I'm a 67 year old American however my Dad was born and raised in the Scottish Highlands. My family there had a couple generations in the Scots Guards and other Highland Regiments. Dad had me memorize the poem Charge of the Light Brigade while I was in 3rd grade. I grew up hearing him describe details of famous Scottish battles through the ages. I should note he was a public speaker in demand here in the U.S. He could make action come alive. When kids my age were listening to Three Dog Night (that's rock and roll) I was listening to bagpipes and Scot military bands. Then I went to the U.S. Marines. Just seemed like the right thing to do. Thanks for your channel and your efforts.
@@neilmorrison7356 I believe that Dad and My Uncle mentioned that. My Uncle lives in North East Scotland and at 91 can still ride a bicycle. He tells me that not too many years ago that the Scots Guards at the time was nearly all made up of British men. The Irony of history.
I discovered your videos just as I discovered an interest in British military history. As a career officer in the US Army who has worked with British troops, I had always been struck by how similar the two nations' soldiers are in mentality, humor, grit, etc., when deployed. When our troops would intermingle with the Brits, it could be hard to remember they were from two separate countries as they would instantly bond as though they had known each other for years. Watching your videos, I can see that that resoluteness, courage, patriotism and dark dry humor 1) isn't limited to Americans and 2) has a long history in the British forces. Keep up the good work, your history lessons are entertaining as well as informative.
I hate to use this term, but it seems to me that The First Empire (cringe) nations. (UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) with our shared love for freedom, our common language and history have forged the greatest alliance that has ever existed. Thank God, because if democracy is to survive the coming century, then it's down to us and India to lead its defence. Not for ourselves, but for the future well being of everyone on this planet.
Dear Chris Green, sadly, I have only discovered your marvellous histories recently. Although I’m 67 years old and fairly well educated, to my shame , (and the education system) I possessed the flimsiest knowledge of our military actions of 19 th century. Your knowledge, pride and enthusiasm has helped to fill these huge gaps in my understanding . Please accept my grateful thanks. Marvellous!! Derek.
Thank you Sir for retelling of the Thin Red Line and the Battle of Balaclava. A tough British army, skillful middle and junior officer corp, and blundering senior commanders. Yet at the end of the day victories. Thank you Sir for producing another gem. Bravo!
Excellent presentation Chris! I grew up close to Crimea Street in Belfast and the city has many streets named after Crimean War battles. The soldiers of that era were tough men and they certainly did not shrink from doing their duty.
No history of the Crimean conflict would be complete without the revolutionary work in hospital management of Florence Nightingale. Statistics, structure, order, purpose and a duty to help the suffering in the face of an antiquated system. Please do a video of FN. There are many, but each generation needs to hear it afresh.
@@chrismac2234 And resisted all attempts to move the field hospital she worked at away from the fever swamp it was sited on. Fortunately her mother and sister worked tirelessly to gain publicity for the lady with a lamp
Just found this channel by looking into 'The Thin Red Line.' These videos should be preserved forever. Really looking forward to viewing these videos, especially Rorkes Drift. About 10 years ago I was fascinated when I heard about some veterans from Pontypool who had searched for the resting place of a survivor of Rorkes Drift. They found him and cleared the overgrown cemetery. I believe they hold an annual service for him.
Well done Chris! You have a marvelous gift for being able to paint compelling insights into history that stimulates the theatre of the mind. Please keep 'em coming.
My great great grandfather was a member of the 93rd Southerland Highlanders and was in the Battle of Balaclava. We've have a copy of The Thin Red Line painting in our living room for the past 50 years to remember him.
Loved it !!! I don't know if you know but heaps of streets in St Kilda, Melbourne, Australia, are named after this campaign. Even a railway station (Balaclava).
Thank you for making such an informative and fascinating video. I still remember reading about this in the Iggulden Brothers’ Dangerous Book for Boys and being absolutely fascinated by the image of the stalwart Highlanders standing their ground and by the Light Brigade’s daring charge.
Brilliant, loved every minute. I had to roll a few jobs over before I could sit with my coffee and absorb the full presentation. I was actually very lucky to be at the National Army Museum in Chelsea many years ago where there was a presentation done on the table top, with figurines etc. That was excellent and so was yours, Five Stars from me⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, cheers
With regards to the charge of the Heavy Brigade, it was the formation of the two lines of cavalry that saved the Heavy Brigade. It was the second line hitting the flanks of the encircling Russian cavalry (and the fact the the Russians were halted when the British charged) that compelled the Russians to retreat. Thank god the right commanders, Sir Colin Campbell and Sir James Scarlett, were on the spot and made the bold decisions that saved the day.
Hey Chris, thank you for these History lessons and "Tid Bits". I have always wondered about that phrase "This Red Line" and where it came from - And NOW I know. Thanks for ALL you do.
If the Ukrainians have their way, there will be a second Battle of Balaklava and Inkerman. With the equipment that the UK and US and others have going to Ukraine, count on it.
Fascinating story, superbly told. I am working my way through all your videos and am thoroughly enjoying them all. It’s great to see your channel growing constantly
Hello Chris, I have followed your videos since day one, trouble is it's like reading a book you can't put down but hat's OK. Keep going mate, love the videos. Hello from Australia.
Very well done, brilliantly told and excellent illustrations, what a shame that human beings cannot live in harmony with each other instead of the awful waste of good lives. Thank you for this.
Thank you for posting these videos of British military history. I have always been interested in British military history, as well as American military history.
An excellent video, covering more aspects of the day than we are usually shown, in a "joined-up" way. There are indeed more stories to be told about the Crimea and those who were involved there. There are two others (apart from Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole). One was Saunier, the French chef at the Reform Club in London who created a field oven for the troops which survived until 1982, certainly. His dietary advice improved the health of the troops. The other was a British civil servant whose name escapes me but who did a great deal to reform the administration of the Army - of which it was in woeful need!
Mary Seacole is one of the biggest leftist myths of the modern era. She may have handed out a few herbal medicines but she was NOT a nurse. She was a businesswoman who set up a restaurant, and it wasn’t for the ordinary soldier but officers who could pay their way.
Alexander Roberts Dunn, of York, Upper Canada (now Toronto), 1833, was there. He was the first Canadian to earn the Victoria Cross. He was also the first Canadian to command a regular British Army unit. Another excellent and exciting story, Chis!
Inkerman - "the soldiers' battle" definitely deserves an episode to itself. It is worth noting that, while none of the three senior cavalry officers at Balaclava (Lucan, Cardigan and Scarlett) had any battlefield experience, Scarlett was the one who acknowledged his shortcomings and sought to remedy by surrounding himself with highly experienced staff officers, like Eliot, who had experience in the only consistent theatre of war for the British Army since Waterloo - India. This is something that Cardigan, with his well-known dislike of "indian officers" would never have done.
Thanks Chris, This was a great one . I always wondered about the line from the thin red line to the charge ...I always thought of that line as between civilization and chaos ...the West fights the Russians again in the same region My English/Scottish ancestors fought in a Highland regiment from the 1720's to the 1830's.,.we weren't in the Crimea but God Bless those who throughout time stood on that 'Thin Red Line '
I dislike v.much the " heroic imperial depictions of nonsensical campaigns ". The "Thin Red Line " hardly saw the cavalry since they their weaponry was so superior that the Russians never got near ! Bullshit er u are!
@@TheHistoryChap Cardigan was really an unpleasant person, he was a negative example of the absurd pratice of buying an officers ' commission, such a man should'vent never been allowed being in the army.
The background in all of the sayings our parents and grandparents said when I was younger. I’m not British , I’m American but I appreciate these valiant soldiers and their battle history.
Great video, been trying watch more videos about crimea, in all honesty a conflict I don't know anywhere near as much about as others, a very significant area then and now 👍
I'm learning a lot today. I vaguely knew about The Thin Red Line but I never realised that it was at The Battle of Balaclava. You've also cleared up a misunderstanding I had about The Charge of the Light Brigade. I thought they were meant to attack an active Russian battery from the flank and erroneously charged the wrong guns. I never realised that it was meant to be a recovery of British guns. The details you go into and your enthusiasm for your subject are just infectious.
Very interesting video! Its rare nowadays to have the youtubers actively engaging with commentors. It seems sometimes the algorithm does know what to recommend
An excellent presentation. Thankyou. The Ukrainians are presently forming their own "thin red line" against the same Russians. Quite similar in some ways although the tactics are different and luckily no horses involved.
For a somewhat alternative view of the Charge of The Light Brigade, may I recommend Hell Riders, by Terry Brighton. An excellent, thoroughly well researched volume which debunks many of the long-standing myths of the Charge.
'Flashman at the Charge' is also a great yet humorous fictional account of the Thin Red Line, Charge of the Heavy Brigade and Chage of the Light Brigade.
“The British soldiers suffered from poor leadership and outdated thinking” could be applied to almost all British military endeavours, yet despite that, the British soldier fights on.
@@therighthonsirdoug I might have been overly critical in my original comment and there are, of course, some examples of exceptional leadership in the British military. However, I would credit the success of the British army more to the common soldier and his bravery and sense of honour. Furthermore, when you do have the common soldier lead by uncommon leadership, the outcome is the stuff of legend. The leadership of Campbell and the Highlanders is a perfect example. Especially when you compare him to Raglan and the Light horsemen. The soldiers were beyond brave yet were lead to disaster by poor leadership.
I am enjoying your videos. My 4th G-Uncle fought with the 43rd Regiment of foot (Monmouthshire) at Toulouse, Neville, and New Orleans, and his nephew, my 3rd G-Grandfather, also joined the same regiment during peacetime, and ended up in Ireland during the Potato Famine at Cashel and Dublin from 1845-51. I would like to see videos talking about the British army in Ireland during that time if at all possible
I do want to cover Ireland at some stage but I really do want to research it so I try to produce a balanced perspective. Please sign up for my newsletter at my website so you don't miss Ireland when I get to it. www.thehistorychap.com
Your videos are very insightful and informative, and I really enjoy watching them and learning about these battles. It does strike me how some battles, in which soldiers lost their lives, are simply disappearing into oblivion and I hope channels such as yours can help maintain our awareness. Not for this battle of course but for others. My only suggestion would be better graphics, but not wishing to push you down a big CGI direction.
Having seen many of your presentations I must say that you are A. Extremely well balanced in your opinions, B.Very entertaining as a presenter . Shabash Hazoor
That was outstanding, a very enjoyable video. It is worth mentioning though that the double line formation had been in use by the British since the Napoleonic wars and brilliantly put to use by Wellington. I believe that the journalist at Balaclava immortalized the term, but the formation was well known and used extensively by the British before then.
Fascinating. Thank you so much. I was a child in the 60s and I disliked History, finding it boring. (I'm embarrassed to admit that!) If only your videos were available back then, History would have been interesting and easy to absorb. Please, keep 'em coming. It might be a tad late but I'm learning now! As I am sure are many of your subscribers.
IT seems the 93rd's success was due to the Minie rifle musket and Campbell's knowing what it could. With at least double the effective range and similar rate of fire as Brown Bess, Campbell could easily throw away the rule book. So, it seems that Campbell deserves respect for knowing how to use a new weapon and thereby rewrite the rule book.
@@TheHistoryChap And that is why there were almost no cavalry charges during the American Civil War, it was suicide against the percussion rifle-musket with Minie ball.
@@TheHistoryChap There is a RUclips that claims that the Minie bullet with the 1853 Enfield changed warfare forever - it was the 93rd at the Battle of Balaclava that made cavlary charges obsolete. With the ability of the Minie bullet to go down the barrel fast but come out tight on the rifling, the 1853 Enfield was able to give accurate long range volley fire at the same speed as smoothbores at the big mob of cavalry starting over 300 yards - versus the smoothbore muskets of Napoleon at 100 yards. Thus by the time of the final volley at 200 yards all the Russian cavalrymen were killed or wounded. Thus the rear sights on the 1853 Enfield can go out to 800 meters - because the British trained to do long range volley fire.
@@steveh4968 Thus infantry in the American Civil War were not afraid of cavalry and only formed square once, and that was considered a mistake. Cavalry charges were regularly broken up by the time they could actually reach the infantry because the cavalry would start taking hits 100s of yards away. Of course, Americans were not into long range volley fire. So while the British Enfield had long range rear sights, the 1863 Springfield rifle only had a close range combat sight and a second notch for around 100 yards because the average engagement distance was about 125 yards - about the maximum range for using iron sights and still see a target. But the point is that it was the Minie bullet introduced at the Crimean War that made linear Napoleonic tactics obsolete and shifted the advantage to the defense. Attacking troops would have to face accurate fire at much further distances than before. By the way, the Russians tended to still be armed with typical short-range smoothbores.
Fantastic presentation. Having served in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, this battle played a very important part of our Regimental history and every member of the Regiment was expected to have a basic knowledge of the battle. We would also celebrate the anniversary every 25th of October by waking the Jocks and serving them a tot of gunfire (tea laced with rum)! The one thing that I would say needs a little clarification was the reason for Sir Colin Campbell's 'risk' in not forming squares and that was in part down to the excellent discipline and training of the 93rd but also to the confidence in their new weapon. Almost like the NLAW or Javelin of its day, the new Pattern 1853 Enfield rifle, which itself was a rapid replacement of an inferior French Pattern 1851 minié rifle, gave them a significant improvement in capability to take on charging Calvary. As eluded to in the video it was far more accurate, had a better range and rate of fire and helped make the difference and allow the 93rd to successfully repel the Russian charge. Many of the men fighting that day went on to fight and some to die in another of the Regiment's famous battle honours in the response to the Indian mutiny of 1857. Of note, there were 6 VCs awarded in a single action in the early hours of the 16th Nov at Lucknow, these later became known as the '6 before breakfast'.
@Stanly Stud You clearly haven't a clue what you're on about. Teeth arms attract the best men. Childish taunts from an old man like you are really quite sad. Many a proud man from Stirling has died on the various different Battlefields across the world since 1881. If you want to besmirch their memory that's your issue. I'm proud to say that some were my brothers in arms and others my forebears.
@Stanly Stud my selection process was the RCB and Sandhurst. The best went to the infantry. You really are a sad old man. I bet you don't have any proper friends. In my experience, most attached arms were intelligent, good guys who got on well in the shared Messes. Judging by your comments, I doubt you even made the Corporals mess. With your wouldn't have lasted long.
Please do a vid on the Battle of the Chernaia ( Tchernaia, Cernaia) where British, French Infantry and Piedmontese ( Sardinia) Bersaglieri did the crossing under Russian Fire. One of the few ( only) battle honours on Three Nations Regimental Flags. The French General Presented the Bersaglieri with the Soft Red Fez with Blue Tassel used by the Frence Zouaves d'Afrique ( Algeria) still worn today, as an "Undress" head covering by the Bersaglieri ( my Father had one, 44-45). Doc AV
Very interesting in detail and in sweep. I didn't know that Wellington never lost a cannon for example. Nolan was one of the 1st to die I think and it is written that he would have been tried for insubordination had he lived. The war gave rise to much death from disease and fighting but on a positive note it also gave us one of the greatest poems ever written in English, via the pen of A.L.T. Thank you.
@@nicksykes4575 Thank you for drawing my attention to the "Charge of the Heavy Brigade" poem. Equally as magnificent as the "Light" poem if not more so. I have yet to find the total work via the Internet. I intend seeking to buy a book of Tennyson's work that includes this poem. It's powered by the boundless surging of the horses and the bravery of the men, as in: "Glory to each and to all and the charge that they made! Glory to all three hundred and all the Brigade." Overall, probably the best of all the poets in this genre. Go raibh maith agat/Thank you.
Many thanks. Next up the Battle of Spion Kop during the Boer War. Within a few miles we find Churchill, Gandhi, the first Sotuh African PM (Botha) and the Commissioner of the Met. Police during the Jack The Ripper murders!
I had a little punk rocker I worked with in Victoria BC. Not knowing he was in fact a 17 Lancer at one time. I referred to his Death or Glory motto as a two-bit trinket out of some punker boutique. I got a quick lesson about as he put, "That is my fucking motto!".
Excellent informative video, setting out bravery, incompetence and missed opportunities. It's a wonder how Britain obtained and held an Empire inspite many unsuitable and incompetent individuals.
Well done Mr History chap. I have come across your channel by accident I am so glad that I did . Sir you have the nack of talking to people as if they are the only ones that matter in the hole wide world. I love English / British history the way you describe the battlefield I only have to close my eyes and I am in the thick of it . I am so tired of Wikipedia these days and untrue s they sow.
John, thank you so much for your kind words of support. I am currently working on a video about the Battle of Inkerman - "The Soldiers' Battle". Should be out on Wednesday evening
Another superb video. Have you thought of presenting a video on location? With some great history on our doorstep it would be amazing to the area in context!!! Just a thought!
That's a great idea. I have done a short talk at the battlefield at Towton (Wars of the Roses) but I agree that we have so much on our doorstep it would be a shame to ignore it.
Enjoying these 19th Century histories. Not an area I know well. I appreciate both the historic photos and your plentiful use of maps. I can highly recommend Tolstoy’s short stories about the Russian side of this conflict - The Sevastopol Sketches - very readable, and unlike the works he’s best known for, these three tales are quite short. You can find it in Penguin, or indeed probably also just circulating on the net as a PDF. In fact I think I’ll dig out my old copy and read it again.
I'm a 67 year old American however my Dad was born and raised in the Scottish Highlands. My family there had a couple generations in the Scots Guards and other Highland Regiments. Dad had me memorize the poem Charge of the Light Brigade while I was in 3rd grade. I grew up hearing him describe details of famous Scottish battles through the ages. I should note he was a public speaker in demand here in the U.S. He could make action come alive. When kids my age were listening to Three Dog Night (that's rock and roll) I was listening to bagpipes and Scot military bands. Then I went to the U.S. Marines. Just seemed like the right thing to do. Thanks for your channel and your efforts.
Rob, thank you for your kind words and for sharing your family story. Your dad sounds quite a guy.
Rob as a former Higland soldier the Scots Guards, though a fine regiment, are not a Highland Regiment.
@@neilmorrison7356 I believe that Dad and My Uncle mentioned that. My Uncle lives in North East Scotland and at 91 can still ride a bicycle. He tells me that not too many years ago that the Scots Guards at the time was nearly all made up of British men. The Irony of history.
@@robdavidson4945 there used to be a lot of guardsmen from Yorkshire for some reason.
@@neilmorrison7356 how long did you serve?
I discovered your videos just as I discovered an interest in British military history. As a career officer in the US Army who has worked with British troops, I had always been struck by how similar the two nations' soldiers are in mentality, humor, grit, etc., when deployed. When our troops would intermingle with the Brits, it could be hard to remember they were from two separate countries as they would instantly bond as though they had known each other for years. Watching your videos, I can see that that resoluteness, courage, patriotism and dark dry humor 1) isn't limited to Americans and 2) has a long history in the British forces. Keep up the good work, your history lessons are entertaining as well as informative.
Many thanks for watching and your your comments.
Best wishes from this side of the pond.
Glad to have the US as allies, there's alot of ongoing politics over there.at the moment but, without doubt, we would be at your sides.
Americans are culturally English
Humour 😉
I hate to use this term, but it seems to me that The First Empire (cringe) nations.
(UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) with our shared love for freedom, our common language and history have forged the greatest alliance that has ever existed. Thank God, because if democracy is to survive the coming century, then it's down to us and India to lead its defence. Not for ourselves, but for the future well being of everyone on this planet.
Dear Chris Green, sadly, I have only discovered your marvellous histories recently. Although I’m 67 years old and fairly well educated, to my shame , (and the education system) I possessed the flimsiest knowledge of our military actions of 19 th century. Your knowledge, pride and enthusiasm has helped to fill these huge gaps in my understanding . Please accept my grateful thanks. Marvellous!! Derek.
Derek, thanks for your kind words. I am glad that you are enjoying.
Thank you Sir for retelling of the Thin Red Line and the Battle of Balaclava. A tough British army, skillful middle and junior officer corp, and blundering senior commanders. Yet at the end of the day victories. Thank you Sir for producing another gem. Bravo!
My pleasure. Glad you liked it.
Excellent presentation Chris! I grew up close to Crimea Street in Belfast and the city has many streets named after Crimean War battles. The soldiers of that era were tough men and they certainly did not shrink from doing their duty.
Nice words.
@@TheHistoryChap Lions lead by donkeys.
you could say that twice Rob
@@francisebbecke2727 In that case, you are right. Subsequent use of that statement is incorrect.
What duty? What British had to do in Crimea?
No history of the Crimean conflict would be complete without the revolutionary work in hospital management of Florence Nightingale. Statistics, structure, order, purpose and a duty to help the suffering in the face of an antiquated system. Please do a video of FN. There are many, but each generation needs to hear it afresh.
FN is on my list...and I will include some of the others who went there (& I don't just mean Mary Seacole!)
Florence didn't change hospitals she wrote a book complaining about hospitals. Not really the same thing. Other than that your right.
@@chrismac2234 And resisted all attempts to move the field hospital she worked at away from the fever swamp it was sited on. Fortunately her mother and sister worked tirelessly to gain publicity for the lady with a lamp
FN was a well-meaning failure.
Aye the true mother of nursing.
Just found this channel by looking into 'The Thin Red Line.' These videos should be preserved forever. Really looking forward to viewing these videos, especially Rorkes Drift. About 10 years ago I was fascinated when I heard about some veterans from Pontypool who had searched for the resting place of a survivor of Rorkes Drift. They found him and cleared the overgrown cemetery. I believe they hold an annual service for him.
What a lovely gesture by those veterans. It’s good to hear positive stories in this world.
So glad you’re making these no nonsense primary/contemporary sourced military history programs. Thank you.
My pleasure, Sean.
ruclips.net/user/TheHistoryChap
sir, you are beyond a doubt one of the best story tellers i have ever heard. please keep up your good work. thank you very much.
Gerard, thank you for those kind words.
You have done more than get Cardigan and a Raglan sewn together.
They searched in the wrong place for Lucan.
Well done Chris! You have a marvelous gift for being able to paint compelling insights into history that stimulates the theatre of the mind. Please keep 'em coming.
Richard, thank you for your kind comments.
My great great grandfather was a member of the 93rd Southerland Highlanders and was in the Battle of Balaclava. We've have a copy of The Thin Red Line painting in our living room for the past 50 years to remember him.
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your family story
Well done. As an American I enjoy Military History of all nations very much.
Your commentary was very good and I look forward to watching more.
John, thank you for your kind words. Please do subscribe to my channel so you don't miss my next videos.
Loved it !!! I don't know if you know but heaps of streets in St Kilda, Melbourne, Australia, are named after this campaign. Even a railway station (Balaclava).
Thanks for sharing.
You are the very best historian of the 21st century. I thank you so very much. Take care.
Thant's very kind of you. Thank you. ruclips.net/user/TheHistoryChap
Absolutely fantastic! Thank you!
You're very welcome!
Please post longer videos, chilling out in the garden under the sun. Listening to your videos. Heaven
Maybe I need to do podcasts as well.
Thank you for making such an informative and fascinating video. I still remember reading about this in the Iggulden Brothers’ Dangerous Book for Boys and being absolutely fascinated by the image of the stalwart Highlanders standing their ground and by the Light Brigade’s daring charge.
I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for watching.
Love that book it's a brilliant book
I'm sure any story that you share on RUclips will be fascinating. I love your channel.
Thanks for your comment.
Brilliant, loved every minute. I had to roll a few jobs over before I could sit with my coffee and absorb the full presentation. I was actually very lucky to be at the National Army Museum in Chelsea many years ago where there was a presentation done on the table top, with figurines etc. That was excellent and so was yours, Five Stars from me⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, cheers
Thank you for your kind comment. ruclips.net/user/TheHistoryChap
With regards to the charge of the Heavy Brigade, it was the formation of the two lines of cavalry that saved the Heavy Brigade. It was the second line hitting the flanks of the encircling Russian cavalry (and the fact the the Russians were halted when the British charged) that compelled the Russians to retreat. Thank god the right commanders, Sir Colin Campbell and Sir James Scarlett, were on the spot and made the bold decisions that saved the day.
Howard, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Hey Chris, thank you for these History lessons and "Tid Bits". I have always wondered about that phrase "This Red Line" and where it came from - And NOW I know. Thanks for ALL you do.
My pleasure. Glad you enjoyed.
If the Ukrainians have their way, there will be a second Battle of Balaklava and Inkerman. With the equipment that the UK and US and others have going to Ukraine, count on it.
Fascinating story, superbly told. I am working my way through all your videos and am thoroughly enjoying them all. It’s great to see your channel growing constantly
Thank you for your support and kind words.
Hello Chris, I have followed your videos since day one, trouble is it's like reading a book you can't put down but hat's OK. Keep going mate, love the videos. Hello from Australia.
Glad you are enjoying over there in Australia. Thanks for your support.
Totally inspiring rendition of a remarkable historical event,thankyou
My pleasure. If you like my work, then please sign up for my free weekly History newsletter at www.thehistorychap.com
Very well done, brilliantly told and excellent illustrations, what a shame that human beings cannot live in harmony with each other instead of the awful waste of good lives. Thank you for this.
My pleasure.
Thanks once more for presenting a complex passage of military history in a thoroughly entertaining and lucid manner.
My pleasure, Charles.
I'm glad that you enjoyed it.
Thank you for posting these videos of British military history. I have always been interested in British military history, as well as American military history.
Glad you are enjoying
An excellent video, covering more aspects of the day than we are usually shown, in a "joined-up" way. There are indeed more stories to be told about the Crimea and those who were involved there.
There are two others (apart from Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole). One was Saunier, the French chef at the Reform Club in London who created a field oven for the troops which survived until 1982, certainly. His dietary advice improved the health of the troops. The other was a British civil servant whose name escapes me but who did a great deal to reform the administration of the Army - of which it was in woeful need!
Peter, thanks for your support and your ideas for more talks.
There was also a nurse from north Wales (name escapes me) who crossed swords with FN.
Mary Seacole is one of the biggest leftist myths of the modern era. She may have handed out a few herbal medicines but she was NOT a nurse. She was a businesswoman who set up a restaurant, and it wasn’t for the ordinary soldier but officers who could pay their way.
Alexander Roberts Dunn, of York, Upper Canada (now Toronto), 1833, was there. He was the first Canadian to earn the Victoria Cross. He was also the first Canadian to command a regular British Army unit. Another excellent and exciting story, Chis!
Thanks for watching my video, glad hyoid enjoyed it and thanks for the feedback.
Thank you. It’s interesting how the concept of a siege has evolved. Great video.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for watching.
Inkerman - "the soldiers' battle" definitely deserves an episode to itself. It is worth noting that, while none of the three senior cavalry officers at Balaclava (Lucan, Cardigan and Scarlett) had any battlefield experience, Scarlett was the one who acknowledged his shortcomings and sought to remedy by surrounding himself with highly experienced staff officers, like Eliot, who had experience in the only consistent theatre of war for the British Army since Waterloo - India. This is something that Cardigan, with his well-known dislike of "indian officers" would never have done.
Thanks Chris,
This was a great one . I always wondered about the line from the thin red line to the charge ...I always thought of that line as between civilization and chaos ...the West fights the Russians again in the same region
My English/Scottish ancestors fought in a Highland regiment from the 1720's to the 1830's.,.we weren't in the Crimea but God Bless those who throughout time stood on that 'Thin Red Line '
Nice words, Don.
Chris, you are absolutely right that Scarlett listened to his Indian Officers whereas Cardigan had little regard for them.
I dislike v.much the " heroic imperial depictions of nonsensical campaigns ". The "Thin Red Line " hardly saw the cavalry since they their weaponry was so superior that the Russians never got near ! Bullshit er u are!
@@TheHistoryChap Cardigan was really an unpleasant person, he was a negative example of the absurd pratice of buying an officers ' commission, such a man should'vent never been allowed being in the army.
The background in all of the sayings our parents and grandparents said when I was younger. I’m not British , I’m American but I appreciate these valiant soldiers and their battle history.
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Brilliant bloody brilliant. Thank you!
My pleasure. Thanks for watching.
I usually save this word for the USMC but the 93rd, outstanding !
Robert, many thanks for your endorsement.
Please do subscribe to my channel for my next video.
The men on all sides were so brave it must frightening
Total respect
Thank you for another great video
My pleasure glad you enjoyed it.
thanks mate, for another excellent presentation
Mickey, thanks for watching.
I'm glad that you enjoyed it.
ruclips.net/user/TheHistoryChap
Another marvellous video.
It's a bit like going back to school watching your presentations,certainly educational, for which I'm very grateful.
My pleasure. Thanks for watching.
Great video, been trying watch more videos about crimea, in all honesty a conflict I don't know anywhere near as much about as others, a very significant area then and now 👍
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching my video.
I'm learning a lot today. I vaguely knew about The Thin Red Line but I never realised that it was at The Battle of Balaclava.
You've also cleared up a misunderstanding I had about The Charge of the Light Brigade. I thought they were meant to attack an active Russian battery from the flank and erroneously charged the wrong guns. I never realised that it was meant to be a recovery of British guns.
The details you go into and your enthusiasm for your subject are just infectious.
Perry, glad you enjoyed this video.
Thanks for your support.
@@TheHistoryChap Thanks for all your hard work. 👍
This is such a brilliant description detailing the battle. A fantastic video 👏🏻
Thank you for watching.
Fascinating to learn the lead-up to the (in)famous charge. Thanks!
It's a pleasure, Dennis.
I love tyring to understand the back stories to events.
Hooray! 😊
Yep, more, please, Chris.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Very interesting video! Its rare nowadays to have the youtubers actively engaging with commentors. It seems sometimes the algorithm does know what to recommend
If people have taken the time to comment, the least I can do is respond.
Thanks for your support.
ruclips.net/user/TheHistoryChap
That was an interesting story and doing the link to The Charge of the Light Brigade was welcome.
I'm glad you liked it, Simon.
Thanks for watching.
EXCELLENT! THANK YOU YOUNG MAN!
My pleasure, especially as you call me "young man". I doubt my kids would!!!
Great video today thanks for what you do and keep them coming if you don't mind
Cameron, it is my absolute pleasure, especially when I know that many people (including yourself) are enjoying them so much.
@@TheHistoryChap thank you 😊
History man , marvellous , love your work
Thanks for watching my video, glad you enjoyed it.
Really interesting, thanks very much for making this excellent post.
My pleasure.
ruclips.net/user/TheHistoryChap
An excellent presentation. Thankyou. The Ukrainians are presently forming their own "thin red line" against the same Russians. Quite similar in some ways although the tactics are different and luckily no horses involved.
Greg, I'm glad you enjoyed and thanks for sharing your modern-day perspective.
Thanks for that. You always bring a sense of excitement to the (sometimes) dry information of historical battles.
Glad you like my stories.
Thanks for watching and commenting too.
Awesome as always. Please do cover more on the Crimean campaign
Working on the Battle of Inkerman at the moment.
@@TheHistoryChap you bloody ripper! Are you able to recommend a good text (ie scholarly work) on the origins & causes of the Crimean war?
For a somewhat alternative view of the Charge of The Light Brigade, may I recommend Hell Riders, by Terry Brighton. An excellent, thoroughly well researched volume which debunks many of the long-standing myths of the Charge.
Thank you for sharing.
'Flashman at the Charge' is also a great yet humorous fictional account of the Thin Red Line, Charge of the Heavy Brigade and Chage of the Light Brigade.
Fantastic book
Thanks for that it was a great video and a great history lesson yet again and it would be brilliant if you could do some more on the Crimean War.
I think the battles of Alma and Inkerman are worth telling along with the medical conditions.
No CGI just great story telling and images. Truly Ripping Yarns!
Many thanks.
“The British soldiers suffered from poor leadership and outdated thinking” could be applied to almost all British military endeavours, yet despite that, the British soldier fights on.
And, in fairness, we are all wise generals after the events too.
So true
I wouldn't necessarily agree with that. Were that the case why did we win so many famous victories?
@@therighthonsirdoug
I might have been overly critical in my original comment and there are, of course, some examples of exceptional leadership in the British military.
However, I would credit the success of the British army more to the common soldier and his bravery and sense of honour.
Furthermore, when you do have the common soldier lead by uncommon leadership, the outcome is the stuff of legend.
The leadership of Campbell and the Highlanders is a perfect example.
Especially when you compare him to Raglan and the Light horsemen.
The soldiers were beyond brave yet were lead to disaster by poor leadership.
@@therighthonsirdoug Try looking at the globe:-)
Excellent thanks please more stories from the Crimean war thanks
Many thanks, Mick.
More to come!
Absolutely brilliant video. Thank you!
Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it.
Very well-researched, this deserves more views.
Thank you very much. Appreciate your support.
I never knew the origin of 'the thin red line' until now. Thanks! I'd always assumed it was much earlier than this.
Hope you found it interesting.
I am enjoying your videos. My 4th G-Uncle fought with the 43rd Regiment of foot (Monmouthshire) at Toulouse, Neville, and New Orleans, and his nephew, my 3rd G-Grandfather, also joined the same regiment during peacetime, and ended up in Ireland during the Potato Famine at Cashel and Dublin from 1845-51. I would like to see videos talking about the British army in Ireland during that time if at all possible
I do want to cover Ireland at some stage but I really do want to research it so I try to produce a balanced perspective. Please sign up for my newsletter at my website so you don't miss Ireland when I get to it.
www.thehistorychap.com
I’m really enjoying your videos and, learning some history I didn’t know! Thanks!
Glad you are enjoying.
Your videos are very insightful and informative, and I really enjoy watching them and learning about these battles. It does strike me how some battles, in which soldiers lost their lives, are simply disappearing into oblivion and I hope channels such as yours can help maintain our awareness. Not for this battle of course but for others. My only suggestion would be better graphics, but not wishing to push you down a big CGI direction.
Glad you are enjoying my videos. Thanks for the suggestion too.
Having seen many of your presentations I must say that you are A. Extremely well balanced in your opinions, B.Very entertaining as a presenter . Shabash Hazoor
Very kind of you, thanks.
Great commentary, well done!
Many thanks.
Thank you for the explaination of the thin red line, always wondered how it came about
My pleasure. Thanks for watching.
Dear Chris thanks keep the good work up
Thanks for your support
That was outstanding, a very enjoyable video. It is worth mentioning though that the double line formation had been in use by the British since the Napoleonic wars and brilliantly put to use by Wellington. I believe that the journalist at Balaclava immortalized the term, but the formation was well known and used extensively by the British before then.
Glad you enjoyed the video and yes, you are correct that it was not a unique position adopted by Colin Campbell
Really enjoyed your video. Looking forward to more.
Thank you very much
Fascinating. Thank you so much. I was a child in the 60s and I disliked History, finding
it boring. (I'm embarrassed to admit that!) If only your videos were available back then,
History would have been interesting and easy to absorb. Please, keep 'em coming.
It might be a tad late but I'm learning now! As I am sure are many of your subscribers.
Thanks for your kind words. Glad you are enjoying.
Great quality informative presentation well done!
Many thanks.
Another one coming on Wednesday.
As a time traveler I was there and it was brutal but I was lucky enough to get through unscathed
Glad you did.
IT seems the 93rd's success was due to the Minie rifle musket and Campbell's knowing what it could. With at least double the effective range and similar rate of fire as Brown Bess, Campbell could easily throw away the rule book. So, it seems that Campbell deserves respect for knowing how to use a new weapon and thereby rewrite the rule book.
Thanks for taking the time to comment and present that eprspective.
@@TheHistoryChap And that is why there were almost no cavalry charges during the American Civil War, it was suicide against the percussion rifle-musket with Minie ball.
@@TheHistoryChap There is a RUclips that claims that the Minie bullet with the 1853 Enfield changed warfare forever - it was the 93rd at the Battle of Balaclava that made cavlary charges obsolete. With the ability of the Minie bullet to go down the barrel fast but come out tight on the rifling, the 1853 Enfield was able to give accurate long range volley fire at the same speed as smoothbores at the big mob of cavalry starting over 300 yards - versus the smoothbore muskets of Napoleon at 100 yards. Thus by the time of the final volley at 200 yards all the Russian cavalrymen were killed or wounded. Thus the rear sights on the 1853 Enfield can go out to 800 meters - because the British trained to do long range volley fire.
@@steveh4968 Thus infantry in the American Civil War were not afraid of cavalry and only formed square once, and that was considered a mistake. Cavalry charges were regularly broken up by the time they could actually reach the infantry because the cavalry would start taking hits 100s of yards away. Of course, Americans were not into long range volley fire. So while the British Enfield had long range rear sights, the 1863 Springfield rifle only had a close range combat sight and a second notch for around 100 yards because the average engagement distance was about 125 yards - about the maximum range for using iron sights and still see a target. But the point is that it was the Minie bullet introduced at the Crimean War that made linear Napoleonic tactics obsolete and shifted the advantage to the defense. Attacking troops would have to face accurate fire at much further distances than before. By the way, the Russians tended to still be armed with typical short-range smoothbores.
Thank you, really enjoyed this piece of history.
I'm glad that you did. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Fantastic presentation. Having served in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, this battle played a very important part of our Regimental history and every member of the Regiment was expected to have a basic knowledge of the battle. We would also celebrate the anniversary every 25th of October by waking the Jocks and serving them a tot of gunfire (tea laced with rum)! The one thing that I would say needs a little clarification was the reason for Sir Colin Campbell's 'risk' in not forming squares and that was in part down to the excellent discipline and training of the 93rd but also to the confidence in their new weapon. Almost like the NLAW or Javelin of its day, the new Pattern 1853 Enfield rifle, which itself was a rapid replacement of an inferior French Pattern 1851 minié rifle, gave them a significant improvement in capability to take on charging Calvary. As eluded to in the video it was far more accurate, had a better range and rate of fire and helped make the difference and allow the 93rd to successfully repel the Russian charge. Many of the men fighting that day went on to fight and some to die in another of the Regiment's famous battle honours in the response to the Indian mutiny of 1857. Of note, there were 6 VCs awarded in a single action in the early hours of the 16th Nov at Lucknow, these later became known as the '6 before breakfast'.
@Stanly Stud yes, although clearly, it would have been a bit too complex for you.
@Stanly Stud You clearly haven't a clue what you're on about. Teeth arms attract the best men. Childish taunts from an old man like you are really quite sad. Many a proud man from Stirling has died on the various different Battlefields across the world since 1881. If you want to besmirch their memory that's your issue. I'm proud to say that some were my brothers in arms and others my forebears.
@Stanly Stud what tests?
@Stanly Stud my selection process was the RCB and Sandhurst. The best went to the infantry. You really are a sad old man. I bet you don't have any proper friends. In my experience, most attached arms were intelligent, good guys who got on well in the shared Messes. Judging by your comments, I doubt you even made the Corporals mess. With your wouldn't have lasted long.
Thanks for sharing.
Very interesting, well told.
many thanks, Andy.
That was a good story, thanks History Chap!
My pleasure, I'm glad you enjoyed it. ruclips.net/user/TheHistoryChap
thank you for the factual well presented history, it is a rare find
Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it.
Please do a vid on the Battle of the Chernaia ( Tchernaia, Cernaia) where British, French Infantry and Piedmontese ( Sardinia) Bersaglieri did the crossing under Russian Fire.
One of the few ( only) battle honours on Three Nations Regimental Flags.
The French General Presented the Bersaglieri with the Soft Red Fez with Blue Tassel used by the Frence Zouaves d'Afrique ( Algeria) still worn today, as an
"Undress" head covering by the Bersaglieri ( my Father had one, 44-45).
Doc AV
Thank you for the idea. I will add it high up my (ever-growing) list.
I do greatly like your style of video. Thank you. Peace be unto you.
Thank you.
Wonderfully told tale - thank you, sir!
My pleasure. Thank you for watching. ruclips.net/user/TheHistoryChap
Very interesting in detail and in sweep. I didn't know that Wellington never lost a cannon for example. Nolan was one of the 1st to die I think and it is written that he would have been tried for insubordination had he lived. The war gave rise to much death from disease and fighting but on a positive note it also gave us one of the greatest poems ever written in English, via the pen of A.L.T.
Thank you.
Have you read his poem about the Heavy Brigades' attack?
@@nicksykes4575
Thank you for drawing my attention to the "Charge of the Heavy Brigade" poem.
Equally as magnificent as the "Light" poem if not more so. I have yet to find the total work via the Internet. I intend seeking to buy a book of Tennyson's work that includes this poem.
It's powered by the boundless surging of the horses and the bravery of the men, as in:
"Glory to each and to all and the charge that they made!
Glory to all three hundred and all the Brigade."
Overall, probably the best of all the poets in this genre.
Go raibh maith agat/Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed.
You’ll learn more reading the Flashman book. Flashman at the charge
This is excellent, thank you!
I'm very proud to say that I am descended from one of those brave men of the 93rd who fought in the Thin Red Line
That’s a great connection. Thanks for watching and sharing.
Me too
My auld regiment I remember having to polish a small cannon captured during this conflict which was always sitting outside our guard room.
Thanks for sharing that memory.
I love this channel. Brilliant stuff
Really pleased that you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.
loved it, thanks lot
My pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it.
I do enjoy watching this history channel, please keep up tye good work.
Many thanks.
Next up the Battle of Spion Kop during the Boer War.
Within a few miles we find Churchill, Gandhi, the first Sotuh African PM (Botha) and the Commissioner of the Met. Police during the Jack The Ripper murders!
Excellent narration. !
Thank you very much.
I appreciate your comment
Keep at it! I enjoy your videos.
Many thanks.
ruclips.net/user/TheHistoryChap
I had a little punk rocker I worked with in Victoria BC.
Not knowing he was in fact a 17 Lancer at one time.
I referred to his Death or Glory motto as a two-bit trinket out of some punker boutique.
I got a quick lesson about as he put, "That is my fucking motto!".
Ha ha.
Absolutely Brilliant!!!
Thanks for your kind words.
ruclips.net/user/TheHistoryChap
Great video and presentation.
Thank you. I'm glad that you enjoyed it. ruclips.net/user/TheHistoryChap
Very well presented
Ken, thank you vey much.
Please make sure that you subscribe so you don't miss my next video.
Absolutely love your videos sir.
Many thanks. Glad you are enjoying.
Awesome narrator. Great show,thanks for your efforts 👍😊
So nice of you, thanks for watching.
Excellent informative video, setting out bravery, incompetence and missed opportunities. It's a wonder how Britain obtained and held an Empire inspite many unsuitable and incompetent individuals.
It does make you think!
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Well done Mr History chap. I have come across your channel by accident I am so glad that I did . Sir you have the nack of talking to people as if they are the only ones that matter in the hole wide world. I love English / British history the way you describe the battlefield I only have to close my eyes and I am in the thick of it . I am so tired of Wikipedia these days and untrue s they sow.
John, thank you so much for your kind words of support.
I am currently working on a video about the Battle of Inkerman - "The Soldiers' Battle". Should be out on Wednesday evening
Definitely more Crimea stories.
Thanks, James.
ruclips.net/user/TheHistoryChap
Another superb video. Have you thought of presenting a video on location? With some great history on our doorstep it would be amazing to the area in context!!! Just a thought!
That's a great idea. I have done a short talk at the battlefield at Towton (Wars of the Roses) but I agree that we have so much on our doorstep it would be a shame to ignore it.
Enjoying these 19th Century histories. Not an area I know well. I appreciate both the historic photos and your plentiful use of maps.
I can highly recommend Tolstoy’s short stories about the Russian side of this conflict - The Sevastopol Sketches - very readable, and unlike the works he’s best known for, these three tales are quite short. You can find it in Penguin, or indeed probably also just circulating on the net as a PDF.
In fact I think I’ll dig out my old copy and read it again.
Thanks for watching my video & also for your comment.
WOW BROTHER, I LIKED THAT ! THANKS MUCH. 👍💪❤🙏
My pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it.
Please make sure that you subscribe to my channel.