War winning campaign or a waste of 200,000 British soldiers?

Salonika - It’s a WW1 campaign that is largely forgotten. In fact it’s been derided as a side show.
But was it?
Today I am joined by Jake Gasson to discuss the Salonica campaign of 1915-1918.
x.com/JakeGass...
At its peak the British Salonica force or BSF numbered over 200,000 soldiers (NAM) - but many senior officers felt this was a huge waste of resources.
In today’s episode Jake will talk us through the campaign and then explain why some senior German figures felt that the campaign was in fact of huge strategic importance. Perhaps even the reason the allies won the war.
If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: redcoathistory...
If you are very generous, you can also buy me a coffee and help support the channel via ko-fi.com/redc... or sign up over at patreon.com/redcoathistory

[@poil8351]

i think it played a significant role in causing a chasm between the centeral powers. when Bulgaria was forced out it directly led to the Austro-Hungarians seizing a food barge from the germans because they no longer had access to food from serbia. it also caused the germans and turks to get into a major kerfuffle over baku.

[@old_guard2431]

A very good point. It seems to me that Germany’s ultimate collapse was caused more by lack of food and resources than force of arms. Many German soldiers were prepared to continue the fight, but the civilian population was starving. So my sequence would go something like this: 1. The British naval blockade puts pressure on Germany, which is mitigated by food, oil, etc. from Germany’s eastern allies. 2. General Ludendorff (and unindicted co-conspirators) divert Eastern Front resources to the Western Front in an effort to break the stalemate before the U.S. can be fully mobilized. They are not needed to oppose Russia, but failing to bolster the Bulgarians with the comparatively small forces necessary is a strategic error, perhaps the fatal one. 3. The collapse of the eastern allies, particularly Bulgaria and Romania, reduces the food and resource situation in Germany to an intolerable level. 4. The unrest on the German home front becomes a major force in bringing about the armistice. 5. Baffled German soldiers, including a certain Austrian Gefreiter, attribute the collapse to bankers & rich folks. No, wait a minute, it was actually the Jews. Yup, that is it. We can solve that problem.

[@nikolaya2514]

Both Germany and A-H had their main food supply from Ukraine, not Serbia. In fact in Serbia in 1917 and 1918 there was a severe lack of food.

[@joeyj6808]

@@old_guard2431 The German public was absolutely lied to about the progress of the war. The Army was kept in the dark about much of the mood at home, as well. So when 1918 came around, there were a LOT of surprised folks. People still believed a lot of what they were told by authority figures (it was 1918 ffs!) But gradually some people were learning for themselves how they were badly used and lied to - I'm thinking of the Reds and the Bolsheviki primarily. The Great War's sequel was almost guaranteed!

[@tremainetreerat5176]

​@@old_guard2431it's nonsense to discount the preeminent role that the rapid spread of revolutionary communist ideology sent westward from Russia played in the widespread demoralization, subversion & ultimate disintegration that afflicted the German armed forces by the autumn of 1918.

[@THX-ic8yw]

My great grandfather fought there on the Birdcage Line: RSM David RC Fairweather Black Watch Regiment 10th Battalion

[@grahamtravers4522]

My grandfather, Frank Mills KOSLI, had his foot blown off there, and his brother Edward Mills, also KOSLI, was killed at Lake Doiran in 1918.

[@MrSeidurman]

Much love from Bulgaria

[@andygeorgeparkinson2515]

I was at school in the 1960s and our history teachers and books of the time nearly all espoused Robertsons opinions ie biggest Allied internment camp of the WWI , the Ludendorff view is actually new to me , so will watch again and do some reading and searching on this …..another great video very much enjoyed it 👏👏👍 Looking forward to your next video and learning about boredom in The Front Line 🤔👍

[@redcoathistory]

Many thanks. I also learned a lot from interviewing Jake.

[@nikolaya2514]

In September 1918 out of 265 battalions Central powers had between Eastern Albania and the Aegean only 3 were German and 1 Austro-Hungarian and the rest were Bulgarian. If Ludendorff indeed considered that front important why didn`t he move some of his troops in Ukraine that were doing nothing ?! In fact Bulgarian high command has repeatedly asked him to do so since late 1917 and he repeatedly refused. The veracity of the "Bulgars lost us the war" is about the same as the "Stab in the back" myth to me.

[@andygeorgeparkinson2515]

@@nikolaya2514 that seems in line with what we were taught and given the troop status and alignments you reference it seems the most realistic appraisal, info very much appreciated thanks

[@ianpickering6234]

Great video and fantastic knowledge. My grandfather was in Salonika from Jan 1916 as an ASC horse transport driver with the 28th Division.

[@brokenbridge6316]

I personally think that this campaign is highly underrated in WWI. Great video.

[@redcoathistory]

It really is, I agree. Any other campaigns you’d like to see me tackle?

[@brokenbridge6316]

@@redcoathistory---I really enjoy the movie "Lawrence of Arabia" with Peter O'Toole in it. If possible could you cover that campaign. And perhaps the Mesopotamian campaign afterwards.

[@thatcouncilestatekid1832]

I didn’t know too much about this front truth be told thanks for the information 👌🏻

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot - it was also a first for me too. A forgotten and fascinating campaign.

[@Caratacus1]

Fascinating. Many thanks to you both.

[@redcoathistory]

Thank you too! Glad you enjoyed it. Any other campaigns you'd like to see the channel cover?

[@eric-wb7gj]

It limited German links to Turkey, and sort of guarded Italy's Mediterranean flank. It threatened a link of the western Allies with Russia. Both sides were trying to avoid the 'domino effect' of losing crucial territory/Allies in the region, while trying to find new areas to break the deadlock of other fronts. The issue all sides had were they weren't strong enough, & if they did move forces there, so would their enemies. I read years ago the Allies could actually transfer troops faster to this theater using ships, than the Central Powers, as the road & rail networks were very primitive in the area. Sustaining them when advancing could have been a different matter.

[@keithagn]

Sorry you're so cold there! We here in Canada are experiencing forest fires and 35C to 45C temperatures. Interesting video, and I'm looking forward to the next one. Thank you, Chris!

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks Keith, the funny thing is here our fires happen at this time of year as we don’t get rain. In the hot summer it usually pisses down at least two or three times a week.

[@keithagn]

@@redcoathistory Sounds like a delightful climate 😄 Best Regards!

[@colder5465]

I live on the Black Sea coast of Russia. We have temperatures over 35C, too. And unfortunately, forest fires. Most of them are caused by negligence, but some of them are possibly caused by arsonists

[@joeyj6808]

Could your neighbors in BC please keep their smoke north of the border, pretty please? *koff koff* Thanks from Seattle!

[@keithagn]

@@joeyj6808 Sorry!

[@poil8351]

it was a little more complex because you had the italians and greeks operating semi independently from the rest of the allies. there were also russian forces involved

[@redcoathistory]

Yep, very complicated. Any good sources you'd reccomend?

[@evann2938]

​@@redcoathistory I would look at The Gardeners of Salonika, if you can find a copy. It is a good account of the campaign and has an excellent bibliography. I found it a very useful resource when I was writing my dissertation.

[@nikolaya2514]

The official British history of the campaign (2 vols.), written by Cyril Falls. It is available on the Internet archive page. Alan Wakefield and Simon Moody`s "Under the devils` eye" is probably the best description of the British participation in English.

[@MH-jg6vk]

Im glad this part of WW1 is being covered since it was crucial to decide who won the war. The fact that the central powers could hold out for so long was truly because Bulgaria's position could directly link Germany all the way to Turkey, eliminating Serbia and Romania along the way. Bulgaria's entry also gave Austria Hungary respite by allowing the transfer of troops to the eastern and Italian front. Although the last to join and the first to leave, Bulgaria's surrender in late September confirmed the defeat of Germany by splitting the central powers in two and making their position untendable. Considering Bulgaria had been at war from 1912-1918 it is remarkable how they managed to hold out against the international allied force in Salonica and Albania.

[@grahamsouthamn9798]

Just read a book by a German airman who was in this campaign has a good opinion of the Bulgarians, and interesting view of the air war there.

[@cameronsimpson-ld8nk]

Another good one Chris. Every now and then I come accross soldiers that served in Salonika but really didn't know too much about it

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks alot mate. Im currently working on some more WW1 content also...

[@jonburgess3614]

My grandfather spent some of his time during WW1 in Salonika as a trooper with the Surrey Yeomanry. He dodged a few bullets but caught malaria which affected him for many years. He joined up on the 6th of August 1914. Had he left it later he might well have ended his days on the Somme.

[@welshwarrior5263]

Very informative and extremely interesting. Thanks both.

[@redcoathistory]

Glad you enjoyed it mate. I knew nothing about Salonika before this interview so it was great for me to learn.

[@LondonPower]

My ancestral home is in Western Thessaloniki. Before 1922, when the refugees from Turkey arrived, it was the largest war camp on the Macedonian front it still has allied camps that were taken by the Greeks in 1918, railway lines that connected the camps and the largest cemetery of the war, Zeitelnik. Here there is also an Indian cemetery as well as public utility buildings left by the allies. The western districts of Thessaloniki are still living with the land use legacy left by the First World War! I thank all those who sacrificed themselves in my country

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.

[@martinhogg5337]

Very interesting and informative talk. This is an area of the war that I knew nothing about, so thank you!

[@FranciscoPreira]

One of those forgetted campaings of the Great War, that we always happy to see remembered, thanks for sharing mate, best regards.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot brother. Yes, I have also learned so much from this interview with Jake.

[@JohnSmith-se9yl]

I believe the Central Powers referred to this Allied front as "the world's largest self sustaining prisoner of war camp..."

[@AaronMcDonnell-bs1sz]

The 10th (Irish) Division was the first British army division to land in Salonika, my Great grandads regiment suffered massive casualties at Kosturino, the 5th Connaught Rangers. (My Great grandad wasn't there tho, he was in 1st Battalion)

[@joeyj6808]

Holy cats, those are some distinguished units! My grandfather deserted the k.u.k. and joined the French in 1915. I have no idea what unit he was in, just that he served until Armistice. He died in 1961, just before I was born.

[@natejohnson6608]

I live in Joburg, Michigan. JOHANNESBURG. I love your podcasts and videos. This Yank loves redcoat history.

[@redcoathistory]

That is awesome - I didn’t know there was another city with the same name! Thanks a lot for watching and commenting.

[@philstephenson5855]

My dad used to work with an old guy that was always banging on about, ‘when I was in Macedonia’…

[@HelmetOfHonor]

We Americans love the British. Your history and culture is not so much different than ours. It's an honor to hear stories from the other side of the pond 🇺🇲🇬🇧

[@redcoathistory]

Many thanks Sir. Ditto, I am a big fan of the USA.

[@sidtheslothwhy8706]

Incorrect. We do not love the Brits. We like them, sure, but we haven't forgotten that incident in 1812. We look at them as proto less evolved Americans who have far fewer boats than they used to. Once they get more boats and pay reparations for burning a certain building in 1812 then we might be able to get along, but until then, there can be only "getting along" but not "love".

[@HelmetOfHonor]

@@sidtheslothwhy8706 it was a war and sometimes you got to take extreme measures to win. If we invaded UK we would've done the same thing to Buckingham Palace

[@sidtheslothwhy8706]

@HelmetOfHonor absolutely agree. The only difference is I'm American not a brit. I could care less if we destroyed the entirety of London but if even a single US mailbox was damaged by a Britton I would and will be outraged. I'm on team USA even if we are in the wrong, I won't admit it, and I will blame others for any misfortune that befalls my country.

[@sidtheslothwhy8706]

@incognito9292 We are always the good guys, and Canada is only allowed to share our continent as a separate entity because it is useless and not worth a turkey fart. Keep your snow and syrup.

[@silkkdread]

Your dialogue is quite impeccable mate thanx for explaining so everyone can understand 🤌🏾💯

[@markthompson9870]

Thank you sir!. I knew nothing of this campaign of WWI.

[@bigjj1109]

I was in the military museum in Thessaloniki a lot of the exhibits relate to this campaign well worth a visit!

[@theconversationalpainter2020]

What I found interesting was a picture in a book years ago showing Vietnamese troops in Salonika.

[@redcoathistory]

That is interesting. Can you remember the book?

[@mnemonija]

Were they combat troops or just builders for the trenches etc? China e.g. sent only builders to the western front as a support for the allies, but I would not be surprised if French recruited Vietnamese for fighting since it was their colony.

[@johnmoreno9636]

@@mnemonija The French did recruit Vietnamese to fight in WW1, but mostly as laborers and truck drivers. Only a couple of regiments were actual fighters as follow-on troops. But I did not know they were in Salonika. They could not handle cold very well, so in European winters they were sent to the South of France.

[@ronhall9394]

As a kid (1960's) I read a book about this part of the war - 'the Lovely Sergeant'. It was about an English lady who wanted to 'do her bit' but couldn't get into the Services and went and joined the Serbian army. A long time ago, but a good read.

[@legionarybooks13]

I wonder if that was inspired by the real Sergeant Milunka Savić, a Serbian woman who joined her country's army, posing as her brother, in 1912. She had quite the storied career, serving in both Balkan Wars and the First World War. She was eventually allowed to serve under her real name and decorated for extreme valour numerous times. She earned the Serbian Order of Karađorđe's Star, the Serbian Medal for Bravery, the French Legion d'Honneur (twice), and the British Order of St Michael and St George. The Swedish Metal band, Sabaton, did a great song about her called "Lady of the Dark." Worth your time.

[@Bayomeer]

@@legionarybooks13 That lady is not a fictional character, but a real Englishwoman who volunteered for the Serbian army. Her name was Flora Sandes. Read up: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flora_Sandes

[@legionarybooks13]

@@Bayomeer WOW! Talk about an incredible story. 😯I'll have to share this with Chris. I'd mentioned Sergeant Savic to him, and he's read about her. Since his channel is about British Military History, he said that were she British, he would love to do a film on her. I think we may have to do a future project on Flora Sandes. I'm sure we could include a mention about Savic, too. Thank you for sharing this story. 🙂

[@Bayomeer]

@@legionarybooks13 Cheers! 👍

[@smokerjim]

The only previous mention of Salonika I've heard was the song "Salonika" by The Dubliners

[@redcoathistory]

i don't know it - will look it up. Thanks

[@lesliehart]

My Grandfathers brother is buried at Karasouli, 15/02/1918

[@biggeordie245]

My great grandfather served there in the 66th field ambulance. 1915-1918.

[@redcoathistory]

Brilliant - have you managed to read much on the campaign? Im still learning and looking for good books.

[@biggeordie245]

@@redcoathistory I have read “Under the Devil’s eye”. My Great Grandfather was also Gazetted (just listed, no story) and awarded the “medal des epidemic d’ argent “ . I have never found out if he did something personal to be awarded or if it was for collective effort.

[@AlephTroll]

So much about WW1 is glossed over. It’s fascinating to see the amount of different nationalities that came together to fight under the allied powers

[@ethanlewis1459]

Are you gonna do more Videos on the American Revolutionary War

[@davidgates4450]

My Grandfather, Walter J Phillpott, was with the Royal Engineers in Salonika, engaged I believe in the construction of a military railway northward that town... He was a Master Carpenter by profession, and 30 years old when he was conscripted..I recall he referred to having maleria, and escorting Turkish POWs for work parties..I have his medals, and a photograph of him in uniform, complete with pith helmet... Like so many who have 'attended conflict', he very rarely spoke about his experiences...

[@yourroyalchungusness]

It's a war winning campaign to me because after retaking Salonika, The Bulgarians were forced to quit the war and the Ottomans followed soon after since they couldn't defend Istanbul after the capitulation of Bulgaria

[@michaelhiggs8657]

My granddad Percy Soley was there with the Royal Berks!

[@Pebble3007]

We got the beautiful Sandham Memorial Chapel murals painted by Stanley Spencer, who was in the Salonika campaign and survived.

[@ethanlewis1459]

I suggest you do videos on the Mahdist War In the Sudan

[@charlesbrecknell4656]

My great uncle served as a despatch rider in Salonika, from Jan 1916 until Jun 1917. He then transferred to the RFC & learned to fly in Egypt. I have his photo album with some pictures from his time in Salonika- it seems that the ban on taking photos was not strictly enforced there. The photos are on no military significance- with his mates on the beach, a Macedonian village & a picture of his dug out.

[@redcoathistory]

That's fantastic. What a great story and family treasure.

[@rangerista3933]

A good addition to the story of WW1, there will be many who are unfamiliar with this campaign.

[@SnEaKyGiTau]

Amazing how much sickness is common amongst these campaigns, have been researching some guys in central India and cholera comes up often.

[@Dav1Gv]

Very interesting. I've always felt it was a waste of time and men but maybe this is a bit simplisitic. Have you read 'Tiadatha' by Owen Rutter? I'ts a poem about an officer in Salonika written in the style of Longfellow's Hiawatha and, I think, originally published in parts in the local trench newspaper. An extract below: "...Seen the little heaps of khaki Lying huddled on the hillside, Huddled by the Bulgar trenches Very still and very silent, Nothing stirring, nothing moving, Save a very gallant doctor And his band of stretcher bearers Working fearless in the open, Giving water to the dying, Bringing in those broken soldiers. You'd have seen the sunlight streaming, And perhaps you would have wondered How the sun could still be shining, How the birds could still be singing, While so many British soldiers Lay so still upon the hillside." Sums up all wars very well n my view.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot for sharing - I hadn't heard that before. Very powerful.

[@901Sherman]

I first heard of this Campaign from the Week by Week Great War coverage by Indy Neidell. The Story of the Great War books they often use as sources also has a lot on the subject and is an overall good source despite being really, really old.

[@bouse23]

oh my husbands in salonika i wonder is he dead i wonder does he know his got a child with a foxy head.

[@joeblow9657]

I've herd an argument that the biggest fear of the collapse of Bulgaria was that it meant the Salonika Force could cut Germany off from it's access to the oil fields in Romania and it cut off the Ottaman Empire from access to German resources and advisors, leading to a potential shift of British forces from fighting Ottaman forces to the western front. I'd say Robertson was also no longer Chief of the Imperial General Staff by 1918 and perhaps would not be the best to ask on 1918.

[@davidbarrass]

Hindenberg's and Ludendorf's comments sound to me like "It wasn't me who lost the war, honest, it was those damn Bulgarians"

[@redcoathistory]

Yes, now you mention it that does make sense.

[@brittakriep2938]

For the reason, that many castles of german noblemen had been standing on a mountain ( Berg), a noblemans name ending with -berg is not uncommon, but Hindenburg ends with - burg, Burg means castle. So: von Hindenburg means : Coming from Hinden Castle..

[@colder5465]

There is one detail. Bulgaria was a deeply Slavik country who had absolutely no desire to be at war with Russia but with the German Czar and many admirers of Germany in the ruling elite.

[@Strelok10]

If not for Bulgaria joining the war, they would have lost an year earlier, if they had joined the Entente, two years earlier.

[@SeanHogan_frijole]

@@colder5465wasn’t the king German?

[@joeyj6808]

I really don't think Salonika was a waste. Well, not any more than the other non-Western fronts were. Was Salonika mismanaged? Absolutely! Just like the Entente screwed up German East Africa, Gallipoli, or Iraq. But I think the worst thing about it is the lack of scholarship on this campaign. I know new material has come on with the centennials of the Great War, but I have found relatively few good books on this campaign. Thanks for this video. Any new light shone on this topic is much appreciated.

[@arkdeniz]

Strange halfway house campaign: too small to launch a knockout hit on Bulgaria or Ottomans (let alone retake Serbia) but yet big enough to be a notable drain on divisional and merchant shipping resources. Probably would have been better uses for the troops and shipping elsewhere.

[@LawrenceMay-w9o]

Imagine 200,000 Soldiers. Imagine if these were inhabitants of a medium size city like Augusta Ga. The city would have no inhabitants. Being Augusta and its surrounding suburbs divisions coming in around 199,000 souls.

[@СветославТасев]

Ludendorf was looking for scapegoats to blame for the lost war. The Bulgarians, the Jews, etc. He never took personal responsibility for the defeat.

[@dusandakic828]

I have always found this area of WW1 interesting, I believe there were also commonwealth forces present too

[@redcoathistory]

Yes, it really was a full international effort for sure. Thanks for the comment.

[@martinshaw1610]

My grandfather was a mule skinner in salonika

[@martinshaw1610]

He was also wounded there as well you slso mention Amiens my great uncle died there after previously being wounded

[@tobiasgriffin]

Make a video on the east african campaign

[@soylentgreen6082]

Having played WW1 war games as the Central Powers, the Salonika Front is an immense nuisance; far beyond the numbers involved. How ever hard it was to keep the Entente forces supplied in Greece, it is worse for the Central Powers. By 1918, with the British breakout in the Middle East, Turkey has nothing to bring to Greece, and there is little Germany can provide to Bulgaria. Salonika stretches the Central Powers too thin. A decent Entente victory on the Salonika Front means Austria-Hungary has to pull troops off the Italian front, and that leads to the 1918 Vitorio-Veneto, the battle that won WW1 because it breaks Austria-Hungary, and forces Germany to seek the armistice, because they are alone, friendless, and very hungry.

[@sasapetrovic1084]

Dobro polje: Litteraly meaning - Good field

[@reynardthefox]

My ancestors were British military until the 1840's ...then American military...Cheers to the best of allies 🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@notthefbi7932]

Never even heard of this campaign, huh 🤔 It was almost its own little world war confined to one area

[@ioannispapaioannou881]

I believe that it was an important and underrated campaign of the First World War. Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire were already allied with Germany and Austro-Hungary. With the fall of Serbia and had British and French troops not been sent, Greece would have found herself isolated and surrounded by Central Powers, almost certainly leading to the domination of the Germanophile faction in the country, led by the King. This would have caused Allied shipping in the Eastern Mediterranean serious problems and freed up Ottoman troops to suppress the rebelling Arabs. With their south eastern flank secure, the Central Powers would have spread their forces across smaller fronts.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot. Are there good books you would advise me to check?

[@ioannispapaioannou881]

@@redcoathistory on this subject, no sorry! I am a Greek from Thessaloniki which is why I know about this particular front. There are books relating to the national schism in Greece between the pro-German monarch and the pro-Allied Venizelos, the latter of whom prevailed and brought Greece into the war on the side of the Allies. Though this eventually culminated in war with the newly created Turkish state and the population exchange that followed the Asia Minor Catastrophe.

[@redcoathistory]

Wow it makes me realise that this is not really understood in the English speaking world - its a fascinating and different view of WW1

[@Falkriim]

Very interesting

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks alot. Im currently working on some more WW1 content also...

[@liamfoley9614]

As one has a great interest in the history of the 10th (Irish Division) I am glad to see ore time given this campaign as it's almost impossible to find anything specialising in it.

[@redcoathistory]

Oh great. I am only just beginning to learn. Are there many good books on the 10th Irish?

[@liamfoley9614]

@@redcoathistory I'm very much a generalist when it comes to Military History but its an area I read more from a family perspective but one of th ebooks I have is by Jermey Stanley 'Ireland's Forgotten 10th: A Brief History of the 10th (Irish) Division, 1914-1918.

[@redcoathistory]

Lovely thanks a lot for sharing that info.

[@goldenhoden6095]

This campaign was of regional importance. The outcome of the war was set in the moment the USA entered.

[@konst80hum]

Ludendorf was pathetic liar after the war, looking desperately for skapegoats, after he handed the German government the hot potato of "well the war is lost, I'm off to a holiday, see if you can make something of the mess". On the other hand the front was completely broken and frech cavalry had reached Austria proper, spreading panic and routing everything before them. I think it was worth it despite the egregious violation of Greek neutrality.

[@guyharrison5773]

The soldiers committed to the campaign surely did their best, but taking British soldiers away from the Western Front was a poor strategic choice. The "Easterners" desperately wanted Haig and Robertson to be wrong about defeating the "main enemy in the main theatre", but ultimately that is exactly what they did do, and attempting to undercut that effort by looking for "soft underbellies" merely diluted the BEF and extended the war.

[@ncrvako]

I can find some source but tthey are in greek so yeah it will take time to translate especially since i am on a semi isolated place, like a monastery.

[@redcoathistory]

You should consider writing a book. It could be a new angle on the war - at least for an English speaking audience.

[@ncrvako]

@@redcoathistory not a good idea + they are many other better translators.

[@StDavidpipes]

Fantastic! I need to get you into pipe smoking! 😂

[@redcoathistory]

Ha ha I think it will fit my style! Any tips on a good pipe and tobacco combo?

[@anthonycrumb5753]

This seems like another 'forgotten' campaign to the slaughter on the Western Front. In some respects it resembles the war in East Africa and Littow von Vorbecks guerilla campaign that claimed the lives of over 700,000 people many of them local Africans. These actions may have been 'forgotten' by history as a mere footnote to the larger struggle but I doubt very much that they were ever forgotten by the people who actually fought there. Have you done a program on WW 1in Africa ? and in particular the story of Spicer Simpson RN and Mimi and Tutu on the lakes.

[@stuartpeskett1514]

Thank you for great video, but I was irritated by your Historien constantly talking in the wrong tense.They seem to think it is clever but I find it petentious.

[@vuksmiljic6772]

No Kajmakčalan battle.

[@janlindtner305]

👍👍👍

[@redcoathistory]

Cheers Jan. How is life? Enjoying retirement?

[@janlindtner305]

@@redcoathistory It's good and something I should have done before. Now that I have you do you have other pictures of the Continental Marines as I am making the figure (1:32). Thanks in advance❤👍🤟

[@redcoathistory]

Hi Jan, I think I used all the images I have in the film. If you need higher res though I can check for you. Just drop me an email at redcoathistory at Gmail dot com - thanks mate

[@cho_ny201]

Pointless waste of energetic British youth

[@mikhailv67tv]

So much of the Great War isn’t covered those Large books on the War. The African Campaign, Salonika, The Russian Front, Carpathian, Serbia, etc these regions don’t get coverage deserved

[@redcoathistory]

Yep, I agree. I definitely plan on covering the African campaigns more. Any sources you think I should check out?

[@Indigenous_Briton.007]

Britain should not have joined the war, so it was a pointless loss of men

[@troyandosov7037]

Bad preparation leeds to bad results, this video is the proof, next time invide a guest that actually understand the matter ! :)

[@redcoathistory]

Bad preparation leads to bad comments...next time please bother to explain what you disagree with and what sources you are using.

[@sevasthvostanski5588]

there is an anecdote that after hearing that the Serbs had broken through the front and effectively pushed Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria out of the war, Kaiser Wilhelm shouted "shame, 170,000 Serbian soldiers won the war"

[@redcoathistory]

That’s fascinating, do you have a source for that?

[@sevasthvostanski5588]

@@redcoathistory Sixty-two thousand Serbian soldiers decided the war. Shame'' quote refers to the telegram that German Kaiser Wilhelm sent to his cousin Tsar Ferdinand from Bulgaria in October 1918.''source Dr. James Lyon author of Serbia and the Balkan Front, 1914: The Outbreak of the Great War.

[@redcoathistory]

Thanks a lot.

[@sevasthvostanski5588]

@@redcoathistory there are other authors, but they are mostly Serbs, since in the West they don't like to be associated with Serbs, I gave you the Anglo-Saxon author, but if you want verified information, you have to read Serbian sources. Although there are others, you can find the information on "wikipedia". 'because today people like that are more trusted than historians who do not have a desirable origin.

[@simapark]

Wasn't it a case that for about 2 years , the British and French felt they didn't have enough forces to attack the Bulgarians hence the insult of calling them the 'Gardeners of Salonika ' Once the Serbian Army had regained its strength on Corfu and were shipped over it suddenly changed because the Serbs refused to wait any longer because they were far more motivated to go on the offensive and suffer losses as they were liberating their Homeland ? You can imagine the high morale and determination of those Serbian soldiers as they advanced and the fear the Bulgarians would have had of retribution for stabbing the exact same Serbs from behind a few years earlier.

[@mnemonija]

Supposedly Hitler thought that collaps of the front at Salonika was the reason germany lost ww1, and in april 1941 his orders when attacking yugoslavia was that not a single Serbian soldier can be allowed to retreat out of the country, e.g. to greece. When the front collapsed, serbian infantry outruns french cavalry in the push to free their homes, and then they proceed to free the rest of the slavic lands under austria-hungarian rule, which is when they sue for peace.

[@panicatack6318]

Smiri malo mitomaniju dečko, ispadaš smešan.

[@romy0079]

😂Какъв го ядете там не е истина😆

[@MrSeidurman]

😂

[@MrSeidurman]

Fighting European armies wasn't the same as fighting Zulus.... 😂 truth is Bulgaria held Greece, Serbia, Britain and France....

[@HENRY-he4ss]

Sir please make videos on east India company officers