The Redcoat History Podcast

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 

Zulu End Game: The massacre at Ulundi and the end of the Anglo-Zulu war (Ep.6)

In Episode 6 we examine the final chapter of the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879. After a series of defeats at Isandlwana, Ntombe Drift and Hlobane mountain the British are finally ready to turn the tables and launch a fresh invasion of Zululand. This time they have the manpower, the weaponry and the will to steam-roller King Cetswayo and his already battered army - but can they do it? 

 

Don't forget to visit www.redcoathistory.com for more background info and the show notes and also to follow me on Instagram where I am @redcoathistory. 

Zulu Broken: The battles of Ntombe Drift, Hlobane and Kambula (Ep.5)

In today’s episode of the Redcoat History Podcast (no, it's not a history of Butlin's) we follow further exploits from the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879 - the invasion’s northern column, under Colonel Evelyn Wood.

We are going to be surprised in our beds by a Zulu raid and have to battle them naked. We are going to be outfought and nearly wiped out attacking one of their strongholds and we are then going to face the might of a huge zulu impi as it comes charging towards our laager at Kambula - could this finally be the end of the British invasion?

For show notes including maps, videos and a bibliography then please visit my website www.redcoathistory.com and also please do drop me a line via my social media - Twitter and Instagram. 

Anglo-Zulu War Part 4: The siege and relief of Eshowe

In this episode of The Redcoat History Podcast Christian Parkinson delves into the history of the battle of Nyezane, the siege of Eshowe and the battle of Gingindlovu - tough scraps from the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879 that are often overlooked in popular history. 

 

For the full show notes, maps and videos be sure to visit www.redcoathistory.com 

 

So what is The Redcoat History Podcast?

 

It's a podcast to learn about the history of the British army, its most famous campaigns, its worst defeats and its greatest leaders. During the first week of every month battlefield explorer, Christian Parkinson delves deep into a new topic. This is a podcast for the military geeks, the obsessives, those who like to feel what it is like to fix bayonets and charge the French. It is military history as it should be: exciting, fast-paced and so real you can smell the gunpowder.

The Anglo-Zulu War Part 3: The Battle of Rorke's Drift

The Battle of Rorke's Drift, fought at a lonely mission station on the Natal/Zululand border on 22 January 1879, is probably the most famous British engagement of the Victorian era. 

 

11 Victoria Crosses were won in a single day as a handful of British troops fought for their lives against around 4000 Zulus. It is the stuff of legends, forever immortalised in the 1964 film Zulu. But how realistic is that film and how true are our preconceptions about the battle. 

 

In this episode of the Redcoat History Podcast, Christian Parkinson walks us through the battle, drawing heavily on the accounts of those who were there. For more information including maps and videos then visit www.redcoathistory.com. 

 

Christian can also be found on Instagram and Twitter where he is known as @redcoathistory. 

The Anglo-Zulu War Part 2: The Battle of Isandlwana

The battle of Isandlwana fought on the 22^nd of January 1879, is one of the most discussed and written about engagements in the history of the British army. We British do love a glorious defeat and the battle certainly falls into that category. It’s a difficult battle for the historian - disjointed and confused with few first-hand accounts to help us.

 As Keith Smith says:

 “Isandlwana is the most impenetrable engagement to comprehend because all of the major European participants lost their lives. Had Colonel Durnford, Lietuentant-Colonel Pulleine or even Lieutenant Melvill survived, then the story of the events of that dreadful day would now be easier to tell. But they did not, and it is thus no accident that this battle engages us still.”

 Welcome to episode 2 of the Redcoat history podcast with me Christian Parkinson – I’m a filmmaker, photographer and battlefield explorer who has a passion for the history of the British army – a passion that I’m desperate to share.

If you want read the full notes for this episode including a bibliography and my video tours of the key locations then please go to www.redcoathistory.com 

The Anglo-Zulu War Part1: The Road To War

Welcome to the first ever episode of the Redcoat History Podcast - a place to learn the history of the British army, its most famous campaigns, its worst defeats and its greatest leaders. On the first Monday of every month battlefield explorer, Christian Parkinson delves deep into a new topic. This is a podcast for the military geeks, the obsessives, those who like to feel what it is like to fix bayonets and charge the French. It is military history as it should be: exciting, fast-paced and so real you can smell the gunpowder.

In the first few episodes, we will be exploring the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. Who were the Zulus and why did Britain invade this tiny corner of Africa?

In subsequent episodes, we will dive into great detail about the battles and personalities of this conflict that still fascinates the historian and the public alike. 

For detailed show notes, maps and videos please head over to www.redcoathistory.com/podcast