10)

India – 1756. Calcutta is lost. The British have been defeated and have been forced to retreat in disgrace.  

But inspired by the horror of the infamous Blackhole of Calcutta incident they are now full of a righteous desire for revenge.

After a series of internal squabbles Command of the expedition to retake Calcutta is given to a man named Robert Clive, a man who will play a big part in today’s episode and a man whose legacy is still with us.

But who is he and what was his background?

Find out in this episode as the thin red line of heroes takes on the huge army of the Nawab of Bengal, a drunk Sailor captures a fort single-handed and the British suffer heavy losses as they battle the French in a brutal artillery fight at Chandernagor. It's rip-roaring stuff.  

The Battle of Plassey: Part 1 The black hole of Calcutta (Ep.9)

It's the start of a new season for the Redcoat History Podcast. In Season 2 we are exploring the Battle of Plassey and the birth of the British Empire in India. It's a fascinating story of intrigue, corruption and world-changing battles. 

 

In this episode, we examine the siege of the British in Calcutta by the Nawab of Bengal and the subsequent "Blackhole" incident 0f 1756 which ignited a passion for revenge amongst the British. 

 

For more information, photos and maps please visit www.redcoathistory.com

 

or follow me on Instagram where I am @redcoathistory. 

Brutal Valour: an interview with Anglo-Zulu war fiction author James Mace (Ep. 8)

This is the final episode of season one of the Redcoat History Podcast. Today I interview American fiction author James Mace about his incredible series on the Anglo-Zulu war. We talk everything AZW including the legacy of Anthony Durnford, the myths of Rorke's Drift and whether Lord Chelmsford deserves to be treated harshly by most students of the war. 

If you like the episode then please comment and share with friends so that we can spread the word and build a tribe of people who love British military history. 

 

www.redcoathistory.com

 

If you like videos about history then please check my YouTube channel also.

The Martini-Henry Rifle: An interview with Rob from Britishmuzzleloaders (Ep.7)

EPISODE 7.

In this episode Chris, the Editor of Redcoat History chats in-depth with Rob from the hugely popular Britishmuzzleloaders YouTube channel about the Martini-Henry Rifle. 

The Martini-Henry breech-loading Rifle was a very significant weapon of its era and was one of the reasons that the British were so successful in the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879. 

Rob really knows his stuff and in this episode, everything about the weapon is covered: its history; its calibre; how it changed battlefield tactics and what it's like to shoot. 

So put down your orange mocha frappucino, shave off your hipster beard and pick up a weapon - it's time to make a man of you.

PS before you do that you may want to check out Rob's YouTube channel which is mind-blowingly good - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK-MdBJJw-0glJZgw8dO1Ag