Albuera: The bloodiest battle of the Peninsular War

[@georgehogg3615]

my grandfather fought ww1 in the middx regt i still have his cap badge with the battle honour Albuere. I read somewhere after the battle Soult said " we tunrned their left, we turned their right we broke their centre but they didnt know they were beaten and would not run.

[@UKCommandPost]

I used to just listen to the podcasts, now I do that AND watch it on here. Absolutely superb work, credit to all of you. Fascinating episode.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Mark!

[@johnphillips6515]

Another great episode! The narrative was engaging and the guests explained it very well. The perfect accompaniment to a spot of miniature painting.

[@redcoathistory]

Nice one thanks, John. Yes I really enjoyed learning from such wonderful guests and hopefully they will all be back.

[@robertsweeting2455]

Having looked at this battle I was always unclear who was doing what and where, this clears up any confusing and was put in a manner that was interesting and educational Well done keep up the good work.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks, Robert.

[@andrewjames5738]

well done Christian, one of the best yet, excellent group in Marcus B, Mark and Marcus C, really brought some clarity to a tremendous struggle/ battle. Was very interesting from Marcus B on wellingtons comments about Beresford after the battle. for me a tribute to Wellington and his support of exceptional officers. thanks for doing these videos.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks, Andy. Yeah it was really fun to make.

[@chrismac2234]

When viewing the wounded and dying in an infirmary, the Duke apologized for not being present and the dying soldiers said if he had been in command not so many of them would be there. He considered this his greatest compliment.

[@flashgordon6670]

Viewing without being present? Do you have any dry water pls?

[@jacktattis]

@@flashgordon6670 He means that Wellington was apologising to the trooper for NOT being at the battle .

[@andygeorgeparkinson2515]

Thoroughly enjoyed the story telling and the subject matter presentation methodology with several experts all contributing. The maps and the “ on the ground “ views made it so much easier to understand. Really impressive closing with horrific statistics and great overview comments by the presenters.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot.

[@welchman9390]

Thanks Mark. This is a gem! Certainly given me something to think about

[@johnmorrison3409]

Thoroughly enjoyed every moment.....really well done!!! Thank you

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot, John. Really appreciate that comment.

[@william5666]

I must say this series is amazing. I am just switching my topic of interest from the North African campaign of ww2 to this peninsula and this has helped massively with my understanding of this campaign

[@jamesgrcevich6277]

I am currently playing this battle using john tillers (WDS version). This is the best video I have see . I just found this channel . Great videos.

[@johnclarke9498]

That was very well told and good people to help with there knowledge of history! Brill channel 👍

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot John - yes it was such a pleasure to have such knowledgeable people on.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

It's only now that I've been able to get this.... Great episode Chris!

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks, Rob - really glad that you liked it.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

@@redcoathistory Looking through our pictures and remembering the ground and environs as I listen... We were there in 2019.... And some drone footage too! Let me know when you get to Salamanca... got some from there too!

[@redcoathistory]

@@britishmuzzleloaders Awesome - I am covering Salamanca in July - if you would be happy to share some drone shots (with a credit of course!) then that would be fantastic. I'll private message you.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

@@redcoathistory 👍

[@stevenhombrados1530]

Impressive insight about this battle, I could almost imagine what have happened!

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks very much - these guests were fantastic

[@stevenhombrados1530]

@@redcoathistory Keep up the great work!

[@sandylukemarsden7160]

I'm really enjoying your vids. Introduced to the peninsular war by Cornwell, I tend to hoover up all I can find, writtenor visual. Thanks fella!

[@richardadams5409]

Nothing could stop that astonishing infantry being the description of the Fusilier Brigade - 1st & 2nd Battalions of the Royal Fusiliers (7th) & 1st Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers (23rd). The Fusilier Brigade won the battle full stop notwithstanding the valour of other regiments.

[@noahgibsonspeninsularwarsa1134]

This was one of the Loyal Lusitanian Legion's last battle because next year they would be brown-coated caçadores since they were amalgamated in May 4 into the skirmisher regiments 7th, 8th, 9th.

[@redcoathistory]

Great - I don't know much about them so appreciate the info.

[@noahgibsonspeninsularwarsa1134]

@@redcoathistory They're like special forces that do stuff similar to chindits in Burma.

[@fernandomiguelsoares2481]

Awesome quality.

[@redcoathistory]

Brilliant I'm really glad you liked it. Thanks, Fernando.

[@billl8774]

I've listened to several of the podcasts, first time Ive checked out the youtube. really like the video edit, nice job getting a range of contributors / graphics and good information together. Excellent.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks, Bill. Glad you enjoyed the video version.

[@OscarGomez-hx8zc]

Fantastic like always, thank you!

[@joaoconchilha2231]

Another one, perfect.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Joao.

[@Peoples_Republic_of_Devonshire]

Bloody good video mate

[@redcoathistory]

Brilliant thanks a lot.

[@Peoples_Republic_of_Devonshire]

Will you be doing the Battle of Salamanca? Very keen to learn about the deeds that earnt the Bloody Eleventh their name

[@redcoathistory]

Yes - I will be interviewing the brilliant historian Gareth Glover for the Battle of Salamanca.

[@generalsandnapoleon]

Nice work on this episode!

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks, John.

[@ScoobyVoodoo]

I come from a mostly WW1 - WW2 era military family so that has been my main focus with regards to research etc with Britain always being allied to France.. But watching this red coat history channel has opened up a whole new world of British military history to me. But it now seems obvious to me from watching this video that the reason that the French lost this particular war was because so many of their soldiers were either constantly touching cloth or too busy taking pole 41:40.

[@redcoathistory]

lol - I’ll have to watch the video again and see the image you are referring to. Your comment did make me laugh tho.

[@brianford8493]

Brilliant analysis....would love tosee what the kit really looked like after months in the field

[@mark6809mm]

It was my Regiment's major Battle Honour. The Queens and then PWRR. "Die Hard the 57th, Die Hard!"

[@ColinRichardson-m8m]

Queen's regiment ❤

[@stokefandango]

great channel bro, great work

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks, Stoke.

[@stokefandango]

@@redcoathistory No, Sir. Thank you!

[@matikramer9648]

Thank you I have a question. I do wonder when do spaniards actually starting really cooperate with Wellington. I do not mean Ziyas

[@redcoathistory]

I guess you could say from September 1812 when Wellington was appointed CIC of the Spanish army.

[@billstevenson8390]

My ggg grandfather was Beresfords aide de camp and retired to Canada in time to repress the Mackenzie rebellion of 1837 in Ontario...he really regretted having to stay in Portugal during Waterloo he was in the Scots Guards

[@billstevenson8390]

Arnold Robinson Burrowes

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot for sharing that information. Very interesting.

[@gordonmillar110]

Brilliant well done good information

[@redcoathistory]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Bill23799]

So where was Sharpe during this battle?

[@redcoathistory]

Shagging the General's wife probably

[@SilenTHerO78614]

@@redcoathistory Maybe thats a good idea for a future episode, you could try inviting Bernard Cornwell as a guest.

[@SilenTHerO78614]

@@redcoathistory also if you do manage to get Mr. Cornwell on the show, please try to persuade him into getting Sean Bean and the yobs over at ITV into making one last movie or two.

[@ComradeCommissarYuri]

@@redcoathistory 😂

[@thatcouncilestatekid1832]

Great video very interesting

[@steveconway1948]

Very good presentation, good to see Zayas Spanish getting the credit they deserved. I've always wondered though about the claim of a hail or thunder storm occuring in this battle, is there anyway of checking weather records for this period? It seems strange that this kind of storm would occur in Spain in what is practically summer in a very hot region of the world. Is it possibly a fiction created to cover the foolishness that led to the disaster for Colborne's brigade? British infantry in line, hit in the flank by cavalry, would have little chance of defending themselves. Forming square from line in this situation would have required somewhere between 1 or nearly 2 minutes depending on battalion strength, a cavalry unit could cover between roughly 400 and 800 yards in this time even at only 15 miles an hour. The British infantry in this battle often performed prodigies of valour and suffered severely to enable victory to be dragged from the jaws of defeat.

[@garbancitolentejas486]

Thunder storm in the very hot Spanish summer are usual. An August Storm in Madrid. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoPcfWxnqKeNnKc

[@stevefletcher7531]

Having lived very close to this area for the last 15 years, i can say that May is very prone to thunderstorms, almost daily some years

[@steveconway1948]

@@stevefletcher7531 Hi Steve, interesting information, in your opinion would you say the thunderstorms were sufficiently severe as to obscure visibility at ground level so much that it would not be possible to see a brigade of cavalry advancing on you? I assume that the thunderstorm didn't include rain as I don't recollect any memoir that includes the battle talking about any difficulty firing muskets due to the weather.

[@hatac]

If casualties is both dead and wounded then we could me seeing the allies taking a lot of light wounds. Balls penetrating but not with enough force to break bone or reach organs. The high ground, rain and wet layered clothing all take power out of the ball. Am I wrong?

[@welshwarrior5263]

Very interesting. Thank you.

[@jonshive5482]

"At Albuera both armies stood for hours literally at short range pouring sort of volleys into each other..." Yet with all that lead flying around, given the number of rounds fired to casualties inflicted during that era, they might've been very lucky to score one hit for every fifty shots. Muskets were notoriously inaccurate and human performance under battle conditions suffered tremendously. American scholar Brent Nosworthy, in his book The Bloody Crucible of Courage: Fighting Methods and Combat Experience of the Civil War, reckons that a kind of muscular dystrophy set in which caused the soldier to scatter his shots (even though he could still load his piece more or less normally). Of course this is conjecture but various studies during the black powder era would indicate that even through the US civil war with "rifled" muskets a two percent accuracy rate was the apogee of line unit marksmanship. 53:35---So why didn't the French cavalry charge? Were they just spectators at a firefight?

[@juanlucourtois1753]

I'm from La Albuera. You are more than invited to come see the commemoration each year and walk around the battlefield while standing in the positions of each regiment and imagine what was in front of them. Greetings.

[@redcoathistory]

I would love to do so...sadly I live in South Africa so travel is a bit expensive - but hopefully one day!

[@TrumpFacts-wl2ik]

The women of the Batley Townswomens' Guild can go down and perform a re-enactment. 🧹🌂🧹🔨🧹🪓

[@dupplinmuir113]

It should always be remembered that the British were the only nation to count the lightly-wounded: everyone else - French, Prussians, Russians, Austrians, and Americans - only counted the seriously-wounded. As a result you need to roughly double French casualties in all the battles of the Peninsular War. As Jac Weller said in his book 'Wellington in the Peninsula': _We have here and elsewhere a strange condition; the ratio of wounded to killed in the British Army was usually greater than in the Portuguese. From chance observations in diaries, one wonders if British regiments did not report every scratch as a battle casualty, even though the soldier concerned was not out of action at all. If this were true, Wellington's actual losses over the years may have been considerably below those given officially._ It's also well-established that the same was true for the RN. Wounded men were actually given a small sum known as 'Smart Money' to encourage them to report injuries. You can also look at the wounded-to-killed ratio in various battles. At Crysler's Farm, the British lost 22 killed and 134 wounded (~6:1) while their American opponents allegedly took 102 dead and 234 wounded (~2.3:1). There seems no reason to believe that the ratios should be different, so given that the British took 150-200 prisoners, it's likely that the US suffered nearly a thousand casualties. Similarly, at the Battle of Maida in 1806, according to Hopton in his book of that title, the British lost 45 dead and 282 wounded (over 6:1) against French losses of 700 dead and 1300 wounded (less than 2:1).

[@grahamking2239]

Great field to visit, but your need a good map. On 16 May there’s a good parade

[@julianmhall]

Regarding the regimental colours. I'm reminded of a fictional exchange between Richard Sharpe and Hogan regarding the gonfalon of St James.. Sharpe: You expect men to fight for a rag on a pole?? Hogan: You do Richard.. you do..

[@cbc4199]

@Mark Thompson I had a question about the fate of Colborne's brigade, Mark commented that Stuart's handling of his troops left a lot to be desired and that Colborne's maneuvering was perilous in open country (and he knew it, and protested against it) - which is true, but is that not rather something that is more apparent in hindsight? My question, or rather questions, are: what exactly could or should have been done to prevent the catastrophe, at least by Stuart or Colborne? Should they not have advanced at all, presumably Zayas' Spaniards were spent and out of ammunition and in dire need of support, so there would certainly have been some urgency. Should they have advanced in different order? Battalion square (very slowly)? Was this incident not more on Beresford's shoulders? Where was the cavalry to screen the flank and the advance of Colborne? And finally, was the sudden squall actually confirmed on Spanish and French sources? Was it conceivable that French cavalry would attack in zero visibility conditions? Thank you in advance

[@JamesHolmez]

I have a distant relative that died in 1811 while in the French Army in Spain. That's all I know and I'm desperately trying to figure out where he died or how. Hard to do since the records are in French and I don't read or speak it.

[@robertkitson1935]

History is so precious Redcoat British Military History. It is fortunate that there are some who record all the details that can be remembered years later and bring it to the attention of us in the modern day. It is then that many say "Why did I not take my camera - I could have made a film had I thought - do you remember the big fight in the NAAFi - who was it who started it? Just cannot remember his name." I spent many weeks on line collecting clips for this one and using photos from those who served. It is in draft form at the moment because I am still hoping those from C Company Queen's Own Buffs can remember the names of some who are featured. I can't wait much longer because I might then be - history kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGGrdKaFbLJnftU.

[@redcoathistory]

That's great, thanks a lot for sharing Robert and for keeping the memories alive.

[@OldMusicFan83]

My G G G G grandfather was in a company of artillery in the Virginia Militia in 1814. He was called up in response to you fellows burning Washington and attacking Baltimore. He was given bounty land in Virginia for his service. This was computed by a formula that measured his time in service (90 days) plus mileage walked from southern Virginia to Baltimore and back.

[@redcoathistory]

Hi there - thats great. Thanks for sharing.

[@stevenhombrados1530]

It would of been cool if a Spaniard historian would of spoken about their behalf of what happened.

[@lukeskywalker3329]

It was the ideal situation that Beresford himself drilled heavily the Redcoats and Portuguese for all that time in Lisbon . Between him and Wellington. They had worked out the weakness of the French infantry being too tightly packed and too deeper columns to give efficient volleys . The French were so tightly packed in theory to deliver maximum broadside volleys . But because they were so tightly packed . Once the the front row discharged their volley . They had to file to the side and round the back to reload . The Beresford / Wellington trained troops spaced themselves apart to allow swift filing to the rear for reload once volley was discharged . Thus the British reloading was swifter and volleys more frequent. The French tactic worked against all the other armies . Till he came up against Welligton who had worked out the French weakness in volley fire 🔥. And the French in dense backed up column staying at the bottom of the Hill . Ideal for the outnumbered British with their superior volleys . Thank you again Christian .

[@hatac]

I suspect the French stayed at the bottom of the hill thinking they were facing a much bigger force on the hill. The may have assumed it was a trap. They also may have assumed Wellington was up there.

[@lukeskywalker3329]

It was the ideal situation that Beresford himself drilled heavily the Redcoats and Portuguese for all that time in Lisbon . Between him and Wellington. They had worked out the weakness of the French infantry being too tightly packed and too deeper columns to give efficient volleys . The French were so tightly packed in theory to deliver maximum broadside volleys . But because they were so tightly packed . Once the the front row discharged their volley . They had to file to the side and round the back to reload . The Beresford / Wellington trained troops spaced themselves apart to allow swift filing to the rear for reload once volley was discharged . Thus the British reloading was swifter and volleys more frequent. The French tactic worked against all the other armies . Till he came up against Welligton who had worked out the French weakness in volley fire 🔥. And the French in dense backed up column staying at the bottom of the Hill . Ideal for the outnumbered British with their superior volleys .

[@douglasscharbrough3603]

How accurate and amusing do you guys find the Sharp series?

[@stevefletcher7531]

Having lived very close to this area for the last 15 years, i have to dispute you saying sunrise was at 4,20. sunrise here is NEVER before 6

[@jamiesanchez8063]

No mention of the Polish lancers behaviour towards the British wounded…?

[@Blue-ff2qv]

Great content but you need sound editing. Audio is raw.

[@robertkitson1935]

Which film are you commenting on AJJ J. If it is my old one of Albuhera made some years ago then if only I had the time. Too busy I am afraid making newer films to remake anything really. I made this for RBLI as the had not film it but they did not want it Use KZbin quality setting of 2160HD kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2PGoZ6dh5iNmq8

[@redcoathistory]

Hi AJJ I thought that given this was done over Zoom it worked surprisingly well...please remember this is not a channel with a budget, just someone who loves and wants to share military history. I hope it didn't ruin your enjoyment too much.

[@paulmeakin3376]

I would appreciate more showing of the battlefield and how the tactics developed and a little less talking heads. The commentary is still essential and should be played over the battlefield diagrams

[@ThroatSore]

Hours of shooting at each other. I would love to learn more about how soldiers got more ammunition and kept their weapons firing.

[@parkgate-ub1ey]

It's called "resupply "

[@12HGC]

They armed themselves from the bodies of colleagues who had fallen, so no shortages there then!

[@copferthat]

Soult said of the battle, I had turned their flanks and pierced their centre, everywhere victory was mine but they did not know how to run.

[@12HGC]

And the next question is Why wasn't General Wellesley there? He sent Beresford to a seige not a full frontal attack by the French Army!

[@cbc4199]

Also, regarding the confusion about captured colours, I respectfully disagree with the theory that for the French it was the wooden pole that mattered. Regimental colours - i.e. the flags themselves - had deeply rooted and long traditions, as well as heavy symbolism, in most European armies, including the French ancien regime AND revolutionary armies until the Empire was proclaimed. The bronze eagles were emphatically an exception, it was a custom that set them apart and they understood this well. Bonaparte did it to copy the Romans, and so bring legitimacy to his Imperial claims through Roman symbolism everywhere. Point being, they understood really well that for everyone else it was the cloth that mattered, and they captured enough Austrian, Russian, Prussian etc colours to know. Did the French try to artificially increase their "trophies" by counting wooden bits? That's more plausible in my opinion. It was definitely not the wooden pole that mattered, just like the British ripped off the colours to protect them, so did the French break the eagle off the pole to hide it (Salamanca 1812). Matthew Latham, who saved the Buffs' colours despite having his arm and half his face cut off, actually survived the battle and continued his service in the army!

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot - thoughtful and considered input is always gratefully appreciated.

[@peterparziale2404]

As distinguished looking as these gentlemen are, it would have helped me to better understand the battle with fewer minutes seeing their talking heads and much more time seeing maps of the troop movements prior to and during the battle.

[@redcoathistory]

Luckily for you I have another video planned on this battle and will add more maps etc. Please look out for it.

[@peterparziale2404]

@@redcoathistory Great! Perhaps a compromise would be to have a map, painting, etc prominently displayed on the screen and have the speaker inset in a smaller square in one of the corners of the screen. Thanks for what you're doing.

[@briantate7296]

What a crazy and wasteful way to fight a battle.

[@swiftymorgan3001]

Very well done it's good to know that theres history geeks like my self out there, but I do feel sorry for the common soldier at this time in history because of the Gentleman officer who'd never had a fight in there lifes . Some officers should of flogged them selfs

[@redcoathistory]

I'm glad you are enjoying the channel Swifty. I must say though that I think most of the officers of this period were, despite their faults, generally very brave.

[@swiftymorgan3001]

Well yes suppose , but I think there was the arm chair general type there too who got alot off soldiers killed through inexperience as they have purchased there way up the ladder rather earning it , anyway tho your doing a brilliant job mate, will u be covering the battle of barrarosa.

[@redcoathistory]

@@swiftymorgan3001 Thanks mate. I wont be covering Barrosa in the podcast sadly as I am hoping to finish my coverage of the Peninsular war by the end of the year but it will be in my next book on Amazon.

[@swiftymorgan3001]

@@redcoathistory,ok mate sound will u be giving us a heads up when your book is released

[@redcoathistory]

@@swiftymorgan3001 Yes mate - volume 1 and my Zulu war book are both on Amazon (just search Christian Parkinson) and also I've got a couple of free downloads on my website that you might like - redcoathistory.com/newsletter/

[@numbersix100]

The loses we’re about the same as Talavera

[@redcoathistory]

Overall yes, but not as a percentage of those engaged.

[@neilleonard8751]

You've spoilt it too many adds, your kicking the arse out of them

[@redcoathistory]

I'll make you a deal - feel free to donate £25 a month via ko-fi.com/redcoathistory and I'll send you the add free versions every time via wetransfer 💪🏻👍🏻

[@SP-2317]

Get an ad blocker! KZbin shouldn't be watched without an ad blocker.

[@Vito-yp5wh]

Zweifellos ist dieser Teil spanischer Geschichte einfach bezaubernd.

[@paulspice4717]

Too many ads!

[@redcoathistory]

Agreed Paul - please send $500 a month and I will demonetise the channel 👍🏻

[@SP-2317]

You're on youtube and don't have an add blocker? Come on now.

[@charlietreston4035]

Queens regiment regimental day

[@jamespenston1122]

Happy Middlesex Day one and all

[@Jubilo1]

And here I thought the "Peninsula" was in Virginia....

[@lesterbrandt3203]

Bad audio, cannot understand. Poor quality.

[@sibzwerx1969]

1QUEENS!

[@gunga7270]

I am not having this ,we know it was Sharpe and his chosen men Who won all the battles. HURRAH, HURRAH, HURRAH. LOL.

[@benedikthartel6007]

The two most defining encounters in British military history: Line vs. Column and Longbow vs. Knight 😂

[@christopher-ke9nj]

The bloodiest punch up of the campaign Beresford is not his Grace

[@johnham4485]

what about bluecoat history (french)?

[@redcoathistory]

No, I am afraid I am British and do not have much knowledge on the history of the French army.