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.
“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
Myth vs. Reality: The British Army’s Innovative WW1 Tactics
Forget everything you think you know about WW1 British tactics. The common image: waves of young soldiers marching into machine gun fire, led by blundering generals who refused to adapt. But what if I told you this isn’t the full story?
Military History meets Heavy Metal: An interview with Forlorn Hope Band
In this bonus Redcoat History Podcast episode, I meet Chris Simpson from the awesome heavy metal band Forlorn Hope. They have an entire album all about the Peninsular War, and in February 2021 their new single drops - To the Bitter End - a thrilling retelling of the story of the 1916 defence of Frankfurt … Continue reading Military History meets Heavy Metal: An interview with Forlorn Hope Band
A Lion in the Trenches. The Life of Captain Pollard VC, MC (and Bar) and DCM – video.
If you follow my blog you may have read an article about Captain A. O. Pollard of the Honourable Artillery Company. I am slightly obsessed by his excellent autobiography "Fire-eater". It is the antithesis of most books about the Great War. In it he focuses on the glory, the fun and the camaraderie of life … Continue reading A Lion in the Trenches. The Life of Captain Pollard VC, MC (and Bar) and DCM – video.
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
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
Video: A 5 minute history of the battle of the Somme
In this video I give an overview of the battle of the Somme - Britain's deadliest battle. The battle raged from July to November 1916. I'm not a Somme expert but I hope this will give you a basic understanding of why and how the battle was fought.
“I have killed another Hun, Hurrah!”
A review of Captain A O Pollard VC's amazing auto-biography "Fire-Eater".
