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The podcast for military history geeks and people with a passion for good stories. We focus on British and Commonwealth military history from the birth of the redcoat era through to modern warfare.
Episodes
Monday Oct 16, 2023
Monday Oct 16, 2023
The Victoria Cross - the highest and most prestigious decoration available to British service members.
We all know what it looks like - It’s a small bronze cross with a distinctive crimson ribbon. But what else do you know about it?
Well, today I am joined by author and historian Kevin Brazier…he’s going to be busting some of the myths and answering all of my questions about the VC.
His books on the subject can be purchased via these links:
The Complete Victoria Cross: https://amzn.to/3EERK29
Victoria Crosses of the Gurkha and Indian Regiments: https://amzn.to/3r6ZGWZ
Subscribe to my mailing list to receive your free book about the Battle of Isandlwana - http://bit.ly/redcoathistory
Monday Oct 09, 2023
Monday Oct 09, 2023
The siege of Lucknow saw the bloodiest fighting of the Indian Mutiny.
In this episode, I walk the residency grounds, explore how the site looks now and tell the story of the six month long siege.
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://www.redcoathistory.com
If you are very generous, you can also buy me a coffee and help support the channel via
Monday Oct 02, 2023
Monday Oct 02, 2023
Today the one and only Ian Knight joins us to discuss his new book, "Warriors in Scarlet - The Life and Times of the Last Redcoats".
Ian has written many brilliant books on the Zulu War and his new work looks at the British army of the early to mid-Victorian era.
In this interview, Ian explains how the army developed over this period and talks us through some of the most interesting campaigns that it fought.
The book can be purchased here: https://amzn.to/3RxreiX
I also ask you to support the show by signing up for my mailing list here to receive your free eBook about the Battle of Isandlwana. http://bit.ly/redcoathistory
Monday Sep 25, 2023
Monday Sep 25, 2023
It's September 1857 - the Indian Mutiny is going strong. The British are outnumbered and outgunned. Not a good position to be in for storming a major city.
But they are determined to hold India at all costs. Can the redcoats and their allies achieve the impossible against a determined and worthy foe?
Walk the streets of old Delhi with me to find out more about this important Indian Mutiny battle of September 1857.
I am also joined by Historian Amarpal Singh on this episode. He has a book on the battle that can be purchased via this link
If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: www.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
Monday Sep 18, 2023
Monday Sep 18, 2023
Shaka, the founder of the Zulu nation, is South Africa's most famous warrior-king. He was a formidable man. But what is his story and who were the Kings who came after him?
In this brief introduction to the subject, I am joined by historian Professor John Laband.
You can find his books on the subject via the links below.
The assassination of King Shaka - https://amzn.to/3KMq9Qj
The Eight Zulu Kings - https://amzn.to/43SOx9e
This interview was filmed at the Clash of Empires Exhibition in London. It is now finished but you can still visit their website - https://clashofempires.org/
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://www.redcoathistory.com
If you are very generous, you can also buy me a coffee and help support the channel via https://ko-fi.com/redcoathistory
Monday Sep 11, 2023
Monday Sep 11, 2023
The Peninsular War is one of the most interesting in British military history.
Sir Arthur Wellesley, later the Duke of Wellington, led a successful army against the French from 1808-1814 in Portugal, Spain, and the South of France.
This was my first live broadcast and features John Viscardo of the Generals and Napoleon Podcast, and Marcus Cribb who is @ mcribbhistory on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/mcribbHistory
We are examining the French Marshals who faced Wellington.. Who were they, and who was the best?
John's YouTube channel can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@generalsandnapoleon
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
Saturday Aug 26, 2023
Saturday Aug 26, 2023
The Gurkha’s - one of the most famous regiments in the British army. These tough men from Nepal have fought across the globe for Britain.
But how did they end up fighting for the British and when did they emerge as an elite unit? That’s the story we are telling today.
I am joined by the wonderful Josh Provan who can be found on Twitter
Monday Aug 14, 2023
Monday Aug 14, 2023
It is the hot summer of 1857. A small besieging British force, massively outnumbered and outgunned by the Sepoys inside the city. . .
Can this ragtag bunch of British soldiers and hastily raised regiments from the Punjab really retake the seat of the Mughal empire? Can they finally gain a victory and change the course of the Rebellion?
Today’s story is fascinating, filled with glory and honour but also brutality and terror.
Stick with me to find out more about the siege of Delhi in 1857.
Amarpal Singh's book "The Siege of Delhi" can be purchased via this link - https://amzn.to/3OiR6gS
If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: www.redcoathistory.com
If you are very generous, you can also buy me a coffee and help support the channel via https://ko-fi.com/redcoathistory
Monday Aug 07, 2023
Monday Aug 07, 2023
Cawnpore - was a key battle during the war of 1857 in northern India. But it was more than just a battle - it became a rallying cry. It was a brutal fight followed by an infamous and tragic massacre and eventually some terrible retribution from the British.
Join me as I continue my series on the Indian mutiny of 1857 - known in India as the 1st War of Independence.
My key source for this video was Andrew Ward's book, "Our bones are scattered" that can purchased via this link - https://amzn.to/3mE4HUI
You can also read Mowbray Thomson's book for free via this link - https://archive.org/details/storycawnpore00thomgoog/mode/2up
and Shepherd's book can be read here -
https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.284844/page/n47/mode/2up
If you are also interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: www.redcoathistory.com
If you are very generous, you can also buy me a coffee and help support the channel via https://ko-fi.com/redcoathistory
Monday Jul 24, 2023
Monday Jul 24, 2023
Want to hear how a historical fiction author researches his books and how a military themed metal band makes sure their lyrics are accurate?
Today is a fun episode where I catch up with two old friends of the show - fiction author James Mace and Rock Legend Chris Simpson.
James has two new books coming out - https://www.legionarybooks.net/
Forlorn Hope are working on a new concept album. Follow them here: https://forlornhope.uk/home
The Clash of Empires exhibition is running until the end of July - book your free tickets here - https://clashofempires.org/
If you want to follow what I'm up to and receive a free eBook about the Anglo-Zulu War at the same time then just fill out the sign up form for my email newsletter via