American Revolution: The SECRETS of British Organisation 

I have been a revolutionary war re-enactor here in the US for over 25 years and I always enjoy trying to dispel the myth that the British just all stood in line and we hid behind things. The British were very good at light infantry tactics. The Americans fought in line in most major battles. The battle of the cowpens was a good example of combined tactics . Cheers Ron

I was a French and Indian War reenactor for decades. Though we participated in the large reenactments, such as Ft Ticonderoga, we spent most of our time reliving period camping and woodland warfare. I've wondered if British light infantry and tactics might have been more advanced during the Revolution if Lord Howe hadn't been killed during the first day of the Battle for Ft Carillon. In a short period of time he adapted uniforms, equipment, and tactics to woodland situations. He apparently worked very well with the colonials, going out with Rogers Rangers learning from them. Sorry a bit wordy.

very interesting...though an American now , my ancestors fought for the King in North America from 1757-1814... I am very proud of that heritage...Cheers

I remember a few years ago watching a thing about how they’d found the remains of some Americans and 1 British Highland Soldier at the Battle of Camden. It was quite extraordinary as the US Army and British Army reburied the remains with full Honors

There is no secret to the organization of the British Army and their German auxiliaries during the War of Independence. There are multiple Osprey Men-at-Arms, Warrior and Elite volumes on how the British Army was organized, trained and fought. The Center for Military History publication, "The Continental Army", fully discusses the organization and drill of the British and Germans compared to the Americans during the war. There are a number of other publications such as "With Zeal and Bayonets Only". What is interesting is that the four major armies engaged in the War of Independence all used similar drill books based on Prussian precedent. The regiment and company were administrative formations and the battalion and platoons were the maneuver and fire elements. Drill and formations were based on a single battalion with eight platoons. Because the American and British regiments for the most part had only a single battalion in a regiment, for them, the term became synonymous. It was the same for companies and platoons, as each American and British regiment had eight companies with their elite companies stripped off into "converged" battalions. For the French, the regiment had two battalions of four fusilier companies, with a grenadier company in the first battalion and a chasseur company in the second. These companies were similarly "converged" into elite battalions and the French half-companies became platoons. For these armies, when flank or elite companies were with the battalion, they would take their place on the flanks and maneuver in concert or if in open order, conform their formation to the movements of the battalion. The German auxiliaries had their regiments reduced to a single battalion of five musketier companies with the grenadier companies collected into elite battalions in line with Prussian doctrine. Before a campaign, the regimental and battalion adjutants were to arrange the men, NCOs and officers into groups by height. They would then be divided into eight elements and the officers, NCOs and men converged. This would be the battle formation. As a result, the German regiments at Trenton had been billeted by company, administratively. When the American attacked, the Hessians tried to form up into their battlefield elements but since the officers and NCOs weren't the same assigned to the companies, there was a great deal of confusion, abetted by the physical condition of the troops. The Americans kept the pressure on and the Hessians never recovered. This BTW explains some of the failures of the Prussian Army in 1806-7. Earlier, they had reorganized sensibly into two musketeer and one grenadier battalion per regiment, each of four companies. But a few years before, a conservative movement had brought back the old organization and uniforms of Frederick the Great's army.

Could you do a video on loyalist militias during the American Revolution?

The units didn't like having 2 of their best companies taken from them but they are still part of a larger unit. The G & L companies were to a Battalion what battalions were to a division. Its the age old question that goes on even now with regulars v special ops.

I’ve been appreciating this channel (as an American). American history can get far too simplified and this channel does an excellent job in providing a deeper context to the American Revolution. Keep up the great work!

Happy Friday Chris great episode again mate

Another superb episode.

Excellent thanks 😊

Wow that was a short one. Looking forward to the next vid.

Great info. Thanks for sharing.

Very much like American infantry up to about the 1830s. After that, the flank companies eventually went away and were replaced by line companies.

Love it but boy that back ground music sucks 🤔

I appreciate the attention given to the British Army during the American Revolution!

I wonder if this is where the Paras get the term "Hat" in reference to anyone from any other British Regiment. The Paras are elite soldiers and would be considered the direct descendents of the elite Light Infantry.

Could the grenadier company be considered the close combat specialist of the battalion? Could we get more information on mounted units both regular and local loyalist units?

Great stuff as usual, Chris! Best wishes from South Carolina (an hour from the Ninety-Six, actually)!

Splitter? Quite accurate description, ain't it?🤣🤣🤣🤣 The light infantry later inspired the 95th Rifle Regiment, wasn't it?

Grest stuff...thanks man...

I can't remember the name of the movie. But it had Edward Woodward in it and concerned the Boers. It was I believe about a court-martial trial and the incidents that lead up to it. I would be curious to hear your thoughts on this event and any historical accounts on this if any were available. It was an interesting movie and it has been some time since I had seen it. Thank you for your time and I look forward to your next feature. Keep up the great historical programming!

Well, this is something.

👍👍👍

Super! Looking forward to the next video! Thank you, Chris

At 6.00 minutes in where the temporary formation of elite units by removing grenadier and light companies from regular regiments into larger units sounds reminiscent of the German WW I Storm Troopers …..great performance but high casualties and the remaining units robbed of their cutting edge ? 🤔. These first Two episodes have been terrific 👏👏and looking forward to the next one about the 33rd .🙏👍

You can see what the British army learned from the our Revolution in the Peninsular War.

A great start to any Sunday morning. Thanks mate.

Very interesting video. I knew nothing of these more elite flanks that the British began to employ. Great video.

When I was a Kid , I thought the Grenadiers were Coneheads.

Ahh, the war where my ancestors killed my ancestors! Dual national here, 🇬🇧 and 🇺🇸! The American revolutionary war was always a point of conflict between my parents, mostly in a joking manner. Mostly.

M'well his prosodie isn't audiogenic at all, a real torture to listen at it. After less than two minutes I suffered an overdosis

Thank you

They were worse than storm troopers. They couldn't even beat a rag tag farmer army we Americans mustered. The Hessians were more feared