How did the British Army compare with its greatest enemies? From Native American warriors and Napoleon's cavalry to the Māori, Sikh Khalsa and Russian Army, our Osprey-sponsored video series explores the weapons, tactics and battles that shaped British military history. Discover what made the redcoats so formidable, where they struggled and what they learned from their opponents.
Isandlwana: Debunking the Biggest Myths…
Did British soldiers run out of ammunition at Isandlwana? Were young drummer boys tortured by Zulu warriors? And did drugs turn the Zulu army into fearless killing machines? We examine three of the biggest myths of the Anglo-Zulu War and uncover what really happened in January 1879.
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?
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.
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.
Forget everything you think you know about the Martini-Henry Rifle
At the recent Clash of Empires Exhibition in London I was lucky enough to meet and interview many experts in their field. Amongst them was the wonderful Neil Aspinshaw - collector and expert on the Martini-Henry Rifle. He is the author of an exceptional book about the weapon that you can find here - https://martini-henry-society.myshopify.com/ … Continue reading Forget everything you think you know about the Martini-Henry Rifle
The surprising secrets of Zulu Shields
One aspect of the anglo-Zulu war of 1879 that’s always fascinated me is Shields. They were a big part of Zulu tactical doctrine but also had deeper meanings, both on and off the battlefield. Ian Knight, co-curator of the Clash of Empires Exhibition, and expert of all things Anglo-Zulu war, explains more in the video … Continue reading The surprising secrets of Zulu Shields
The Battle for Moorosi’s Mountain – 1879
Did you know that while the British army was battling the Zulus, another force of Cape soldiers was fighting in a nearby region against the BaPhuti people of southern Lesotho?
The First Anglo-Boer War
I have recently completed a short series covering the 1st Anglo-Boer War of 1880-81. It is a campaign often forgotten and overlooked by military historians. Perhaps part of the reason is that the British lost every battle - Bronkhorstspruit, Laing's Nek and Majuba amongst them.
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