The Peninsular War, Part 4: The Battle of Corunna

[@johnnoneya223]

with everything going on in the UK just now its more important than ever that people like you continue to teach our National Heritage, I thank you for all your Hard Work and efforts.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks John...I'm trying to do my bit. I really appreciate the comment.

[@johnnoneya223]

@@redcoathistory Welcome mate, How far back are you planning on going with the history?

[@redcoathistory]

@@johnnoneya223 Good question - I doubt I'll go further back than the French revolutionary era, though if I ever get to spend time in the USA then I would be keen to look at the American revolution.

[@john-lenin]

I don’t care what anyone says, that’s not racist or fascist at all. By the way, how often do you shave your head?

[@jerzykozlowski1276]

As an American of mixed British and Polish heritage I completely agree!! Rule Britannia!

[@andygeorgeparkinson2515]

Loved it , very entertaining , insightful and educational. Almost unbelievable the suffering the troops went through and still game for a battle at the end of the March. Looking forward to the next.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot! Yes, they were tough men!

[@clt_james]

Great 4 part series; I learnt a lot about the Peninsula war, much more important than is taught in schools.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Carim - FYI though there are plenty more parts for you to enjoy...I've just posted the podcast on the storming of Badajoz in 1812.

[@simonmassey3747]

Great stuff Christian well narrated and most entertaining. You could tell a lot of time and effort was involved. It must of been terrible for the soldiers and their families during Britain's first Dunkirk and indeed during the Napoleonic era. Just seen a video of your footballing talent there's hope yet of you playing for Leicester. Thanks again for your fab podcasts.

[@redcoathistory]

Ha ha - my footballing talent? I'm wondering on what dark twisted corner of the internet you found it :-)

[@janebrown1706]

Thank you for the poem. I looked it up. Just Wonderful! xxx

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

Looking forward to this since the end of Part Three!

[@redcoathistory]

Great, thanks Rob - I hope it didn't let you down too much. I can't wait to release our interview, which should be next month.

[@bella95]

Really enjoyed this thank you! I found an ancestor that fought in this war and he was from Langholme, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. This war is mentioned in his inscription on his grave.

[@redcoathistory]

That’s amazing thanks for letting me know Bella. Does his grave list the battles he fought in?

[@bella95]

@@redcoathistory I went and had a look at the transcription and one part of it says... "The above named James Scott passed through most of the great battles of the Peninsula War and was present at Corunna when Sir John Moore met his death on the 16th day of January 1809"

[@redcoathistory]

That’s amazing. Thanks for the update.

[@rhysnichols8608]

The interspersed game show music makes me think I’m watching the chase, suppose it’s fitting for this episode.

[@mrbarbelbarbello2332]

I periodically return to study this era of history and this is as good a documentary as any that I have watched. Fascinating to hear the eloquence of the language from the sources.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot. Appreciate your feedback.

[@johnwayneeverett6263]

WELL DONE LONG LIVE Our History n ways of lifes learnings Mistakes Luck Most of all Our history May we never forget each side was right n wrong just were the ones there brave men ....Smart ...real wise in warfare....thanks for all you do.. I have the Windsors my grandma side ..Dad grandmother was pure red heads......not me thou...one brother ...Blue eyes Mom side from Demark ..other one Scotland ....History We Cousins love this stuff....lol...Thank you Buddy.

[@richardsloan3982]

I’ve only just discovered this channel and for anybody interested in history especially the peninsula campaign it is absolutely fantastic I highly recommend it

[@gurk_the_magnificent9008]

I am rolling at the British soldier just dumping the officer midstream and marching on Edit: oh my god, it gets better

[@joehudgens7330]

Another excellent episode!

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Joe! It was a beast to write and film/edit so I'm chuffed that most people enjoyed it.

[@TimArcher-rg3ku]

There is a grave stone to the Bugler of the Indian Mutiny which reads as a poem. The problem is that in some people wish to damage it even today. When it was shown to me some 30 odd years ago it was already suffering damage in that the elaborate marker had it cross damaged and laying beside .Many of the Redcoat grave markers where going to be given extra care by those who look after military graves but i am unaware if this was ever done. There is a cavalry man his marker reads as the campain with horses being shot from beneath him. What we also need to remember is that every grave marker also has a story behind it. Some of which are stunning. With bravery beyond belief. Ultimately would people today do what these people did yesterday.

[@onelauracates]

I so enjoy your histories! This is my third time through the Peninsular Campaign. Your voices and accents and little side comments add incredibly to your storytelling!

[@redcoathistory]

Glad you like them thanks a lot.

[@joseignacioprado3179]

Excelente trabajo , saludos desde la península ibérica.

[@shawngarratt2887]

Injoyed listening to this ! Brilliant my friend 👍

[@redcoathistory]

That’s brilliant thanks Shawn 👍🏼

[@ericblevins6467]

No disrespect to Moore...he was a competent enough commander caught in an impossible situation...but he was no Nelson, and Corunna was no Trafalgar. This informative and detailed account left me, I must admit, feeling impatient and frustrated. Bring on 'Nosey'! THERE'S a gentleman who knows how to deal with the Frogs.

[@redcoathistory]

Don't worry - our friend Wellington will be returning to Portugal in the next episode...

[@trevorfuller1078]

Corunna: It certainly wasn’t a Trafalgar,” but rather more like an early (130 + years earlier, in fact!) version of a “Dunkirk!” Two of history’s inglorious & desperate, yet successful evacuations by the Royal Navy of ill-trained, ill-equipped & inadequately-sized British Armies from the European continent to England, only to be subsequently rebuilt & remodeled from essentially indisciplined rabbles into devastatingly effective & efficient all conquering war-machines, both in 1809 during the Peninsula Campaign & afterwards, much later in 1939 at the beginning of the Second World War!! However, unlike General Sir John Moore, who tragically lost his life commanding a rearguard action protecting the fleet’s embarkation efforts of its troops’ evacuation operations in the port at the town’s outskirts in Corunna! On the other hand, Lord Gort, Field Marshal John Vereker, VC, DSO had an even more arduous task overseeing the land forces section of the Dunkirk Evacuation but he at least survived his ordeal, after ensuring that around 338,000 British, French & Belgian troops were then rescued & evacuated again by the Royal Navy, back across the North Sea back to England!!

[@johnweighell7725]

Well we may be disrespectful of our peninsular army but if you go to Sir John Moore’s memorial in la corruna you will see the Spanish take their school children to the memorial and explain to children the contribution made by our army in the defeat of the scourge of Napoleon

[@redcoathistory]

Hi John, apologies I wasn't aware I was being disrespectful to our Peninsular army.

[@johnweighell7725]

@@redcoathistory Look I dont intend to be too critical but feel strongly that we do not portray the good parts of our history strongly enough - did no mean to upset you regards John

[@redcoathistory]

@@johnweighell7725 Hi John, I'm not upset at all - I'm just confused how this podcast is disrespectful of the army. Your input is appreciated.

[@BoerChris]

Thanks, Christian, I really enjoyed that.

[@redcoathistory]

Cheers, Chris.

[@Bigmussie1]

My wife’s 5 x grandfather was with the 1st Foot guards at Corunna and was present at the Generals burial according to his death notice in the local paper. He went back out to Spain and was wounded at Barossa. We still have his MGSM with both bars that has been handed down through the family.

[@redcoathistory]

What a wonderful piece of family history - thanks for sharing

[@tomeggleston367]

Magnificent stuff. Bravo!

[@redcoathistory]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Irishpewtuber]

I have walked the Camino Frances twice and with the exception of Astorga never saw any monuments or references to the Peninsula war. I will be going back again this May and make it my business to research these towns and their military history. Loving these podcasts. Keep them up.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot for your kind words. Sounds like an amazing walk though its a shame the history is not more celebrated.

[@Irishpewtuber]

@@redcoathistory it's an experience I'd recommend to everyone.

[@davidwhelan1545]

Listening to this next door to his barracks and statue at the old library. The current barracks of the 2nd SQD of Gurkhas!

[@jameslazer819]

Really enjoying this series, great work 👍👍

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks James. Production valiues are lower than I do now but Im glad to hear you are still enjoying it.

[@mikellewis7939]

Hello.....I'm only into this stuff now.......I'm 57.........I missed it all.....! Great stuff😅

[@layali1]

Very impressive thank you

[@peterparziale2404]

Awesome poem. I was previously unfamiliar with it.

[@PalHBakka]

Reminds me of the stories from the retreats in Crete and Greece.

[@grahamking2239]

I have paid my respect a few times at his grave , a great general

[@zackfair914]

So good.

[@DaveAinsworth-y8h]

It was Sir John Moore Regiment was The Oxfordshire Light Infantry (52nd Foot). The first Duke of Wellington and French Honour Sir John Moore after his death.

[@BinkyTheElf1]

Apologies, Mr. Parkinson: I’ve been enjoying this channel, but only just signed up for the newsletter. You put yeoman’s work into this historical research, and it’s the least I can do. Cheers from Nova Scotia, Canada.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks, Binks. I appreciate that. I'll send the next newsletter out next week. Hope you enjoy it!

[@martinhogg5337]

Brilliant stuff!

[@outpostraven]

Great story

[@patrioticarchive]

21:07 was the officer Sir Henry Simmerson? Lol

[@jayturner3397]

Pmsl

[@zacharykoplin6543]

Awesome thing I found out today, I’m actually related to General Baird! How’s that! I’m quite happy, though he was wounded in this battle

[@martinmorehouse9645]

No problem with the music used, it makes an appropriate punctuation between scenes.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Martin - great feedback.

[@colinpowell4788]

Please label every video with it's season and episode!

[@noahgibsonspeninsularwarsa1134]

Yes, the long awaited Corunna battle.

[@noahgibsonspeninsularwarsa1134]

Be waiting the 2nd Invasion of Portugal and Sir Arthur's basic eviction of Soult's French army.

[@redcoathistory]

@@noahgibsonspeninsularwarsa1134 Thanks Noah - I have a few interview episodes coming up and then will work on Oporto and Talavera. I hope life is good with you?

[@noahgibsonspeninsularwarsa1134]

@@redcoathistory It is.

[@dimitriwolfs9370]

😂😂😂😂 trying his best not to be rattled by the barking dogs!!! That was funny as f..k

[@iamaslavetonoman911]

Swift and bold

[@coleweathers8731]

I'm not 100% sure I'm still trying to research it but I know two of my ancestors were in Wellington's army Josiah Taylor within the foot Infantry and his great-great-grandfather was a part of the buff perhaps you can help

[@redcoathistory]

Many thanks - if I come across their names in my research I’ll let you know 👍🏼

[@peterfrance7489]

Very good. You really breathe life into campaign, despite the dodgy accents. Far superior to some other very knowledgable but dry accounts here on yt.

[@heidarkarls]

Good one :)

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks 😁

[@cglilp425]

It's Marshal souuuu in French and SouLT in English. So yes you were saying it right

[@dimitriwolfs9370]

Good old "Black Bob" Craufurd😂

[@JustACitzen]

Hi, I just discovered your channel and want to start the Peninsula Wars at Part 1 but only find Part 4. Can you share the link?

[@redcoathistory]

Hi - pls check my playlists - there is the entire peninsular war season in order 👍🏼- kzbin.info/aero/PLcZfurDPUJprRkvk_wGXqJ7GneH0Oce0d&si=muiuChVaoKW0yNv8

[@julianmhall]

[I'll edit my posts into one. BTW Are you on Facebook Christian?] The main problem Moore had was a lack of trust. Neither his senior officers nor his men hadn't been given a reason to trust his judgment, so both saw the retreat as running away. Had Moore been more open and said it was a tactical withdrawal to find a place where he could fight the French on his terms there may have been more support for him and better morale. Also why should Spanish peasants have supported an army they only saw as running away? No reason at all for them to support the losers, and every reason for them to expect the French to take reprisals if they did. Interesting that the 'soldier' Thomas Smith left at Bembibre was recalled as having a /sword/ covered in blood, which recollection says he was an /officer/ not an enlisted man as only Ensigns and above carried swords. Therefore it wasn't only the rank and file who got drunk. Fabulous map of Corunna from Nick Lipscombe. Great to see the 3D aspect of the topography, usually only map based 2d images. Were they /only/ transport ships? In a era when the Royal Navy really did 'rule the waves' I'm surprised they didn't shoot back at the French land based artillery. Probably frightening for the soldiers to have to rely on others for their defence and have no influence in their survival. Had Britain given the Spanish any reason to support them? Not really. Equally many remembered Trafalgar, and Britain as an enemy, so why would they switch sides so fast? Final thought: the retreat to Corunna bears some resemblance to Dunkirk. However the public reception was markedly different.

[@orthoff123]

super

[@EK-gr9gd]

Marshall Soult (since May 1804)

[@julianmhall]

Question re rifle / musket range. Often quoted in literature in paces, but Sharpe (for example) at 6' would have a longer stride than a shorter man of a more normal 5'8ish for period, so was there an average pace?

[@timbutton4990]

I think you should try 5 foot or look at the size of Napolinonic uniforms!

[@julianmhall]

@@timbutton4990 Nope. The fictional Sharpe of the Bernard Cornwell books /was/ 6' and his sergeant 6'4. Both men repeatedly said to be unusually tall for the time. More normal - I didn't say average - man would have been shorter so 5'6-8 ish.

[@zuperblue1]

Waited for high on a hill the light infantry bugals

[@Echo_Recon_01]

Is there a book that is related about the british light infantry during peninsular war? I thought it was just the rifles but I've just find out that british regiments have a dedicated light companies. 🙂

[@redcoathistory]

Hi, yes each battalion had a light company and entire regiments of light troops existed such as the 43rd and 52nd foot who were in the Light division with the 95th Rifles and the Portuguese Cacadores. The British Light Infantry arm by Gates may be a good starting book for you.

[@dimitriwolfs9370]

This was epic but " appellation" means the same as a " naming" . If you ever have a problem with pronunciations I can help . Am a history buff and speak French, Dutch and English perfectly ,or as near as it is possible to be without being a scholar . Would love to help.great content m8 .

[@dimitriwolfs9370]

By the way I also am quite good in Spanish and understand German too but not as well as the other languages

[@TheRhandolph]

Plunkett gets much admiration but he may have single handedly caused the British to lose the battle of Buenos Aires. After bitter fighting a Spanish officer came forward with a white flag. Plunkett shot him. The Spanish guns opened up again and the British were forced to surrender when an honourable truce might have saved them if not for Plunkett.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks - I didn't know that! Appreciate the info.

[@bigtrev9043]

I never heard that about Plunkett! Where does that info come from pls??

[@dimitriwolfs9370]

Did anybody ever go and search for those silver dollars the army had to dump in the march to Corruña

[@dimitriwolfs9370]

Soult is indeed pronounced "soolt"!

[@shaikhrizwaan226]

Please show in indian war battle

[@redcoathistory]

I am hoping to look at the Mutiny/war of independence in my next season. Thanks.

[@EXO9X8]

It’s a great podcast but the quick briefs of music in between really is distracting and annoying. And have confidence in your speech or pronunciation, there’s no need to apologise.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll ask a mix of subscribers and if the consensus is with you then I will remove them for the next episode. Appreciate your honesty.

[@msotil]

Spain was Napoleon's Vietnam.

[@redcoathistory]

Good description

[@ronaldmarston]

@@redcoathistory and corruna a british dunkirk

[@BinkyTheElf1]

Lefebvre = Luh-FEVV. Mermet = mare-MAY.

[@andrewhinson4323]

French-spelling = stu-pid XD

[@rolandzarka5191]

The French are humble. This win is a little known...

[@redcoathistory]

It's an interesting battle where both sides claim a victory and both are probably right...

[@patricklioneljonson2747]

Viva La France

[@EK-gr9gd]

You should try to find some military history student or anyone else who masters French sufficiently, to look up the phonetics of French names.

[@FelixstoweFoamForge]

Yeah, just as son as the French learn to pronounce London properly. There really is no need for us all to sound exactly the same you know. You say Londres, I say London. you say "paree", I say "paris". Does it matter a tinkers damn?

[@garbancitolentejas486]

Corunna was a French Victory

[@redcoathistory]

I’d say a score draw 💪🏼

[@garbancitolentejas486]

@@redcoathistory Yes it is possible too.

[@kevinpaterson3300]

Isn’t it amazing that then and now the resentment of the french is still evident. Loving it all podcast and videos

[@kevinpaterson3300]

@@bp6231 yet there is still resentment you can fight with anyone and still don’t like them. We thought with the USA doesn’t mean to say we like them??

[@rhysnichols8608]

God I despise poetry

[@redcoathistory]

Philistine! 😂

[@nsolcis]

Got enough ads on this video nerd?