The Napoleonic wars - the first Great War. An era that saw the British army come of age.
But how much do you know about the officers at the forefront of the war?
Were they all aristocratic buffoons like Henry Simmerson? Were most commissions and promotions paid for? What sort of training did they receive? And were battalion commanders actually younger and more dynamic than their counterparts in other armies?
Historian Steve Brown joins me on the show today and we are going to busting plenty of myths today…The answers to these questions really surprised me and I think you may be shocked.
Steve's fantastic book "Fit to command" can be purchased on the Helion website or via this Amazon link - https://amzn.to/46kuIJq
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/
If you are very generous, you can also buy me a coffee and help support the channel via https://ko-fi.com/redcoathistory
For the Honour of the Regiment! The British army's unique regimental system
American Revolution: An Elite Regiment at War
American Revolution: Who were the Redcoats?
Zulu War: Did this Victoria Cross Hero Fake His Own Death? Captain Cecil D’Arcy VC
Who are Britain’s elite bearded pioneer sergeants?
Private Henry Hook VC - the true story behind the "bad lad" of Zulu
Colonial Marines: The escaped American Slaves who fought for Britain during the War of 1812
Indians in the Trenches: The Indian Corps on the Western Front 1914-15
Disaster!:The worst British defeats of the Victorian era...
Redcoats versus Samurais: The story of British troops in Japan during the 1860s
The Jameson Raid: Prelude to the 2nd Anglo-Boer War (walking the battlefield)
Purchase: The Fascinating Story of How British Officers Bought and Sold Commissions
The Mini Rorke's Drift You've Never Heard of: Forgotten Sieges of the Basotho Gun War (1880-81)
The First Anglo-Boer War: A full documentary (1880-81)
The Forgotten Revolutionary War Campaign: The Siege of Pensacola 1781 (w/ Josh Provan)
From the Zulu War to the Somme: The incredible career of Tim Lukin
The Mazoe Patrol: A daring rescue in the Rhodesian bush (1896)
Allan Wilson - the Maverick who became a Victorian legend (Shangani Patrol, 1893)
Regimental Colours: What are they and why do they mean so much?
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