Bantam Battalions of the Great War
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- When a miner from Durham was prevented from enlisting for being one inch below the British requirement of 5'3", he dared any man in the room to fight him to prove that the one inch mattered. The Bantam Battalion, also called "the Devil Dwarfs," was created so shorter men, like the miner, could still serve their country. The History Guy remembers Bantam Battalions of the Great War.
This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As images of actual events are sometimes not available, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
This episode deals with violent historical events. All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
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I studied under a tutor, a Scot, who could have made it into the Bantam Batallion in WWI had he not been born at a later time. In WWII, he served as a paratrooper who jumped behind the lines prior to the D-Day landings. Later trained as a psychologist lecturing at a medical school. In the 1960s, he visited Taos, New Mexico as a tourist. As a Scot, he wore a kilt when he walked into a bar. A cowboy around 6 feet tall walked over to him and said: "Around here, real men don't wear skirts." Almost instantly, the diminutive Scot decked the cowboy with a single punch, and, standing over the fallen local, said: "And where I come from, real men don't wear high heels."
In 1994, the small-statured veteran parachuted "behind the lines" once again, for the 50th anniversary of D.-Day!
I’m 5 feet 1 and I had the same difficulty within the fire department! Now however I get sent into confined spaces such as attics and crawl spaces looking for extension of fire. None of the other guys can fit.
i can definitely see how it would be an advantage
I had a Motor Officer, that had previously been, a Tanker in the Army and was a short as the come. Some guys in battalion said he had a Napoleon Complex. We in the motor maint plt said nope. We said he had a: I'll kick your ass if you try to BS us or not do your job right complex...
you'd think being a soldier having less of you to be shot at would be an advantage
Braver man than I am, I am only 5 feet, 4 inches tall, but I can't do enclosed places. I am thankful there are folks like yourself out there, and you have my utmost respect :)
Carstuff111 thank you.
As a 5 foot man that has served his country, I can certainly sympathize with the bantam battalions.
Edit:Also I lol'ed at the devil dwarves.
The "Devil Dwarves" were from Glasgow, and fighting in pubs is very much "in character" for those men. I bet they were proud of the name, and that they started fights for it.
@@DavidSmith-ss1cg That's like someone asking the question Who gave you that black eye and you responding "no one I had to fight them for it".
I can imagine there are lots of roles in the military where being short would be a benefit, like a tank crew or pilot
I had a Scottish friend he told his units nickname was The Poison Dwarfs
@@krisinsaigon Or ...infantry in tall grass . To be serious they did like short people to serve in ball turrets -WW-2
Audie Murphy was 5'5" and weighed only 112lbs. Most decorated American soldier of WW2.
Sir, you beat me to it. Always liked reading his book to Hell and Back
Thank you so much for this very special film: my great grandfather John Heath was a bantam of the 17th Lancashire Fusiliers before being transferred to a Pals regiment from his native Birmingham.- he died in August 1916 on the Somme. thank you for doing Justice to him and his comrades.
I was born and grew up in Birkenhead, and despite possessing an Honours degree in History (Modern European History to boot) I did not know about the Birkenhead Bantams, thank you for this.
Same here. I have come to the conclusion, that as I was a teenager in 80s Britain, 80s Birkenhead was so depressing and grey, that I forgot how important Birkenhead was. Lairds for instance, was dying a death when I was ready to leave school. But how interesting and important the town was, was never taught in school. Its only now in my middle age, that I am finding out more and actually feel embarrassed, almost ashamed. The town is still on a downward spiral, even more so, if that's possible. The youngster's of today, if not told about this once great town and the role it played with regards too helping win wars, which Lairds certainly played a huge part. Also with regards to the first underground railway system. The kids are not being taught this, just as I suppose kids in Newcastle, Belfast, Manchester are probably not being told the huge parts their cities played in making Britain Great. Many thanks to the history man, for reminding me, and in most cases making me aware for the 1st time, this story being a huge example. With know investment, Let's face it nobody is rushing to build factories for any kind of manufacturing, on a scale that is being cried out for. So Birkenhead will never be what it was, but if the youth of the town aren't being told, it's long and important history, then I fear we will all be looking to people like the History Man, to remind us. Sorry for rambling, it's just so frustrating. Peace my friend.
@@peterarmstrong6730 - I agree that history seems to be supressed, and dangerous personality traits are taught to young people. The Brexit debacle, and a lot of other man-made catastrophes, are caused - deliberately, I think - by a small group of greedy men not affected by these events. We live in a world of clueless spoiled children amused by people who give a damn, in much the same chaotic scrum as before the world wars. If you think that the casualty data for the world wars were shocking, imagine what the numbers will be, with the current population of our world. You will most likely be inspired to turn this off and try another channel.
Good luck, Fortune passes everywhere.
They chewed a birkenhead bullet alright
I'm 6'2. And I served in the 82nd Airborne with some of the toughest little Filipinos you could imagine. Size truly doesn't matter.
Ok mudderpuckers! Pay attention! You pirst! Den you! Den you! Got it! Good. Now go!
Lol I'm guessing semper fi is Filipino and a butthead
My grandfathers cousin was in the 82nd airborne. He was killed in Normandy in July 1944. You airborne men have my utmost respect.
The then British service rifle the SMLE. ( Short. Magazine. Lee Enfield). Was designed with a two piece stock. The rifle butt came in 3 sizes. Standard, long and "bantam" so that men of various sizes could shoot despite differing arm lengths.
Glenn Whitehead Sweetest shooting rifle I've ever shot ! A friend of mine that collected WW1 rifles let me shoot his SMLE, smelly, at a running deer target. Was able to put two into the kill area before it ran out. His rifle and out shot him with it. The action was like butter. .303 must be hard to come by nowadays or expensive as all get out,that was 30 years ago, and he has since sold his collection. ( wifes iPad )
@@christineschmidt8494 The 'Lee-Enfield in its various marques, was the 'standard' British Army weapon from 1903 to 1957, with 'special weapons' models remaining in service as late as the 1990's. By comparison, the present standard weapon - the SA80 - has 'only' been around since 1985.
Roger Whittle Very few people even realize that it was made and designed in the U. S. and the military turned it down for the Springfield. In boot camp we still carried those 9 lb. gems, they got damn heavy when we had to run with those things above our heads.
Christine Schmidt it's named 'Enfield' because that's the name of the company that made it...and the town in Middlesex (near London) where the company was based. However, as I understand it, some models of the WW2 version of this rifle, the No 4 Mk 1, were indeed made in Canada and the US. You can identify these by some of the markings and the way that the bolt is stripped.
@@christineschmidt8494 it is the actually call the Lee-Enfield and was developed from the earlier Lee-Metford, both of which were manufactured by Enfield and several other manufacturers, BSA being one. They utilized the bolt action system of cocking on closing developed by American James Paris Lee whose action was use in a 6mm Remington-Lee that was adopted by the US Navy in the late 1890s. The Medford and Enfield names refer to the pattern of rifiling used in each respective British rifle.
In the telephone industry, 1/4 inch plugs and jacks had the code of 310. Later these were replaced by smaller BANTAM plugs and jacks. Had no idea this was a direct reference to there size. Keep on teaching me new things.
Its the little things in life..... :P
The story of the Bantam's was quite fascinating.......the poem at the end (Delivered with that British bow tie!) was simply delightful. The History Guy deserves to be repeated!
Here here, WELL SAID, SIR!
I'm glad you didn't give this topic a _Short Shrift._
I'll see myself out.
Hey! I resemble that remark!
Lol. !!!
.....Close the door ;)
Google Sucks And don’t let it hit you on the backside as you leave!
LOL! 😜🤣🤣🤣
Thank You History Guy for remembering these brave men, My Great Uncle Benjamin Hughes was a Private in the 16th Battalions Cheshire Regiment he was killed in a artillery bombardment at the first battle of the Somme in 1916 he has no known grave his name is on the Thiepval War Memorial and the village Memorial inside Colemere Church in Shropshire. every Remembrance Sunday I wear the Cheshire Regimental pin with pride.
One of the most prestigious Battalions in the Commonwealth of Nations are the Gurkhas. They average about 5'2".
The Gurkhas are a bunch of double hard bastards, yet get very little coverage or recognition.
Better to be called “Bantam” than a “Cornish Game Soldier”
#slowclap
lol.. That one made me legitimately laugh out loud :)
Be aware that Cornish Game Hens are actually American, and have nothing to do with the UK or Cornwall.
@@petergray2712 it was humor
When I stumbled across this channel, it's been nothing but the best "discovery" I've ever encountered! Best channel on RUclips! Thanks History Guy! You are greatly appreciated! Cheers 🍻
If you haven't yet check out Mark Felton Productions. You won't be disappointed.
Welcome to the little corner of high quality RUclips channels!
I learned one constant truth during my time as both with the US Army Military Police and as a Sherriff's Deputy....the little guys are the most dangerous and wily to deal with.
It's the Napoleon complex!
I'm an Air Force Vet and I'm 5'5". I can say this, I never marched anywhere. They made me Protestant Chapel guide so I wouldn't have to muster on the parade grounds on Friday afternoons because I had to go to the Chapel Guide meeting. And after Basic training every time there was a parade and they would form up the squadron and they would dress right then dress right and then say all midgets in the last 2 ranks can go back to the barracks and have a good evening. Since I worked in Civil engineering fixing gas pumps and pipelines and cleaning fuel tanks my height as advantageous. You really don't want to stuff a big guy in a fuel tank to shovel out the sludge. They kept hitting their heads on the support beams and I could walk right under them. In fact, I was 5'4" when I went in the service and since being 18 years old I have managed to eke out an extra inch.....The only downside is that the shorter you are the less amount of weight you can have on your frame before they kick you out for being too fat. I had to run 5 miles every day when I was in to keep my weight under the 160lbs. I wish I was 160lbs today....
I must say, thank you for your service :)
And yet his service towers over anything that you've ever DREAMED of providing his country. He served with his heart and his hand!
@steve gale don't be such a silly ass. A veteran is someone who served in uniform. One can be a veteran who has seen combat, or a logistics MOC who supplied them with what was needed to fight.
Both draw veteran's benefits.
@steve gale, Your words tell me that you are a liar. My father, my uncle, my brother and two of my nephews are all veterans and they have never spoken like you. They served in WWII D'Day, Korean War, Vietnam War, Panama, Afghanistan, and Iraq. My wife's father served in Korea and Vietnam. He was wounded in both wars. He was one of three survivors of a hill in Korea that the Chinese tried to overrun. He has never spoken about other service men the way that you have. If you are truly a veteran, you should be ashamed of your comments. If you are the liar that I feel that you are, you should be ashamed of yourself.
@steve gale A vet is anyone that has served in uniform and received a discharge for that service.
I had a bantam rooster, damn aggressive creature, who did a great job protecting his regular ordinary bigger hens.
He was probably told he was too short to do anything...
Mine killed a rooster five times his size for picking on him (as is the nature of fowl, see "pecking order"). Unfortunately small chickens are just right for hawk food so a hawk got him.
Little chickens are just bundles of dynamite. Some of THE most aggressive little bastards in my Aunt and Uncle's chicken houses were small. But weirdly enough, not to us humans, just to the bigger roosters. I had a big rooster come out of no where and damn near knocked me to the ground and left a big bruise on my leg. He came at me again, and this rooster about half his size knocked him head over tea kettle..... The big rooster got up, went to get me again, and the little rooster ran him off! Even though I was hurting, I laughed so hard. And, this one rooster seemed to keep a few steps behind me from that day forward as my little guard chicken.
In memory of my Great grandfather Robert George Perrie Todd 16th Battalion Cheshire regiment died march 1916. R.I.P.
Best channel on RUclips!!
Being of smaller stature (vertically challenged as I prefer to call it), I especially enjoyed this short that's about being short! History Guy, you're never tell tall tales and aren't short on great bits of our forgotten past! Many thanks for another great video with a wizard bow tie/background hat combo and the head's up I got by being a Patreon member, truly one of the great values of the web!
The longest living WWI soldier was a Frenchmen, he commented on his final years (loose quote): "We were up against the Prussian Guard who were all giants, but I had the 'Equaliser' ", he then went on to name his rifle but I forget which it was...
While Audie Murphy was 5'4" and not exactly bantam-size, nevertheless, he was considered below-average height. And yet, his heroics during WWII and the fact he won the most gallantry medals of any US soldier during that war, made him a giant of am man.
Sir, you beat me to it. Always liked reading his book to Hell and Back.
Coal miners were hard men back then. Brute strength, tenacity, fearlessness, all necessary traits if one were to make a living harvesting coal hundreds of feet underground with a pickaxe and a shovel. They made excellent soldiers.
"Bantam" is also the name of a range of small motorcycles made by the Birmingham Small Arms (BSA) company from the late 1940s to the early 1970s. I passed my test on one in 1980.
I really enjoyed this video and literally laughed out loud at several points. At 5'2" I've never obsessed over my height. I wasn't even completely cognizant of it. Until one day, at the age of 35, I pointed out a really short man in a crowd and boasted..."At least I'm not that little." Then my friend joyfully protested and set out to prove he wasn't any shorter than I was. He was right.
The point being most of us find no fault in our own shortcomings. And it's only when others measure us that the judgement begins.
Yeah, im the same way. I never realise im shorter than almost anyone else until someone shorter shows up.
No, death knows no measure ... 🌹
Just another great lesson that I've grown to expect from The History Guy and his faithful companion The History Gal. Thanks for another interesting and funny episode that was forgotten in my history books.
Yes, I enjoyed this history guy short. I know theres a joke in here somewhere, but I'm afraid it would go over most heads.
Seriously, lol?
I think that Shane might be afraid that people would think little of him if he told such a story.
While I am 5'5" I have always been short and small but have always seen it as an advantage in what I have ever done.
With the Phone Company I always found it easier to work in a confined space man hole than most guys and being smaller helped me win many motorcycle races in the ten years I did that as well and even smaller cars are roomy !!!!
It ain't the size of th' dog...it's the size of the fight IN th' dog.
Gurkhas
@@stevenweaver3386 Favorite Gurkhas story is about the time in WWII, in India, when the British Army was looking for volunteers for an Airborne assault in Burma, described the drop zone and the full mission. where they would jump into. and what they could expect when they got there. The entire unit stepped forward to join in. The British commander was pleased and said parachute training would begin ASAP. The leader of the Gurkhas asked "What are parachutes?...
Coming originally from a County Durham coal mining village, thank you for this. In his book "Soldier From The Wars Returning", Charles Carrington MC describes a time when he was training recruits in Northumberland in 1918. He states that after six months of exercise, fresh air and army food the recruits had on average gained an extra stone (14 lbs for American viewers) in weight and an extra inch in height.
Mr. Stuart, If I could ask a favor of you. What does the MC stand for at the end of Charles Carrington's name mean? A distant cousin mayhaps I'am...
@@ZuluLifesaBeech- MC stands for Military Cross which is a gallantry award. He was awarded it as a company commander in 1917.
Thank you for providing the world with information that otherwise would be forgotten.
I really appreciate your ability and willingness to provide us with a channel that adds value to our lives.
Thank you!
I read about the bantams and their lack of height (being 5'4 1/2" myself) just a few months ago. So glad you did this one, really well too. Thanks! 😉
When I was a kid on the farm we called Bantam chickens "Banty" chickens. And the "Banties" - especially the roosters were quite boisterous.
Good morning!!
And thank you for the video....
I particularly enjoyed the poem at the end of the video. I brilliant example of the British wit.
😳 HG, another aspect of recruitment during the Great War was the establishment of Pals battalions. They were prominent in a number of towns and cities in the north of England, including Durham. What had been thought a good idea only resulted in whole communities losing hundreds of men in the same battle. In some streets every house had curtains drawn symbolising one or more deaths. Once again, HG, kind regards from your correspondent in 🏴
The reasoning behind the Pals battalions was similar to the Bantams.
Thanks again history guy. I consume these like potato chips. I've been real depressed. And haven't been making comments. I've been so depressed. In fact, I have to go back and watch episodes again. Because I have been having trouble. Paying attention the Navy Seals like some of the short ones they call them Munchkins. They can outperform the big guys. In a lot of tasks hard to believe but I was offered buds training. Like a dummy I turned it down. I went through what they call. Navy's best unit behavioral skills training I excelled even though I had been a discipline problem on my ship. That's why they sent me there. Appreciate all the knowledge and the escape from my own head Thank you for your service and your sacrifice, sir🇺🇸⚓🎗🥋🥊😁
Another scrappy little Brit who was allowed into the army but rejected for combat duty because of his size was shunted off to an intelligence unit in Cairo. There he wrangled permission to cross the Suez into the Arabian Peninsula to gather on-the-ground intelligence on the Turkish Empire and the Arab tribes who might be recruited to oppose the Turks. But instead of limiting his roll to gathering intelligence, he began organizing and leading the Arabs in a "revolt", with the British government supplying guns, ammo, explosives, and gold coins to pay the guerrillas. This little guy became one of the most celebrated leaders of WWI: Lawrence of Arabia. The epic 1962 film about him is one of the greatest movies ever made, well worth seeking out if you've never seen it. The film holds very close to the real story as told by T.E. Lawrence in his memoirs, _Seven Pillars of Wisdom_
Didn't he go through the desert to attack the Turks in rear in WW 1 and the Japanese would later do same to the British at Singapore by attacking from the rear through the dense jungle in WW 2. The defenders under estimated the enemy. History that SHOULD have been remembered.
I'm imagining a German soldier holding a midget at bay with one hand on the midget's forehead while the midget swings haymakers.
I worked with a retired USAF mechanic who was quite small. His size made him one of 5 USAF mechanics allowed to squeeze into a particular engine to clean/adjust a particular component in a few minutes -- a job that would have otherwise required a 6-hour long teardown and reassembly!
When loyalty and service for country comes in to play, nor height, nor race, nor religion, should be a reason to exclude those who could make a difference in the outcome of a war.
Fitting topic for a History Guy "short". Excellent as always!
What a "small, but perfectly-formed" video. Thanks.
Unfortunately a lot of men were under height due to malnourishment in childhood, that they still wanted to fight for the country that gave them so little and demanded so much is a puzzlement. Anyway I expect they were all nicknamed "Lofty" ... as tall ones were dubbed "Tiny"!
The U.S. actor Alan Ladd was undernourished and only grew to about 5.5 feet.
My nephew is short enough to have been a bantam, and is tough as nails. When he graduated from Paris Island, his D.I. proudly told the family (many of whom were Former Marines) that nobody could take David down in hand to hand training or pugil sticks. He said David was the best he had ever seen.
Found your channel a week ago and have already recommended it to several friends.
Proud citizen of Durham, United Kingdom here, an interesting video as always.
Funnily enough the local regiment was a light infantry regiment called the Durham Light Infantry or DLI for short. And were often referred to as the Dirty Little Imps by other regiments owing to their small stature as you mentioned in the video. This, combined with the fact that County Durham’s main industry was coal mining is seen as a badge of honour by the men of the DLI.
Also as a little tid bit, to say Durham like a local you would pronounce it Durum or to make it easier say it like the notes of the pink panther theme song.
Those guys would have made good "tunnel rats" in Vietnam. I worked with an ex "rat" in the early 80s who was 5' 4" -- full 4 inches shorter than me. I never would have screwed with this guy. He was just... fearless. We'd go to the local bar at night, a mile away, and he could drink 2X what I had and not only remain upright, but pick a fight, go outside, and come back in scuffed and say "now... where were we?" to the lady who's date he'd just taken out back. Absolutely crazy. And he would be there the next morning, 7:30 am sharp at starting time, back at the office, and ready to go. Me -- I felt like oats that had already been through the horse once. "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog" I think the quote goes.
Sorry to say that Canada has a minimum 5ft height requirement (or it did when I got out 20 years ago). I recall helping a female recruit who was 4' 11" in height, who had to fight to stay in when she was told she was to short to be in the Navy. She did win, and served with me again 2 years later on board a ship.
My Great uncle Stanley was from Hartlepool. He was 5'3.5 inches. He joined the bantam battalion of the Durham light infantry in 1916 and was killed in 1917 at the 2nd battle of Ypres.
Andrew Frederick Weatherby Beauchamp-Proctor was South Africa's highest scoring ace during World War I. An S.E.5a pilot, Beauchamp-Proctor was just five feet two inches tall. His height made it necessary to raise the seat and modify the controls of the aircraft he flew. Despite these difficulties and a crash on 11 March 1918, Beauchamp-Proctor claimed 54 victories that year and became the British Empire's highest scoring balloon-buster.
One of the more famous WW1 British Army Bantams was Billy (later Sir William) Butlin, who began his holiday camp empire between the wars. Many of these were used by the armed services for training and recreation in WW2.
I like how at the end of this episode, he said," If you enjoyed this history guy short..." nice pun my good man 😆👍
Thank you - My Great Grandfather was a Bantam.
A short guy was also a VC reciepient during WWII.
Havaldar Lacchiman Gurung, a Gurkha Soldier was one of them.
The recruitment officers initialy refused to recruit him because he was short.
At 4'11. Lachchiman Gurung was short even by Gurkha standards, and was not recruited to the 8th Gurkha Rifles until the very end of 1940. But his bravery was unquestionable. He fought despite losing his right hand, and was awarded the Victoria Cross for it.
After the War, his unit (The 8th Gurkha Rifles) chose to stay with the Indian Army and he stayed with it too.
He was quite a familiar sight among the British media in the 2000's. He was one of the first Gurkha servicemen who was allowed to settle in UK. Gurung died on 12th December 2010
Small Sgt Major in PI 1962 terrified recruits and DI’s
My senior drill instructor at the Island only came up to my chin. But he could do one-arm pullups while laughing in your face and could knock you through a wall if you opened your pie hole. When he was pissed off, which was often, the whites of his eyes would show like a rabid pit bull and he was lightning fast, crossing from the far side of the room to your face instantly. He was among a handful of the scariest people I ever knew, most of them Marines. God help the poor enemy soldier who found himself face to face with that guy.
Excellent! I read a book on the Bantam Battalions in college. One unit had a member who was over 6'8" and was considered the mascot of the unit because he was so tall and stood out. In one study conducted about casualties in Vietnam it was discovered that taller Soldiers were wounded more often than shorter Soldiers. So being shorter than average has its benefits.
I was in the US Army, and one of my favorite memories is of a buddy of mine who was 5'0" riding the floor buffer in the barracks while wearing a 10-gallon hat. He was a scrappy bastard, and the service would have been missing a key member without him.
What is a GI Party without Buffer jousting with mops, huh? Don't know if new recruits have to do floor waxing anymore.
Another great video. Please do one on the Salvation Army during the war.
A very excellent episode, I've never met a short man that wasn't a hellion in a fight.
I had to laugh when you said "If you've enjoyed this History Guy short..."
I am, myself, 5 feet, 4 inches tall, and till I hit my 30s only weighed in at 125 pounds (despite eating 10,000+ calories a day) and this, this was something that hits close to home. If I did not have the issues with my back and neck that I was born with, I would have loved to have been a Navy pilot. However, between my back and neck, and my height, I never got the chance.
My dad was a combat infantry man in the Pacific during WW2. He told me the little guys always seemed to be the ones who used the Browning Automatic Rifles. A big rifle for a small guy.
I do say, this is your most perfect video yet. Loved this one! Inspiring, warming, charming, and an anecdote about ww1 even a war nerd won't likely know. Thanks!
Love the tie. Another excellent bit of history. 👍
My Great uncle Jack was in a Sherwood Forester's Bantam Battalion, thanks for reminding me. Never heard of the Sheshire Regiment ;)
I never knew bout 'Bantam Regiments. I'd heard of 'Pals Regiments' - I think my own grandfather and his brother served in one - but Bantams are new to me. Thank you for that. Incidentally, you are usually spot on for pronouncing British names and places, but you struggled a bit with the Cheshire Regiment? It's not 'Sheshire', but the 'hard ch' as in charge or change. And Worcester is 'Wooster', Bicester is 'Bister' and Leicester is 'Lester', but I'm sure you've had those right before, in other history's. Thanks again for a brilliant history.
Loved the poem at the end
Just read your channel description im so gonna sub alright
Welcome to paradise. Because of Mr. and Mrs. History Guy, we're blessed with great content.
Yes, welcome to the channel!! This channel is one of the very few I HAVE to watch the new videos as soon as possible :)
Holy smokes, Batman!
Indeed welcome to the channel. You have subscribed to what we believe to be another SuPER-HERO!
A great story of the Great War. A great tie as well.
First, let me say how much I enjoy the History Guy......Never cared much for history as a youngster but as I've aged, I've learned to appreciate the subject and your channel just adds those interesting little tid bits that fill in many gaps in the stories.
As a proud Glaswegian though, I have to ask one little favour. Please, please...(yes, it's a small thing...but it makes my hackles rise!! Lol)...Glasgow is pronounced Glas-GO. The last syllable is pronounced like "flow" or "grow" and certainly not like "cow" or "now"....
Thank you for putting up with my wee rant......and I look forward to your next show....
I know of the Bantam Battalions and their reputation for being scrappy fighter. Even the Prussians, usually six foot and over, found them hard to deal with. I have read of one man, I think he was about five foot two, who at the slightest hint there were Germans about would rush off to the trenches hoping for a fight.
As for the firing step in the front line trench they got around that by raising it up before use. This did cause some problems for the next battalion to serve there if they were taller with it being to high for safety so the Bantams had to take it down again before they left the front line. One problem here is that they would serve just one day in ten in the front line, so the Bantams had to build it up and bring it down in the same day.
For those who are wondering what a battalion is it is the British Armies equivalent to a regiment. So at full strength a battalion was about 1000 men. A regiment would be made up of a number of battalions and was more for administration. One of the Pals Battalions which served in France in WW1 was the 10th Battalion, the East Yorkshire Regiment.
Lee-Enfield No1 MkIII and No4 Mk1 rifles had special Bantam buttstocks with a 12.5" length of pull for smaller soldiers. Company armorers could install them. Every once in a while, you'll see one on a complete rifle, they have a 'B' stamped into the wood.
Nice tie!
My late father, 5'5", went to the US Navy recruiting agency several times after Pearl Harbor. The officer in charge finally "gave" him the extra inch and inducted him. He served as a pharmacist's mate in all Navy battles in the Pacific Theater after Midway. Good things come in small packages!
A fine tale and a nice tie.
The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) who were recruited from particularly tough areas were nicknamed by the Germans, the Giftzwerge' or poison dwarfs which they may not have appreciated. Of course, once the Great War became stalemated behind barbed wire and trench systems, the business of tunnelling and mining, began in earnest. Recruiting miners became extremely important and their skills- not their stature were most crucial, so I imagine nobody cared how tall they were. These men were of vital importance to the various attacks that were begun with the explosion of mines- the attack on the Messines Ridge being the largest planned explosion in history until the trial of atomic weapons.
Another great story. And a hat tip for the Union Jack bowtie.
David Leaney 🇬🇧 The correct name for this emblem is the ‘Union Flag’ . It becomes the ‘Union Jack’ when flown on board a ship, where it is attached to the ‘Jackstaff’. The English flag is 🏴.The Northern Irish flag is 🏴 with a Red Hand. The Scottish flag is 🏴 and the Welsh flag is 🏴. The Union Flag is a combination of the English, N Irish and Scottish flags without the Welsh colour of green.
@@sirmeowthelibrarycat Thank you, that's very interesting. Do you know the history of the red hand on the N.I. flag?
Thanks for sharing this bit of history, awesome fellows to be sure.
When you look at an Enfield rifle, the butt stock is removable from the action so that a different length of pull can be obtained for the different stature of the shooter. There is actually at very short length of pull stock that is sometimes encountered that is marked with a "B" on the flat area, on the bottom of the stock, just behind where the trigger guard is. Those stocks are marking is knows as a Bantam.
Case in point:Despite his small size Audie Murphy proved to be a phenomenal soldier...The most decorated soldier of WW.II,the most decorated in America History....He Sir is History that needs to be remembered.....Thanks.....An nice Union Jack Tie on you...!.Un joli Union Jack cravate sur vous Merci...!
Very interesting how they were originally constituted and organized, quiet reminiscent of how local militias were historically so regulated.
Yes, similar thinking to the Pals battalions.
Thanks for sharing this story. I was no aware there were specific units of men 5'1" only. They were truly brave.
I am always amazed where you find all of these interesting bits...
Bloody brilliant episode
Great vid Sir. I’m a little guy myself. But all Marine!
A 1950's rock group, The Royal Teens, said it best in the lyrics of their hit song -- "We like short shorts."
In the Camerons we had a saying, "Never look down at a small man, he'll kill you." Our Regimental Sergeant Major when I joined was 5'2", and a few years later when he retired he was replaced by another 5'2" scary fucker. It was always entertaining to watch a new recruit who thought it was funny to see a little guy among six footers. Fortunately, I was too green to gawk when I showed up.
Hey History Guy, the Union Jack bow tie looks good!
I was wearing matching cuff inks, but they didn't show
Your channel is on my short-list of favorites, I've been binge watching.
A suggestion for a segment. Please look into the history of Aroostock County, Maine. They are one of the biggest counties in the US. I'm pretty sure they grow more potatoes there than anyplace but Idaho. There might still be an Arrostock County railroad. I think the place sounds rife with possibilities.
height was exceptionally important in XIX century warfare, as regiments had to maintain formation during FIRING!
and also generally, you can not maintain formation of people with varying leg sizes.
Even today, overly short or tall is a issue. Things like tanks and planes are designed for normal height ranges.
News to me. Thanks history guy.
Once more you reach great heights with your excellent video.
My father had a friend who was a jockey (in the 1930s) who had been turned down because he was under 5' tall. But then they were forming a corps for observation balloons, and needed people who were small and light weight. He was called in and ended up getting shot down repeatedly when the Germans would target the observation balloons. I was fascinated by the story.
Great tie, for a Great History lesson!
Cool analogy size matters not
great video. and fyi, your m1917 helmet with the red stripe. the red stripe indicates its from a lot where the qc checks failed and was determined to not combat suitable and used only for training.
That's a splendid bow tie. :)
HG, your lecture was, as always, entering and filled with wonderful bits of history. Your tie is perfect especially with the flat white tux shirt and flat black coat. Being a female who appreciates as well kept man, I do appreciate your look.
During my service (31 years in the British Army) individuals might be identified as having LMS or Little Man’s Syndrome. They were short men who had a strong determination and drive to succeed in all they did. When in command they would push their units hard, expecting the best and brooking no compromises. They can even be a handful on the rugby pitch particularly at scrum half. I could name quite a number who did well, gaining the recognition of promotion accordingly. I suppose they are exactly opposite to the gentle giant we have all encountered.