The Royal Marines are one of those British institutions that defy easy description. They’re not the Army. They’re not quite the Navy. And yet, for more than three and a half centuries, they’ve shown up in almost every corner of the world where Britain has decided to plant a flag, rescue a friend, or pick … Continue reading The History and Evolution of the Royal Marines
The Redcoats Are Coming: The Story Behind Britain’s Most Iconic Uniform
The redcoats. Possibly the most distinctive soldiers in history. Yes, other nations had red-coated troops. And yes, British soldiers have worn other colours over the centuries. But that bold, brash, unmistakable scarlet has become the enduring image of the British Army—especially the Empire-building kind. Redcoats of the 2/24th Regiment of Foot at the Battle of … Continue reading The Redcoats Are Coming: The Story Behind Britain’s Most Iconic Uniform
“Six VCs Before Breakfast” – The Gallipoli Landing of the Lancashire Fusiliers
In 1915, a British battalion stormed the beaches of Gallipoli in one of the most daring — and disastrous — amphibious operations in modern military history. By the end of the day, just a few hundred men from the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers were still standing. And yet, from the chaos and bloodshed, six soldiers … Continue reading “Six VCs Before Breakfast” – The Gallipoli Landing of the Lancashire Fusiliers
Would You Have Gone Back?
The Victoria Crosses Awarded at the Battle of Isandlwana The Battle of Isandlwana on 22 January 1879 was one of the greatest defeats in British military history. Over 20,000 Zulu warriors overwhelmed a thin red line of redcoats and their allies, leaving just a handful of survivors. But amidst the chaos and slaughter, there were … Continue reading Would You Have Gone Back?
A Very Fine Regiment: The 47th Foot in the American Revolution
As the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution begins to dominate headlines, clichés and old myths are already crawling back into the conversation. The Redcoats were robotic. Their officers were clueless aristocrats. They lost because they were hopeless. You’ve heard it all before. But what if we told you the truth is far more interesting? … Continue reading A Very Fine Regiment: The 47th Foot in the American Revolution
The Battle of Congella: 1842
The 23rd of May 1842 may not ring a bell for many, but it marks an important yet often overlooked moment in British and South African history: the Battle of Congella.
How the Corps of Guides Changed Warfare Forever
Raised in December 1846, the Guides would go on to build a reputation for bravery, innovation, and loyalty, fighting in key campaigns such as the 2nd Anglo-Sikh War, the Afghan Wars, and both World Wars.
Arnhem’s Umbrella Major: The Insane Bravery of Digby Tatham Warter
Operation Market Garden. While history often recalls the chaos and tragedy of the battle, one man’s bizarre bravery stands out: Major Allison Digby Tatham Warter, a British officer so eccentric that he carried an umbrella into battle.
The Forgotten Impact of British Rifles in the American Revolution
The British Army, often portrayed as rigid and traditional, was far from the lumbering force it is sometimes made out to be. Contrary to the stereotype of redcoats marching in straight lines, armed with inaccurate smoothbore muskets, the British were both adaptable and innovative. In fact, they too made use of rifles during the Revolutionary War—sometimes to an even greater extent than the American revolutionaries.
Gunboat Diplomacy at Its Best: The Shortest War in History
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.
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