The Redcoat History Podcast

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 

In this episode of the Redcoat History podcast, I’m joined by historian and author Eva Chatterji to uncover the brutal truth behind the Relief of Lucknow during the Indian Mutiny of 1857. We go beyond the siege itself to tell the story of the fighting retreat, political backstabbing, and desperate urban combat that nearly doomed the entire British operation. Along the way we meet: Sir Henry Havelock, the “soldier-saint” leading from the front Sir James Outram, trying to manage a political minefield Sir Colin Campbell, the master planner who finally broke through And William Hall, the first Black man to win a Victoria Cross This isn’t just a story of Empire and military heroics — it’s a story of chaos, confusion, and courage in the face of overwhelming odds. Eva’s new book Courage and Chaos is out now from Barnthorne Publishing and Amazon.

Outnumbered, outflanked, and nearly broken — Wellington’s army during the Peninsular War came dangerously close to collapse at Fuentes de Onoro. In this on-the-ground film, we walk the battlefield to uncover how terrain, timing, and sheer stubbornness turned the tide. If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/ You can also support the study of British military history by joining my Patreon page over at https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory - you will get early access to videos and extra content. Marcus Cribb's channel is here - https://www.youtube.com/@UClSx0Xd34n_-zfIiO7vp7lQ  

Once the most famous soldier in Britain, Sir Garnet Wolseley rose through sheer grit and genius — only to fall hard thanks to arrogance, politics, and a changing empire. Historian Stephen Manning joins me to explore the man behind the moustache in all his brilliant, baffling glory.   Stephen's book is available here - https://amzn.to/3ZsBFHT    Sign up for my newsletter here (for a free eBook on the Zulu War) - https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/    Chris Brice's books can be found here - https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/ 

There was a reason cavalry dominated battlefields for centuries. And today, we’re covering 12 of the greatest British cavalry charges in history—from the glorious to the reckless. Stick around to the end to hear which one is my personal favourite. What do you think? What did I miss? Salamanca could have been there, but as I am covering that battle in a few weeks it didn't seem right to include it.   Thanks to Chris Brice for co-writing this episode.    Join my mailing list here - https://redcoathistory.com/ 

A war started over a severed ear? You’d think it was a joke - until thousands of British soldiers died in the Caribbean heat, not all from battle, but from blundering leadership, tropical disease, and incompetence. In this episode of Redcoat History, naval historian Tom Golding-Lee joins us to unpack one of Britain’s most catastrophic—and largely forgotten—campaigns: the expedition to Cartagena in 1741. This is a story of ambition, hubris, and total military meltdown. 👉 Check out more at https://redcoathistory.com — including tours, books, and gear that help support the show. Tom's Twitter account is - https://x.com/tdgnavalhistory