When you think of the Anglo-Zulu war the weapon that comes to mind is the Martini-Henry rifle. It is the weapon carried by the British infantryman throughout the war and it did valuable service - it's large-caliber bullets causing immense casualties against the Zulu Impis. Well, in Episode 7 of the RedcoatHistory Podcast I was … Continue reading Everything you ever wanted to know about the Martini-Henry rifle: An interview with Britishmuzzleloaders
Zulu Endgame: The battle of Ulundi
The battle of Ulundi fought on the 4th of July 1879 marked the bloody, brutal climax to the Anglo-Zulu war. After so many initial setbacks including the massacres at Isandlwana and Ntombe Drift Lord Chelmsford and the British forces could now breathe a sigh of relief - the Zulu impis were broken and their King, … Continue reading Zulu Endgame: The battle of Ulundi
A walk along Spion Kop
In today's battlefield tour video, my father and I take a walk around Spionkop (Spioenkop), scene of the some of the heaviest fighting of the Anglo-Boer war. It's a fascinating battlefield, hardly changed since that short, sharp battle of January 1900. The battle was part of the disastrous campaign to relieve Ladysmith and push the … Continue reading A walk along Spion Kop
Battlefield tour: The battle for the Platrand (Caesar’s camp and Wagon Hill)
The siege of Ladysmith during the Anglo-Boer war is the stuff of legends. The Boers had surrounded General Sir George White and his troops since the start of November 1899 but had been generally inactive and unwilling to launch a frontal assault on the town. That changed on the 6th January 1900 when the biggest … Continue reading Battlefield tour: The battle for the Platrand (Caesar’s camp and Wagon Hill)
Five minute history: the battle of Passchendaele
The third battle of Ypres or the battle of Passchendaele as it is commonly known has become a defining moment of the first world war – it is remembered for its horror, the mud and the senseless slaughter of men. But What happened and was it actually a terrible failure? Third Ypres was fought in … Continue reading Five minute history: the battle of Passchendaele
A short walk up Talana Hill: First battle of the Anglo-Boer war
The opening engagement of the Anglo-Boer war was fought in this small town in Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa. It was a small but important battle that showed the British army how dangerous it was to scorn their enemy. Join me for a walk up Talana hill as I get some exercise and move in … Continue reading A short walk up Talana Hill: First battle of the Anglo-Boer war
Video: Walking the Fugitive’s Trail at Isandlwana
After the British were defeated at the battle of Isandlwana a few hundred survivors made a dash for the Buffalo River in an attempt to escape from the victorious Zulus. Take a walk with me as we explore that story and examine the terrain of the battlefield.
Indian Mutiny: A walk around Delhi’s Kashmir Gate
The Indian mutiny: The assault at the Kashmir Gate, Delhi. In this video, I take a walk around Delhi's Kashmir gate, scene of heavy fighting during the Indian rebellion of 1857. Two VC's were won on this very spot.
Storming the beaches: Covering the 70th anniversary of D-Day
In 2014 I was lucky enough to be in Normandy for the 70th anniversary of D-Day. I was able to spend time with a number of veterans including Tony Colgan of the 9th Durham Light Infantry. Tony was travelling with his Grandson and it was wonderful to share this time with them. As part of … Continue reading Storming the beaches: Covering the 70th anniversary of D-Day
Video: A walk on W Beach, Gallipoli
In April 2015 I was lucky enough to attend the centenary commemorations of the Allied landings at Gallipoli. One of the sites well worth a visit is "W Beach" and the nearby Lancashire Landing cemetery. While there I made the short film below: W beach was known to the Turks as Tekke Bay. It was … Continue reading Video: A walk on W Beach, Gallipoli
