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The podcast for military history geeks and people with a passion for good stories. We focus on British and Commonwealth military history from the birth of the redcoat era through to modern warfare.
Episodes

May 28, 2021
May 28, 2021
20 min
A bit of a change on the podcast today...bear with me as I will be back to the Peninsular War very soon...
A recent petition was launched in the UK to attempt to upgrade the Military Medal of black South African soldier Job Maseko. Some people believe that Job should have won a Victoria Cross for blowing up a German ship while he was a prisoner of war in North Africa. But what is the full story? Did racism block Job's medal? What is his legacy in South Africa and is he still remembered in his hometown? I went to find out the answer to all of those questions. . .
If you enjoyed this episode then please subscribe and also join my mailing list via - https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/

May 16, 2021
May 16, 2021
1hr 10 min
The Battle of Albuera fought in Spain on 16th of May 1811 is considered to be the bloodiest battle of the Peninsular war. One British unit suffered a staggering 85% casualties. But what happened? Why were casualties so horrific and who eventually won this slogging match? Tune in as I discuss all of these points and many more with:
Marcus Beresford (descendent of the British commander) https://marcusdelapoerberesford.ie/ho...
Dr. Mark Thompson - author on the battle - https://marksthompson.weebly.com/ and
Marcus Cribb - expert on the Peninsular - https://twitter.com/mcribbHistory
Subscribe to my newsletter to receive a PDF of the transcript of this episide
www.redcoathistory.com/newsletter

Apr 14, 2021
Apr 14, 2021
36 min
The latest Redcoat History Podcast...Today's episode on one of the key battles of the Peninsular War is a belter. . .A bitter hand-to-hand fight along alleyways and inside houses, an inexperienced allied division cut off and in danger of annihilation. A troop of horse artillery surrounded and forced to slash their way through the French cavalry. Today’s episode of the Redcoat History Podcast is packed with drama – put your pack down, sip some captured French grog and lend me your ears as we are transported to May 1811 and find Wellington and the allied army with their backs to the wall once more at the village of Fuentes de Oñoro on the Spanish-Portuguese border. Visit www.redcoathistory.com/newsletter to sign up for my monthly despatch.

Mar 15, 2021
Mar 15, 2021
47 min
It is 1810 and the French are invading Portugal once again. Can they kick the pesky Redcoats out of the Peninsular for good?
In the latest Redcoat History Podcast (Season 3), we are talking all about the Lines of Torres Vedras - the amazing engineering feat that allowed Wellington and his small army to defeat the French.
I am joined on the show by Mark Thompson - author of numerous books about the Peninsular including a number that cover the lines. Mark is also involved with the Friends of the Lines of Torres Vedras whose website is https://fltv.weebly.com/
I also have a website and would love it if you would sign up for my newsletter and help me to spread the love for British military history - https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter

Mar 1, 2021
Mar 1, 2021
6 min
Today we have a short bonus episode on the Peninsular War. Marcus Cribb, manager of Apsley House, joins the podcast today to answer the question, 'was Wellington a defensive General?' In this fun, concise episode he explains his thoughts and tries to shatter some of the myths.
To read more about Marcus's thoughts on Wellingtons generalship please see his excellent article: https://www.dukeofwellington.org/post/the-best-of-wellington-five-of-the-iron-duke-s-victories-that-surpass-waterloo
I would also appreciate it if you signed up for my website's monthly newsletter packed with fun links and updates - https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter

Feb 14, 2021
Feb 14, 2021
1hr 21 sec
In this month's Peninsular War episode I interview the amazing Rob from Britishmuzzleloaders - he is a walking encyclopedia of historical British rifles and muskets. Today he teaches me all about the Development, accuracy, rate of fire and tactical use of the Baker Rifle - aka the Pattern 1800 Infantry Rifle.
I have a website and please follow this link to sign up for the monthly newsletter - https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/
Rob's brilliant YouTube channel can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/user/britishmuzzleloaders

Feb 1, 2021
Feb 1, 2021
18 min
In this bonus Redcoat History Podcast episode, I meet Chris Simpson from the awesome heavy metal band Forlorn Hope. They have an entire album all about the Peninsular War, and in February 2021 their new single drops - To the Bitter End - a thrilling retelling of the story of the 1916 defence of Frankfurt Trench.
You can check out the band's website here - https://forlornhope.uk/to-the-bitter-end-2021
Please subscribe to my newsletter for a monthly email packed with useful curated military history links - you'll also get your free eBook all about the Martini-Henry Rifle.

Jan 13, 2021
Jan 13, 2021
33 min
In the latest episode of Season 3 of The Redcoat History Podcast, we examine the Battle of Busacco...fought in Portugal on the 27th September 1810. The battle is important for many reasons - not least of which as it marked the coming of age of the newly reorganized and re-equipped Portuguese army which would achieve so much throughout the rest of the Peninsular war.
March in the ranks and sit alongside Wellington as he decides when and how to try and stop the third French invasion of Portugal - will he be successful or will Marshal Massena's army of veterans brush the Redcoats aside and advance to Lisbon?
If you are on Instagram and like looking at photos of the world's battlefields then check me out - https://www.instagram.com/redcoathistory/
I am also on Twitter - https://twitter.com/redcoathistory
And I have a website - https://redcoathistory.com/
Dec 14, 2020
Dec 14, 2020
1hr 15 min
In the latest installment of the Redcoat History Podcast I talk to Marcus Cribb (manager of Apsley House) all about the first Richard Sharpe book "Sharpe's Eagle". We follow the plot of the novel and explain which bits are true and which bits do not conform to the actual history of the Battle of Talavera. It's a really fun episode...Pls let me know your favourite Sharpe book.
Don't forget to subscribe and share the link with any friends who love British military history.
Marcus can be found on Twitter where he is @mcribbhistory
My website is www.redcoathistory.com
Nov 16, 2020
Nov 16, 2020
50 min
The 5/60th Rifles were arguably the most elite unit of Wellington's Peninsular army. Dressed in green, carrying the Baker Rifle, they fought in virtually every battle from 1808 to 1814. But did you know that they were mainly foreigners - Germans, Russians and Hungarians?
In this in-depth interview, Rob Griffith talks with Redcoat History all about the formation, tactics and eventual disbandment of this impressive unit.
To find out more about Rob please follow him on Twitter - https://twitter.com/Rob_Griffith_
If you are on Instagram and like looking at photos of the world's battlefields then check me out
- https://www.instagram.com/redcoathistory/
I am also on Twitter - https://twitter.com/redcoathistory
And I have a website - https://redcoathistory.com/
