The Greatest British General You've Never Heard Of

Is this little known general the third greatest British commander of all time?
Court Martialled after his first battle, Eyre Coote went on to be Commander-in-Chief of all British and EIC forces in India. In this role he defeated the French threat, opening up the way for British dominance on the sub-continent.
His amazing career included the battles of Plassey, Wandiwash and Porto Novo.
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[@elanman608]

The only other that I can think of who achieved victory by pure Generalship would be Slim in the Burma campaign 1944-45.

[@indrajitgupta3280]

True, that, and far more in tune with Indian soldiers and officers than many others. Even Slim didn't mention a single Indian officer in his accounts, by then Thimayya had got his brigade, and there were several others who commanded battalions.

[@cuebj]

Just written same

[@cuebj]

​@indrajitgupta3280 At least he commented on the quality and effectiveness of Indian and African troops and Naga etc tribal assistance

[@sunrayisdown1690]

Slim did not kill over 100m people during his time. The British Empire did, just India alone.

[@willng1256]

He also wrote the book on how to defeat an insurgency not that the Americans would ever read it

[@Gaius_Claudius]

Interesting, I clicked on this video fully expecting a biography of Major-General Wolseley, who is sadly also not given enough time in history lessons. You surprised me with one I truly had never heard of. Well done!

[@KohinoorMukherjee-x3d]

A few other famous British generals in India - Duke of Wellington, William Hodson, Gerard Lake, George Pollock, David Ochterlony. Personally not a fan of the British Empire, my own great-grandfather was an anti-colonial armed revolutionary in Bengal in early 1900s. But must say that colonial Britain's Army, Foreign Office and Political Office produced some of the most capable and genius soldiers, spies and diplomats of their time. People of such capability would probably today be founders and CXOs but it is incredible that the British government was able to recruit these people, both aristocrats and commoners alike, and put them to such use. I guess the thrill of travelling to and conquering new places, albeit dangerous and hard, was so high that these people would rather put themselves in such danger than sit in an office and do business or be forever engaged in horizontal refreshments in some grand villa in the country.

[@GuineaPigEveryday]

The movie The Charge of the Light Brigade has a short, subtle but very effective theme/motif in it about how most young, skilled and experienced officers from recent wars in India were pushed aside in the Crimean War in favour of the old Napoleonic officers and rich aristocratic who bought positions. They see every officer from India as below them, not worthy of real officership, meanwhile those are the only officers that have seen real fighting.

[@anthonybrownhovelt]

Sadly, snobbery has been a curse for the Army! I knew some frightfully nice chaps who had to get on, don't you know? Some were nice but all too often, incompetent and only as good as their subordinates!

[@longiusaescius2537]

Yup

[@robruss62]

@@anthonybrownhovelt Lives of a Bengal Lancer has a related motif in that it shows the more egalitarian nature of the Royal Indian Army, compared to the regular British army. Interestingly, the Royal Navy has a more egalitarian tradition too, with lower deck promotions being far more common. Though aristocrats have permeated it's ranks, the Navy always had a meritocracy in that to be commissioned an officer had to pass examination, whereas army officers had to purchase commissions.

[@jugbywellington1134]

There's a very nice scene in Longitude in which Harrison - yes, he of chronometer fame - arrives at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. The only man of outstanding talent inthe room, the others treat him like dirt. I don't know if this really happened because films and "facts" are often not bedfellows. The only aristocrats I know in real life are polite to everybody, but I know only a handful. It's probably more to do with intelligence than background, but I don't doubt you have to know the right people in the UK, even today.

[@indrajitgupta3280]

@@robruss62 There was nothing called the Royal Indian Army. There were the East India Company forces, occasionally reinforced by British Army regiments, and then from1857 onwards, there was the Indian Army. While Britain had a Royal Navy and a Royal Air Force, there never was a Royal Army, only individual Royal regiments. So, too, in India, there was never a Royal British Army, only the Indian Army, but there were a Royal Indian Navy and a Royal Indian Air Force.

[@michaelburbidge5835]

South African with English heritage. Great to learn about history that wasn’t covered at all in my schooling. Love the videos. Keep it up.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Michael

[@imagrumpyoldman4809]

My military ancestors were all over these colonial wars on the Indian subcontinent. Am loving your work.

[@LesHaskell]

My colonial military ancestors invaded Canada two, probably three, times. 6th great-grandfather Captain Daniel Hale (Waldo's Regiment) was killed at the capture of Louisbourg in 1745.

[@asmirann3636]

You are descendants of people worse than N*zis. Germans took inspiration from the British and that is how they came with the N*zi ideology. Everything they did, British parasit*s had already done before them.

[@eddierudolph8702]

I'm an American and this is amazing, naturally I've never heard of this general before.

[@lawrenceglaister4364]

Have you seen the video of John Shipp ? Now that was a man of action , volunteered three times to be in the Forlorn Hope , even Tom Cruise isn't hard enough to play him lol

[@patrickmullane30]

@@lawrenceglaister4364 I will look him up too!

[@redcoathistory]

@@patrickmullane30I have a video on him you may enjoy - just check my India playlist 👍🏼

[@serananc1551]

He’s one of my great great grandfathers

[@barrymcmanmon9595]

Of course we have heard of him!!

[@frankparsons1629]

I lived in an old cottage adjoining Eyre Coote's Rockbourne Estate, from my top garden I could see his tall column/monument which erected to his memory stands to this day on his old Estate. Sadly the Great House was demolished after the second War, the sad demise which befell many a fine mansion, a very sad loss for our village.

[@jaif7327]

those mansions were too expensive to upkeep, have to give more to indian and african welfare migrants

[@rafflesxyz4800]

@@jaif7327 That's bollox!

[@mrcockney-nutjob3832]

@@jaif7327 Agree, Indian has a space program but fail to feed some of its people, 1/4 of the country still has no power.

[@bhaijaan77]

Yashwant Rao Holkar , Single handedly fought the British. The British offered him unconditional peace treat. It's the luck of the Britishers that Y.R.Holkar died while planning an attack of Calcutta with hundred thousand men

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

Another soldier i think is underrated is John Talbot 1st Earl of Shrewsbury, he has one of the coolest nicknames "The English Achilles"

[@catholicmilitantUSA]

The 1453 battle of Castillon guy?

[@armstronggermany2995]

And ''Punch'' Cowan in WW2 against Japan.

[@RajuDas-qu1li]

Great! From West Bengal, Kolkata.

[@ross.venner]

Albeit in a later century, Sir John Monash would surely deserve a place in this list of great generals. Others, with higher commands, have greater prominence, but Monash showed mastery of the fast changing technologies of WW1 as well as adroit command and a talent for minimising casualties.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Ross. I haven’t read much about him. Will do more research in the future.

[@sauermaischeyahoo7834]

Another general turned statesman that is greatly overlooked is Jan Smuts.

[@colinbryant5598]

Monash! A top flight general. One of Australia 's best. From the private to the general, fighters to a man. Respect.

[@poil8351]

​@@colinbryant5598 i would argue our best general.

[@zetectic7968]

This was a new general to me & an interesting story. Heard of Clive & Plassey plus in passing the Carnatic Wars. Truth is not up on my Indian history until Wellington appeared here & then the Indian Mutiny. Thanks for shining a light on this overlooked period of history. You deserve a sub after this a a few other videos I've watched.

[@redcoathistory]

brilliant thanks a lot. Glad to have you on board.

[@bryanthesmith4441]

I had heard little of this General, When I was at School It was all about John Churchill and Clive of India. Wolfe then next up would be Wellington. Thank you for reminding of this brilliant general, specializing in our usual tactics of the government sending a token force and an inspired leader who got the job done anyway.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Bryan - yes sadly he is massively overlooked but hopefully this video will help raise awareness.

[@Jammil2477]

There was a pub on the foleshill road in Coventry when I was younger, called the general Wolfe. It’s a fantastic looking building, kinda strange how many Asians moved into the road where that old pub is, after his history in India.

[@bryanthesmith4441]

@@Jammil2477 think you mixed up the Generals, Woolfe was the one that beat the French in Canada, The general instrumental in the Indian champagne was Eyre Coote the one featured in this Video.

[@neganrex5693]

@@redcoathistoryWith Wellington never facing a healthy Napoleon at Waterloo was a hollow victory and he barely won that battle and that was with help. Coote was the real deal.

[@ajay-xjs]

Great man. I used to drink in The Coote Arms, named after him, and visit the nearby Eyre's Monument also named for him.

[@anselmdanker9519]

The father of the Indian Army .Sir Eyre Coote, Coote Bahadur .Brilliant! The remarkable career of Coote Bahadur has not been covered adequately. He had a very strong sense of justice as well as affection for the Madras sepoys who served in his army. He mentioned both British and Indian other ranks in his despatches. After Wandewash he gave over the presents he received to troops who did not receive prize money. He was able to defeat the French infantry in and infantry battle and Hyder Ali of Mysore , predominantly cavalry army with an army mostly composed of infantry. These being 3/4/5/6/8/9/12/13/14/15/16/17/19/20 th Madras infantry as well as the Madras Europeans.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot - really glad that you liked it mate

[@kolfibrown6540]

​@@redcoathistory😂😂😂😂 so you're highlighting the military victory of the racist white supremacists who took over the Indian people land and basically trained the people to fight against their own best interest 😂😂😂😂😂😂....just because you want to be an online history teacher 😂😂😂😂😂 Go White imperialism!!!😂😂😂😂😂

[@HENRY-he4ss]

The father of the Indian army is stringer Lawrence

[@ruairihiggins9932]

It’s interesting that Thomas Arthur, Comte De Lally was an Irish General as well. You can see Irishmen fighting eachother in nearly every war involving the British against other European powers in this period

[@redcoathistory]

Oh wow yes that is interesting actually. A future video perhaps.

[@54356776]

A staunch jacobite. With deep French and Irish nobility roots. Wasn't he beheaded in the end ?

[@tigerboy1966]

If I see a video with "... you've never heard of" in the title I've usually heard of them, but you got me on this one!

[@benjaminrush4443]

The Colonials in America were somewhat lucky that Coote wasn't sent to the Americas during the Rebelion. Instead, we got Cornwallis. Again, India was the Grown of the British Empire and so much more important. Thanks.

[@genghisthegreat2034]

Alas, we got Cornwallis and his retribution on 30,000 after the Rebellion in Ireland in 1798 after you kicked him out.

[@benjaminrush4443]

Enlighten us on what happened in Ireland in 1798. Sounds like some hidden Irish history that needs to be told.@@genghisthegreat2034

[@jj591]

​@@genghisthegreat2034ironically Cornwallis was one the few British politicians who supported giving equal rights and status to the Catholics in Ireland

[@genghisthegreat2034]

@@jj591 it didn't happen for 30 years after he was content to slaughter them, refusing to recognise them as combatants, in contrast to, and alongside the French troops allied with them

[@jj591]

@@genghisthegreat2034 but that wasn't his fault. It was the protestant ascendency in Ireland who didn't want catholics to gain rights in a United Ireland under British rule. And am not sure if he committed any major attrocities, he himself was traumatized with what was happening in Ireland. In early July he issued a proclamation offering amnesty to rebels who laid down their arms and took an oath to the crown, and he cracked down on the sometimes arbitrary courts martial held in the field by requiring the review of all sentences in Dublin.

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

So sorry to be coming to this so late... You're really putting this series together very well, Chris... The pacing and rhythm is top shelf... oh, and the history is great too!

[@redcoathistory]

Hi Rob, thanks a lot. That feedback means a lot coming from you. Hope you are well!

[@wisconsinkraut3445]

Collaboration imminent?

[@callumbush1]

Those that don't learn from the past are doomed to repeat it!

[@phann860]

A very good addition to the story of the conquest of India, too often the focus is on Northern India while the middle and southern India is not really acknowledged.

[@LesHaskell]

My 4th great-grandfather Caleb and the rest of his company were court martialed at Quebec City in 1776 after their enlistments expired at the beginning of the year. Good ol' General Wooster (spelled "Worcester" by Caleb in his diary) wouldn't let them leave until May. Imagine thinking you weren't in the army anymore just because your enlistment was up.

[@shubhampaul795]

Coote is a person well respected in the circle of military historians of the Raj

[@LeeBrasher]

After a lifetime of being marinated in history, it's always great to learn the exploits of an exceptional character one has never heard of. I really enjoyed this video.

[@20chocsaday]

I always think that the best generals are the ones who can avoid a fight but still obtain the result.

[@redcoathistory]

The art of fighting without fighting!

[@themanwithnoname3636]

I have been looking forward to this all day. I wasn't disappointed. Great work.

[@redcoathistory]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@philipnorris6542]

I had heard of Eyre Coote before, though I didn't know a lot about him; thanks for a very interesting video.

[@miketaylorID1]

As a Yank I have never heardof Coote but I sure remember Bunratty Castle - the memory of Durty Nellys is a bit foggy tho! I am amazed to have recognized it in that drone clip you jarred loose some good old memories of visit with my pop before he passed thank you for that - you have a sub for life!!

[@richards4025]

Sincere thanks for bringing this presentation, it helps understanding the secret behind the cemented foundation of British Empire on the soil of India.

[@andrewjames5738]

Outstanding, as ever, as with most, a name i was unfamiliar with until today, many thanks for this excellent production. to go from court martial to C in C, i think is close to unheard of in the British military. Certainly, a measure of a great and tenacious leader. Deserving of far greater fame.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Andrew, I'm really glad that you found the video interesting.

[@Tadicuslegion78]

I remember taking a class on India and how the East India Trading Company was essentially an army within an army and there was something of a caste system between “regular” army officers and “company” army officers…unless you’re Wellington

[@indrajitgupta3280]

What on earth is that about? There was never an Army within an Army, if you are talking about the East India Company. It was a regular share-holder owned and director-managed company that always was anxious about dividends. It had its own soldiers who were not encouraged to mingle with regular British soldiers, and whose officers were better paid That armed force that the Company ran had nothing to do with the British Army, other than gets its support from time to time.

[@watch-Dominion-2018]

Exquisite work, tragic how many stations were removed

[@peterharrison5244]

Fabulous piece of little known history. Congrats

[@indrajitgupta3280]

No reason for an Indian to harbour friendly feelings for British soldiers or officers, but this man was a genuinely good soldier. And general.

[@carbidegrd1]

silence! Draw my bath.

[@madcyclist58]

"No reason for an Indian to harbour friendly feelings for British soldiers or officers", maybe there is for all you know. Were your family ever living in a village continually attacked by bandits? Or without a fresh water supply, or medicine? Was your great, great grandmother saved from Suttee? Or a travelling ancestor protected from Thugee? There may have been times in your own family history when the actions of British soldiers or even an individual soldier was something they were thankful for. History is never black and white to the thoughtful person.

[@saadkhan1128]

​@@madcyclist58 ah yes, the white mans burden, right like the british never looted and murdered thousands, turning man against his brother that was the british Modus Operendi

[@danditto6145]

Well they did end the Thugee cult, stopped people burning widows, did a lot to prevent disease, built a lot of schools, introduced democracy, built a lot of roads, bridges and rail roads. Without them India would probably have looked like Hati a French colony. As an American I have to admit that although it was a painful period for us; we would not be the country we are without British colonialism. Compare countries like the U.S., India, Canada, Australia and New Zealand to the fate of countries not colonized like Mongolia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, etc. Look at the mess that is South and Central America.

[@Ahfb72]

​@carbidegrd1 an English man taking a bath ???? That's a first 😂😂😂😂

[@michael5265]

In John Watney's book Clive of India & Frank McLynn's 1759: The year Britian became master of the world, give a good insight into Eyre Coote, Clive and the battles with the French and Indians in the subcontinent along with the politics.

[@raypurchase801]

The Year of Victories.

[@dimitriofthedon3917]

Loving the vids mate, been wanting to learn more about this period for ages

[@redcoathistory]

Great stuff. Glad you like it. Will post more next month.

[@yj9032]

13:40 I personally think The Third Anglo Maratha war as the one that cemented British Rule in India. Until then, even regional warlords like the Holkars of Indore and Scndias of Gwalior were powerful enough (with the help of French advisors) to drive out European armies. A combined Maratha army like the one fielded during the Third Battle of Panipat (4 years after Plassey) could've been a fatal threat to the EIC.

[@asmirann3636]

It was the Maratha infighting that gave an opportunity for the British to expand into India. Marathas should have conquered the whole country. But they were content with tributes. This is why even after defeating many powers, they never took over those regions. Marathas had defeated the British earlier very easily in the first battle. Even Mysore had defeated the British. British had an Indian mercenary army and it wasn't much difficult to defeat them.

[@gj1234567899999]

Do you think the pay was deliberately withheld at certain times not because they lacked the funds but because they don’t want soldiers to take their money and run prior to a potential decisive (and dangerous) moment?

[@duncanferguson5659]

You do a cracking job - well done and keep it up - all the best

[@redcoathistory]

Cheers Duncan

[@richardhsiung7007]

Thank you for a great program.

[@Moggy471]

I had heard Coote's name before but this was a quite wonderful video. Thanks. I have subscribed. Regarding your list of British generals at the end of the vid; Marlborough stands alone because of his strategic genious, of the period only Napoleon was his competitor, tactically Coote and Wellington seem very evenly matched (and that is high company to be in) I suspect that Coote is overshadowed because his victories were in a far off land and against what would be thought of as lesser military minds by the rather arrogant British of the time.

[@liberalhyena9760]

Your last point is precisely what was said of Wellington, chiefly by French generals - Bonaparte among them - who had not fought against him.

[@indrajitgupta3280]

Marlborough was streets ahead of Napoleon, because of his handling of logistics. Napoleon left his soldiers to fend for themselves, with all the horror of looting and crime that it entitled. Marlborough won battles just as difficult to win as Napoleon, but Napoleon never had the dead weight of the Dutch commissioners telling him what they could or could not do.

[@adventussaxonum448]

I knew about Coote. All my family did. They came from Martin in Hampshire and the next village, Damerham, is home to the Coote estate. When I was a youth, I would drink in The Coote Arms on the Salisbury -Blandford road (sadly long closed). We always knew that he was the real deal, rather than Clive.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks for that. SHame the pub isnt there any more.

[@adventussaxonum448]

@@redcoathistory That one and thousands of others, sadly

[@windalfalatar333]

Magnificent video and an extremely interesting man!! I am glad I found these earlier videos.

[@redcoathistory]

Fantastic, thanks a lot. I am glad you found this interesting.

[@richards4025]

One of the finest and wise generals East Company had! It was his mastery that brought the French Forces to the defeat.

[@keithagn]

Super interesting story; good to see you back. Thank you! Regards from Canada 🇨🇦

[@redcoathistory]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks, Keith

[@thatcouncilestatekid1832]

Just watched this again top quality 👌🏻

[@redcoathistory]

@@thatcouncilestatekid1832 Thanks mate - glad you still enjoyed it second time round.

[@jon9021]

Absolutely wonderful. Would love to see one about General Wolfe/78th Fraser Highlanders.

[@Aldarinn]

Also what really won it for them was Mir Jafar. Its a household saying in Bengal to this day that no army, however advanced, stands such a great chance of beating you from without as Mir Jafar can destroy you as the enemy within.

[@thomaseley8386]

Never heard of Coote before this video but he seems remarkable. Amazing he bounced back from disgrace to high achievement. I wonder how often his thoughts dwelt on that early misfortune.

[@errolmills2192]

Never heard of Coote. Very interesting indeed. Almost impossible to assess generals from different eras. e.g How would Wellington done at Alamein? Churchill at Mons? and what about Montgomery at Assaye. It doesn't work. They were all great generals though. Thank for the video I really enjoyed it.

[@serananc1551]

I only found out he’s one of my great grandfathers

[@freneticness6927]

Horribly as they would have absolutely no idea how to fight with those different weapons.

[@proteusnz99]

The East India Company - the paramilitary wing of the London Stock Exchange

[@robertotamesis1783]

The setting was timed in the movie Barry Lyndon, especially both men had Irish beginnings and everything was the 7-yrs wars (the unofficially First World 🤯🌎🌍 war).

[@fibber2u]

Pretty accurate description of that war, during which the Americans were saved by the British from the French. WW2 followed and the Americans gained independence mostly because of the French (and others in Europe). WW3 ended all realistic French ambitions in the Americas and a very minor victory resulted in an agreement over Canada curtailing (war weary after 23 years) British expansion and allowed America to expand safely westward. All three wars linked really by the American sideshow and the main event the British French conflict (and others in Europe) but fought globally, involving all continents and oceans. So in my opinion there have been five world wars. Do you agree.

[@54356776]

Maybe irish ancestry or links, but none of them were Irish.

[@udyandas]

Long live Sir Coote!

[@MrNcnc1]

This channel is everything I could of hoped for as a boy

[@redcoathistory]

Glad to hear it, thank you sir.

[@Dom-fx4kt]

Wasn't expecting to see my great great great something uncle mentioned in a video on my youtube feed

[@theanglo-lithuanian1768]

What a legend 🇬🇧

[@vintagecapgunsatyourmomshouse]

Interesting to see British line beating French column on the subcontinent, several decades before the Wars of French revolution

[@redcoathistory]

Yes that is what I thought when I read about it also 👍🏼

[@Jubilo1]

General Coote- who'd a thunk? Fascinating video.

[@catholicmilitantUSA]

Hmm when watching your Plassey season I thought to myself how on earth would a Royal Navy Admiral ever allow a Company Lieutenant-Colonel to lead things! This infighting is very interesting to me. In your previous videos you also mentioned that the infantry of the 39th Foot sailed in boats up the Hooghly, and I had thought it strange...until now. Good stuff!

[@redcoathistory]

Great -‘I’m glad that this episode has helped to fill in some of the gaps. In truth I’m far from an expert myself on this era and also find it quite complicated.

[@Votebritish]

Keep promoting pride in your British heritage.

[@michaelmcginn7260]

Good work, thank you.

[@patrioticarchive]

Marvellous work

[@redcoathistory]

Thankyou.

[@anthonybrownhovelt]

It's interesting that the Key players often were their own best publicists! Gathering excellent subordinates who were masters in their field of expertise or just good at doing their immediate job but seemed to lack the nuance to think beyond their horizon, as it was done for them. Certainly, this was the case with Wellington. One only has to look at what a disaster Crimea was without him but fought by his Generals. Gen. Coote Was certainly a thinking soldier and decisive!

[@Т1000-м1и]

Amazing

[@jayturner3397]

Fascinating article 👍 👏

[@redcoathistory]

Cheers, Jay.

[@Musrusticus-]

Really good, thank you.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks for watching

[@sibzwerx1969]

Hey! Dorset gets a mention! (Yeh Bradpole!)

[@janlindtner305]

Probably one of the most professional

[@serananc1551]

I’m proud to be his descendant 😊

[@chrisstone7924]

Another great video keep up the good work

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot

[@garychynne1377]

great history. truth is stranger than fiction.

[@rogersheddy6414]

Four, what is worth an "underwater tank" is usually known as a "cistern."

[@jasontaylor1866]

Love your channel

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks, Jason.

[@girishdevappa5562]

Thanks

[@FranciscoPreira]

Another great brit hero story, thanks for sharing mate.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks mate

[@serananc1551]

My dad and grandad look so much like him 😊 I’m also a Coote

[@ethanpettit]

So now that we have KZbin, the battle of Plassey is no longer important? Now we have to learn about the battle of Wandy-who? Thanks for keeping a boomer up to speed. Good vid!

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@lombadariwaller]

2 monsoons was the average life span of any foreigner in India pre independence.

[@pmurnion]

I'm amazed at all the comments praising Slim and nothing about OConnor in N Africa. Seriously, burma was a backwater in ww2. The N Africa protected Egypt, the Med, the Suez canal, ME oil and opened the way for the first invasion of Fascist Europe . Also O'CONORs victory over the Italians was absolutely vital, at a time when the British were losing everywhere . It kept Spain and Turkey out of the war and thús saved the Med and doomed Italy . The Italians could have been driven out of Africa in 1941 except for Churchills insane diversion to Greece.

[@brokenbridge6316]

This guy sounds like one of the greats. I wonder what he would say about India today?

[@fastpublish]

Leaving the field to save the colours sounds very Harry Flashman

[@jameslong5871]

Well done.

[@JRSimoes]

I wonder what would have happened if Coote had been sent to the American Revolution instead. Great video about a man I knew little.

[@fibber2u]

Later on imagine if Wellington with his Peninsular Army had been sent to America in 1814. I don't belive the modern USA would exist.

[@liberalhyena9760]

He was sent to America but died en route. If you mean what would have happened had he gone earlier, that is indeed intriguing though obviously unknowable.

[@riklangham6739]

GOOD MAN , CARRY ON .

[@Lee-vk1xy]

In a number of discussions I've seen on great WWII generals one who has come out No1 on a lot of list and with no real detractors is Slim. I like I suspect most Americans wasn't even familiar with his name before getting involved in said discussions.

[@Tellemore]

He wasn’t British, he was Irish and the Army fought for the King. Although the Act of Union between England/Scotland came into effect in 1707/8 and created UK, thereafter known as GB, the Kingdom of Ireland did not join that Union until 1801. Even today some English people still consider the BA to be the English army.

[@fyrdman2185]

He was of English descent, he was part of the English ruling class in Ireland. The Coote family came during Cromwell's invasion of Ireland. Coote's ancestor arrived during this time as an English soldier who fought against the irish and got land in Ireland as a result.

[@liberalhyena9760]

It was normal at the time to use the name England even when Britain was meant and very few, particularly among the aristocracy you refer to, or foreigners, would have considered the distinction more then trivial. Napoleon always referred to ‘England’, never to Britain. (He wasn’t French, you know.)

[@SamO-ik2cm]

Irish people are British

[@MisterPeckingOrder]

British isn’t an ethnic identity it’s a national and geographical one. He was born in Great Britain on one of the British isles. He was British.

[@fyrdman2185]

@@MisterPeckingOrder No British is an Ethnic identity, only those of English, Scottish and Welsh descent are British.

[@willsherman1049]

I think the British army has had a number of good generals (and their share of bad) and to compare across the centuries and diverse adversaries is to compare apples to oranges. On every battlefield a general does a dance with luck. Hence Napoleon's famous question. Coote is a very good general and I suspect just as clever in the backrooms of power in London, but "the greatest" may be more than his shoulders can carry. Each generation breeds its heros. Coote belongs as the greatest in his generation in India for sure, but to take it further does not render justice to our history.

[@DavidGS66]

There's a fog of war when reading books covering these battles. The maps in particular are lightly penciled & hard to read, likely designed to be rolled onto a large table. I wish an effort was made to update the maps at least to be easier to read on our electronic devices, possibly using drop down menus with descriptions.

[@dnguyen9747]

Should be required reading for every Indian so that they would learn how India benefitted from British rule. We need to make sure that UK and Indian school children are taught that Indians learned many useful skills that benefitted them and their country after the British Empire generously granted India its independence.

[@mktf5582]

Please do Guillermo Miller (Latin American Wars independence) one of the complete soldiers/commanders (underlooked/understated/underrated).

[@philipdurling1964]

It should be remembered that India as country didn't exist before the Britsh colonisation.

[@Indo-Aryan9644]

-Then Greece dosent exists before Ottoman colonization. -China dosent excited before PRC in 1949. -Germany and Itlay doesn't exist before 18th century -and many many more........ . . . . So what you point 🤡

[@fyrdman2185]

@Iamnotracistlmao Except that it did, it was literally called the Kingdom of Germany and not to mention the Holy Roman Empire which was basically Germany ruled by a German Emperor with German nobility all across what is now known as Germany.

[@Bob-nd2mr]

British indian Army 1939 = 200,000. by 1945 = 2 1/2 MILLION and the largest VOLUNTEER army in history . India and Britain are life long allies. When Imperial Japan invaded India in 1944 ...together WE defeated them and defeated also Fascism, and INDIA became the largest DEMOCRACY in history. REAL FREEDOM was won , now let us do something with it. Britain has an Indian heritage Prime Minister so, whatever happened before, there are now NO EXCUSES for our two countries not to be Allied or to fall out over trivial historical rhetoric from either side. "When you go home, tell them of us and say, For your tomorrow, we gave our today" ........ ......The Kohima Epitaph...1944....

[@mudra5114]

But most Indians consider Subhash Chandra Bose as their national hero. Bose was an ally of Adolf Hitler and Hideki Tojo.

[@bobbrown5529]

now that was an epic story . a bit like a Storming Norman of there time .

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot. Yeah he was a fascinating character.

[@serananc1551]

This is my ancestor, I like being a Coote now

[@redcoathistory]

Oh wow very cool 👍🏼

[@stuartmunro2474]

He sounds like a real professional. I have however, a soft spot for T E Lawrence, who prosecuted a campaign against Turkish forces with extraordinary vigor. It is true that many of the forces he faced may have been inexpertly led, but his irregular forces overcame regular forces conventional commanders were not keen to engage. I'd put him in the top three land commanders. England has been fortunate in its leaders - but often celebrated its Nelsons, not its Cochranes.

[@n0110]

Britain should of kept India and it is criminal that the Empire and Winston Churchill could willingly give that accomplishment away

[@Choodcel]

i don't see how that's possible. Indian nationalism was at it's peak and the british governance was seen as a joke after embarrassing defeats in ww2.

[@agnelomascarenhas8990]

Wandiwash is locally known as *Vandavasi*

[@20chocsaday]

Between Scotland and England there are two pronunciations of 'loch'. The English way is to use the ch as if it is the letter k. In Scotland people use a softer sound, like sh except not with their teeth but at the back of the throat. Unless it is the gates on a canal where the water is a different level on the other side. For a Scottish place name, you might hear a speaker from England talking about Kirkintilloch (ending in a 'k'). Locals can't be bothered using that long name so they talk about Kirkie. Thanks for telling us the local name. I am sure some people thought the locals couldn't speak properly.

[@thayiljoseph277]

Probably the finest British general in India could be Robert Clive,who destroyed the ten times bigger army of siraj ud daulah,the nawab of bengal, and established permanent british rule in india

[@redcoathistory]

I have an entire series on him and the Battle of Plassey that you may enjoy. Please check my back catalogue.Thanks

[@ChelseaPensioner-DJW]

If you look at the British armies history there's an unproportional number of Irish Generals and senior officers, who achieved much acclaim in the army but nowhere else.

[@redcoathistory]

Many great irish soldiers for sure.

[@flashgordon6670]

Why don’t you make a chronological list of every great English and British commander? Starting with King Alfred the Great up to the present day.

[@michaelwhisman]

Finally, an army that killed cavalry horses. They won!