I have thought about the utility of wearing bright red uniforms in green forests and fields. I spoke with a British MAJ when we were in Iraq. He informed me they wore red coats to hide the blood when the soldiers were shot.
There was a small team of female Royal Navy Sailors who were instrumental in developing Atlantic convoy procedures. They were called the WRENS and were divided into two teams during the table exercises. Essentially, they played the game "Battleship" using real historic data. The teams were partitioned and blind to the actions of the other team. This is how they wargamed it. They were trying to solve how U-Boats were able to infiltrate into the middle of the convoy to fire its torpedoes. One evening they were so intent on solving this problem they worked all night and into the morning hours. They decided the U-Boats were able to infiltrate the convoys by chasing it from behind then submerging as it entered the convoy area of operations. The rear of the convoy was the only part of the convoy that was not monitored by listening devices and sonar.
The story goes that they asked a very high-level person in the war ministry to watch the table exercise in regard to the U-Boats sneaking up to position themselves in the middle of the convoys that same day. The admiral was skeptical and did not expect much and acted impositioned. He sat down and the WRENS wargamed the scenario. He became more interested as the WRENS developed the exercise and culminated with the tactics used by U-Boats to occupy the middle of the convoy. He saw the aha moment and made some calls to change convoy standard operating procedures that day.
the British wore red coats to hide the blood is a myth, they wore red starting in Cromwell's army because red wool was cheap and available, the tradition lasted until after the boer war
the British wore red coats to hide the blood is a myth, they wore red starting in Cromwell's army because red wool was cheap and available, the tradition lasted until after the boer war
Technically British infantry started wearing read in Ireland under the Tudors. It became universal under the New Model Army. Red was also easier to see amongst the smoke. Exceptionally important for officers during 18th century linear warfare.
the British wore red coats to hide the blood is a myth, they wore red starting in Cromwell's army because red wool was cheap and available, the tradition lasted until after the boer war
Technically British infantry started wearing read in Ireland under the Tutors. It became universal under the New Model Army. Red was also easier to see amongst the smoke. Exceptionally important for officers during 18th century linear warfare.
It was said the British marched a good distance wearing the thick red coats to fight at the battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812. Water was scarce and many were dehydrated. The British army was not in premium shape to attack well defended Americans.
Great selections. My problem is I have so many more favorite battle/fighting scenes.
For example, in these movies:
Lawrence of Arabia We Were Soldiers In Harm's Way Master and Commander Outlaw Josie Wales Letters From Iwo Jima Black Hawk Down The Thin Red Line Rob Roy Jeremiah Johnson Ronin Last Samurai The Lighthorsemen
Great selections. My problem choosing is I have so many more favorite battle/fighting scenes.
For example, in these movies:
Lawrence of Arabia We Were Soldiers In Harm's Way Master and Commander Outlaw Josie Wales Letters From Iwo Jima Black Hawk Down The Thin Red Line Rob Roy Jeremiah Johnson Ronin Last Samurai The Lighthorsemen
Great selections. My problem choosing is I have so many more favorite battle/fighting scenes.
For example, in these movies:
Lawrence of Arabia We Were Soldiers In Harm's Way Master and Commander Outlaw Josie Wales Letters From Iwo Jima Black Hawk Down The Thin Red Line Rob Roy Jeremiah Johnson Ronin Last Samurai The Lighthorsemen
I like the opening battle scene from Gladiator.
Good catch. So many. "Open Range" and "Fury", too.
Great topic!! Hard to pick a favorite…..just a few worth mentioning: OK Corral in Tombstone. The Patriot when he rescued his son. Several scenes from the new Midway. Gus & Pea fighting off Indians in Lonesome Dove. The Irish Brigade charging the wall and fighting Cobb's 24th Georgia Regiment (Irish) in God's and Generals (boring movie overall….but the Fredericksburg scenes are good).
However….my personal favorite is the 20th Maine with Chamberlain defending Little Round Top in Gettysburg!! (Might be over dramatized but it gave me goose bumps at the theater!!)
the British wore red coats to hide the blood is a myth, they wore red starting in Cromwell's army because red wool was cheap and available, the tradition lasted until after the boer war
Technically British infantry started wearing read in Ireland under the Tutors. It became universal under the New Model Army. Red was also easier to see amongst the smoke. Exceptionally important for officers during 18th century linear warfare.
It was said the British marched a good distance wearing the thick red coats to fight at the battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812. Water was scarce and many were dehydrated. The British army was not in premium shape to attack well defended Americans.
the British wore red coats to hide the blood is a myth, they wore red starting in Cromwell's army because red wool was cheap and available, the tradition lasted until after the boer war
Technically British infantry started wearing read in Ireland under the Tutors. It became universal under the New Model Army. Red was also easier to see amongst the smoke. Exceptionally important for officers during 18th century linear warfare.
It was said the British marched a good distance wearing the thick red coats to fight at the battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812. Water was scarce and many were dehydrated. The British army was not in premium shape to attack well defended Americans.
It wasn't the uniforms, the plan, the ladders or anything else that caused the battle to go to the Americans. When they started using alligators to fire cannon balls it was over. No one is charging alligators loaded with cannonballs.
Great topic!! Hard to pick a favorite…..just a few worth mentioning: OK Corral in Tombstone. The Patriot when he rescued his son. Several scenes from the new Midway. Gus & Pea fighting off Indians in Lonesome Dove. The Irish Brigade charging the wall and fighting Cobb's 24th Georgia Regiment (Irish) in God's and Generals (boring movie overall….but the Fredericksburg scenes are good).
However….my personal favorite is the 20th Maine with Chamberlain defending Little Round Top in Gettysburg!! (Might be over dramatized but it gave me goose bumps at the theater!!)
He was respected so much that he was promoted to BG and was in the house where Lee surrendered.
Chamberlain was not in the McLean Parlor when Lee surrendered, he was with his division on the battle line.
But he did accept the surrender of the Confederate troops the next day when they stacked arms. Chamberlain's record of that day in his memoirs is highly romanticized and led John Gordon to include the same story in his memoirs (but he never spoke of them until Chamberlain's memoirs came out). Those two falsely created legends about the event that are not supported by any other accounts.
the British wore red coats to hide the blood is a myth, they wore red starting in Cromwell's army because red wool was cheap and available, the tradition lasted until after the boer war
Technically British infantry started wearing read in Ireland under the Tutors. It became universal under the New Model Army. Red was also easier to see amongst the smoke. Exceptionally important for officers during 18th century linear warfare.
It was said the British marched a good distance wearing the thick red coats to fight at the battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812. Water was scarce and many were dehydrated. The British army was not in premium shape to attack well defended Americans.
The battle was in January 1815 and conditions were rather cold and wet and not as one thinks of hot/humid New Orleans
Chamberlain was not in the McLean Parlor when Lee surrendered, he was with his division on the battle line.
But he did accept the surrender of the Confederate troops the next day when they stacked arms. Chamberlain's record of that day in his memoirs is highly romanticized and led John Gordon to include the same story in his memoirs (but he never spoke of them until Chamberlain's memoirs came out). Those two falsely created legends about the event that are not supported by any other accounts.
It was long ago, but Josh was in the parlor. I recall we all hit the bar afterwards and he bought a round.