The Redcoat History Podcast

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.

Outnumbered, outflanked, and nearly broken — Wellington’s army during the Peninsular War came dangerously close to collapse at Fuentes de Onoro. In this on-the-ground film, we walk the battlefield to uncover how terrain, timing, and sheer stubbornness turned the tide.

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 support the study of British military history by joining my Patreon page over at https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory - you will get early access to videos and extra content.

Marcus Cribb's channel is here - https://www.youtube.com/@UClSx0Xd34n_-zfIiO7vp7lQ

 

Once the most famous soldier in Britain, Sir Garnet Wolseley rose through sheer grit and genius — only to fall hard thanks to arrogance, politics, and a changing empire. Historian Stephen Manning joins me to explore the man behind the moustache in all his brilliant, baffling glory.

 

Stephen's book is available here - https://amzn.to/3ZsBFHT 

 

Sign up for my newsletter here (for a free eBook on the Zulu War) - https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/ 

 

Chris Brice's books can be found here - https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/ 

There was a reason cavalry dominated battlefields for centuries. And today, we’re covering 12 of the greatest British cavalry charges in history—from the glorious to the reckless.

Stick around to the end to hear which one is my personal favourite.

What do you think? What did I miss? Salamanca could have been there, but as I am covering that battle in a few weeks it didn't seem right to include it.

 

Thanks to Chris Brice for co-writing this episode. 

 

Join my mailing list here - https://redcoathistory.com/ 

A war started over a severed ear? You’d think it was a joke - until thousands of British soldiers died in the Caribbean heat, not all from battle, but from blundering leadership, tropical disease, and incompetence.

In this episode of Redcoat History, naval historian Tom Golding-Lee joins us to unpack one of Britain’s most catastrophic—and largely forgotten—campaigns: the expedition to Cartagena in 1741.

This is a story of ambition, hubris, and total military meltdown.

👉 Check out more at https://redcoathistory.com — including tours, books, and gear that help support the show.

Tom's Twitter account is - https://x.com/tdgnavalhistory 

Why Did the British Army Wear Red?

The red coat—bold, iconic, and unmistakably British. For nearly two centuries it was more than just for parade. . . it was the battlefield uniform of the British soldier. Feared by enemies, and loved by commanders.

In this episode, I dig into the origins of the red coat, why it was chosen, and what made it stick. It’s the uniform that gave this channel its name, so it’s about time we gave it a proper look.

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/ 

The SOE’s secret war in Burma is one of the most overlooked chapters of WWII. In this episode, historian Richard Duckett uncovers the remarkable story of Lt. Col. Edgar Peacock—a jungle-hardened guerrilla leader who fought the Japanese with a force of locals deep behind enemy lines. Denied medals and buried by bureaucracy, their story is only now being told.

Lt. Colonel Peacock's Grandson Duncan also joined us in this episode. 

The book can be purchased here - https://amzn.to/4miUoz6 

Join my mailing list here - https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/ 

Patreon, for early access to videos and podcasts - https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory 

Thanks to today's sponsor Osprey Publishing. They have tonnes of relevant books include a number of brilliant new releases.

Please follow this link to check out their catalogue and also support my show https://bit.ly/Ospreypublishing 

 

In this episode, we walk the battlefields of Barba del Puerco and the Combat on the Coa, two early engagements in the Peninsular War where the Rifles and the Light Division cemented their reputation as elite troops.

Using first-hand accounts, military analysis, and on-location footage, we explore:

• How the Rifles came to be
• What made the Baker Rifle so revolutionary
• Why their training under men like Sir John Moore changed the game
• And how they stood firm in the face of overwhelming French assaults

This is the real story behind Richard Sharpe’s old regiment — not fiction, but fact. These were the battles where the myth began.

 

🗺 Locations Featured:

• Barba del Puerco (March 1810)

      • River Coa, near Almeida (July 1810)

 

⚔️ Like what you see? Support the channel on Patreon for behind-the-scenes extras, research notes, and more: https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory 

In today’s episode, we’re diving into one of the most under-appreciated but fascinating corners of British military history: the Waziristan campaign of 1936–1937. It’s a tale of Gurkhas, armoured cars, tribal lashkars, and the infamous Faqir of Ipi—all set against the harsh, unforgiving terrain between British India and Afghanistan.

 

Jon Pick and I will be talking sniping, ambushes and mountain warfare. You’ll hear about heroic stands, and questionable decisions.

 

And if you enjoy this kind of thing—well then keep in touch and stay up to date with my newsletter by heading over to redcoathistory.com/newsletter and signing upIt’s where all the best stories march first.

Jon's military book business is excellent and can be found here - https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/yorkmilitarybooks 

The American War of Independence . . . A war that is viewed through the prism of American myth making and Hollywood movies.

This month is the 250th anniversary of the first clashes of that war. It's a fascinating and misunderstood conflict and I'm sure the next few years will see us bombarded with the old cliches and myths thrown out time after time.

Well, here on Redcoat History, we do our bit to try to turn the tide and share the nuance and detail that may be missing from the US media's coverage.

Today we are starting by taking a look at one regiment - a very fine regiment - the 47th Foot. They were heavily involved at Lexington and Concord and also at Bunker Hill.

Paul Knight has written a book all about them and today he’ll explain how the stereotypes of the robotic redcoat and the idiotic posh officer are far from the truth.

Paul's book can be purchased here - https://amzn.to/4j7TOSM