Greenjackets vs Napoleon’s Hordes | The Battles of Barba del Puerco & the Coa
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In this episode, we walk the battlefields of Barba del Puerco and the Combat on the Coa, two early engagements in the Peninsular War where the Rifles and the Light Division cemented their reputation as elite troops.
Using first-hand accounts, military analysis, and on-location footage, we explore:
How the Rifles came to be
What made the Baker Rifle so revolutionary
Why their training under men like Sir John Moore changed the game
And how they stood firm in the face of overwhelming French assaults
This is the real story behind Richard Sharpe’s old regiment — not fiction, but fact. These were the battles where the myth began.
🗺 Locations Featured:
Barba del Puerco (March 1810)
• River Coa, near Almeida (July 1810)
⚔️ Like what you see? Support the channel on Patreon for behind-the-scenes extras, research notes, and more: https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory
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27:43
The Forgotten War on the Edge of Empire: Waziristan 1937 (w/Jon Pick)
In today’s episode, we’re diving into one of the most under-appreciated but fascinating corners of British military history: the Waziristan campaign of 1936–1937. It’s a tale of Gurkhas, armoured cars, tribal lashkars, and the infamous Faqir of Ipi—all set against the harsh, unforgiving terrain between British India and Afghanistan.
Jon Pick and I will be talking sniping, ambushes and mountain warfare. You’ll hear about heroic stands, and questionable decisions.
And if you enjoy this kind of thing—well then keep in touch and stay up to date with my newsletter by heading over to redcoathistory.com/newsletter and signing upIt’s where all the best stories march first.
Jon's military book business is excellent and can be found here - https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/yorkmilitarybooks
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1:05:52
A Very Fine Regiment: The 47th Foot in the American Revolution
The American War of Independence . . . A war that is viewed through the prism of American myth making and Hollywood movies.
This month is the 250th anniversary of the first clashes of that war. It's a fascinating and misunderstood conflict and I'm sure the next few years will see us bombarded with the old cliches and myths thrown out time after time.
Well, here on Redcoat History, we do our bit to try to turn the tide and share the nuance and detail that may be missing from the US media's coverage.
Today we are starting by taking a look at one regiment - a very fine regiment - the 47th Foot. They were heavily involved at Lexington and Concord and also at Bunker Hill.
Paul Knight has written a book all about them and today he’ll explain how the stereotypes of the robotic redcoat and the idiotic posh officer are far from the truth.
Paul's book can be purchased here - https://amzn.to/4j7TOSM
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43:02
Montgomery: Genius or Glory Hunter? The Truth About Normandy
Montgomery—was he the genius who won the Normandy campaign or a glory-hunting general who held the Allies back? The debate rages on. In this episode, we dig into one of the most controversial figures of World War II with military historian Andrew Harrison, author of Caen, Cobra and Confusion: Monty's Normandy Legacy Revisited. Published by Barnthorn.
https://www.barnthornpublishing.co.uk/
We break down the myths, the man, and the messy reality of the battle for Caen. Did Monty’s cautious approach cost lives? Was Operation Cobra really the turning point? And why do the Americans and Brits see Normandy so differently?
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52:39
Britain vs Persia: A Forgotten Victorian Beatdown (1856-57)
Did you know that between the Crimean war and the Indian Mutiny, Britain was busy invading Iran (then Persia) and giving it a proper Victorian thrashing?
🔹 Cavalry charges smashing enemy squares
🔹 Brutal naval bombardments
🔹 Heroic last stands and a few Victoria Crosses thrown in for good measure
This is the Anglo-Persian War of 1856-57, a forgotten but explosive chapter in Britain’s military history.
If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: https://redcoathistory.com/newsletter/
You can also support the study of British military history by joining my Patreon page over at https://www.patreon.com/RedcoatHistory - you will get early access to videos and extra content.
Dr Brice's books - https://amzn.to/4bRUKYX
The podcast for military history geeks and people with a passion for good stories. We focus on British and Commonwealth military history from the birth of the redcoat era through to modern warfare.
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