Could You Survive as a Sharpshooter in Britain’s Elite 95th Rifles?

[@survivehistory]

We hope you enjoy the episode! Let us know what you think in the comments and please consider supporting the channel at: ko-fi.com/survivehistory Thanks again to... The 2nd Battalion 95th Rifles www.95th-rifles.co.uk/ 🇬🇧 45eme Infanterie Regiment de Ligne www.45eme.com/ 🇫🇷 If you want to see these re-enactment groups in action in 2024, or join up yourselves, head to napoleonicassociation.org/ for the latest events The Chiltern Open Air Museum, home to over 30 rescued and reconstructed historic buildings coam.org.uk/ And cheers to World of Warships: Legends Mobile for sponsoring this episode - go play it now! wowsl.co/3vjB3Iw 💥

[@JhettSimpkins]

do a US civil war video

[@harrypainter266]

Great video ,my dad is part of the 2nd battalion you filmed with

[@davidelabarilemobile7094]

Yes i have enjoyed both man

[@davidelabarilemobile7094]

​@@JhettSimpkinsoh me too im waiting for that thing But i Hope its about the confederate side

[@LorenzoFerrari-d5e]

Great video. Nice shot on that French Musketeer at the end, by the way, you took him when he was distracted and shot him down. Good job

[@MilkOutsideABagOfMilk0]

Before watching, no I wouldnt survive as a rifleman in the Napoleonic Wars

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

Well, you might, but you would probably hate it🤣

[@LorenzoFerrari-d5e]

Probably I would.

[@Skyraider356F]

@@LorenzoFerrari-d5eNah, I would 👍

[@josephturner7569]

I'd have joined the RN. Purely for the prize money you understand.

[@LorenzoFerrari-d5e]

@@josephturner7569 I would join the Navy too, but that's because I'm in the Italian Navy

[@ostrowulf]

As some one who has been in combat, and has commented a number of times that as soon as you fire your rifle back, I found (and others have said the same) that I had a feeling of control in the situation, which helps with the obvious fear of being shot at. An officer with no musket knowing he is the prime target sounds absolutely terrible in evey way to me. I imagine they felt a bit of control of their destiny in normal fights, when giving commands, but seeing the green of a rifles uniform likely removed all of that. Respect for those French officers standing their ground.

[@JvmCassandra]

Interesting perspective.

[@bigprovolone4209]

rah you have to just smile

[@gabrielboi3465]

if i may aks sir, in what conflit did you take part? huge respect btw

[@ostrowulf]

Afghanistan, I went in early 2008 and again late 2009 (which carried into 2010).

[@basamortua8791]

To some degree, it’s still similar. I’m not sure who you served with, but I assume similar doctrine. I was trained that officers shouldn’t be focused on shooting so much as being aware of what’s going on and communicating. Yeah, they are armed, but their priorities are different and they aren’t so focused on shooting. Not that different, in terms of specifically targeting them. What the hell do I know, I was a medic. Regardless of all that, you’re right that being armed is better.

[@tylerframpton2113]

A video aboit the 95th rifles? Now thats soildiering

[@ThePilot4ever]

Surviving history? Now that's soldiering!

[@NOTurbuisness-r5q]

Find me one soldier from the 95th who’s alive today. Check mate

[@britishpatriot7386]

​@user-gj6rl7pyo9q they still exist

[@thomaseubank1503]

@@NOTurbuisness-r5q It's a reference to a TV show

[@NOTurbuisness-r5q]

@@thomaseubank1503 yeah I don’t know why I said what I said. But I was probably fucking around trying to make not sound sense

[@desertraider2424]

​@@NOTurbuisness-r5qthe rifle brigade continued to exist up to 1966, so there are probably plenty.

[@davidintrabartolo5887]

Making a video about the 95th Rifles, now that's soldiering.

[@Jmatthaeus184]

NW reference?

[@AlexrsGAME]

Sharpe reference

[@Ratmasssss]

Shut up​@@ralfklaus64

[@williambuchanan8607]

​@@ralfklaus64Are you the expert, what association do you have ??

[@ENIGMAXII2112]

Oi, I heard that some where eh..!

[@AdministrativeResults]

Id be the one dude that got his head taken off by a canon, I'm not built different

[@artyom1264]

Same I guess

[@garethmorgan3665]

😂😂 I would probably just have died of the shits . No mention in dispatches for me .

[@jordanhicks5131]

Shredded by cannister for me. Just erased in a pink mist.

[@Potatoes_police]

Oh hi admin

[@georgieland3747]

I would of probably fell into a hole lol

[@eldorados_lost_searcher]

Upon sighting a video about life in the 95th Rifles, I proceeded to click on the thumbnail to enjoy the content therein; that's my style, sir!

[@zachsmith1676]

And what of lieutenant Sharpe?

[@ethanhatcher5533]

​@@zachsmith1676 he led a relief effort into the comments

[@malcolmmacgregor8837]

Major Hogan leaves the best for the last. He says you liked the video!

[@eldorados_lost_searcher]

@@malcolmmacgregor8837 The fault was not mine, sir. Major Lennox should answer.

[@malcolmmacgregor8837]

@@eldorados_lost_searcher MAJOR LENNOX ANSWERED WITH HIS LIKE!

[@valdeingruo]

The quality of this channel, especially with its first video being posted only 5 months ago is unmatched. Informative and fun. Everything is so well done.

[@survivehistory]

Wow, thanks!

[@duncanhenderson005]

I agree. I've only just found your channel, but it is excellent! Well done 👏

[@TheIrishvolunteer]

I was petrified that this was going to be an April fool’s joke! Thankfully it was another informative and interesting documentary, please keep them up!

[@NobleKorhedron]

Nah, no joke. They've a whole bunch of these "Could you survive as" programs...

[@PubliusYoutubeiousAgrippa]

That is soldering.

[@FuFureal]

Oh good Sir, I do indeed enjoy this episode. You have earned my thumb up and this humble little comment just after 4 minutes time. This is a help for you, and I am left with another 44 minutes of joy.

[@survivehistory]

Thank you kindly!

[@justinchu6170]

This was my first time learning about the 95th rifles. What a show it was!

[@OceanlinerDesigns]

Brilliant stuff! This is TV quality reporting. This channel is going to go FAR!

[@romahors7453]

One extremely underrated channel, good content and explanation and generally story telling, this is cool

[@philipprichardt8057]

There's the account of a soldier in the King's German Legion who entered service as a rifle man in 1806 and he served through the whole Peninsula campaign witnessing many of the major battles (El Bodón, Arapiles, the siege of Santander, Waterloo to name a few). In Waterloo Friedrich Lindau was among the last 49 survivors at La Haye Saint. His memoires are astounding. And they were translated into English.

[@AsutoroNami]

gotta love those dark green KGL uniforms the british had, honestly one of the best uniforms in the napoleonic wars in my opinion

[@sirrathersplendid4825]

They’re not specific to the KGL. The KGL certainly had them as well, doubtless copied from the British example. The Brits, however, got them by copying other Germans in British employ in America, namely the Hessians. Most of the KGL were recruited near Hannover rather than Hesse.

[@carrott36]

The KGL at Waterloo were typically wearing the British red.

[@River.E.M]

​@@carrott36he means The K.G.L. Light Infantry

[@PeterOConnell-pq6io]

My guess is riflemen had significantly better odds than their redcoat counterparts, and French opponents. Their green uniforms offered camouflage, their freedom of movement better cover, their Baker rifles, while slow to load, outranged their opponents muskets by five-fold. Their detached skirmisher assignments from the rest of the army likely protected them in part from the epidemic diseases responsible the vast majority of fatalities in that era.

[@lcpltpow5870]

I hear the 95th used to repair their damaged buttons and cap badges by melting small bits of wire. Now that's soldering!

[@sidwills]

Underrated comment!

[@samellowery]

Ahh I see what you did there have my 👍🏻

[@MDuarte-vp7bm]

What did they use for flux?

[@SheepDaSheepy]

That is the most coolest regiment in my opinion. I also have a grandpa who fought late WW2 he was a staff sergeant

[@zulubeatz1]

I blooming love British Light Infantry ! You can keep your paras and marines, these boys started the whole thing ! I have had the luck to have trained alongside a few of them, and they are game as hell and a great laugh too. If you have ever witnessed the RGJ double time marching, you will never forget it ! Thank you for this excellent video. Well presented, interesting and entertaining. These guys had the most stylish uniforms ever created, I think !

[@mouthfulofdirt]

Great video! I've never found Napoleonic War stuff engaging but your channel has made it gripping to me and I've learnt so much! Keen to see more of your fantastic content in the future

[@dylanmckinnon5465]

This channel has made some of my favorite historical videos I’ve seen yet on the platform. Y’all are awesome, and it’s clear how much work and passion goes into each video.

[@survivehistory]

Appreciate that Dylan!

[@Grognard-ne3pf]

I strongly recommend Schwerpunkt's videos series on Napoleonic warfare

[@geoff-brady]

The best live action doc I have seen in ages. Great info. Brilliant camera work. Love the uniforms. The Bakers Rifle is so cool. Now I will check out the other vids.

[@survivehistory]

Thanks so much!

[@kianabogaert]

now thats soldiering!

[@spazzypengin]

Yeah bro.

[@GlazeMyDonuts]

The KZbin shorts pulled me into the longer formatted videos! Keep up the great work, I look forward to future installments.

[@survivehistory]

Awesome, thank you!

[@OotsutsukiShibai]

What can I say, awesome as always. Thank you and thanks to reenactment group

[@jakukuja7736]

I was in middle of watching Joshua. But I had to watch this as sooon as I saw the notification

[@survivehistory]

You have great taste!

[@marshalmichelney-bc8qn]

General John Moore was the innovator for these tactics after serving in the American Revolutionary War. He was a good man. His actions in Ireland prevented Dublin from being sacked by more….less than honorable British soldiers. He was hit with a canon ball and died in Spain. Where Marshal Soult of the French or the Spanish commander, had a monument erected in his honor. Sir John Moore was a brilliant general, and a good man. Lest we not forget great men like him. 👍🏻✌🏻💂🏻🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@2adamast]

Did he innovate by seeing Hessian Jager in America and making a British version under similar colors

[@martinanderson4721]

Thers a statue in Gasgow's George Square of Sir John Moore.

[@cleveedmonston1235]

I served in the Royal Green Jackets, first as a gunner (GPMG) then a sniper. Their history goes right back to the 95th Rifles and many things are still just as relevant today, as they were back then. Bayonets are never called bayonets, but `swords`. All the battle honours are on their cap badge, not on any flag. Their buttons are black. And they march at 140 paces a minute and can carry their rifle at the `trail`, and not elevated upright in the shoulder. With so much history. One cannot feel anything but pride in having served it the regiment.

[@Raindiation]

Upon sighting this video i naturally clicked on it to watch thats my style sir

[@its-antiquitas]

Where are the baker rifles with telescopic sights? They were in that historical movie about Napoleon weren’t they? 😂

[@marshalmichelney-bc8qn]

lol yeah that was absolutely silly. I audibly groaned when I saw that in the theater

[@AtlasNL]

@@marshalmichelney-bc8qnI cackled from the unexpected ridiculousness of it, earning me many angry glares of the people around me. I couldn’t help it!

[@sirrathersplendid4825]

Ahh, the famous telescopic sight invented in around 1800 by that great scientist Sir Wrigley Scott!

[@al_wombat]

Are you saying that not only the French in Scott’s “blockbuster” were speaking English, but some fantasy weapons were cast into it? Mon dieu.

[@TheDsRequiem]

​@@AtlasNLI'm sure you're just insufferable to be around lmao

[@FelixstoweFoamForge]

I'd recommend the bool "Rifles", by Mark D'Urban for more detail and history. This video was your best so far. More than a mention to the KGl riflemen who held La Haye Sainte until they ran out of ammunition would have been good though, they took 90% casualties during that long and bloody day.

[@carrott36]

The KGL, imperative at Waterloo and iirc the only unit to break a square with cavalry.

[@williambuchanan8607]

I read Urbans book, very interesting account. Swift & Bold.

[@River.E.M]

​@carrott36 breaking squares had occurred a few times in the early french revolutionary war in the 1790s, but the KGL Heavies are the main example in The Napoleonic Era

[@JamesHS]

Can also recommend 'Fusiliers: Eight Years with the Redcoats in America' from the same author which acts as a kind of prequal to Rifles

[@Youraveragesillygoober-s6p]

Me who has played countess hours of blood and iron and guts and blackpowder: "Nah, i could survive"

[@orianaroneh1127]

Relatable

[@safiahukamdad2022]

Lol fr.

[@bismarckbismarck6352]

Everybody´s gangster until a frenchman with an axe shows up.

[@britishpatriot7386]

They are killed all the time in Napoleon battles against the British.

[@jordanhicks5131]

He takes a musket ball as easily as a general. They all fall to the baker rifle

[@randomhttyddev9245]

Blood and iron moment

[@monkewitbignose3238]

sapper jumpscare

[@Briselance]

You dithered.

[@ericbraley838]

Y'all are putting out some top tier content on a channel with relatively low subscribers (primarily because you're new). Is this simply a passion project or affiliated with some museum or university? Some of my favorite genres of books are historical first hand accounts of regular people and historical fiction in the same vein, so I love these videos!

[@survivehistory]

Thanks Eric! It's a passion project with a small team at the moment, but who knows in the future.

[@SMJ495]

What a great channel. Love the insights from the re enactors and the passion they have for history. Easiest sub ever!

[@codmzyd]

16:47 sapper jumpscare

[@Caleb244dd]

"over thereee"

[@cheesy_mayo_studios]

the one sapper telling you to move out of the way so he can build:

[@BradKesalowski]

@@cheesy_mayo_studiosblood and iron flashbacks

[@bussesandtrains1218]

Fucking terrifying

[@theprancingprussian]

One thing not brought up much if how skirmishers would find it difficult to hold ground Besides engaging other skirmishers they would do things like give a good volley to enemy line infantry then retreat and disperse They would in genral take less losses while dealing less damage This is why they were great for raiding camps, batteries and since they have so much space to manoeuvre they don't have to fight a large conflict if enemies advance They would also chip away at line infantry while focused on fighting your line infantry Pretty close strategy and tactics to medieval archers, chip away and fell back behind lines / outflank and help delay enemy retreats with shots while they are focused on something else

[@damiengreenhill3631]

I did a battlefield tour of the western WW1 trenches during basic training and one location “I can’t remember the name, but it was Hill something” was a trench line held by the rifles and it was literally 20 meters from the German trench! “Still can’t wrap my head around how opposite trenches became so close”, but i learned a lot from the tour guide about the rifles not even knowing they stretched back as far as the Napoleon wars

[@andrewevans6172]

Swift and bold, proud to have been a chosen man

[@keonidiacamos5265]

Very fun doc. I miss when History channel used to do things like this. Keep up the good work! I may pick up Sharpe's Rifles after this

[@duncannapier318]

Arthur Wellesley to Sharpe: "You've done me a damn good turn. Now I'm going to do you a damn bad one. I'm giving you a field commission Sharpe as of now you're a lieutenant in the 95th! Thanks for making and a damn fine job for sharing 👍🇿🇦

[@Tonks143]

TV quality stuff. I'd like to see it expanded to civilian occupations - Could you survive a tudor farm, Could you survive a Victorian coal mine, etc.

[@08mlascelles]

I have to say I think I'd much prefer being a rifleman than standard infantry. Still incredibly dangerous, but at least you're allowed to use some form of cover and ingenuity, rather than relying purely on luck, and the tactical prowess (or lack there of) of your superiors to keep you alive. Plus, there's a decent chance you'll actually hit your target long before they're even within range to hit you.

[@JayJet53]

Just remember you are more vulnerable to cavalry and infantry charges, which makes you more reliant on officers and NCOs, and your weapon has the same effect range as muskets but is more accurate.

[@poil8351]

Well that really depends on how good a shot you are.if you have bad aim the target has better odds.

[@badideagenerator2315]

Cover was certainly effective at protecting against musket fire, but wouldn't have done much to protect against sabres or muskets if you were caught.

[@sirrathersplendid4825]

Must say I agree about preferring to fight as a rifleman rather than an ordinary redcoat. But it was actually far more dangerous in the long run. Riflemen were in constant demand on campaign for all the dangerous tasks. As a result the 95th had the highest casualty rate of all British regiments in Spain.

[@amyfoster3554]

I was super glad when he uploaded again

[@malcolmdonnison3987]

This was the forerunner of my old regiment 95th rifles became the rifle brigade and then the royal green jackets ♥️👍

[@scrappydoo7887]

My old man was a green jacket. A few of my friends are/were in the rifles after the name change for Afghanistan

[@Techn9cian123]

The shorts were so good, I had to watch the full video!

[@survivehistory]

Great to hear!

[@ColinTruong-r2h]

How the hell did 95 people watch this in 9 minutes when this just came out and it’s 48 minutes long.

[@The_Great_Letter_E]

I believe views are added when you click on a video, not nessaserily when you finish it

[@lancerstudios.development]

95 people 95th Rifles.

[@MDuarte-vp7bm]

It probably measures views as unique visits, not completions.

[@oscodains]

Average Watch time is remarkably low, 3 minutes is the average.

[@pielover1455]

When the coffee mug actually having coffee in it you left me no choice but to subscribe 4:18

[@jolslikesrifles]

but it spilled out onto the ground

[@charlies40556]

great video! was waiting for this one

[@survivehistory]

Glad you liked it!

[@philgreen815]

In 2006 I joined the 2nd Bfn 95th Rifles and was lucky enough to attend Waterloo that year, it was amazing, and we were allowed to camp within Hougemont Farm. We were told the term grasshopper related to a type of movement on foot ? Almost like a hop skip and jump ? To cover ground. And yes whilst skirmishing we also trained to fire in volleys like the main army, but the rifles covered the flanks of the army.

[@IvanPopov-gq1sp]

Great video as always!

[@survivehistory]

Thanks Ivan!

[@SamWright-yu3qv]

I know it's marginally off the main topic but it was mentioned, but being in a square formation being hit by canon must feel truly apocalyptic.

[@davidian7787]

Having spent nearly two years homeless with several months out in the woods. Some of it dealing with violence. The simple act of staying clean, not starving and not succumbing to exposure, dehydration, disease or random injury are your day to day concerns. I've essentially lived the life but without getting shot at apart from on one occasion and it is a hard life with a steep learning curve as it is. It's brutally hard to live out in all weather with what you can carry. It's not like going for a hike and you have somewhere you can retreat to, like a home. You're out until it ends or it ends you. The real enemy is your environment, your food and water situation, your feet. Most people look at the combat but thats a tiny percentage of your time. You're not thinking about winning as much as not dying and keeping your mates alive.

[@MDuarte-vp7bm]

I think you greatly downplay how much humans hate combat. People literally will flee to frozen wastelands and eat raw meat for a thousand generations to avoid getting got.

[@Vega_13]

Quality stunning as always. One of my favourite history channels, keep em coming!!

[@survivehistory]

Much appreciated!

[@w-qwerty]

Best video yet, love to see it.

[@survivehistory]

Thanks a lot!

[@JonSiegel-ts2gk]

This channel should have 30x more subscribers than it does. Great work on a quality documentary.

[@survivehistory]

Thanks Jon!

[@abieldiaz4015]

Love the channel I love the Napoleonic error videos hope to see more in the future❤

[@kaiusbellum107]

Proud Rifleman of the 3rd Battalion the Rifles

[@scrappydoo7887]

🫡

[@joeking1956]

I am so happy to see more of these videos! They are always an entertaining and informative watch.

[@survivehistory]

Thanks Joe!

[@ChosenMan-be8mz]

Years ago I read a book called Fusiliers: how the British Army lost North America but learned to fight, it went very deep into the hard lessons learned and the light infantry doctrine they had to develop as the war progressed and although they lost the war the junior officers like John Moore who would climb the ranks would go on to advocate for implementation of these tactics that where so vital in defeating Napoleon who despite his own military genius did not recognise the potential of troops armed rifles.

[@Saurischian]

A spectacular spectacle

[@Acer_Maximinus]

“Could you survive…” There are few people today who could survive as a soldier back then even if they were never shot at.

[@Azfernious]

Survive history? Yes please!

[@bobthebomb1596]

Excellent documentary, thoroughly enjoyed that.

[@survivehistory]

Many thanks!

[@jonathalon6022]

Brilliant video, cheers guys

[@grumblekin]

Surviving a single battle without injury...THAT'S SOLDIERING

[@KingMegsgaming]

I love your videos since the first Episode! keep up the good work! ❤

[@mario_1683]

Really amazing video. I loved it.

[@Robquest38]

Christmas cane earlyyy! Great work lads

[@TheRendar]

Excellent video! Subscribed. Keep up the awesome content

[@jayfword117]

One thing about reenactment is it’s usually done by hobbyists who are way less athletic than soldiers would’ve been. It makes the old wars loook like they were fought in slow motion. It’s crazy to imagine how it really was. A group 17 year olds with bayonets charging like a football player. I love that reenactors exist. But they aren’t drilled like soldier are. It always gives a slightly off impression of how FAST these fights felt irl

[@Yung_Corz]

This was great, thankyou

[@maapaa2010]

You could get a feeling for their power when they fired them.. quite scary

[@okancanarslan3730]

amazing documentary

[@gregoryhoddinott8502]

I love this channel just started watching today and i love history thank you so much keep up the amazing work guys

[@survivehistory]

Thanks for watching!

[@NoSaysJo]

Really well made video. Thanks lads

[@darthguilder1923]

Another great video, these are better than tv quality

[@rosenbaek5708]

Keep up the excellent content.

[@zororosario]

Excellent stuff superb reenactment ❤ Thanks cheers 😊

[@ramblinfan99]

This was amazing!!! Thank you for making this! Now do Roger’s Rangers!!

[@ParutoTH]

Do one next about the Light Infantries of the french. (or you can't do that)

[@anacapamori]

Love these! Hope to see many more

[@bruhian_gacha_fnaf]

As a history nerd I love this channel & I’m subbed

[@survivehistory]

Thanks so much and welcome!

[@generalsandnapoleon]

Great video! I'm a huge fan of anything from the Napoleonic Era.

[@survivehistory]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TheKalihiMan]

It’s my understanding that these types of troops were also prone to higher rates of friendly fire because of the nature of their uniforms and duties. During the War of 1812, a unit of skirmishers raised in Canada known as the Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles was fired upon from the rear by British regular troops as they were withdrawing as they were unable to differentiate their green uniforms from the blue worn by American soldiers.

[@sirrathersplendid4825]

Yes. In lowlight dark green looks much like dark blue.

[@GorillaBeamz]

No ads and very educational 👍

[@Artaxian_Debacle]

Sharpe got me more into the Napoleonic Wars

[@podsmpsg1]

The British based their Baker Rifle off the American Kentucky Rifle. The differences were the Baker was built from the ground up for Military purposes, it was a larger caliber and could use a Bayonet. A little more durable too.

[@Tactical_Airsoft]

Great video guys!

[@survivehistory]

Thanks so much!

[@ImSomethingSpecial]

Did you work in production before this? Your channel quality is documentary-like with how good it is

[@Potatoes_police]

As a cadet in the rifle regiment i really enjoyed this history lesson on the regiment that formed the modern day rifle regiment.

[@survivehistory]

Thank you and hope it goes well!

[@Dullborn]

I have enjoyed this series and wish you success...

[@cardboardempire]

I was working a church rummage sale in 1995. To pass the time I picked up and old book to read. The book "Sharpe's Eagle" was getting very interesting and I purchased it for $1 CAD. It turned out to be a 1st edition. 15 y/o me then got very interested in the history of the British Army. After reading through the entire Sharpe (Every Bernard Cornwell Title), Aubrey-Maturin, and Horatio Hornblower series , I find myself seeking another series.

[@ILoveJesusourlordandsaviour]

Hell yeah, I love this next. Survive as Old Guard, or Imperiale guard (If you don’t reply I’ll be sad :( )

[@MaximMladenovic]

i love your napoleonic videos keep posting them please!

[@CelxD]

Fantastic video!

[@jakemitchell6578]

Surviving as a sharpshooter? Now that’s soldiering.

[@TimeWarpKing]

Love your channel guys, I'm subscribing :)