The Redcoat History Podcast

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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Olympic Warriors: Incredible Olympians who Fought for their Country

In this episode, you’re going to hear about 5 men who won a shed load of medals… not just military ones, but Olympic ones too.

Buy Redcoat History Merch here - https://bit.ly/redcoatshirts

Max Fahler's Substack - https://maxfahler.substack.com/

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/

You can also join the Patreon over at https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory 

Meet the 'Good Americans': Loyalists Who Defied the Revolution! 🇬🇧 🇺🇸

Today we are talking about the “Good Americans” - those who stayed loyal to the crown during the American Revolution. Lieutenant General James Robertson, a senior British general in America said that it was always his intention to subdue the bad Americans with the “Good Americans.”

Well, he was referring to those brave loyalists - the men who knew right from wrong and respected their King.

Special thanks to today's wonderful guest Todd Braisted. His website is https://www.royalprovincial.com/

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/

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Salonika: The WW1 sideshow that may have won the war...

It’s a WW1 campaign that is largely forgotten. In fact it’s been derided as a sideshow.

But was it?

Today I am joined by Jake Gasson - https://x.com/JakeGasson1918 - to discuss the Salonika campaign of 1915-1918.

At its peak, the British Salonica force or BSF numbered over 200,000 soldiers  - but many senior officers felt this was a huge waste of resources.

In today’s episode Jake will talk us through the campaign and then explain why some senior German figures felt that the campaign was in fact of huge strategic importance - perhaps even the reason the allies won the war.

He then goes on to discuss his PhD thesis about boredom during the campaign and its effect on morale and unit cohesion. It's fascinating stuff. 

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When Redcoats faced the "Cossacks of Africa" (Lesotho, 1852)

Today’s Podcast is all about a forgotten war in the mountains of southern Africa, and it’s about King Moshoeshoe, the most incredible king you’ve never heard of.

It’s about how to win when you have no chance.

We’ll learn how British soldiers intimidated their enemy by cooking lunch in the middle of a battle, and we’ll see how cattle rustling can get you into a lot of trouble.

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/

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The fascinating story of Britain and our oldest ally

A special thanks to today's sponsor - Osprey Publishing - The destination for military history books.

Here is the link to their website - https://bit.ly/redcoatosprey

Britain and Portugal...It’s the longest continuing alliance in global history… and Winston Churchill said it was an alliance “without parallel in world history”.

In today’s Podcast we will explore some forgotten conflicts like that of 1762 . . .then we’ll take a look at how the two armies fought side by side in the Peninsular war and take a deep look at the Battle of Bussacco - the battle that forged the Portuguese army.

We’ll then examine the role of the "Pork and beans" as they were known on the western front in the First World War.

It’s fascinating stuff.

Stay tuned till the end to find out how The Portuguese also played a part in Britain’s Falklands campaign in 1982.

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/

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https://ko-fi.com/redcoathistory

or

sign up for my Patreon page via

www.patreon.com/redcoathistory 

 

The History of New Zealand's Incredible Maori Soldiers

This episode is a detailed look at the history of Maori soldiers, especially in the two world wars. German Field marshal Erwin Rommel allegedly said of them, "Give me a Maori Battalion and I will conquer the world." But what is the full history and just how effective were they? let's find out. 

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 my patreon over at  patreon.com/redcoathistory  

The Bravest Man in England - The Life and Death of Colonel Fred Burnaby

His life was straight from the pages of a swashbuckling novel…

Some even say he was the inspiration for Harry Flashman…

Do you know who it is?

It's Colonel Frederick Gustavus Burnaby of the Royal Horse Guards.

Built like a brick outhouse, strong as an ox, brave as a lion…I could keep going on but I think let’s get stuck in to today’s interview with John Hawkins.

John’s written a two volume history of Burnaby’s life and really knows his stuff.

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