The Redcoat History Podcast

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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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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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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or

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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/

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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.

Please sign up for my newsletter and receive your free eBook on the Battle of Isandlwana - https://redcoathistory.com/2021/10/27/free-book-the-military-history-geeks-guide-to-the-anglo-zulu-war/ 

In today's episode, I examine which regiment is the oldest in the British army...

It's not as straight-forward as you may think. 

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 join patreon via https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory 

The 9th Cape Frontier War is almost completely forgotten. But today's guest presenter Cam Simpson has been doing a lot of research on the little known Battle of Umzintzani.

It was a desperate fight deep in rural South Africa - it's a fight rich with valour, excitement and tragedy.

Cam is the author on numerous books about military history and they can be purchased via this link - https://amzn.to/3WjBkGA 

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 our Patreon page over at https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory 

Why is the British army (man for man) so damn good and why has it been so effective over the centuries?

In today's episode we explore the unique regimental system.

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The British redcoats of the American revolution…

Often mocked, undervalued or portrayed as red-coated imperial storm troopers with a hatred of freedom loving American rebels.

In the last episode, we looked at who they really were, their backgrounds, places of birth and how much training they received.

Well today we are joined once more by author Robbie McNiven to find out more about the 33rd regiment of foot during the revolution. There battles, how they performed and why ultimately the Americans won the war.

The 33rd were arguably Britians most elite regiment of the era…not including the Foot Guards of course…and they fought in almost every major battle of the revolution.

Robbie's book on the regiment can be purchased via this link - https://amzn.to/3J8TgvA 

The British Army of the American revolution.

Like most British armies throughout history, they were over-stretched, under resourced and fighting thousands of miles from home against a tough and determined enemy.

But what do we really know about these men in the red coats?

Were they the proverbial scum of the earth?

Was the army their only option to avoid the gutter?

Where were they from and how long did had they served?

And what about the officers? Were they “foppish dandies, or oafish brutes”? Or were they well-motivated and experienced soldiers doing the best for their men?

Well today I am joined by author and historian Robbie MacNiven to discover the answers to all of these questions and more.

Robbie has written a book about the 33rd Foot on campaign during the revolution - it’s called the Pattern and I’ve posted a link below.

https://amzn.to/4cH2WLo 

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