Schools around the world should have history educators who are as enthusiastic and animated in their approach to teaching as you are, sir. Thank you for your passion.
Sadly those who teach history have no idea what they are teaching. I dated a history teacher for a while, she lived not far from the town of Battle. She had no idea why the town was named such. When I told her it was where the battle of Hastings took place. She said to me “then why is it called the battle of Hastings, it should have been called the battle of Battle” 🤦♂️🤷♂️ And she was teaching 14,15 and 16 year olds ☹️
I laughed at the thought of Harry Smith heartily bellow, "Trumpeter, order a round of grog, and not too much water!" As a military veteran, I can tell you how much it means when someone leads from the front! He sounds like he was one of the first generals to perfect the combined arms doctrine. Muy bien, amigo, and looking forward to the grand finale of the Anglo Sikh war.
@@TheHistoryChapWhile as a general he was brilliant, his two terms in South Africa showed that Harry Smith was not very good at the political side of things. South Africa would prove a dark spot on his career (even if you include his military victories such as Boomplaats).
@harryshriver6223 ..reminds me of Barry Fitzgerald's line in "The Quiet Man"..."When I drink whiskey, I drink whiskey..when I drink water I drink water.."
Any Flashman adventure is a wonderful and funny account of quite a few historical events. Actually Flashy, usually against his will, was with some of the people or in a few of the battles, covered by Chris in the past. :)
Another great video by THE HISTORY CHAP! Well done Chris! Knowing how "economic" with praise Wellington was, his tribute to Harry Smith was really exceptional.
Greetings from Indonesia. Thank you for yet another enthusiastic presentation of history, punctuated with interesting asides, without veering off into a tangent. You are blessed with the gift of story telling with a human touch and need not fear replacement by AI.
YES, part 3 of your video series on the First Anglo-Sikh War, Chris old bean, as I shoulda thought about/remembered that you still had to do, haha, and the Battle of Aliwal on January 28th 1846, when it was the British lead by General Sir Harry Smith vs the might of the Sikh army awaiting him that day. And once again, MY GOLLY did we certainly get quite the history lesson on it, no wonder old Harry, who obviously had quite the sense of humour too judging from that quote of “Trumpter, order a round of grog, and not too much water.” 😅😅😅, and was also a soldier’s gentleman and true Commander with what you’ve shared on the sort of officer and leader he was to/with his men, said the words that he did afterwards. And now, part 4, the Battle of Sobraon, fought on February 10th of 1846, and which was I understand an utterly and complete defeat for the Sikhs and was THE decisive battle of the First Anglo-Sikh War, and of course the old Lance Corporal Jones nature sharing codger of Hugh Gough was once again the one who ensured victory for our boys at it. Bring it all on, Chris old bean, I can’t wait wait WAIT for that one of yours indeed 😁😁😁😁. And I saw your poll table from earlier, and I’d definitely say you should cover ALL four of what you’ve proposed there, ESPECIALLY that of British Victoria Cross recipients who then actually gave their medals BACK for whatever reason, and the nurse Edith Cavell who was disgustingly put on trial by and then executed by the Germans in WW1 for treason, her Wikipedia page I read earlier after seeing her name in your poll table. With the Peterloo Massacre, I’ve known for quite a time there’s been a film based on it, but obviously a history lesson on the REAL thing I’d love from you, AND Bill Speakman, British Korean War veteran who was the first soldier to receive the Victoria Cross from our beloved and sadly late Queen Elizabeth II… PLEASE DO THEM ALL, Chris old bean, get the coffee brewing as I believe you responded to someone in the poll table’s comment section with 😅😅😅
Your voice just chilled out my rescue whippet, I will be watching alot off your old catalogue again. Thank you for giving me new knowledge , and making Lilley less nervous.
The few instances when a cavalry charge successfully broke through an infantry square, yet the brits took heavy loses during the charge...You have to commend both the british lancers to have made a near-suicidal charge as well as the Sikhs holding their ground during the charge! Amazing video as always old chap!
We have a town called Ladysmith here in British Columbia, Canada. It was named in honor of the town of Ladysmith South Africa. I just looked it up because I'm a very curious chap. It's rather beautiful if you give it a thought. Many towns and communities around the world have been named for a woman who had been rescued from captivity. If we allow it to be in a poetic context, the name could be construed as meaning 'Freed from captivity'. As I mentioned I am a curious chap, so I googled it and there are 7 towns in 5 Countries on 4 different Continents, all of which are named for Lady Smith.
I have been following your series on the Sikh Wars which have brought to mind a book I purchased over 50 years ago. (This is another ‘book reminiscence’ following my reference to ‘Farewell Campo 12’ which was prompted by your piece on Major-General Sir Carton de Wiart.) In this instance, the book is a nice early edition of GA Henty’s ‘Through The Sikh War: a tale of the conquest of the Punjaub’ (Blackie & Son, London, Glasgow and Dublin). Prompted by your Sikh War series, I took it down from the shelf that it shares with about 20 other GA Henty books that I opportunistically bought in the early 1970s, having enjoyed reading copies in the Cheam Preparatory School library in the early 1960s. You wouldn’t be allowed to read such stuff today! I must admit that I have not either, not so much on account of the antiquated British Imperialist tenor, so much as because the plots tend always to be the same: fine, upstanding young man, “intelligent, courageous, honest and resourceful with plenty of 'pluck' yet are also modest”, (in this instance Percy) risking life and limb, time and again, for Queen and Country. GA Henty, of course, cut his literary teeth as war correspondent at the Crimean War and then many other local wars over the next 30 years. You probably are well acquainted with many of Henty’s 122 books - possibly the most successful writer of historical adventure fiction of his day. I opened the Sikh book at Chapter X entitled ‘Aliwal and Sobraon’, reading: “Percy looked a little downcast, and Sir Harry [Smith] added kindly: ‘It is no reflection on your courage, lad, that I send you back. The governor-general himself told me how fearlessly you had exposed yourself at Ferozeshah; but as I do require you on duty I have no justification for taking you with me under a heavy fire’”.
Great vid... so far with help from experts, I have traced my family ancestry to 1620 quite a few were in the British army and navy. enjoying these talks.
Great story as usual. Would you be interested in doing a piece about the Anglo-Russian invasion of Holland in 1799 ? I think its a much neglected piece of history and really, how often do you read of the British and the Russians being on the same battlefield . The Walcheren campaign is also very interesting.
Many 'cavalry' regiments were classified as dragoons as dragoons were paid less than cavalry. Nice to know that penny pinching in the Defence sector isn't a new thing, we have many years of experience so must be pretty expert by now.
I'm from Whittlesey (the birthplace of Sir Harry) and the school nearby is named after him. He and his wife are buried together in the local cemetery. Found this video on TH-cam and thought "what a small world!" Thanks for this!
Amazing as usual, these histories had always been fascinating, this general Smith showed well how with an intelligent deployment of forces, a well trained army could overcome also a more stronger opponent, and the Sikhs weren't surely inferior as courage and determination !
The Kings Shorpshire Light Infantry had nickname of Young Bucks, because it from two regiments one is The Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. A former Young Bucks was Major John Howard of Pegasus Bridge
What enormous courage and determination shown by the Sikhs, facing a full-on cavalry charge, let alone artillery + infantry, and only giving ground slowly while building rearguards.
I enjoy your series. Not being that familiar with British unit lineage, I must ask, is the 16th Lancers the antecedent of the 16th/5th Lancers? If so, I had the opportunity to work with the regiment in REFORGER 1980. The 2nd Armored Division was attached to the British I Corps, Army of the Rhine. A brand new captain, I was the Asst. S2 of the 1st Tiger Brigade/2AD and often accompanied (then) Colonel Paul Schwarz*, including his visit to the regiment at Wolfenbüttel, Germany. I was impressed with the military professionalism of the unit. (*Schwartz was the major general who established and led the coalition operations center during the First Persian Gulf War, 90-91.)
Well-told story. You ought to consider doing a biographical sketch of Smith as he was a remarkable man. Incidentally, while he (as you correctly mention) had a place named after him, his wife had three!
Thank you for covering the battle of aliwal. As for rescuing Juana and her sister at badajoz , it was from being raped by the drunken british soldiers. I read of the battle many years ago , ripping great history 😊 . The 16th Lancers took part in the American revolution as 16th light dragoons and fought at Brandywine under general Howe and at the Paoli tavern under General No Flint Grey.a classic light infantry attack , the16th cut through and disrupted the surprised American infantry trying to form a line as the light infantry completed the massacre with the bayonets.
My row of houses (in Essex, UK) are named Ladysmith Cottages, presumably after the battle, but its interesting to hear that the background of the name goes further back to General Harry Smith's wife and the fact that he was born not too far away from where I live.
Nothing wrong with the audio on this one. I'm curious if you changed anything? Contrary to the banner across the thumbnail, The 16/5th at this time we're not known as the death of glory boys. That was the 17/ 21st. The two regiments were amalgamated in 1993, so technically correct but not historically. My interest stems from my beloved uncle Ken who was a tank commander with the 16/5th in world war II. He fought in North Africa and Italy at both El Alamein and Monte Casino. At a memorial in Italy in the 1970s, he made friends with a German paratrooper. He was knocked out of five tanks during the war and had many horrific stories to tell, including a wounded Canadian soldier they accidentally ran over during an advance and his legless driver stumbling across the road to escape from a burning tank on his bloody stumps before expiring in the ditch next to him. Or the time he got out of the tank to relieve himself and it was hit at long range by an 88 which didn't explode but instead spun around inside the tank mincing up his friends. Things like that stayed with him until the end of his life. As the dementia slowly took him, those were the only memories he had left. It was very sad. He used to buy me model kits of tanks when I was a boy. His rank was Sergeant and he was chosen to represent his regiment at a garden party at Buck house. Ken was a legend.
There are three places called Ladysmith, the famous one is in South Africa but one in West Canada and one in New Zealand. Sir Harry Smith was the first commander of company of Rifle Birgade and a young officer was later a famous in India Muting hero Major General Henry Havelock. Sir Harry Smith always called a Rifleman and I'm 95th..
That battle was a wow... But did it also come down to the British underestimating the opposition becuse they were neither European or White soldiers they were fighting? In the UK until recently, British Gurkhas got paid a lot less than British soldiers (for doing the same job) and that was also reflected in their retirement by ending up with a lot lower pension payments
Quite probably. The situation regarding the Gurkhas had something to do with Indian independence. half the Gurkas went to the Indian army and half to the British. It was agreed that the British would match Indian pay and conditions (otherwise all the Gurkhas might have opted to join british army). However, over the years that created a gap between their pay and the rest of the British army's pay.
Doubtful, since a large proportion of the forces on the British side were themselves Indians, and their British officers were well aware of the fighting capabilities of well-led Indian troops. I have read memoirs from former Indian Army British officers who served before and during WW2 who would contend that their troops were superior in initiative and fighting spirit to any British soldier.
Nicely explained. Sikh army of Ranjit Singh was one of the best in Asia, trained by Napoleonic generals and peopled by brave Sikhs. If Sikh generals were not hands in gloves with the British, the Sikh army definitely could have produced more surprises for the British army in both of the Anglo- Sikh wars.
Here's an idea! The finest nation the world had ever seen - the British (of course!), and now the finest people the world is about to see (Sikhs, Gurkhas, Indians in general), should combine to form the next power block to lead mankind. A tragedy that we should ever fight each other!
British imperialism Amazing military might With a smaller population The usa had trouble finding Another 250.000 to fight In vietnam with a much Larger population!
Only if all this wasn't foisted upon India, India would've gained independence from the Mughals and thrived, and not driven into abject poverty by 1947.
Schools around the world should have history educators who are as enthusiastic and animated in their approach to teaching as you are, sir. Thank you for your passion.
When I was at school in the early 80’s, we still had one or two like Chris. Not now unfortunately…
Sadly those who teach history have no idea what they are teaching.
I dated a history teacher for a while, she lived not far from the town of Battle.
She had no idea why the town was named such.
When I told her it was where the battle of Hastings took place.
She said to me “then why is it called the battle of Hastings, it should have been called the battle of Battle” 🤦♂️🤷♂️
And she was teaching 14,15 and 16 year olds ☹️
I laughed at the thought of Harry Smith heartily bellow, "Trumpeter, order a round of grog, and not too much water!" As a military veteran, I can tell you how much it means when someone leads from the front! He sounds like he was one of the first generals to perfect the combined arms doctrine. Muy bien, amigo, and looking forward to the grand finale of the Anglo Sikh war.
he had a fair history in South Africa too.
My thought, too. The British seem to have invented it.
@@TheHistoryChapWhile as a general he was brilliant, his two terms in South Africa showed that Harry Smith was not very good at the political side of things.
South Africa would prove a dark spot on his career (even if you include his military victories such as Boomplaats).
@harryshriver6223 ..reminds me of Barry Fitzgerald's line in "The Quiet Man"..."When I drink whiskey, I drink whiskey..when I drink water I drink water.."
'Flashman and the Mountain of Light' is a wonderful and funny account of the First Sikh War.
Any Flashman adventure is a wonderful and funny account of quite a few historical events. Actually Flashy, usually against his will, was with some of the people or in a few of the battles, covered by Chris in the past. :)
My all time favourite Flash novel, which is saying a lot.
Another great video by THE HISTORY CHAP! Well done Chris! Knowing how "economic" with praise Wellington was, his tribute to Harry Smith was really exceptional.
I agree with your comment about Wellington. Thanks for taking the time to pen.
Greetings from Indonesia. Thank you for yet another enthusiastic presentation of history, punctuated with interesting asides, without veering off into a tangent. You are blessed with the gift of story telling with a human touch and need not fear replacement by AI.
YES, part 3 of your video series on the First Anglo-Sikh War, Chris old bean, as I shoulda thought about/remembered that you still had to do, haha, and the Battle of Aliwal on January 28th 1846, when it was the British lead by General Sir Harry Smith vs the might of the Sikh army awaiting him that day. And once again, MY GOLLY did we certainly get quite the history lesson on it, no wonder old Harry, who obviously had quite the sense of humour too judging from that quote of “Trumpter, order a round of grog, and not too much water.” 😅😅😅, and was also a soldier’s gentleman and true Commander with what you’ve shared on the sort of officer and leader he was to/with his men, said the words that he did afterwards.
And now, part 4, the Battle of Sobraon, fought on February 10th of 1846, and which was I understand an utterly and complete defeat for the Sikhs and was THE decisive battle of the First Anglo-Sikh War, and of course the old Lance Corporal Jones nature sharing codger of Hugh Gough was once again the one who ensured victory for our boys at it. Bring it all on, Chris old bean, I can’t wait wait WAIT for that one of yours indeed 😁😁😁😁.
And I saw your poll table from earlier, and I’d definitely say you should cover ALL four of what you’ve proposed there, ESPECIALLY that of British Victoria Cross recipients who then actually gave their medals BACK for whatever reason, and the nurse Edith Cavell who was disgustingly put on trial by and then executed by the Germans in WW1 for treason, her Wikipedia page I read earlier after seeing her name in your poll table. With the Peterloo Massacre, I’ve known for quite a time there’s been a film based on it, but obviously a history lesson on the REAL thing I’d love from you, AND Bill Speakman, British Korean War veteran who was the first soldier to receive the Victoria Cross from our beloved and sadly late Queen Elizabeth II… PLEASE DO THEM ALL, Chris old bean, get the coffee brewing as I believe you responded to someone in the poll table’s comment section with 😅😅😅
Your voice just chilled out my rescue whippet, I will be watching alot off your old catalogue again. Thank you for giving me new knowledge , and making Lilley less nervous.
What a wonderful comment. Thanks for sharing and I hope that you and Lilley watch plenty more of my videos. -:)
Another great story you brought us, thanks for sharing it, looking forward to the end, best regards.
Very fascinating bit of history Chris. Many thanks for posting!!
The few instances when a cavalry charge successfully broke through an infantry square, yet the brits took heavy loses during the charge...You have to commend both the british lancers to have made a near-suicidal charge as well as the Sikhs holding their ground during the charge!
Amazing video as always old chap!
We love Sikhs, warriors to a man (and woman). Never have trouble with them here in the UK; good, hard-working people.
Thanks for watching my video.
Breaks my heart, we fought the Sikhs, brave, honourable and Great British citizens if only our ancestors knew back then.
Thanks for watching my video & your comment.
Chris, thank you for another brilliant telling, Cheers
We have a town called Ladysmith here in British Columbia, Canada. It was named in honor of the town of Ladysmith South Africa.
I just looked it up because I'm a very curious chap.
It's rather beautiful if you give it a thought. Many towns and communities around the world have been named for a woman who had been rescued from captivity.
If we allow it to be in a poetic context, the name could be construed as meaning 'Freed from captivity'.
As I mentioned I am a curious chap, so I googled it and there are 7 towns in 5 Countries on 4 different Continents, all of which are named for Lady Smith.
Juana Smith, the wife of Harry Smith, if I remember he saved her during the storming of Badajoz and the rest if romantic history.
Sir Harry Smith, a general who knew the definition of a combined arms effort.
Absolutely Nathan.
Great episode, looking forward to the next one.
Thanks
Very kind of you. Thanks for your support.
..I love these stories of Queen Victoria's Little Wars..
My granddad served in the 17th 21st lancers during the North African campaign in ww2, at the Kasserine pass.
I wasn't aware there were British troops at Kasserine.
@@Rohilla313 It was a mostly American affair but there were also contingents of British and French troops.
Thank you for a brilliant video. I didn't know of this battle, so I am very grateful. Keep it up.
Thank you for your very kind donation.
greatful for what?
A great narration. Clear and emphatic. What a bloody affair that battle was.
Thanks for watching my video.
I've really enjoyed the Sikh War episodes. Thanks Chris.
.as a military miniature painter lancers have always been a favorite subject..it was the age military sartorial splendor...
Thank you for this post.
Oh, how I wished there was someone like you to tell us about our rich Portuguese military History!
This is a great series,thankyou.
Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed them.
Another Great video.
Thanks for posting.
Cheers
Thanks so much Chris
Amazing video! Your storytelling skills, along with your clear pronunciation and detailed explanations, really spark an interest in history.👌👌👌❤❤
Thanks for watching & your comment.
I have been following your series on the Sikh Wars which have brought to mind a book I purchased over 50 years ago. (This is another ‘book reminiscence’ following my reference to ‘Farewell Campo 12’ which was prompted by your piece on Major-General Sir Carton de Wiart.)
In this instance, the book is a nice early edition of GA Henty’s ‘Through The Sikh War: a tale of the conquest of the Punjaub’ (Blackie & Son, London, Glasgow and Dublin). Prompted by your Sikh War series, I took it down from the shelf that it shares with about 20 other GA Henty books that I opportunistically bought in the early 1970s, having enjoyed reading copies in the Cheam Preparatory School library in the early 1960s. You wouldn’t be allowed to read such stuff today!
I must admit that I have not either, not so much on account of the antiquated British Imperialist tenor, so much as because the plots tend always to be the same: fine, upstanding young man, “intelligent, courageous, honest and resourceful with plenty of 'pluck' yet are also modest”, (in this instance Percy) risking life and limb, time and again, for Queen and Country. GA Henty, of course, cut his literary teeth as war correspondent at the Crimean War and then many other local wars over the next 30 years.
You probably are well acquainted with many of Henty’s 122 books - possibly the most successful writer of historical adventure fiction of his day. I opened the Sikh book at Chapter X entitled ‘Aliwal and Sobraon’, reading:
“Percy looked a little downcast, and Sir Harry [Smith] added kindly: ‘It is no reflection on your courage, lad, that I send you back. The governor-general himself told me how fearlessly you had exposed yourself at Ferozeshah; but as I do require you on duty I have no justification for taking you with me under a heavy fire’”.
Brilliantly narrated!
I’ve read several books about Harry Smith…what a truly remarkable man..
I’ve found the series very interesting up to now & look forward to the conclusion.
Great video, can’t wait for the next one!!
Coming in 2 weeks time.
Great vid... so far with help from experts, I have traced my family ancestry to 1620 quite a few were in the British army and navy. enjoying these talks.
Thanks for watching my video & your feedback.
Excellence as always Chris.
Very great video. Enjoyed it very much!
Great story as usual. Would you be interested in doing a piece about the Anglo-Russian invasion of Holland in 1799 ? I think its a much neglected piece of history and really, how often do you read of the British and the Russians being on the same battlefield . The Walcheren campaign is also very interesting.
That is much needed to know history of such bravery, and military tactics
Thanks for watching my video.
Excellent video
A very important battle
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for waching.
Many 'cavalry' regiments were classified as dragoons as dragoons were paid less than cavalry. Nice to know that penny pinching in the Defence sector isn't a new thing, we have many years of experience so must be pretty expert by now.
Thank you.
I'm from Whittlesey (the birthplace of Sir Harry) and the school nearby is named after him. He and his wife are buried together in the local cemetery. Found this video on TH-cam and thought "what a small world!" Thanks for this!
My pleasure. Know where it is on the map but have never been to Whittlesey.
Great story of the battle during a very interesting campaign. One of the very few instances a square was initially broken by sheer cavalry charge.
Another great story, Chris 👍
As per usual, I had to stop myself from ‘ making notes’ thanks!
Amazing as usual, these histories had always been fascinating, this general Smith showed well how with an intelligent deployment of forces, a well trained army could overcome also a more stronger opponent, and the Sikhs weren't surely inferior as courage and determination !
Thanks for watching my video & your feedback.
Great episode again…on a very different topic..how about the “monocled mutineer?”
Wow. That takes real bravery to charge into a square. RIP to those who fell in the battle
The Kings Shorpshire Light Infantry had nickname of Young Bucks, because it from two regiments one is The Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. A former Young Bucks was Major John Howard of Pegasus Bridge
thanks for watching my video & your feedback.
What enormous courage and determination shown by the Sikhs, facing a full-on cavalry charge, let alone artillery + infantry, and only giving ground slowly while building rearguards.
Totally agree. They were the toughest army the British fought in India.
Another great video
Brilliant Video!!!!
Glad you enjoyed it
Also, a school named after him in Whittlesey, England, (Sir Harrry Smith) - where he was born - and a pub in Whittlesey the 'The Hero of Aliwal'.
Indeed there is. Thanks for adding.
Fantastic!
I enjoy your series. Not being that familiar with British unit lineage, I must ask, is the 16th Lancers the antecedent of the 16th/5th Lancers? If so, I had the opportunity to work with the regiment in REFORGER 1980. The 2nd Armored Division was attached to the British I Corps, Army of the Rhine. A brand new captain, I was the Asst. S2 of the 1st Tiger Brigade/2AD and often accompanied (then) Colonel Paul Schwarz*, including his visit to the regiment at Wolfenbüttel, Germany. I was impressed with the military professionalism of the unit. (*Schwartz was the major general who established and led the coalition operations center during the First Persian Gulf War, 90-91.)
Would they be The King's Royal Lancers now, Chris? Or does it not work like that? Great tale as always. Thank you.
Well-told story. You ought to consider doing a biographical sketch of Smith as he was a remarkable man. Incidentally, while he (as you correctly mention) had a place named after him, his wife had three!
Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it.
I spoke too soon, about 7 minutes into the video the audio started getting a little clipped again but not so badly.
PS, those poor horses.xI think you should follow Harry and Lady Smith's life. It's a fascinating tale.
Thanks for watching my video & your feedback.
Thank you for covering the battle of aliwal.
As for rescuing Juana and her sister at badajoz , it was from being raped by the drunken british soldiers.
I read of the battle many years ago , ripping great history 😊 .
The 16th Lancers took part in the American revolution as 16th light dragoons and fought at Brandywine under general Howe and at the Paoli tavern under General No Flint Grey.a classic light infantry attack , the16th cut through and disrupted the surprised American infantry trying to form a line as the light infantry completed the massacre with the bayonets.
Lov these long lost stories, Britain did not get an empire easy we had to fight for it ,great stuff
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.
There are two towns called Ladysmith and two Harrysmiths! There is also an Aliwal North - I wonder if it is somehow related
There is also a town called Aliwal North in South Africa.
Good one.
I can't seem to find a medal with the Aliwal clasp😂. I have 7 others from the two Sikh wars but not this battle🥺.
Harry Smith, once a Rifleman, always a rifleman.
My row of houses (in Essex, UK) are named Ladysmith Cottages, presumably after the battle, but its interesting to hear that the background of the name goes further back to General Harry Smith's wife and the fact that he was born not too far away from where I live.
Are you doing videos on The Seven Years War The American Revolution and The War Of 1812
Nothing wrong with the audio on this one. I'm curious if you changed anything?
Contrary to the banner across the thumbnail, The 16/5th at this time we're not known as the death of glory boys. That was the 17/ 21st. The two regiments were amalgamated in 1993, so technically correct but not historically.
My interest stems from my beloved uncle Ken who was a tank commander with the 16/5th in world war II. He fought in North Africa and Italy at both El Alamein and Monte Casino. At a memorial in Italy in the 1970s, he made friends with a German paratrooper. He was knocked out of five tanks during the war and had many horrific stories to tell, including a wounded Canadian soldier they accidentally ran over during an advance and his legless driver stumbling across the road to escape from a burning tank on his bloody stumps before expiring in the ditch next to him. Or the time he got out of the tank to relieve himself and it was hit at long range by an 88 which didn't explode but instead spun around inside the tank mincing up his friends. Things like that stayed with him until the end of his life. As the dementia slowly took him, those were the only memories he had left. It was very sad. He used to buy me model kits of tanks when I was a boy. His rank was Sergeant and he was chosen to represent his regiment at a garden party at Buck house. Ken was a legend.
As a Yank, I can say that the British are brave beyond measure.
Thanks for watching my video & your comment.
There are three places called Ladysmith, the famous one is in South Africa but one in West Canada and one in New Zealand. Sir Harry Smith was the first commander of company of Rifle Birgade and a young officer was later a famous in India Muting hero Major General Henry Havelock. Sir Harry Smith always called a Rifleman and I'm 95th..
Thanks for watching my video & your feedback.
A Combined Arms battle, imagine that.
They were fighting the best trained Indian army there was .
And 2 regiments of Ghurkas, at that point I was pretty sure the British Allied forces were going to win....
That battle was a wow...
But did it also come down to the British underestimating the opposition becuse they were neither European or White soldiers they were fighting?
In the UK until recently, British Gurkhas got paid a lot less than British soldiers (for doing the same job) and that was also reflected in their retirement by ending up with a lot lower pension payments
Quite probably.
The situation regarding the Gurkhas had something to do with Indian independence. half the Gurkas went to the Indian army and half to the British. It was agreed that the British would match Indian pay and conditions (otherwise all the Gurkhas might have opted to join british army). However, over the years that created a gap between their pay and the rest of the British army's pay.
Doubtful, since a large proportion of the forces on the British side were themselves Indians, and their British officers were well aware of the fighting capabilities of well-led Indian troops. I have read memoirs from former Indian Army British officers who served before and during WW2 who would contend that their troops were superior in initiative and fighting spirit to any British soldier.
👍Chris👍👍👍
👍👍
Glad you enjoyed my video
Battle of chilleawali plz
Thanks for watching my video & will add your request to mt ever growing list.
Nicely explained. Sikh army of Ranjit Singh was one of the best in Asia, trained by Napoleonic generals and peopled by brave Sikhs.
If Sikh generals were not hands in gloves with the British, the Sikh army definitely could have produced more surprises for the British army in both of the Anglo- Sikh wars.
Thanks for watching & your feedback.
Here's an idea!
The finest nation the world had ever seen - the British (of course!), and now the finest people the world is about to see (Sikhs, Gurkhas, Indians in general), should combine to form the next power block to lead mankind.
A tragedy that we should ever fight each other!
British imperialism
Amazing military might
With a smaller population
The usa had trouble finding
Another 250.000 to fight
In vietnam with a much
Larger population!
3:21 Are you implying here that he left the native camp sherpers and soldiers to the fate of the Sikhs? 😮
👍
Thank you.
You mean we have to WAIT for the next installment? Crumbs.
There is a town in South Africa named for Harry Smith, Harrismith, and one for his Spanish born wife, Ladysmith. Sorry, you beat me to it.
Thanks for watching my video & your comment.
Title didn't interest me enough 😂
Kind of irritates me that you take the motto of the 17th as the title.
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If Sikh's had expansionary ethos shows they could have unified the whole of India
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What a scrap….
Only if all this wasn't foisted upon India, India would've gained independence from the Mughals and thrived, and not driven into abject poverty by 1947.
Mughals were out of power by 1740 , Marathas had already put an end to their hegemony.