The Redcoat History Podcast

The Spartans of Africa? The reality of the Zulu army (1879)

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Historians often refer to them as the Spartans of Africa. The Zulus famously destroyed a British force at the Battle of Isandlwana in 1879.

But what do we really know about that victorious warrior army? In today’s video I’m going to walk you through their training, tactics, and organisation.Did they have guns? And could they really run fifty miles a day and fight a battle at the end of it?

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The Great War’s Forgotten Rulebook: How the British Army Learned to Win

How did the British Army go from the muddle of the Boer War to the professionalism of 1918?

In this episode, historian David Keable-Elliot talks to the show about The Doctrine of the British Army — the forgotten Field Service Regulations that shaped everything from tactics to training.

It’s the story of how a rulebook turned chaos into coherence, and helped Britain win the First World War.

Thanks to Dr Chris Brice for organising and conducting this interview. 

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Buy David's book - https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/the-doctrine-of-the-british-army-the-conception-and-implementation-of-field-service-regulations-1900-1918.php 

Don't mess with Bootnecks! 360 Years of Britain's elite Royal Marines

Who and What exactly are the Royal Marines? And what is there history? They’re not the Army. They’re not sailors. And yet somehow they’ve ended up in every war, every landing, every corner of the planet — from storming French ports in the 1700s, to yomping across the Falklands with eighty-pound packs, to creeping up beaches today with drones, fast boats, and sniper teams.

 

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The Many Faces of Richard Burton: Britain’s Wildest Explorer (and Soldier!)

Soldier, scholar, explorer, spy, shagger!

A man who spoke twenty-nine languages—plus a dozen more dialects.A man who carried the scars of a spear wound through both cheeks and still managed to insult people afterwards.

He was a man who was fascinated by the dark and mysterious corners of the world and of the human psyche.

Today we are going to Learn about one of Britain’s greatest explorers, an extreme character - complex and unconventional . . .sirs ma’am’s ladies and gents I give you the one and only Richard Francis Burton.

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Victorian Crusaders: Britons Who Fought for the Pope’s Army

Today, we’re really diving into an obscure niche. . . Rome in the 1860s — a decade of revolution, nationalism, and, oddly enough, British and Irish Catholics signing up to fight for the Pope.

Our guest is historian Nicholas Schofield, author of Victorian Crusaders: British and Irish Volunteers in the Papal Army, 1860–70. It’s a story of faith, politics, and some very unlikely Redcoats in baggy Zouave trousers. The book is published by Helion and here is the link to buy - https://amzn.to/46tsA48 

Special thanks to my good mate Dr Christopher Brice for conducting today’s interview. He is an expert in his own right and has written a number of books about Victorian military History - https://www.helion.co.uk/people/christopher-brice.php 

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And come tour the Zulu War battlefields with me by signing up for a tour here - https://paystack.com/buy/the-zulu-war-a-self-drive-tour-with-redcoat-history-devkrw 

Guerrillas, Redcoats, and Empire: Understanding Asymmetric Warfare

How do you beat an enemy who refuses to fight by the rules? From ambushes in the forests of North America to the frontier wars in Africa, the British Army faced enemies who fought small, fast, and ruthless. We now call it asymmetric warfare — the clash between the strong and the weak, the lion and the fly.

In this episode of Redcoat History, I sit down with Dr Jacob Hagstrom — former U.S. Army officer and author of Asymmetric Warfare (Cambridge University Press). We explore how Redcoats struggled, adapted, and sometimes failed when fighting foes who didn’t line up on open fields. Expect stories from the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, and the Cape Frontier as well as a discussion about the recent campaign in Afghanistan.

Link to Jacob's book - https://amzn.to/47B3jHz

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The British Empire’s Regulars 1880-1914

This week I’m joined by historian Wendell Schollander to discuss his new book The British Empire’s Regulars 1880–1914. We dive into the lives of the men who fought and marched across the globe in Britain’s name – English, Sikhs, Scots, Gurkhas, Ibos, Zulus and many more – showing how these diverse soldiers were anything but anonymous pawns. Wendell brings their stories to life, explaining the unique contributions of each group and why their service was vital to the empire’s survival.

Wendell's book is available here - https://amzn.to/3HON0ME 

Special thanks to Chris Brice for stepping in with hosting today. His books can be found here - https://www.helion.co.uk/people/christopher-brice.php 

Brevet Ranks, Forgotten Regiments & Bureaucratic Chaos (Britain's Napoleonic Army)

Did you know a British cavalry captain once held the army rank of lieutenant general… and still just led a squadron?

In this episode, we dive deep into the gloriously confusing world of the Napoleonic-era British Army with historian Steve Brown. From "Brevet" ranks, to gentleman volunteers who wielded muskets while hoping someone died so they could get a promotion—this is the army as you’ve never heard it before.

We uncover forgotten garrisons, militia mysteries, and the strange story behind those regimental county titles that mostly meant nothing at all.

Expect penal battalions, Greek soldiers in red coats, and dashing hussars who were all moustache and no discipline.

It's the military equivalent of Monty Python meets Yes Minister—only it really happened.

Steve's books can be purchased here - https://amzn.to/4eRDm85 

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Onwards to Omdurman - Empire Strikes Back: The battle for Sudan (1898)

Today we’re heading to the Sudan—dusty, dangerous, and politically explosive. We’re talking about Onwards to Omdurman, a gripping book by military historian Keith Surridge, which examines the often-overlooked campaigns leading up to Kitchener’s famous victory in 1898.

But I’m not in the interviewer’s chair for this one. Instead, friend of the show and fellow historian Chris Brice takes the reins for a fascinating deep dive into empire, ambition, and the logistics of war in the late Victorian age.

Before we begin, don’t forget—if you enjoy this podcast, head over to redcoathistory.com/newsletter to sign up to my mailing list. You’ll get updates, behind-the-scenes stories, and a free ebook all about the Battle of Isandlwana, one of the most dramatic defeats in British military history.

Keith's book can be purchased here - https://amzn.to/3GcxOs5 

And Chris Brice's books are available here - https://amzn.to/4lcMiHn 

Courage in Chaos - the Relief of Lucknow (w/ Eva Chatterji)

In this episode of the Redcoat History podcast, I’m joined by historian and author Eva Chatterji to uncover the brutal truth behind the Relief of Lucknow during the Indian Mutiny of 1857.

We go beyond the siege itself to tell the story of the fighting retreat, political backstabbing, and desperate urban combat that nearly doomed the entire British operation. Along the way we meet:

• Sir Henry Havelock, the “soldier-saint” leading from the front

• Sir James Outram, trying to manage a political minefield

• Sir Colin Campbell, the master planner who finally broke through

• And William Hall, the first Black man to win a Victoria Cross

This isn’t just a story of Empire and military heroics — it’s a story of chaos, confusion, and courage in the face of overwhelming odds.

Eva’s new book Courage and Chaos is out now from Barnthorne Publishing and Amazon.