Sharpe puts his artillery to the test __ In the Peninsular War, a British sergeant is field promoted to a lieutenant in charge of a disrespectful rifle company.
Even under the horribly false assumption Sharpe has no artillery, you decided to send a line infantry-only force against an officer who specializes in _skirmishers._
That is not actually a bad thing; rifle-armed skirmishers can inflict casualties on line infantry, but cannot *hold* against them. The TV show greatly exaggerates the effectiveness of said skirmishers because they're the hero unit.
In the novel, they were firing them from trenches. The artillerymen were in the trench, with the rocket troughs laying flat on the ground, so the rockets would shoot low along the ground, rather than trying to arc it into a target.
I liked it in the conclusion when Sharpe proclaimed to the artillery captain that someday those things will put a man on the moon and everyone has a good laugh.
@@michaelyates5976 Oh, that's right, they faked it, didn't they? Except they made the mistake of faking it with Stanley Kubrick, and he insisted they film on location so they had to go anyway.
Most of the officers from each side had met each other between battles in some form of diplomacy or negotiation. Some battles occurred because the other side couldn’t be talked out of their position.
Most of the absolute worst bad guys in the show were officers supposedly on Sharpe's side. The French were often just a decidedly neutral opposing force.
Calvet is one of the best fictional characters who represents that there are "heroes on both sides", that war is rarely ever good guys vs bad guys. Probably the only war where that has been the case in the last few hundred years was WW2, and even then it was "bad guys vs. Good guys and somewhat bad guys"
@@dinoknight6538 even then, the nazis would have argued that they were not the bad guys, and if they had won, that is probably what history would have said. To be frank, several regimes since have been far worse. We just haven't won any wars against those.
Huh, for some reason I thought he was from Essex and that the regiment, the South Essex stationed at Chemsford, was sort of his home county regiment. I'm not sure where I got that notion from though. Then again, if he's from London then no big deal- Essex is really close by anyway. At least it is from an American's point-of-view (I commute 70 miles each way to work daily!)
@@rcgunner7086 Close. In the books, Sharpe is a Londoner. The reason behind the fictional South Essex regiment is because the author, Bernard Cornwell is from South Essex. He also claims to be descended from Uhtred of Bebbanburg from his Last Kingdom series too lol.
I see what sharpe did. He tricks the french into thinking he has calvary when it was just some of the artillery guys in thier supply horses so that they march into a more closer grouping to deter rushing only to be blasted by rockets becasue of that. Brilliant.
@@iansadler4309 Yeah, probably randoms - locals and the like riding the horses. This forces the infantry to form square, the only defense they had making them sitting ducks for the artillery.
@@iansadler4309 from memory, the cavalry were artillery crew, as doing a credible cavalry impression required more skill than lighting the fuses on the rockets (which the artillery crew had already set up ahead of time). The locals were being used to make up for the missing artillery crew (loading a rocket,with proper supervision, needing less training than doing the same job properly for a cannon.) The rocket batteries were "horse" artillery, from memory, meaning the crews were mounted as a matter of course (foot artillery was usually heavier, pulled by horses bred for power over anything else, and the crews generally walked (except those handling the horses at the time).
He may not have as many men but Sharpe's men have Baker rifles and they shoot further and more accurately than muskets and many of the men were historically drawn from poachers,game keepers and hunters who were good marksmen and knew to make each shot count. Hagman is a perfect example of the type of men that these rifle regiments preferred.
The best bit of this episode is the Sharpe totally is bluffing, the ‘cavalry’ are just artillerymen on their horses, completely useless for actual combat
In the book they waited until the French column had actually reached their position, at which point they fired the rockets horizontally into the column. That way they couldn't miss. The "cavalry" were actually artillerymen riding battery horses and carrying lances made of Congreve Rocket sticks.. some genius had decided to equip them them with lance points that could be attached to the sticks.
I was in Rocket Troop 2nd. Reg. Royal Horse Artillery in the 1950s. Battle honours include the Battle of Leipzig. According to reports, rockets sometimes returned to sender. Fortunately accuracy has improved in this century.
Yeah I was in the roman army (full triumph honors) back when we used rocket ballistae. They used to go waaay off target. Good thing they fixed the issues in the Napoleonic Era.
@@Agent1W They got it from the trading with the Aztecs. "Well, how did the Aztecs get gunpowder??" I hear you ask; they got it from the Chinese. Not through trade though, but from Polynesian privateers.
I expect that one of these days RU-vid will recommend a video to me titled "Sharpe defeats the gods of chaos and saves the Imperium". Man sure gets around.
Arms advanced so rapidly from the 1750's onwards it boggles the mind how many battles would have ended differently if one side had firearms from just 20 or 30 years later
Wasn't smokeless powder a huge improvement somewhat around this time? Before that, just 1 minute of firing would create a smoke screen on the entire battlefield
This makes me think of the Danish hero "Thundershield" (Peter Jansen Wessel). As he made the Swedish forces think he had way more soldiers than he had, by letting them march throughout the city so the Swedish could see them, but when ever they turned a corner they would run to the next one where they could be seen again. So it made it seem that the city was full of soldiers. That's why we have a saying now: Thundershield's soldiers. Meaning that you keep seeing the same people in different positions politics, counsels and so on, even if it's said to be a new government.
He also was taken before the King for high treason once, he left with a promotion and the friendship of the king. It was because he had a battle with a English ship, and they ran out of gunpowder, so he signaled the English ship if they where okay with trading him some, that humored the English captain, and they saluted each other and went their each their own way.
The British Army did something similar in WW1, they formed special units of older men unfit for fighting whose job was simply to march from one spot to the next, get lorried back, and march along the same route to trick the reconnaissance forces into thinking the Army was much bigger than it actually was or that troops were massing somewhere to cause the Germans to divert their troops accordingly, away from the intended battle site
In the War of 1812 the British and Indians did a similar trick to take Fort Detroit. American General Hull, an old soldier who had no business being on a campaign had 2500 soldiers, (A good size army for that minor war) plus civilians who could fight in the well built and protected frontier fort, more than a match for the British soldiers, Canadian militia and their Native allies who numbered around 1200 or so. Major General Isaac Brock had the militia and soldiers spread out to prepare an attack on the Fort, on the edge of the woods. Then he had Tecumseh order the Natives to run and move in single file in and out of the woods, on the opposite side of the fort. They'd show themselves in one spot or run down the field before heading back into the woods, then run to another spot and appear again. General Hull thought he was facing an almost equal number of British troops, and two or three thousand Indians. Then Brock sent him a message before battle. “It is far from my intention to join in a war of extermination, but…the numerous body of Indians who have attached themselves…will be beyond control the moment the contest commences.” General Hull surrendered within a few hours without a shot fired.
For anyone interested this happen on the attack on the Swedish town of Marstrand, in 1719 during the great Nordic war :) And yes, Peter Wessel was good at using psychological warfare making the enemy think we had more soldiers than he really had.
I believe her actions were deliberate to complete the scene. She consumes the peas that the officers used to represent his men. The Sharpe consumes the men in a a rocket bombardment.
For anyone who has seen All Quiet on the Western Front, the Color version, that British artillery guy with glasses is from that movie, the one who was planning on studying theology after ww1.
@Connor Wilkes-ryan Well I do know there is 3 famous Wilkes .. Robbie Williams best mate .. Jonathan I think , John Booth Wilkes (assassinated president Lincoln) and Charles Wilkes (explorer) and Im sure there is a county in America called Wilkes Barr. We have researched name and its Norman in origin and most Wilkes are in Yorkshire/Midlands. Is Wilkes your fathers name ?
if ducos was one of napoleons best it is no wonder he lost in spain. He was an arrogant spiteful little twerp. he is supposed to keep his head in the game, not get involve in petty little squabbles with opposition majors.
2:36 I'm going to try this smooth move next time I'm in the club. Nothing gets them move excited than Napoleonic era battle tactics and some pea action.
doesnt have to be accurate when fired ad mass formation. Like russian rocket artillery, accuracy is not important if your bombard a whole grid square. "Quantity has a quality of it's own"
"Rocket artillery really wasn’t that accurate. It was more a psychological weapon." You, literally, see that earlier in this episode. The Rocket Artillery are trying to hit a farmhouse - Sharpe and Harper decide to go and sit in the farmhouse, as it seems the only quiet and safe place nearby!
Sharpe tells Wellington that the rockets play havoc on morale of poorly led men. He and Harper sit in the target barn of the test range and end up ducking as the rockets explode around them, shaking the ground and shivering the barn.
They stopped before the best part: The look on Monsieur Ducos' face when the glaring commander wordlessly holds up the "I take full responsibility" note.
She has a weird expression while she's eating them as if she's thinking "Peas are ever so tasty when men are being killed in the background. I must have them like this every time."
@@dlxmarks she probably realised that the British were winning, and as an Englishwoman and with her husband out of danger, she probably wanted them to win. Though the way you put it was very uh... interesting lol
@Black Pill you forget things like golf diggers and hookers tech geeks do have kids because of money Trump's looks and athletic prowess think about it bezos has kids as does gates as did Steve jobs
Currently reading through the series again. There is one book where they mention a trooper is singing a rendition of "Over the Stars and Far away" No words to the song So I made my own.
I'm guessing the reason the French infantry formed up in a column when they saw the cavalry is because they can redeploy into square quicker, and because a column is less flimsy against a charge than a line. Of course the downsides to the column formation are that it reduces the amount of fire the troops in it can dish out, and it is an obvious target for concentrated enemy fire, especially artillery.
You nailed it! The main weapon of the cavalry of the time was not a firearm, but the sword, the lance, and the horse. Infantry defense against cavalry was to form a square, with their bayonets fixed pointing outward. This formation is very hard for a cavalry outfit to break through, but it also makes a beautiful target for artillery - as it's a fairly large formation that doesn't move.... Even Congreve rockets would likely cause some casualties to the infantry square.
The thing about this series, like most European or foreign (to us) shows, is that the people involved, both cast and crew, actually know some of the history involved in what they're portraying. Not talking 'enthusiasts' or history bluffs, just people that are actually familiar with their history. Won't find a lot of that here. Random person on the street q&a can cause one to weep when hearing the various responses. We're not stupid, just need to revamp our school systems.
While a Congreve Rocket would probably be less effective overall than an exploding 'shell' of the day, the psychological effect on unaware troops would be profound.
Aye, a bit like the first use of Tanks in battle in 1916: Germans fled in terror from their positions, some crying "the devil is coming, the devil is coming!". Had the Tanks been more concentrated, coordinated and reliable at that point... well one can only guess.
You have a fork. And I have a fork. And my fork reaches acroooooooooooooooooooooooss the room and starts to fork your peas. I eat your peas! sssssssssssss I eat them up!!
That scene where she gets a month full of peas in all her womanly compliance... only cuz she knows she is getting it from a higher up, and she chews the peas with satisfaction because her place is higher still then all those men who have to die, that she feels nothing, except the peas smashing in her mouth. Women should check their privilege!
Dustin Atkinson let’s be honest nothing is very accurate in this time period. Plus he shot a battery of like 16 twice and got like 6 or 8 hits shooting down into a valley. It’s about right.
The backlash was limited because this entire episode was in fact a diversion by Wellington, who attacked the main French rorce elsewhere. Ducot's troops were supposed to be watching the flank but were tied up with Sharpe and Fredrickson's actions. As the main French force was routed, the general there would have taken most of the blame.
Yup. That's Captain William Frederickson. The fact that in one episode he scavenges teeth from the fallen Frenchmen to make dentures for himself (much to the horror of Sgt. Harper) only adds to his charm. On the side note, in the movie is looks better than in the books, where is stated to be outright terrifying without his eyepatch, dentures and wig.
The British use of Congress rockets are mentioned in a line from the American national anthem. "The ROCKET'S RED GLARE, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there" The Brits were firing the rockets from ships that were bombarding Fort McHenry during the War of 1812.
Upon sighting a Sharpe video, naturally I clicked on it. That's my style, Sir.
6 месяцев назад
Congreve Rockets in action.”The first burst under a French cannon,scattering the crew,one came back and pursued a mounted officer,the rest went god knows where!” As a terror weapon,or for area bombardment,they were excellent.Absolutely no chance of this many hitting such a small target as an Infantry column,although just flying close by would,probably,break them up.
This is actually historically acurate (somewhat). The Napoleonic Wars were the first in which Europeans experimented with rockets, and the first in which rifles were used, which also explains why Sharpe and his men keep surviving all the time: they could fire from superior distance, out of range of the French muskets.
The success of these shows depends on having a main cast who people can identify with... Viewers lose interest when the main cast get constantly killed off throughout the series.
@@ricksimon9867 You do realise Sharpe is a fictional show.... Their survival until the Battle of Waterloo episode has nothing to do with the type of rifle they carried.
One of my favorite episodes and book. In the book they were marching against him on a street in a city then he unleashed the rockets. So rockets could not miss! Being in an enclosed area while the French took up the entire street. Lots of charred bodies in that chapter
Wel hit the barn this time. You tried 10 bloody timealready. Shall we give it a go again sir?. Sure why not. Where are you going sir??? To the barn. Its quieter up there.
@@MrRobbo246 You are right but it was against an utterly unprofessional army . But finally cheers to England . It helped the Argentinians to get rid of an infamous dictatorship . They should be grateful for that !
Captured redcoats were marched past a French Marshall who was seated upon a magnificent white stallion and dressed in a most stupendous blue and white uniform, the Marshall looked down at the redcoats with utter contempt " stupid british, your redcoats make excellent targets on the battlefield " a grizzled old british sergeant major pauses in front of the French Marshall and remarks " we wear red so to cover our blood if wounded, it stops the younger soldiers from getting spooked, keeps them steady. The French Marshall was taken back by this, he thought about it and declared with a shout " brilliant" , the Marshall turns to his quarter master " immediately issue all our troops with brown pants" DISCLAIMER Thr French are thoroughly professional soldiers and respect to them
In the modern age, it's easy to look back and mock old tactics. But the simple fact of the matter is that few other tactics suited the available technology better. Mixing different tech and tactics is a good way to get the men under your command killed.
I am proud to be from Mysore,where my ancestors created this rocket artillery and that was copied by the British as the Congreve rocket that you see here.
I have to think that Sharpe had to have been a terror to go up against, a man who shot two men on horse while saving Wellington’s life, has been stabbed, shot, sliced throughout the war, seemingly scared of nothing, strapped with rifle, sword, knife, and occasionally a pistol, and no matter what mission he is on, he wins.
If I remember correctly from the book he actually had them dropped in a courtyard or some really compressed area where even a blind man couldn't miss. The Rocket commander was a little ticked about too I think!
It’s fascinating how War was so ‘sportsmanlike’ that most of the officers from either side had met each other in conversation between battles and gotten the measure of each other. Battles were like 1:1 scale chess.
