The Redcoat History Podcast

In this episode, we speak with historian Jack Bowsher about his remarkable new book Thunder Run: Meiktila 1945, which tells the extraordinary story of the final battles of the Burma Campaign in the Second World War. While most histories end with the famous victories at Imphal and Kohima, the dramatic reconquest of Burma in 1945 is often dismissed as little more than “mopping up.” In reality, it was the culmination of years of hard-earned experience by the British and Indian armies, fighting in one of the most challenging environments of the war and without the lavish resources seen in other theatres. At the heart of the story is the stunning armoured thrust on the Japanese supply hub at Meiktila—an all-arms blitz of tanks, motorised infantry, artillery, and air power that shattered the Japanese Burma Area Army. It is one of the most remarkable victories of the war, and yet remains one of its least-known battles.   Jack'sBook can be purchased here - https://amzn.to/4u8xSNs 

Today we are talking about Spaniards - Spanish Republicans - the defeated side of the Civil War… men who get driven into exile and scattered across Europe. Some end up in British uniform before the fall of France. Some join the Pioneer Corps and then quietly drift into far sharper corners of the war: commandos, SOE networks, North Africa, Italy, Normandy… even the long road to Berlin. Yet again and again they prove themselves as soldiers. Our guest today is Sean Scullion — a serving British soldier and a lifelong Spain specialist. This is the story of the men who kept going - after Spain, after France, and after the world decided to forget them. Sean’s book is called Churchill’s Spaniards and is available from Helion and company. Here is a link to buy - https://amzn.to/3MG2pkR  If you want to support British military history and keep this channel going then please join my Patreon - https://patreon.com/RedcoatHistory 

The Territorials in WW1 were an important part of the British army, yet they are often forgotten - overshadowed by the Pals battalions of the new army. Well, there is a now new book that examines the vital yet often overlooked contributions of London’s Territorial Force - exploring its unique structure, socioeconomic composition and military operations. In today’s live stream, I talk to two of the authors to find out more. The book can be purchased here - https://amzn.to/4rf2c7l Support British history and join my Patreon here - patreon.com/redcoathistory 

Visit Osprey publishing to see their incredible catalogue of military history books - https://www.ospreypublishing.com Britain has a Royal Navy. A Royal Air Force. And yet… a British Army. Not a Royal Army. Why? If you’ve ever tried to find a clear answer, you’ll know how unsatisfying the usual explanations are. Tradition. Regiments. Legal technicalities. All true - and all incomplete. The full reason lies far deeper, in a violent and deeply uncomfortable chapter of British history. To find it, you have to rewind nearly four hundred years, to the English Civil War - a moment when England experimented with something new, dangerous, and unprecedented. This episode follows that experiment as it spirals out of control: the first redcoats, armies choosing sides, kings losing authority, and politicians learning lessons the hard way. My main sources for this video were: Lord Carver, The Seven Ages of the British Army (London, 1984) Fortescue, A History of the British Army Vol. 1, (London, 1899) The Army and the Restoration of 1660 by Godfrey Davis (Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research, Vol 32, No. 129)

Mountain guns sound obscure — until you realise they let the British Army haul artillery up goat tracks and into places the enemy thought were safe. In this episode, friend of the show Chris Brice, speaks to a career Royal Artillery officer whose research traces the story from early improvisation to the formal creation of ten Royal Artillery mountain batteries in 1889 — and why this “forgotten” weapon mattered more than most people realise. Subscribe for more British military history, and sign up at redcoathistory.com for updates and extras and a free eBook. 

Britain’s empire was built on more than famous battles. In this live Redcoat History discussion, I’m joined by Cam Simpson and Jon Pick to explore Britain’s forgotten frontier wars — from the North-West Frontier of India to Moorosi’s Rebellion in southern Africa. We’ll tackle the myths, the real fighting, and what life was actually like on the edge of empire — then open it up to your questions. Cam's new book can be purchased here - https://amzn.to/3LhZA8S  Sign up for my mailing list here - https://redcoathistory.com/2021/10/27/free-book-the-military-history-geeks-guide-to-the-anglo-zulu-war/ 

Canada has a rich military history. Alongside the British they stood toe-to-toe with the Americans in the war of 1812, battled the Boers, shocked the German's on the Western Front in both world wars and proved themselves amongst the world's greatest warrior nations. But do they still have what it takes? In this podcast, I explore both the past and the present of the Canadian army. Are there other nations armies you would like me to look into? I was thinking Australia and also South Africa could be next if this episode is well received. Join my Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory  Sign up for the Redcoat History Newsletter - https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/ 

Today I am joined by Dr Chris Brice and the brilliant Daniel Harrington from the Clasps of Courage YouTube channel. Expect honest analysis, good humour, and a behind-the-scenes look at how we make military history content. Have a great Christmas and be sure to buy your gifts here - https://redcoathistory.com/ 

When we think of 1940, we picture Dunkirk, the fall of France and the BEF racing for the Channel. But behind the headlines were real officers making real decisions — the brigadiers. Too senior to ignore, not quite famous enough to be remembered. In this episode, my friend and part-time co-host Chris Brice talks to military historian Dr Phil McCarty about his new book Point of Failure: British Brigadiers in France and Norway, 1940. They explore who these men were, how they were selected, and why some rose to greatness while others quietly vanished after the débâcle of 1940. Expect discussion of staff college bottlenecks, Monty and Brooke’s patronage, public school myths, territorials, and why the brigadiers of Normandy look both similar to — and subtly different from — their 1940 predecessors. Plus some cracking stories along the way. If you enjoy British Army history told through real people rather than map arrows, you’ll enjoy this one. Purchase Phil's book here - https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/point-of-failure-british-brigadiers-in-france-and-norway-1940.php  Discover Chris Brice's books here - https://www.helion.co.uk/people/christopher-brice.php  Join my mailing list for a free eBook about the Zulu War - https://redcoathistory.com/ 

The RAF Regiment - ask any squaddie and they’ll give you a sneer, a joke, or a tall tale about babysitting airfields. But the truth? The RAF Regiment has been fighting - and dying - in deadly and dangerous places since its formation. But what is the RAF Regiment, what’s the history and what is the unit’s role now? Let’s find out. Get your free eBook - https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/  Support the Study of British Military History - https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory 

Today we have something fascinating - After Dunkirk, job done… right? Not quite. While Britain cheers the “miracle,” more than a hundred thousand of our lads are still in France — fighting, improvising, and trying not to be rolled up by Rommel. The 51st Highland Division digs in at St Valery. Alanbrooke rows with Churchill down a crackly phone line, the RAF keeps flying and the Navy pulls off two more evacuations most people have never heard of. Today we’re unpacking the 18 desperate days after Dunkirk — Operation Cycle, Operation Aerial, the fate of the 51st, de Gaulle’s decision to fight on, and the tragedy of the Lancastria. Joining the show is historian Paul Fantom, author of A Forgotten Campaign: The British Armed Forces in France, 1940 — From Dunkirk to the Armistice. https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/a-forgotten-campaign-the-british-armed-forces-in-france-1940-from-dunkirk-to-the-armistice.php  Join my patreon - https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory 

Visit Osprey publishing to see their incredible catalogue of military history books - https://www.ospreypublishing.com/ Historians often refer to them as the Spartans of Africa. The Zulus famously destroyed a British force at the Battle of Isandlwana in 1879. But what do we really know about that victorious warrior army? In today’s video I’m going to walk you through their training, tactics, and organisation.Did they have guns? And could they really run fifty miles a day and fight a battle at the end of it? Get your free eBook about isandlwana - https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/ Support the study of British military history by joining my Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory - you will get early access to videos and extra content.

How did the British Army go from the muddle of the Boer War to the professionalism of 1918? In this episode, historian David Keable-Elliot talks to the show about The Doctrine of the British Army — the forgotten Field Service Regulations that shaped everything from tactics to training. It’s the story of how a rulebook turned chaos into coherence, and helped Britain win the First World War. Thanks to Dr Chris Brice for organising and conducting this interview.  Join the Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory  Subscribe to the newsletter - https://redcoathistory.com/  Buy David's book - https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/the-doctrine-of-the-british-army-the-conception-and-implementation-of-field-service-regulations-1900-1918.php 

Who and What exactly are the Royal Marines? And what is there history? They’re not the Army. They’re not sailors. And yet somehow they’ve ended up in every war, every landing, every corner of the planet — from storming French ports in the 1700s, to yomping across the Falklands with eighty-pound packs, to creeping up beaches today with drones, fast boats, and sniper teams.   Join my mailing list here - https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/    Sign up for Patreon here - https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory 

Soldier, scholar, explorer, spy, shagger! A man who spoke twenty-nine languages—plus a dozen more dialects.A man who carried the scars of a spear wound through both cheeks and still managed to insult people afterwards. He was a man who was fascinated by the dark and mysterious corners of the world and of the human psyche. Today we are going to Learn about one of Britain’s greatest explorers, an extreme character - complex and unconventional . . .sirs ma’am’s ladies and gents I give you the one and only Richard Francis Burton. Sign up for my newsletter here - https://redcoathistory.com/2021/10/27/free-book-the-military-history-geeks-guide-to-the-anglo-zulu-war/ 

Today, we’re really diving into an obscure niche. . . Rome in the 1860s — a decade of revolution, nationalism, and, oddly enough, British and Irish Catholics signing up to fight for the Pope. Our guest is historian Nicholas Schofield, author of Victorian Crusaders: British and Irish Volunteers in the Papal Army, 1860–70. It’s a story of faith, politics, and some very unlikely Redcoats in baggy Zouave trousers. The book is published by Helion and here is the link to buy - https://amzn.to/46tsA48  Special thanks to my good mate Dr Christopher Brice for conducting today’s interview. He is an expert in his own right and has written a number of books about Victorian military History - https://www.helion.co.uk/people/christopher-brice.php  Sign up for my mailing list to receive your free eBook about the battle of Isandlwana - https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/  And come tour the Zulu War battlefields with me by signing up for a tour here - https://paystack.com/buy/the-zulu-war-a-self-drive-tour-with-redcoat-history-devkrw 

How do you beat an enemy who refuses to fight by the rules? From ambushes in the forests of North America to the frontier wars in Africa, the British Army faced enemies who fought small, fast, and ruthless. We now call it asymmetric warfare — the clash between the strong and the weak, the lion and the fly. In this episode of Redcoat History, I sit down with Dr Jacob Hagstrom — former U.S. Army officer and author of Asymmetric Warfare (Cambridge University Press). We explore how Redcoats struggled, adapted, and sometimes failed when fighting foes who didn’t line up on open fields. Expect stories from the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, and the Cape Frontier as well as a discussion about the recent campaign in Afghanistan. Link to Jacob's book - https://amzn.to/47B3jHz Sign up for my mailing list - https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/  Join the Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory 

This week I’m joined by historian Wendell Schollander to discuss his new book The British Empire’s Regulars 1880–1914. We dive into the lives of the men who fought and marched across the globe in Britain’s name – English, Sikhs, Scots, Gurkhas, Ibos, Zulus and many more – showing how these diverse soldiers were anything but anonymous pawns. Wendell brings their stories to life, explaining the unique contributions of each group and why their service was vital to the empire’s survival. Wendell's book is available here - https://amzn.to/3HON0ME  Special thanks to Chris Brice for stepping in with hosting today. His books can be found here - https://www.helion.co.uk/people/christopher-brice.php 

Did you know a British cavalry captain once held the army rank of lieutenant general… and still just led a squadron? In this episode, we dive deep into the gloriously confusing world of the Napoleonic-era British Army with historian Steve Brown. From "Brevet" ranks, to gentleman volunteers who wielded muskets while hoping someone died so they could get a promotion—this is the army as you’ve never heard it before. We uncover forgotten garrisons, militia mysteries, and the strange story behind those regimental county titles that mostly meant nothing at all. Expect penal battalions, Greek soldiers in red coats, and dashing hussars who were all moustache and no discipline. It's the military equivalent of Monty Python meets Yes Minister—only it really happened. Steve's books can be purchased here - https://amzn.to/4eRDm85  Sign up for my mailing list here - https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/ 

Today we’re heading to the Sudan—dusty, dangerous, and politically explosive. We’re talking about Onwards to Omdurman, a gripping book by military historian Keith Surridge, which examines the often-overlooked campaigns leading up to Kitchener’s famous victory in 1898. But I’m not in the interviewer’s chair for this one. Instead, friend of the show and fellow historian Chris Brice takes the reins for a fascinating deep dive into empire, ambition, and the logistics of war in the late Victorian age. Before we begin, don’t forget—if you enjoy this podcast, head over to redcoathistory.com/newsletter to sign up to my mailing list. You’ll get updates, behind-the-scenes stories, and a free ebook all about the Battle of Isandlwana, one of the most dramatic defeats in British military history. Keith's book can be purchased here - https://amzn.to/3GcxOs5  And Chris Brice's books are available here - https://amzn.to/4lcMiHn