American Revolution: The SECRETS of British Organisation

The British redcoats of the American revolution...
In today’s short episode we are joined once more by author Robbie MacNiven to explain how British infantry battalions were structured and organised.
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[@ronaldpoppe3774]

I have been a revolutionary war re-enactor here in the US for over 25 years and I always enjoy trying to dispel the myth that the British just all stood in line and we hid behind things. The British were very good at light infantry tactics. The Americans fought in line in most major battles. The battle of the cowpens was a good example of combined tactics . Cheers Ron

[@V.B.Squire]

I went to afghan with the Royal Engineers, and since been on a deep dive into the special ops side of the GWOT the counter terrorism, counter insurgency, Guerrilla Warfare, winning or losing a campaign by winning or losing local support and I see so much of it in Americas colonial period. Thank you for keeping the real lessons alive the truth is more important than ego.

[@joereilly1519]

The Battle is called Cowpens in South Carolina, it not to far from where i live.

[@ronaldpoppe3774]

@@joereilly1519 yes thanks auto correct.😑. I attended the 225th anniversary of Cowpens. It is a wonderful site. You are lucky to live close to such a historic site.

[@christopherruff4001]

Cowpens is a favorite! Been there many times in the guise of a 7th Fusilier! I understand that the battlefield is well preserved and looks much like it did during the actual battle.

[@joereilly1519]

I mean no disrespect sir, I misspelled the word Boers with Boar.... A few South Africans pointed this out to me. It happens to me too. all the best. The one thing that surprized me about the battles is that they are so small, in area and numbers when compared to Civil War battles

[@swampyankee]

I was a French and Indian War reenactor for decades. Though we participated in the large reenactments, such as Ft Ticonderoga, we spent most of our time reliving period camping and woodland warfare. I've wondered if British light infantry and tactics might have been more advanced during the Revolution if Lord Howe hadn't been killed during the first day of the Battle for Ft Carillon. In a short period of time he adapted uniforms, equipment, and tactics to woodland situations. He apparently worked very well with the colonials, going out with Rogers Rangers learning from them. Sorry a bit wordy.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks that is great info and a good thought-provking question. I would love to learn more about the French and Indian wars one day.

[@swampyankee]

​@@redcoathistoryChris, many people believe that if Lord Howe had survived aside from winning the Battle for Carillon that he would've ended the American Revolution before it started. A young man that may have had a large impact if he'd lived.

[@revere0311]

I appreciate the attention given to the British Army during the American Revolution!

[@DogOneIsOpen]

I’ve been appreciating this channel (as an American). American history can get far too simplified and this channel does an excellent job in providing a deeper context to the American Revolution. Keep up the great work!

[@redcoathistory]

Many, many thanks. Any other aspects you'd like us to cover in the future?

[@V.B.Squire]

​@@redcoathistorywhy did Webb abandon munroe at Fort William Henry?

[@DogOneIsOpen]

It’s not a specific request but any of the major battles told from a purely British perspective would be quite fascinating.

[@reynardthefox]

very interesting...though an American now , my ancestors fought for the King in North America from 1757-1814... I am very proud of that heritage...Cheers

[@tomtaylor6163]

I remember a few years ago watching a thing about how they’d found the remains of some Americans and 1 British Highland Soldier at the Battle of Camden. It was quite extraordinary as the US Army and British Army reburied the remains with full Honors

[@mitchellline4242]

Could you do a video on loyalist militias during the American Revolution?

[@redcoathistory]

I am very keen to do so - thanks. Am currently looking for the right guest to interview.

[@rocksandforestquiver959]

loyalist green provincial uniforms are underrated af

[@V.B.Squire]

The units didn't like having 2 of their best companies taken from them but they are still part of a larger unit. The G & L companies were to a Battalion what battalions were to a division. Its the age old question that goes on even now with regulars v special ops.

[@chrisbergonzi7977]

Grest stuff...thanks man...

[@keithagn]

Super! Looking forward to the next video! Thank you, Chris

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks for watching cheers Keith.

[@thatcouncilestatekid1832]

Happy Friday Chris great episode again mate

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot mate. Sorry for the slow reply - had one too many with my neighbour and then crashed out!

[@thatcouncilestatekid1832]

@@redcoathistory don’t worry about that Chris that’s what Friday’s are for 😂

[@Jubilo1]

Another superb episode.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot. Any other stories you are keen for me to look into?

[@Jubilo1]

@@redcoathistory The Loyalist Regts.- Queen's and Butler's Rangers; DeLancey's etc.

[@jayturner3397]

Excellent thanks 😊

[@ryanziegler1410]

Great stuff as usual, Chris! Best wishes from South Carolina (an hour from the Ninety-Six, actually)!

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Ryan!

[@penhullwolf5070]

I wonder if this is where the Paras get the term "Hat" in reference to anyone from any other British Regiment. The Paras are elite soldiers and would be considered the direct descendents of the elite Light Infantry.

[@penhullwolf5070]

Note: Except maybe the Gurkhas.........It's not advisable to upset Gurkhas.

[@redcoathistory]

I also wandered the same thing when I heard the term.

[@mathewkendal2669]

No they hor it from the fact thatbmost troops wear a forage cap when on parade in their No2 or No1 dress but Para and Commandos wear their respective berets as they used to have to earn the right to wear them ( they don't now by the way anyone in 16 Air Assault Brigade even if they have not passed P company or are Parachute trained get to wear the maroon beret.) Unlike the Commandos who can only wear the Green beret once they have earned it.

[@michaelsnyder3871]

The direct descendants of the light infantry companies were the light infantry companies re-established during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. The light infantry regiments of the British Army go back to Moore and the transformation of the 43d and 51st Foot into Light Infantry. These were expanded during the war to include the (IIRC)52d, 68th, 71st, 85th and 91st Foot. The Rifle regiments were also created from foot regiments at that time, with 5/60th and the 95th Foot.

[@theradgegadgie6352]

I think the term you are looking for is "crap hat".

[@michaelsnyder3871]

There is no secret to the organization of the British Army and their German auxiliaries during the War of Independence. There are multiple Osprey Men-at-Arms, Warrior and Elite volumes on how the British Army was organized, trained and fought. The Center for Military History publication, "The Continental Army", fully discusses the organization and drill of the British and Germans compared to the Americans during the war. There are a number of other publications such as "With Zeal and Bayonets Only". What is interesting is that the four major armies engaged in the War of Independence all used similar drill books based on Prussian precedent. The regiment and company were administrative formations and the battalion and platoons were the maneuver and fire elements. Drill and formations were based on a single battalion with eight platoons. Because the American and British regiments for the most part had only a single battalion in a regiment, for them, the term became synonymous. It was the same for companies and platoons, as each American and British regiment had eight companies with their elite companies stripped off into "converged" battalions. For the French, the regiment had two battalions of four fusilier companies, with a grenadier company in the first battalion and a chasseur company in the second. These companies were similarly "converged" into elite battalions and the French half-companies became platoons. For these armies, when flank or elite companies were with the battalion, they would take their place on the flanks and maneuver in concert or if in open order, conform their formation to the movements of the battalion. The German auxiliaries had their regiments reduced to a single battalion of five musketier companies with the grenadier companies collected into elite battalions in line with Prussian doctrine. Before a campaign, the regimental and battalion adjutants were to arrange the men, NCOs and officers into groups by height. They would then be divided into eight elements and the officers, NCOs and men converged. This would be the battle formation. As a result, the German regiments at Trenton had been billeted by company, administratively. When the American attacked, the Hessians tried to form up into their battlefield elements but since the officers and NCOs weren't the same assigned to the companies, there was a great deal of confusion, abetted by the physical condition of the troops. The Americans kept the pressure on and the Hessians never recovered. This BTW explains some of the failures of the Prussian Army in 1806-7. Earlier, they had reorganized sensibly into two musketeer and one grenadier battalion per regiment, each of four companies. But a few years before, a conservative movement had brought back the old organization and uniforms of Frederick the Great's army.

[@daveweiss5647]

Very interesting, thanks!

[@eddierudolph8702]

Could the grenadier company be considered the close combat specialist of the battalion? Could we get more information on mounted units both regular and local loyalist units?

[@redcoathistory]

Hopefully in future videos we can address some of these questions. Thanks a lot.

[@michaelsnyder3871]

The grenadiers originally formed a shock force with grenades for attacking breeches and other damaged areas of fortifications. The grenade as a weapon remained a siege weapon, and the grenadiers became the shock troops, both with fire and bayonet.

[@welshwarrior5263]

A great start to any Sunday morning. Thanks mate.

[@redcoathistory]

Lovely thanks mate - a short one today but back to a longer film next week.

[@welshwarrior5263]

@@redcoathistory I will be looking forward to it.👍

[@donaldkroth2579]

I can't remember the name of the movie. But it had Edward Woodward in it and concerned the Boers. It was I believe about a court-martial trial and the incidents that lead up to it. I would be curious to hear your thoughts on this event and any historical accounts on this if any were available. It was an interesting movie and it has been some time since I had seen it. Thank you for your time and I look forward to your next feature. Keep up the great historical programming!

[@redcoathistory]

Hi there, I think you mean Breaker Morant. A good film and also a very interesting real life story. I do plan on talking about it one day. Thanks

[@robertwilliams5787]

Breaker Morant

[@wiseonwords]

@@redcoathistory - "I understand that he writes poetry too. A bit of a Byron of the bush!"

[@zach7193]

Well, this is something.

[@charlesmckinley29]

Thank you

[@FranciscoPreira]

Great info. Thanks for sharing.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks for watching mate - PS I've been working on the script that you helped me with and will record in the next few weeks. It should be a good one celebrating our two natiosn friendship!

[@andygeorgeparkinson2515]

At 6.00 minutes in where the temporary formation of elite units by removing grenadier and light companies from regular regiments into larger units sounds reminiscent of the German WW I Storm Troopers …..great performance but high casualties and the remaining units robbed of their cutting edge ? 🤔. These first Two episodes have been terrific 👏👏and looking forward to the next one about the 33rd .🙏👍

[@michaelsnyder3871]

When you look at British regimental strength reports, you see the pernicious impact of maintaining the elite/flank companies as close to authorized strength, which was one of the reasons most British battalions entered battle with less than 400 rank and file.

[@95DarkFire]

It is only loosely reminiscent in my opinion. The Sturmtruppen were a special type of unit, like modern special forces or paras. They had better equipment for more firepower, but I don't know if they caused a loss of ability in the regular forces. There was usually only one bataillon per field army. The combined units of elites in the gunpowder age were literally just that: all grenadiers or light infantrymen of multiple battailon formed into a single unit for a specific special mission or operation. This was also how Grenadiers were always organized in the Prussian and Austrian armies.

[@jonathanhodgson2142]

Wow that was a short one. Looking forward to the next vid.

[@cavoneant]

Very interesting video. I knew nothing of these more elite flanks that the British began to employ. Great video.

[@redcoathistory]

Glad it was helpful!

[@janlindtner305]

👍👍👍

[@Stitchwitchstitch]

Ahh, the war where my ancestors killed my ancestors! Dual national here, 🇬🇧 and 🇺🇸! The American revolutionary war was always a point of conflict between my parents, mostly in a joking manner. Mostly.

[@formwiz7096]

Very much like American infantry up to about the 1830s. After that, the flank companies eventually went away and were replaced by line companies.

[@hudsondonnell444]

You can see what the British army learned from the our Revolution in the Peninsular War.

[@hound3000]

Splitter? Quite accurate description, ain't it?🤣🤣🤣🤣 The light infantry later inspired the 95th Rifle Regiment, wasn't it?

[@tomtaylor6163]

When I was a Kid , I thought the Grenadiers were Coneheads.

[@paulcullip313]

Love it but boy that back ground music sucks 🤔

[@Hamishtarah]

M'well his prosodie isn't audiogenic at all, a real torture to listen at it. After less than two minutes I suffered an overdosis

[@ghsense2626]

They were worse than storm troopers. They couldn't even beat a rag tag farmer army we Americans mustered. The Hessians were more feared

[@michaeljtownsend123]

Action the redcoats did beat your army. Multiple times. The British had more victory than defeats. What won the war was the French landing a army. Red a history book.

[@DonAbrams-hq7ln]

You read your history, you fucked up royally by all of your atrocities around the world. WE really defeated your ideology by massing together twice, then had to bale your assesout two more times from 1914 to1945. Your Colonialism did you in.