There are still mysteries and controversies around the battle. For example did Wellington throw a chicken leg over his shoulder and cry, 'By God that will do'? How many French Imperial Eagles were actually won? And was this Wellington's greatest victory? - You might be surprised by the answer.
Rorkes Drift From Above: Drone shots of the famous battlefield
The Battle of Rorke’s Drift is one of the most famous engagements in British military history. I’ve made a number of films about the battle over the years which you can find on this website and on my YouTube channel, but for this film I wanted to do something different - Drone shots of the site and also a chronology of the battle.
Horror in the Breaches: The Third Siege of Badajoz
The Third Siege of Badajoz was a brutal and bloody affair. It was a huge test for Wellington and his British and Portuguese troops. They had failed twice before, could they finally capture this immense fortress that protects the southern route between Portugal and Spain?
New Video: The First Anglo-Sikh War – The Battle of Sobraon (with Amarpal Singh)
This is the final instalment of my interview with Sikh Historian Amarpal Singh. He talks us through the final moves of the First Anglo-Sikh War which culminated in the Battle of Sobraon fought on the 10th of February 1846.
Albuera: The bloodiest battle of the Peninsular War
The Battle of Albuera, fought on the 16th of May 1811, is considered to be the bloodiest fought during the entire Peninsular War. Listen/watch the Redcoat History Podcast to find out the full story.
The Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro, May 1811
A close run thing - the battle of Fuentes de Oñoro was one of the bitterest battles of the Peninsular War, This is the story.
The Heroes of Rorke’s Drift: Frank Bourne OBE, DCM
Transcript of the video that is embedded below: Today I’m talking about Frank Edward Bourne OBE DCM - or Colour Sergeant Bourne as he was during the battle of Rorke’s Drift. He was the senior British NCO present at the battle, but unlike many of his colleagues he was never awarded the Victoria Cross. You probably remember him from … Continue reading The Heroes of Rorke’s Drift: Frank Bourne OBE, DCM
The VC Heroes of Rorke’s Drift, Part 1: John Chard
Who were the 11 men who won the Victoria Cross during the epic battle for Rorke's Drift? What was their background and what happened to them after the battle? This is the first in a series of films where I will be answering those questions. Today we talk about the man who commanded the defence … Continue reading The VC Heroes of Rorke’s Drift, Part 1: John Chard
The Basotho Gun War – video
In the latest Five-minute Friday video (OK OK I know it's not five minutes!) I examine the Basotho Gun War of 1880-1881. It is a conflict almost forgotten by history but it is an incredibly important war as it is the reason that the small Kingdom of Lesotho is not part of South Africa. Watch … Continue reading The Basotho Gun War – video
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.
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