The Redcoat History Podcast

The Battle of Albuera fought in Spain on 16th of May 1811 is considered to be the bloodiest battle of the Peninsular war. One British unit suffered a staggering 85% casualties. But what happened? Why were casualties so horrific and who eventually won this slogging match? Tune in as I discuss all of these points and many more with: Marcus Beresford (descendent of the British commander) https://marc...

The latest Redcoat History Podcast...Today's episode on one of the key battles of the Peninsular War is a belter. . .A bitter hand-to-hand fight along alleyways and inside houses, an inexperienced allied division cut off and in danger of annihilation. A troop of horse artillery surrounded and forced to slash their way through the French cavalry. Today’s episode of the Redcoat History Podcast is pa...

It is 1810 and the French are invading Portugal once again. Can they kick the pesky Redcoats out of the Peninsular for good? In the latest Redcoat History Podcast (Season 3), we are talking all about the Lines of Torres Vedras - the amazing engineering feat that allowed Wellington and his small army to defeat the French. I am joined on the show by Mark Thompson - author of numerous books about the...

Today we have a short bonus episode on the Peninsular War. Marcus Cribb, manager of Apsley House, joins the podcast today to answer the question, 'was Wellington a defensive General?' In this fun, concise episode he explains his thoughts and tries to shatter some of the myths. To read more about Marcus's thoughts on Wellingtons generalship please see his excellent article: https://www.dukeofwellin...

In this month's Peninsular War episode I interview the amazing Rob from Britishmuzzleloaders - he is a walking encyclopedia of historical British rifles and muskets. Today he teaches me all about the Development, accuracy, rate of fire and tactical use of the Baker Rifle - aka the Pattern 1800 Infantry Rifle.   I have a website and please follow this link to sign up for the monthly newsletter - ht...

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 Trench.   You can check out the band's website here - https://forlornhope.uk/to-the-bitter-end...

In the latest episode of Season 3 of The Redcoat History Podcast, we examine the Battle of Busacco...fought in Portugal on the 27th September 1810. The battle is important for many reasons - not least of which as it marked the coming of age of the newly reorganized and re-equipped Portuguese army which would achieve so much throughout the rest of the Peninsular war. March in the ranks and sit alon...

In the latest installment of the Redcoat History Podcast I talk to Marcus Cribb (manager of Apsley House) all about the first Richard Sharpe book "Sharpe's Eagle". We follow the plot of the novel and explain which bits are true and which bits do not conform to the actual history of the Battle of Talavera. It's a really fun episode...Pls let me know your favourite Sharpe book.    Don't forget to su...

The 5/60th Rifles were arguably the most elite unit of Wellington's Peninsular army. Dressed in green, carrying the Baker Rifle, they fought in virtually every battle from 1808 to 1814. But did you know that they were mainly foreigners - Germans, Russians and Hungarians? In this in-depth interview, Rob Griffith talks with Redcoat History all about the formation, tactics and eventual disbandment of...

The British cavalry of the Napoleonic wars has often been criticised, including by the Duke of Wellington himself who accused them of "galloping at everything". But was the criticism fair? How were they organised? How were they recruited? Did they perform well? In the latest episode of the Redcoat History Podcast I talk with Marcus Cribb (manager of Apsley House) to try and answer all of these que...

It's Spring 1809 and Sir Arthur Wellesley (later the Duke of Wellington) has returned to Portugal to continue the campaign against the French invaders. In this important episode, we see Wellington at his most decisive as he sends his army across the Douro River to throw the French out of northern Portugal at the 2nd Battle of Oporto.

In this episode of the Redcoat History Podcast, myself and Joshua Provan ( adventuresinhistoryland.com ) discuss The Duke of Wellington's early life when he was still known as Sir Arthur Wellesley.    Where did he go to school? Was he a good junior officer? How did he perform in India? Josh answers all of these questions and many, many more.   To read my blog and sign up for my mailing list please...

In this episode my good friend Rob from the excellent Britishmuzzleloader YouTube channel tells me all about the history, development and use of the Brown Bess Musket (used by the bulk of the British army during the Peninsular War and beyond).  "Brown Bess" is a nickname for the British Army's muzzle-loading smoothbore flintlock Musket and its derivatives. Ever wondered where the name came from or...

It's December 1808 as we join the British army after their small but impressive victory at the Battle of Sahagun. With the might of Napoleon's Grande Armee streaming towards him, Sir John Moore is forced to retreat through northern Spain to the coast. Will the British Expeditionary Force be caught and destroyed in the snow? Will discipline break down? Or, can Sir John Moore steer them to one final...

1808 - In the latest installment of The Redcoat History Podcast we meet Sir John Moore and follow the British Expeditionary Force as it advances into Spain to challenge the mighty Napoleon himself. We charge at the battle of Sahagun alongside the 15th Hussars in what the historian Charles Oman considered the greatest cavalry action of the Peninsular War. Will Moore prove himself a great General or...

In the second part of my deep dive into the Peninsular war of 1808-1814, we follow Sir Arthur Wellesley and his small expeditionary force as they tackle Portugal's French occupiers. We examine the battle of Vimeiro - can Wellesley prove his mettle against "Boney's invincibles" or will he and his men be pushed back into the sea? 

Welcome to a new season of The Redcoat History Podcast. In season three we will be taking a deep dive into the Peninsular war – Yes, that’s right, think Richard Sharpe and the South Essex. It is a conflict that saw the Duke of Wellington rise to fame and the development of arguably the greatest and most successful British army to ever take the field. In this, the first, episode we meet Sir Arthur...

In today's show, a small force of British and Indian Redcoats take on the might of the Nawab of Bengal. Is it finally curtains for Clive of India or is it just the beginning? Join me as we take a deep dive into this incredibly important historical battle - The battle of Plassey, which marks the beginning of the British Empire in India.  For show notes and to join my mailing list (and receive your...

India – 1756. Calcutta is lost. The British have been defeated and have been forced to retreat in disgrace.   But inspired by the horror of the infamous Blackhole of Calcutta incident they are now full of a righteous desire for revenge. After a series of internal squabbles Command of the expedition to retake Calcutta is given to a man named Robert Clive, a man who will play a big part in today’s e...

It's the start of a new season for the Redcoat History Podcast. In Season 2 we are exploring the Battle of Plassey and the birth of the British Empire in India. It's a fascinating story of intrigue, corruption and world-changing battles.    In this episode, we examine the siege of the British in Calcutta by the Nawab of Bengal and the subsequent "Blackhole" incident 0f 1756 which ignited a passion...

This is the final episode of season one of the Redcoat History Podcast. Today I interview American fiction author James Mace about his incredible series on the Anglo-Zulu war. We talk everything AZW including the legacy of Anthony Durnford, the myths of Rorke's Drift and whether Lord Chelmsford deserves to be treated harshly by most students of the war.  If you like the episode then please comment...

EPISODE 7. In this episode Chris, the Editor of Redcoat History chats in-depth with Rob from the hugely popular Britishmuzzleloaders YouTube channel about the Martini-Henry Rifle.  The Martini-Henry breech-loading Rifle was a very significant weapon of its era and was one of the reasons that the British were so successful in the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879.  Rob really knows his stuff and in this episo...

In Episode 6 we examine the final chapter of the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879. After a series of defeats at Isandlwana, Ntombe Drift and Hlobane mountain the British are finally ready to turn the tables and launch a fresh invasion of Zululand. This time they have the manpower, the weaponry and the will to steam-roller King Cetswayo and his already battered army - but can they do it?    Don't forget to v...

In today’s episode of the Redcoat History Podcast (no, it's not a history of Butlin's) we follow further exploits from the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879 - the invasion’s northern column, under Colonel Evelyn Wood. We are going to be surprised in our beds by a Zulu raid and have to battle them naked. We are going to be outfought and nearly wiped out attacking one of their strongholds and we are then going...

In this episode of The Redcoat History Podcast Christian Parkinson delves into the history of the battle of Nyezane, the siege of Eshowe and the battle of Gingindlovu - tough scraps from the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879 that are often overlooked in popular history.    For the full show notes, maps and videos be sure to visit www.redcoathistory.com     So what is The Redcoat History Podcast?   It's a pod...