Indian man here, from Kolkata. The place from where actually British India began😊... Love your videos. So much history with Britain we have yet it's unknown to many here in India. Keep doing the good work Sir!!
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
Hello, Sir. I have been to Kolkata and stayed at the Tollygunge - very nice. Is it still open?
@anirbanbhattacharya21469 ай бұрын
@@redcoathistory I live near Tollygunge. Where were you staying at Tollygunge?
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
@@anirbanbhattacharya2146 At the club, but it was so long ago I can't recall exactly which room though. I really liked Kolkatta.
@ralphbennett85759 ай бұрын
2 films, one with Errol Flynn
@indrajitgupta32809 ай бұрын
@@redcoathistory It is.
@welshwarrior52639 ай бұрын
I have been in some sticky situations in combat, but knowing you are about to be overwhelmed by the enemy must be terrifying.
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
Hi mate - yep, very terrifying...I wander if there is a moment of calm clarity where you realise its over and resolve to simply have a "good death"? I hope I never have to find out...
@hazchemel9 ай бұрын
Thanks for sharing your knowledge in this extremely user-friendly way. I think you're right and we do grasp the situation, with our consciousness detached momentarily from the fog of war and personal hand to hand combat. As hard and unconditional as that may be, I think we face it nevertheless, whether we die in bed or on the battlefield.
@hardheadjarhead9 ай бұрын
Kipling wrote a stanza about it.
@michaelayers39989 ай бұрын
There’s a book title (concerning Isandlwana) that says it all about the mindset of the era: “How Can Man Die Better?”
@splodge5619 ай бұрын
The stickiest situation since Sticky the stick insect got stuck on a sticky bun.
@kevinlind47417 ай бұрын
Black Week, 2nd Anglo Boer War, Colenso, Spionkop and Modderfontein. Worst week in British military history before the 20th century
@cross329227 күн бұрын
The dutcch Netherlands kicken brits again
@Gordon-hx8cp2 күн бұрын
Absolutely tiny battles
@OldWorldLad9 ай бұрын
Thanks for putting this together mate. The lads who died in these places deserve the recognition, and ought to be remembered by a grateful nation even now.
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
Thanks a lot mate. I agree. That's a big part of why this channel exists. Any other battles you'd like me to look at in the future?
@mickeencrua9 ай бұрын
@@redcoathistory What about The Battle of the Bogside?
@mickeencrua9 ай бұрын
The "lads" were driven, not led, by incompetent upper class Officers. If Chelmsford had not been one of Victoria's favourites, he may well have got a dishonourable discharge. To expand an empire by rape, plunder and pillage, brought no benefit to the ordinary soldier. The Crown, Nobiity and Aristocracy were the only winners. Look at the state of Britain at the moment. The Kingdom has very little to be grateful for.
@OldWorldLad9 ай бұрын
If you haven't covered Napier and the expedition to Abyssinia, then there's your answer. Keep it up though mate, love the conent.@@redcoathistory
@sirdudleynightshade87479 ай бұрын
@redcoathistory Francis Younghusband and the invasion of Tibet is a good story too.
@richardhoare99639 ай бұрын
Apparently I don't laugh enough but your "I've been shot at there myself" line really tickled me. I'm glad they missed as we wouldn't have this channel. I really appreciate your more thoughtful, incisive, comprehensive view of near mythical historic events. Thanks for your work 👏
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
Thanks RIchard. Im glad I made you chuckle and I really appreciate the feedback. Thanks for watching and commenting. Are there other campaigns you would be keen to see me cover in future videos?
@richardhoare99639 ай бұрын
The history of the Redcoats covers such a large time span and geographical area I find difficulty in picking one particular episode. Being from East Lancashire there are many reminders of campaigns in Crimea and South Africa in pub and street names and it is fantastic to now be hearing the history behind those names. Being born in the sixties I think I got the tail end of history as written by the victors. Everything went swimmingly, "the officers were upstanding and played the game. The men were plucky and steadfast". Hearing how things didn't always go to plan, the officers weren't infallible, and the men, as individuals or a unit, often overcame near total disaster is eye opening. It is especially refreshing to have this backed up with excellent, often first hand, accounts that whilst not being hidden have at the very least been buried by the popular narrative. The efforts put in by yourself and your contributors are amazing. I'm more than happy to sit back and wait for the next surprise installment of "how did that happen and why?" It's not just the quality of information that's passed on but also the captivating way it's done.
@gerardhogan39 ай бұрын
Hey Chris what if you could have got around the old Maiwand battlefield with a metal detector while you were there. I'm sure you had plenty of downtime LoL
@lionelhutz51379 ай бұрын
That dark British humor lol
@stephenbritton92979 күн бұрын
I too had a chuckle. Very British.
@j.dunlop82959 ай бұрын
Retreat from Kabul~approximately 16,500 soldiers and civilians killed, missing, or captured,
@JakeKilka9 ай бұрын
Oh yes, this one came to my mind too. William Macnaghten tried his best to manipulate and bribe afghan leaders against each other, managing only to turn every afghan against the British, and ended up shot by a revolver he had used as a bribe a few days earlier.
@AndriyValdensius-wi8gw7 ай бұрын
The Afghans spared the one survivor, who was an army surgeon. They allowed him to live in order to convey the news of the catastrophe back to the British in India. The Kabul Retreat disaster was a British replay of the massacre of the 3 Roman legions under Quinctilius Varus, in the Teutoberg Forest in Germany in 9 AD.
@Hun_ghuri6 ай бұрын
British force was 40,000+ lead by the veterans of the battle of waterloo
@mikeross44 ай бұрын
The vast majority of the casualties were Indian soldiers and their families.
@howwwwwyyyyy2 ай бұрын
@@Hun_ghuriomg, that Napoleon fella must have been rubbish
@geoffbrown15189 ай бұрын
I've walked over the battlefields of Rorke's Drift and Isandalwana...sobering, to say the least...
@JohnJones-ct9pr9 ай бұрын
Me too And I have climbed Majuba. I could not relate what I saw around me very well to what I had read about the battle. I think that the vegetation and the landscape must have changed a bit over the last century. Also unlike with the battle fields of Zululand I went up there without a guide. It is really important to have a guide who can make sense of what one sees in front of one.
@Outlier9998 ай бұрын
At least the British took revenge against the Zulus, and eventually the Boers.
@JohnJones-ct9pr8 ай бұрын
@@Outlier999 Revenge for exactly what ? Revenge for the Zulus and the Boers defending their countries ?
@JohnJones-ct9pr8 ай бұрын
@@Outlier999 Revenge for exactly WHAT ?. For the Boers and the Zulus defending their countries ?.
@patrickheath50115 ай бұрын
@@JohnJones-ct9pr BINGO!
@indrajitgupta32809 ай бұрын
Thank you for mentioning that the 1st Grenadiers of the Bombay Army were the first grenadier regiment from anywhere in the Commonwealth. That was 36 years before 1815, when a British regiment were designated Grenadiers, under the mistaken impression of their opponents at the battle of Waterloo. The regiment has three PVCs, the highest decoration for gallantry that the Indian Army gives, in three different battalions of its current twelve. The detachment at Maiwand died to a man. They aren't remembered by the British, unlike the Eleven.
@arslongavitabrevis51369 ай бұрын
Hello there! Excuse my ignorance but, what does it mean PVC? I suppose that the last two letters stand for "Victoria Cross". Regards from Argentina.
@yasdnilknarf18856 ай бұрын
@@arslongavitabrevis5136 Param Vir Chakra - supreme wheel of bravery.
@phann8609 ай бұрын
I would have the retreat from Kabul first (99.99%) casualties. Apart from Maiwand I was aware of the others. An excellent presentation.
@j.dunlop82959 ай бұрын
Retreat from Kabul~approximately 16,500 soldiers and civilians killed, missing, or captured
@j3v1678 ай бұрын
One could argue that this action should not be included here at all. The troops were retreating from their positions and were not spoiling for a fight. Majuba Hill is the correct choice. They wanted this battle and came off second best..
@MickeyMouse-ul2zs9 ай бұрын
I grew up treading "ripping yarns" and histories of British Empire and sundry acts of "derring-do" published in the Victorian or Edwardian eras so enjoy these mini-documentaries a great deal. Thank you very much.
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
Great - I do hope in a small way, I am helping to fill the void for a new generation who have never been exposed to these stories.
@michellebrown49039 ай бұрын
How about a delve into " King" James Brooke and the Raj of Sarawak ? Head Hunters and Blue Jackets running riot .
@JaemanEdwards8 ай бұрын
@@redcoathistoryI think you might have considered one of the defeats in battle to the Maori on this list. While casualties weren't high, the fact that the British felt the need to have a 5 to 1 man advantage says a lot and is vastly different to any of their other wars against native people, where they were usually outnumbered.
@FutureMythology9 ай бұрын
We would not have this channel if they hadn't missed. Regarding historical events that are almost mythical, I truly like your more analytical, perceptive, and all-encompassing perspective. Many thanks for all your hard work.
@DirkReinecke9 ай бұрын
Two of the 5 defeats are in South Africa only a couple of years apart.
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
Yep, it was a terrible time for the army to be fair.
@StuartAnderson-xl4bo8 ай бұрын
They were always outnumbered yet few mention this Best soldiers for 3000 years recorded ask the Romans
@JaemanEdwards8 ай бұрын
@@StuartAnderson-xl4boAgainst the Maori the British outnumbered them 5 to 1 in most battles and still struggled during this 30 year war against a population of no more than 200 000, likely far less due to war and introduced european diseases.
@Ulrich11448 ай бұрын
I think it's because they underestimated the Zulu army. The Zulus were the most feared tribe in almost half of Africa. But the Boers were, as you heard, just very good marksmen. There are interviews done by English men on their battles against the Boers. Winston Churchill was in one of the battles and was captured there as well. He got released later.
@JaemanEdwards8 ай бұрын
@@Ulrich1144 Judging by the huge white dudes in the Springboks the Boers were also big cnts. Near the biggest men in the world. Lots of meat in Africa. It really helps the intimidation factor when you're big cnts. The enemy is shit scared of running out of ammo.
@ronaldpatterson11774 ай бұрын
I fully agree with your assessment 😎😎👍👍 Charge of the Light Brigade: "Lions led by Asses!"
@SinkhuisieAntiques9 ай бұрын
As a South African the biggest problem for the boers where the victory in the first boer war and after there stunning success in the beginning of the second boer war they couldn't follow up they probably thought the British would give up like they did in the first. Sad war what a waste of life😢
@doug65009 ай бұрын
The 1st Boer War was no indication of what the British were capable of. By the first year of the second Boer War both Boer capitals were occupied and the Boer field armies were defeated and dispersed. The Boers actually had a numerical advantage to begin with but made some key strategic mistakes (i,e, not going for the coast). Indeed, the subsequent Boer Guerrilla campaign was the shortest in history and was snuffed out and defeated in only a year. The biggest killer was disease.
@James-sk4db9 ай бұрын
Good luck, I hope the Afrikaans separatists succeed or act as a moderating force to stop increasing aggression from the Bantus
@GeorgeHolm-z3r9 ай бұрын
Sad that the british put our mothers and children in camps, burn my forfathers farms like savages...They got f@cked up by our Boers, and then decide to resort to barbarism.
@dietersmit66399 ай бұрын
"Boer patriot freedom warriors" would be the more correct name, political incorrect but who cares. We always were and always will be.
@dave83238 ай бұрын
as a south african, your insight is exactly the same as anyone else, the events happened well over 100 years ago. Being born closer to the events doesnt mean anything, you would have learnt about them the same as anyone else
@johnhuge39729 ай бұрын
Glad I discovered your channel. I've been a fan of Mark Felton, and also "The History Chap" for some time now. Your form of presentation makes for easy/enjoyable viewing. Similar to Chris Cappy on Task and Purpose (The average infantary man)! Keep it up!
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
Thanks for your kind words. I am a fan of all of those channels and it is an honour to be compared to Chris Cappy on Task and Purpose.
@PK-qe2py5 ай бұрын
Informative video. One of the least known battles where British army was defeated was "First Anglo-Maratha war".It was a war more than a year fought in the variety of terrain.
@Gidi669 ай бұрын
19:55 also was the first time since the American revolution where the British was forced to the negotiation table to sign a peace deal that was not in their favour.
@Graybaggins9 ай бұрын
Please Google "The treaty of Waitangi 6th feb 1840."
@josefoglio92508 ай бұрын
WRONG IN 1806 AND 1807 TWO ATTEMPTED INVASION AGAINT THE VICEROYALT OF RIO DE LA PLATA FAILED IN MISERABLE DEFEAT AT BUENOS AIRES AND THE BRITS RECOGNIZED IN A TREATY PEACE WITH SPAIN . ALSO AN ANGLO FRENCH BLOCKADE OF BUENOS AIRES END IN A FIASCO AND A TREATY WITH ARGENTINA RECOGNIZING THE EXCLUSIVE SOVERAINITY IN THE PARANA AND URUGUAY RIVER(THE LAST RIVER SHARED WITH URUGUAY REPUBIC)
@Trebor748 ай бұрын
America agreed to uphold the British treaties it had made with the native Americans.
@donaldpaterson58276 ай бұрын
Yes, but the American war although important was a side show to the war with France
@allenhamilton66889 ай бұрын
Thanks for your service. I spent my time in and around Baghdad.
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
Thanks Sir though I was in Iraq and Afghanistan as an observer rather than a combatant so you will have had a much harder time than me. Thanks for your service.
@dave83238 ай бұрын
You didn't 'serve' anyone, apart from a few people in the military industrial complex. Do you honestly think you were somehow protecting your 'freedom'? Actually, you played a small part in destabilising the region, terrorising the Iraqi population, and funnelling tax money into private wealthy pockets. Stop thanking people for their service, and start applying some critical thinking
@bevinboulder50399 ай бұрын
I was surprised to discover I was already familiar with three of these battles. There is an excellent account of the entire Kabul incident that makes up a large part of the novel, Far Pavilions by MM Kaye. She was born in British India in 1901 and all her male ancestors and her husband were officers in the British army in India. She also wrote a novel that covers the Sepoy Mutiny, Shadow of the Moon. Highly recommended.
@charlesarmstrong52929 ай бұрын
Thank you for a well described whip around through these battles. To my mind the common cause for the defeats was the ineptitude of their generalship. Toffs who bought their rank. Despite training at Sandhurst etc one could not train the supercilious pig headed attitude out of them. Major General Sir Pomeroy-Colley was a prime example.
@robertcottam88249 ай бұрын
Marvellous stuff, Chris. I’m very fond of Pākhtuns. They are very good hosts. Utterly loyal friends, too. It’s best not to wind-em up though. They have very long memories. Pip pip!
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
Very true, Sir.
@DougMorley19 ай бұрын
I'm a British expat living in Chilliwack British Columbia Canada. In the south of our city there exists a road called Majuba Hill Road. This Road does in fact rise up from the flat valley that is formed by the Fraser River. The land surrounding was owned and originally farmed by a Dutch family named Vedder that arrived in western Canada via the USA though the farm is long gone now. At the time of the Dutch family's arrival in Canada the whole of British north America was just that - British. It is odd that the authorities then would allow the name Majuba to be used in this way. Then again maybe it was some sort of administrative oversite, perhaps even guilt.
@DavidHarrison-js3ji9 ай бұрын
Canada is a wonderful country , a bit like England on steroids.
@dezmod16444 ай бұрын
U mean, they took unceeded land
@KENKENNIFF9 ай бұрын
If you peek out the window from the train through Reading you will see the Maiwand Lion snarling at you. A giant metal lion commemorating this great defeat. The sculptor sadly commited suicide because he got the stance of the lion wrong. Its also the wrong size.
@Levermonkey9 ай бұрын
George Blackall Simonds (the sculpter) had studied lions at London Zoo and the gait is correct. He also lived for another 40+ years after the unveiling of the lion and enjoyed considerable success. In 1922 he temporarily came out of retirement to build the Bradfield war memorial, commemorating the deaths in the First World War of those in the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which included his son. He died in 1929.
@KENKENNIFF9 ай бұрын
@@Levermonkey Actually he was notorious for getting things the wrong size, he threw himself off a chair.
@KENKENNIFF9 ай бұрын
Next thing you will be saying Readings Mayor has been arrested twice in Reading Stations toilets.
@robhartley39309 ай бұрын
If you read the John Wilcox books from the Simon Fonthill series, it details most of the major defeats. The series is about a young officer from the Zulu war to after the Boar War. They are interesting.
@quibblegaze9 ай бұрын
0:00: 💔 Military defeats in the Victorian era reveal British inadequacies despite overall success. 3:21: ⚔️ British forces faced overwhelming Afghan numbers but held technological and firepower advantage. 6:20: ⚔️ British forces suffered a devastating defeat against a much larger enemy in the Victorian era. 9:08: 💥 Tragic consequences of a misguided cavalry charge in the Crimean War. 12:29: 💥 Decisive defeat of British forces against a native army, impacting British prestige and regional perceptions. 15:08: ⚔️ Devastating defeat at Gandamak during the Victorian era impacts British prestige and Indian perception. 18:20: 💔 High casualties among British officers in a historical battle, highlighting their bravery and the skill of enemy marksmen. Timestamps by Tammy AI
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
Nice work!
@propellerhead4289 ай бұрын
Underestimate the Zulus at your own peril, even today "These boys are the tough ones and don't mind a scrap" Even worse are the Boers, those boys don't mind a scrap at all.
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
And the Sesotho, the BaPedi and everyone else. Basically don't pick a scrap in SA.
@lib5569 ай бұрын
While we shouldn't dwell on our mistakes, failures must be recognized and not swept under the rug. How else can we learn from our mistakes?
@kubhlaikhan20159 ай бұрын
Especially when those in control today aren't even British.
@raymonddixon76039 ай бұрын
Speaking as an Irishman, the whole presence of Britain in Ireland was appalling. Even when you left you could not do it properly, the situation in NI is still with us today. It took Irish governments over 60 years to repair the damage and only in the last 20 years has the country began to flourish. Thank goodness for Brexit, it puts you further out of harms way.
@kubhlaikhan20159 ай бұрын
You swallowed a Fenian text book Raymond.
@waynenash60087 ай бұрын
Enjoy your victimhood
@kasparolesen15159 ай бұрын
"Great" list, however I would have thought that Black Week of the 2nd Anglo-Boer War would have made the list.
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
Yep, 2nd Boer War certainly had a few bad days for sure. Any others you would have put on the list?
@krisendicott23069 ай бұрын
I knew a few of these defeats but not all of them. Thank you for sharing
@JaemanEdwards8 ай бұрын
The defeats against the Maori should have been considered as they usually outnumbered the Maori 5 to 1 yet still struggled during this 30 year war against a population of no more than 200 000, likely far less due to war and introduced european diseases.
@TheMaxmeldau9 ай бұрын
Excellent, interesting and informative. I seem to remember another crushing defeat in the Sudan.
@eric-wb7gj9 ай бұрын
Corporal Jones hadn't got there yet, it was different when he arrived....
@justonecornetto809 ай бұрын
It wasn't really a British defeat as it was Egyptian and Sudanese troops. Gordon also disobeyed orders by refusing to evacuate from Khartoum despite the hopeless situation. Another thing of note is that the Mahdists suffered a major defeat at the Battle of Abu Klea by Wolseley's relief column of regular British troops despite having overwhelming numerical superiority. It's likely that if the column had reached Khartoum in time, Gordon and Wolseley would have destroyed the Mahdi's forces. Instead, Kitchener got to do the honours at Omdurman 13 years later. Now that was what you call a crushing defeat!
@casecase840327 күн бұрын
With my limited experience working with the British Army while I was in , it always seemed, that British officers always had to do more with less . But British officers have always been exceptionally trained.
@allanburt52509 ай бұрын
Enjoyed this one Chris 👌 cheers. Good and bad days have to be remembered, in my Regiment we had to know its history, character building.
@BarefootLorrie9 ай бұрын
Excellent video. Surprised Spion Kop and Shaykan/El Obeid didn’t make the cut, but there was stiff competition.
@FranzBieberkopf9 ай бұрын
Wasn't Spion Kop after Victoria's death?
@simonkevnorris6 ай бұрын
Spion Kop was 23-24 January 1900 and,Queen Victoria dies on 22 January 1901.
@johnhood95679 ай бұрын
The last 11 of the 66th Berkshires at Maiwand had a little dog, Bobby, with them, who features in some of the artistic depictions of the event. He survived and was taken home to England, was awarded the Afghan 1878-80 campaign medal, which he wore on the ribbon around his neck! He was struck by a London cab and killed. Some will remember that Sherlock Holmes' 2nd banana Doctor Watson claimed to have been wounded whilst attached to the 66th at Maiwand and survived. Great content, thanks very much!
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
Thanks a lot - I didn't know about Booby. Will look him up.
@johnhood95679 ай бұрын
@@redcoathistory I think he belonged to one of the Sergeants. I think there was one Lieutenant and an NCO and 9 rankers with "the last eleven" but I may have that wrong. I always thought that icy hilltop at Gandamak must have been an awful last moment for those who were there. The 66th Berks got amalgamated with the 49th (Cardwell reforms) 1880-ish to become the Berkshire Regt. They were made Royal Berks shortly after, I think because of their performance at Tofrek ("MacNeil's Zariba") about 1884 after General Gordon met his end at Khartoum in the Sudan. There's a movie (pretty good one I'd say) about that bit as well...
@36736fps9 ай бұрын
1879, 1880, 1881 Bad 3 years to be a Redcoat
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
Yep
@gillsjohn18 ай бұрын
Really?
@mechengineer4life9 ай бұрын
no disrespect to the Light Brigade, but I'm shocked that it was only 50% casualty rate for the men. Infantry in the American CW where lines didn't even meet at bayonet range in some cases were 80-85% in one or two charges. I guess the horses took alot of the grape shot and muskets? One Texan regiment in Hood's brigade charging across the wheatfield at Antietam, took 82% casualties. The 2nd and 6th MS at Shiloh took over 75% casualties, in both those cases in less than 20 min of fighting before being wrecked. The numbers at Fredericksburg (the most lopsided "battle" of the ACW was brutal with many entire brigades taking 80+% casualties).
@amh94949 ай бұрын
The Minie ball was a real game changer.
@3ftsteamrwy129 ай бұрын
I'm not positive, but weren't the Russians armed with smoothbore muskets? That would account for the (relatively) low rate of injury/death.
@George_M_9 ай бұрын
The charge of the light brigade was not as bad as is generally believed. If they had something to spike the guns with it might've been merely ill advised instead of monumentally stupid.
@bevinboulder50399 ай бұрын
@@amh9494 And the rifled barrel
@amh94949 ай бұрын
@@bevinboulder5039 one goes with the other of course, but the rifled barrel was already around with such guns as the baker rifle. It wasn't feasible for widespread adoption before the Minie ball though, all that wrapping the ball etc would have complicated the loading drill and lowered the fire rate too much.
@Two4Brew9 ай бұрын
When I was a boy, there was a man in my hometown who had been in the German Freikorps during the 2nd Boer War. Mr. Aschenbach had also been in the German Army in WW1. He was a POW who had been sent to the US. He was hired out to a farmer, who took a liking to him. After the war, Mr. Ashley sponsored Mr. Aschenbach for Citizenship. Mr. Aschenbach was a little over 100 when he passed away in the late 60's.
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
Amazing life story!
@mickharrison90049 ай бұрын
What a great story thanks .
@Two4Brew9 ай бұрын
@@mickharrison9004 Mr. Aschenbach take a pheasant on the wing, while he war driving a farm tractor.
@s.williamc.9 ай бұрын
Outstanding video! I just discovered this channel while researching historical conflicts for table top war gaming and miniatures painting. I’ll be checking out all your videos thank you very much.
@nickdarr73289 ай бұрын
I'm wondering if in my life time we'll see if the modern Boers were able to acquire their ancestors marksmanship through genetics. Just like always Boer survival will be in the hands of the Boers and no one else.
@raycollishaw6739 ай бұрын
Nah. Marksmanship thru genetics? Racist bullshit never wins war. Lol.
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
That and the thousands of firearms that modern Boers still have. No need for genetics - they can practice. I shoot in South Africa and most of the guys I train with are Afrikaans speakers.
@dacorum80539 ай бұрын
The Boers were trained to shoot from an early age. They would have all shot game and practise makes perfect. They would also have been better at making best use of the terrain to seek out the best firing and fighting positions. They were also fighting on home land and on their terms. We were fighting experts and it is no wonder they outfought us on many occasions.
@AtheAetheling9 ай бұрын
@@dacorum8053also the Boers were considered to be early adaptors of modern tactics as we know them for the first half of the twentieth century. Fire and movement, marksmanship skill, etc. Weirdly it was probably fighting them that put the British army in good shape for WW1 and WW2 in terms of the professionalism and marksmanship of the individual soldier. Kipling even wrote a poem about how as bad as the Boer wars were, even the one we won, it was a lesson that needed to be learnt.
@JohnJones-ct9pr9 ай бұрын
No not genetics. When I did my national service as an infantryman in the SADF in the early 1970's I was shocked to find Afrikaans speakers who were worse shots than me. And , in the beginning at least , I was a pretty shabby shot myself. And then it dawned on me after a while that all of these bad shots were all "stadsjapies" - city boys like me. The farmers sons were all outstanding shots because they had the best teachers in the world --- their fathers. And their fathers in turn had the best teachers in the world -- their fathers. In the days of the Boer War ammo was expensive so they were taught to make each shot count -- whether the target was an Nyala or an enemy.
@reynardthefox9 ай бұрын
Should have said it before...Salute you for your service... always thought the retreat from Kabul was the worst...both Majuna and Kabul indured there eould be at least a second go ... good episode Thanks
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
Many thanks for you comment sir. But no need to salute me, I have spent a lot of time in the world's frontlines but I am an observer rather than a participant.
@TimMatterSnorri9999 ай бұрын
The Zulu Victory was so impressive! The Zulus didnt had Fireweapons but the British had... And they Lost! 😳
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
It was a very impressive victory. But to say they didn't have firearms is a bit of a myth...they had thousands of them though they weren't experts with them and their tactical doctrine seemed unsure on the best way to incorporate them.
@jimkeats8918 ай бұрын
Quantity has a quality of its own
@danmacalpinbruce25558 ай бұрын
The britts where simply out numbered.
@Outlier9998 ай бұрын
Single shot rifles and their ammunition supply system was awful.
@CoramDeogenua7 ай бұрын
it was 100 to 1 lol. Not impressive.
@michaelgallagher26633 ай бұрын
Excellent And Educational Presentation. I Heard About Maiwind, But Not The Whole Story. Thank You.
@andygeorgeparkinson25159 ай бұрын
Absolutely riveting , love the presentation style ……
@TheAngryBell9 ай бұрын
I liked your video a lot. You covered a lot very efficiently, My one real quibble was Charge of the Light Brigade. It was just a part of a larger battle that included the mostly forgotten Charge of the Heavy Brigade which was as successful as the Light Brigade’s was disastrous. The top 5 I think should be 5. Maiwand 4. Khartoum 3. Isandlwana 2. Majuba Hill 1. Afghanistan 1842. I flip your top two because I think the effect of that debacle was more profound than the loss at Majuba. I put in Khartoum, even though it was mostly British officered Egyptian troops, and not British and Indian regulars, because the failure of the relief force (British regulars and British-command Egyptian units) and the fall of the city had significant impact both in the region and in the thinking of European Powers.
@simonkevnorris6 ай бұрын
I thought the guns they were trying to stop being removed was their own guns that were in redoubts on the surrounding hills.
@jayt70859 ай бұрын
Great stuff mate, really enjoy. Spion Kop? Colenso?
@simonh63719 ай бұрын
Every skirmish or battle in the First Anglo-Boer War, from Bronkhorstspruit to Majuba, was a defeat for the British, which culminating in the Boers winning that war.
@joshuasmith65156 ай бұрын
@@simonh6371you’re not wrong at all but Spion Kop and Colenso were both in the second boer war. That really makes them worse than any defeat in the first war as we started the second boer war and should know the area scene as we’ve just fought a war there. The first boer war really make Spion Kop and Colenso worse defeats than any in the first Boer war
@andrewjcroughan09Ай бұрын
Enjoyed this video. Absolutely fantastic
@joeblow96579 ай бұрын
What regiment did you serve in? I didn't know you were a British Army veteran yourself but the way you slipped it into the video with that combat footage was excellent production quality.
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
Cheers mate...I was a civvie cameraman working with the military in Iraq and Afghanistan.
@Khalsafauj969 ай бұрын
I would say chillianwala and ferozeshah of the first and second Anglo sikh wars respectively should also be on this list. British contemporary to both battles described the battles as devastating to British prestige within India and globally. Please do reconsider your list and I have books to back up this claims as well
@danievandenberg85809 ай бұрын
We still have a big festival at Majuba hill every year to celebrate the victory
@MrJohndrich8 ай бұрын
I didn’t realize you were in Afghanistan. My brother was there for a year( Army National Guard; North Carolina) He was fortunate enough to spend a little time with British Army “blokes” 😂 He had nothing but the highest praise for you as people, and as fine soldiers. LOVE the channel! I find British military history fascinating. I’m currently reading a book about the Zulu war. Love and respect from America, keep up the great work, mate!!
@redcoathistory8 ай бұрын
Thaks a lot and full respect for your brother also. I also have nothing but love and resepct for our American brothers.
@MrJohndrich8 ай бұрын
@@redcoathistory Thank you so much. And thank you for your service. What part of England are you from? I’ve never been, but I’ve wanted to go so badly for a long time. Not just out of reverence for our British brothers, but I’m predominantly of English ancestry. The Richardson family began in England in the 14th century I believe, and first immigrated to this country in the 16th century.
@zulubeatz19 ай бұрын
I liked this channel before I knew it was run by a Veteran. Excellent work on a subject I have always been interested in. Now I know about your service in the area that these defeats took place, Would you say that the British Army took any lessons learnt with them in their recent deployment or were they by and large lost to history ?
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
Hi there. Many thanks for your message. Just to clarify though, I am not a military veteran - I have worked alngside the military extensively as a cameraman documenting Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere but as a civilian. In answer to your question though my feeling is that a lot of knowledge from previous conflicts was forgotten and they were forced to try and reinvent the wheel.
@graemer36579 ай бұрын
I like the new style video :) In the Sherlock Holmes books, Maiwand was where Dr Watson was nearly killed before returning to the UK. At least that’s what he says in “A study in Scarlet”
@DidierDidier-kc4nm9 ай бұрын
British cavalry have a lot in common with French cavalry making stupid frontal assault against huge defensive position without support ! great video . cheers from France
@Vonstab9 ай бұрын
@Valnox92 Von Bredow's charge was a very different situation. It was a deliberate sacrifice carried out at a desperate point in the battle and Von Bredow executed it with great tactical skill that made maximum use of the terrain to shield his troopers from enemy fire. The charge scattered 10 of the 12 deployed French artillery batteries as well as 4 battalions of infantry which immediately reduced the pressure on the worn out Prussian infantry. The charge also unnerved the French commander in chief (Bazaine) so much that he halted further attacks by the French 6th Corps which gave the Prussians time to bring their X Korps to the battlefield and those reinforcements effectively saved the Prussians from destruction and defeat. While the infamous 'Death Ride' was very costly it more than achieved its objectives and compare to losing the battle the casualties suffered by the two regiments were acceptable.
@AtheAetheling9 ай бұрын
I think both Britain and France tend to have that romantic image in their heads of the dashing cavalry charge. When it works out it's glorious! Haha
@Horriblebastad4 ай бұрын
Tanks àre better than horses
@donaldkroth25799 ай бұрын
Interesting program. I appreciate your views and not being afraid to point out your country's faults in warfare. There are many a country out there, mine included that have went through the same defeats in battle. We all can point out to one country or another that has went through the same situations and bad tactical moves that cost a victory and turned it into defeat. Keep up the good work! 👍🇺🇲
@-Pol-9 ай бұрын
When I read the account of the Retreat from Kabul I followed their route on Google maps' 3d view. It's difficult to imagine what a desperate and horrifying end befell those soldiers and their families as they struggled through the freezing snow of the Kyber Pass, being picked off by tribesmen from the heights on either side. It was an utter and complete anhilation of an army that I'd have placed as the number 1 defeat myself. Afghanistan's reputation as The Graveyard of Empires is well earned!
@coeurdelion11939 ай бұрын
As an American I feel left out. The Battle of New Orleans., Cow Pens, and the defeat of Burgoin.
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
Pay attention at the back of the class dear boy...None of those were during the Victorian era...
@Delogros9 ай бұрын
None of them would make the top 5 or even 20 defeats most likely, have to remember Britain (and England before it) was involved in a lot of wars.
@coeurdelion11939 ай бұрын
@redcoathistory I say governor! LOL. I spent 2 years in England at RAF Lakenhealrh from 1980-1982. I had a ball there. Went with a British tour group to Greece. I learned a lot from you guys. I think here in America, England's biggest defeat was at New Orleans. But I would say you have to admire the English resilience in warfare.
@clf77298 ай бұрын
@@coeurdelion1193, that was British defeat, not English.
@coeurdelion11938 ай бұрын
Tomato, tomatoe...@@clf7729
@Dav1Gv9 ай бұрын
"The Berkshire Regiement?" I had a very undistinguished and short career as a subaltern in the TA Battalion but even I know we were the The ROYAL Berkshire Regiment or to be more formally Princess Charlotte of Wales's Royal Berkshire Regiment! Great video but I had a duty to point this out.
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
Very good, Sir. I will strive to do better next time.
@iank50189 ай бұрын
I discovered your channel this morning and subscribed after watching this. I spent a day at Spioenkop a month ago and am planning a trip to Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana soon. I look forward to watching your videos on those battles in advance.
@andrewpeterson28659 ай бұрын
The Battle of Chillianwala, 13 January 1849, in the Second Anglo-Sikh War, deserves at least an honorable mention. Great video. Loved the footage of you in the 'Stan.
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
Thanks mate. I was the one filming so sadly I am not in the footage but that was a fun day for sure.
@theodoresmith52729 ай бұрын
@redcoathistory sir I mentioned the several disasters in British military history in a post to you a short time ago. I said loins lead by donkeys was more than in ww1. Now you make this video. Thatnk you.
@saltyroe31799 ай бұрын
07:23 #4 10:34 #3 13:00 #2 16:50 #5
@mauricefrost89009 ай бұрын
Great video - many thanks for covering both the battle and the implications of the results
@FranciscoPreira9 ай бұрын
Another great video on Brit military history, thanks for sharing mate, best regards.
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching and I'm glad you enjoyed it. Hope all is good with you.
@thatcouncilestatekid18329 ай бұрын
Wonderful content Chris keep them coming please 👍🏻
@Al-iv3mb9 ай бұрын
There is an excellent book, 'Return of a King ' by William Dalrymple which covers the retreat from Kabul, which is well worth reading.
@garylynch920622 күн бұрын
That's a great read
@karoln7519Ай бұрын
Battle of Fuengirola
@ranbirrandhawa18653 ай бұрын
Please read and analysis the Battle of Chaillanawali ( second Anglo- Sikh War).
@davidsaks12449 ай бұрын
Among my happiest memories are my solo explorations of Manuka & the other 1st Boer War battlefield. The magnificence of the settings, 7500 ft above see level, plus with the "home side" (the Boers - the Afrikaners are I believe the only ones who managed to consistently get the better if the British Tommy on the battlefield in over 400 years. That was fighting in their own conditions, that enabled their own unique tactics. Had they gone toe to toe in Flanders, I suspect it would have been a draw. The Afrikaners being largely of Dutch descent, it's also noteworthy that at their height in the mid to late 1600s, the Dutch navy at least held their own against the English. Don't think anyone else can claim that. Excellent video, thanks! Agree with your choices, with perhaps a caveat on C of the LB
@davidsaks12449 ай бұрын
Majuba, obviously. Got to watch that spell check!
@DukeJon19697 ай бұрын
In terms of military tactics the Boers were years ahead of their time
@Roberto-tu5re9 ай бұрын
Totally enthralled from start to finsh, thankyou
@MariusLGerber9 ай бұрын
You should make a video about the battle of Mosselbaai, where thousands of woman and children where killed by starvation, and illness, I think 27 000 in total. And the design of the new concept called "Concentration camps". The people that designed this new concept denounced is 38 yrs later when the Germans perfected it.
@Wolf-hh4rv7 ай бұрын
Tell me about it. (South African here). I know a lot about the concentration camps thanks to my grandfather, but I didn’t know there was one in Mossel Bay. I also googled to find a battle fought there. Couldn’t find anything.
@hoyschelsilversteinberg45216 ай бұрын
Germans perfected it by keeping them well fed and safe until the allies fixed that with their indiscriminate bombing campaigns specifically targeting civilians
@donaldpaterson58276 ай бұрын
The British Concentration camps were designed to concentrate the population to prevent aid being given to the Boers. Many died in these camps due to overcrowding, disease and mismanagement, they were not designed to torture or kill the inmates. The German concentration camps were designed to torture, starve and kill the population.
@AdamCeladin8 ай бұрын
Great Channel!
@redcoathistory8 ай бұрын
Thanks for the visit
@mikekelly60239 ай бұрын
One thing I’ve noticed about all these British disasters is that the OFFICERS were largely entitled aristocratic lords who made terrible decisions with the lives of there men period
@joeblow96579 ай бұрын
I mean usually bad management is the one digging the company's grave.
@Gensemund9 ай бұрын
But most of tge British senior officers were nobles or gentry, so they won all the battles that Britain won too!
@duckbizniz6639 ай бұрын
Appreciate British honesty. Unlike many countries who concoct glorious victories when a tragic slaughter actually occurred. Being honest and analytical the British fighting force can become more effective. It also shows that superior weapons technology can be an advantage, but underestimating an opponent can lead to disaster. There are so many different factors on the battlefield that determine victory it is always better to have extra reserve capacity. The fog of war is the uncertainty that affects outcomes.
@caractacusbrittania74429 ай бұрын
It is not a single military defeat, or even a couple, that defines victory. Whatever the outcome of battles in Africa, India, the far east, It is the outcome of the Wars that matters. A defeat here, a setback there, are to be expected, but the sum of the campaign, and the defeat of the enemy are the reality.
@Stupidfaes6 ай бұрын
Really? Seems to me the Brits aren't present in the places where they were killed in massive numbers. Funny that, innit? So much for outcome being divorced from losses 😂
@StayRadDontDie11B7 ай бұрын
American airborne here the true red white and blue baby. I was in Hellmond providence and Arghandab River Valley about 30 miles away outside Kandahar. I can't believe that took place there!!!!!
@prickly100006 ай бұрын
Someone really needs to Nerf British extremely overpowered bravery buff
@gamerhashaam33439 ай бұрын
Also scinde horse and Jacob rifles are Baloch units of British indian army , it would be wise to regard them seperate like gurkhas.
@joaoconchilha22319 ай бұрын
It happens, but most are victories 💪, regards from Portugal Chris.
@Joehughes286916 күн бұрын
Love British history. My family came from wales in the 1670’s to America and fought on both sides of the American revolution in N.Carolina And S.Carolina
@Matty10thDVN9 ай бұрын
Love the insight into the other side but even a defeat is a victory if you learn from it.
@saxon69 ай бұрын
Adding your personal footage makes this video stand above others. If I had been there I don't think I could have got Kiplings poem out of my head.
@flashyfantail56659 ай бұрын
Missed one…29th August 1882…Australia beats England by 7 runs at the oval…the day English Cricket died.
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
Will have to bow to your superior knowledge of that, Sir. I am afraid the only sport I follow is the sweet science.
@LU-zo2vt9 ай бұрын
That one really did look bad in the newspapers and upset civilians at their breakfast.
@carlmanvers50093 ай бұрын
Loving this channel.
@markdavies96369 ай бұрын
They aren’t defeats they are repositioning!
@iankingsleys28183 ай бұрын
Col. Harry Flashman seems to have bene at most of these defeats: The Kabul Retreat, the Light Brigade Church, and Isandlwhana, He also was a Gettysburg, the Little Big Horn and Peking
@tombogan038849 ай бұрын
Conan Doyle's "Dr Watson" was wounded at Maiwand. The Light Brigade was not a defeat. They did what they set out to do. They over ran the Russian guns, and they pinned the entire Russian Cossack corps against the Chenaya river with only one bridge. If the Heavy Brigade had supported them instead of watching , the war would have been won there.
@chriscookesuffolk9 ай бұрын
Fantastic video,informative interesting and entertaining as usual.
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
Cheers, Chris. Any other subjects you'd like me to tackle?
@chriscookesuffolk9 ай бұрын
@@redcoathistory Hi and thanks for the opportunity to offer up some ideas. Would be fascinated on your thoughts on how the passage of pre-battle, battle and post battle might be for the typical redcoat? A few questions come to mind: Would soldiers be informed of the developing tactical situation and be told why they are performing various actions, or be given simple commands without context? As combat becomes a possibility, what actions would be performed to prepare the troops for battle? Would they have been encouraged individually or as a group and by whom? Would there have been any alcohol, singing or other forms of morale boosting practices? When battle is joined, would they be encouraged or threatened and by whom? What would be the rhythm of battle for the solider in line? ie how was water, ammo, food, organised over the duration of a longer fight? If the line appears shaky or some soldiers run in fear, what action would have been taken to steady the line? Once the battle is over, how might the typical soldier spend the rest of the evening, and if there is no more fighting, what might happen the next day? Sorry if you have covered some or all these in previous videos, I have not yet watched your entire catalogue! These are just a few questions of the top of my head, but I'm interested in your thoughts on really anything along these lines as to how combat might have typically felt for the soldier on the ground, perhaps even drawing comparisons with your own experiences in battle, under fire? Many thanks
@chriscookesuffolk9 ай бұрын
@redcoathistory Hi Chris did you see my reply, you are usually quick to respond ;)
@bertvsrob9 ай бұрын
our loss of identity is the biggest insult to the memory of these men
@Etaoinshrdlu699 ай бұрын
Ironic because the British empire was globalist.
@Bumbaclart2479 ай бұрын
You mean people from the places Britain conquered have come to Britain to share in the resources taken from their country?
@bertvsrob9 ай бұрын
@@Etaoinshrdlu69 yes, we began as a united kingdom with an empire in place. we were never a nation before that kek
@andrewkeir20478 ай бұрын
It was the Americans in the WW2 who took everything from us in the name of freedom. Hitler gave them the excuse to take all our trading routes from us to secure their participation. It's the unspoken and untought history. The Americans were jealous of us Brits for a long time as we were better than them. Five great losses, but the 6th loss, which I've mentioned, is the greatest! 🏴 🇬🇧
@Worfedia8 ай бұрын
Loss of identity? Yiu must be pretty insecure m8 - I know perfectly well who I am ^^
@TheJon24429 ай бұрын
Romel said the British army has the best doctrine..... However, the officers don't read it.... We too often fail to learn from our mistakes. Sadly personnel then die.... Excellent video as always.
@swampyankee9 ай бұрын
It's ridiculous glorifying defeats, we Americans never do it. Remember the Alamo!😎
@MaitreMark9 ай бұрын
I remember Vietnam, and Afghanistan. You Americans are useless at war.
@Longtack559 ай бұрын
Oh yeah, when Mexico tried to win back unlawfully occupied Texas when American settlers refused to honour their agreement.
@AtheAetheling9 ай бұрын
I was just thinking that it's actually quite rare to glorify defeats. Brits and Commonwealth do it, Americans do it. Not really sure who else.
@andyw2469 ай бұрын
With the exception of all those Nam movies. No you never do it. 😅
@jeffreygunn31509 ай бұрын
He’s not glorifying the defeats. Listen to the adjectives he uses while giving description. Maybe pay attention for once.
@Ben-zr4ho25 күн бұрын
The problem usually seems to be mostly ones of preparation and scouting. Both tie into the larger overall problem, hubris.
@hound30009 ай бұрын
Underestimation of the enemy and overestimation of their own prowess seemed to be the theme of these defeats.
@danbarnett45899 ай бұрын
Re number 4 - William Dallyrymple wrote a very good book about this called Return of a King.
@hennieahrens52519 ай бұрын
Afrikaans grandma here. I always lenjoyed the history story of Majuba!
@leonaessens43999 ай бұрын
You left out the Dutch raid in the Medway in 1667. Led by legendary Admiral Michiel de Ruyter, the Dutch attacked British forts along the river and destroyed a goodly part of the Royal Navy. It was the very last time that a foreign military force set foot on British soil.
@tonyfairey77339 ай бұрын
Must have been tea time.
@clf77298 ай бұрын
The Spanish landed in Scotland in 1719.
@rogerhudson97329 ай бұрын
The British never learned from Majugba, a local force fighting for their land against the British are almost impossible to defeat. For the second Boer War the British needed half a million men from all over the Empire.
@pasqual70067 ай бұрын
I had my secondary school in a Christian Academy (Nike Union Academy, Egypt), and we were taught “The Modern World History”, however, nothing is being mentioned in the textbook when the British government had lost many wars such as the Mahdi Revolution in Sudan to mention the few amongst the rest!
@redcoathistory7 ай бұрын
We didn't actually lose many wars, sir. But we certainly lost many battles. Thanks for your comment.
@ak99899 ай бұрын
Notice the British did not make a medal for the first boer war😂
@fredbloggs58439 ай бұрын
Made one for the second and final one though eh Bogger?
@JD-tn5lz9 ай бұрын
@@fredbloggs5843commercial imperialism at it's finest. So much to be proud of.
@Colonel-Rayy5 ай бұрын
@@JD-tn5lz gotta love the tears
@houndofzoltan9 ай бұрын
Have you read the Flashman novels? Brilliantly researched and very entertaining books set in the British army of the Victorian era.
@redcoathistory9 ай бұрын
Yep, absolutely brilliant - grew up with them.
@StarseedAgeofAquarius9 ай бұрын
I read every one of them and thoroughly enjoyed them. Absolutely brilliant. I suppose the wokes will ban if they are still available.
@DavidHarrison-js3ji9 ай бұрын
All Englishmen are aware that win or lose we will always be superior because we are English and everyone else is not . Therefore winning or lossing is irrelevant. ...... Something the rest of the world will never understand . God save the king .
@mickharrison90049 ай бұрын
Very well said mate with pride and passion 🇬🇧
@davidlewis24648 ай бұрын
This explains the “moral victory” in the ashes last year. Let’s call it a shared delusion?
@stefanodiattanasio76828 ай бұрын
Now sharia for England
@paulus42228 ай бұрын
Well said! But as a loyal Welshman whose grandad was in the South Wales Borderers, I’d prefer to say “British”. Let’s leave it to the yanks to confuse Britain with England. Duw achub y Brenin = God save the King
@DavidHarrison-js3ji8 ай бұрын
@@paulus4222 well said sir , god bless the Welsh, my great relation was in the queen's dragon guards at Waterloo , he was well famous and the officers toast him and his survivors each year in the officers mess . He has a goblet given by his comrades on his retirement which is in the guards museum Cardiff castle .