England The First - Soldiering

The professionalism of the English soldier astonishes me. It is just a tragedy that Alec Penstone, a 100-year-old veteran of the Royal Navy who served during World War II, made unpatriotic headlines after an emotional television interview, where he expressed his wonder about what he and his comrades fought and died for, given the changes he has seen in modern Britain. One of these changes is the endless influx of migrants—who are here illegally and undocumented—coming from cultures and values very different from ours. These individuals have been allowed to roam our streets and commit murder and rape against our women and girls—when they should be in containment camps and deported. Alec Penstone speaks as a soldier who was professional, in contrast to a government that has been very unprofessional and naive, and which should be sued by the families of the victims once the Labour Party is out of power. Blood is quite literally on their hands! People like this should never be allowed to live in our society. I am not affiliated with any political party; I only speak from common sense.

Kohima 1944: The West Kents’ Stand

In 1944, the 4th Battalion, The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment, played a crucial role in the defence of Kohima, forming a key part of the Allied garrison during the Japanese U-Go offensive into India. Stationed on the Kohima ridge, the West Kents were among the first British units to confront the Japanese attempt to capture the town and sever the vital Dimapur–Imphal supply route, a move intended to isolate Allied forces at Imphal and open the way for an invasion of India. Facing repeated and ferocious assaults, the 4th Battalion fought in extreme terrain, shortages of supplies, and relentless close-quarter combat, conditions that came to define the Battle of Kohima. Alongside Indian Army units, the West Kents helped hold defensive positions under sustained pressure, preventing the Japanese from achieving their strategic objective. Their resistance contributed directly to halting the U-Go offensive and turning the tide of the Burma Campaign. Accounts from English and Japanese veterans, as featured in a Yesterday Channel documentary, convey the physical hardship, fear, and endurance experienced by those involved. These testimonies underline not only Kohima’s importance as a strategic turning point, but also the central role played by the 4th Battalion, Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment, in one of the most brutal and personal battles of the Second World War.

“Six VCs Before Breakfast.”

The 1st Lancashire Fusiliers battalion, famously described in the press as achieving “six VCs before breakfast,” were awarded six Victoria Crosses when they stormed the beaches of Cape Helles during the Gallipoli campaign in 1915 against the Ottoman Turks. The area was mined and had extensive barbed wire placements, as well as well-hidden machinegun fire on the cliffs. The battalion lost over half of its men. The unit was reformed, and with reinforcements, they were able to take the trenches on the cliffs and secure them.

The Glorious Glosters

During the Battle of the Imjin River in the Korean War against the Chinese in 1951, the 1st battalion made a heroic stand on Hill 235 against overwhelming odds for four days. Their extraordinary bravery earned them the nickname “The Glorious Glosters,” which has since become widely recognised in regimental histories and commemorations. The hill later became known as Gloster Hill, where a memorial garden and park were erected, featuring a large Gloucestershire beret and life-size figures of soldiers. A rope bridge was also constructed, known as the Gloucester Heroes Bridge, to honour their courage.

Yorkshire Grit of the 5th East Yorkshires

At Nijmegen, a key city in the eastern Netherlands near the German border, the 5th East Yorkshires moved into the bridgehead over the Waal and came under the command of the Guards Armoured Division. Nijmegen was a crucial objective in Operation Market Garden, where securing the Waal River bridge was vital for the Allies' advance in 1944.

“We crossed the bridge and took over from the Yanks... When we approached the bridge, there were a lot of dead American paras laid out. Here we met the German storm-troopers, you know, the death-or-glory boys... We dug in on both sides and held the position for a number of days. Frogmen came up the river to blow the bridge, but they were spotted in time and shot in the water. I was sat in a trench having a drink when a plane came over. I said, 'Look, the poor buggers are on fire!' That was my first sight of a jet fighter.”— Sgt Max Hearst, 5th East Yorkshires

The 46th Division (North Midland), Quentin Canal, 1918, during the “Last Hundred Days” of the First World War

The assault across the canal met all of its objectives on schedule, at a cost of slightly fewer than 800 casualties to the division. The great success of the day came where many had least expected it. The 46th Division’s assault was considered one of the outstanding feats of arms of the war.

Bean (war historian Charles Bean) described the attack as an “extraordinarily difficult task” and “a wonderful achievement” in his official Australian war history. Monash (Australian Jewish General John Monash) wrote that it was “an astonishing success … [which] materially assisted me in the situation in which I was placed later on the same day.” — Wikipedia

Givenchy 1918: The Action That Defined the 55th Division (West Lancashire)

After a period of rest and retraining, the division took part in the Battle of Estaires in 1918, during the First World War, where it successfully fought the “First Defence of Givenchy” under the leadership of Major-General Hugh Jeudwine. This action was to become the single most famous engagement fought by the division.

“It was afterwards publicly stated by an officer of the German General Staff that the stand made by the Division on April 9, and the days which followed, marked the final ruination of the supreme German effort of 1918.”— Divisional history

Givenchy was later selected as the location of a memorial to the division. By the Armistice on 11 November, the division had reached the Tournai area, having advanced fifty miles in eighty days. Lieutenant-General Thomas Snow (VII Corps) wrote that he:

“…cannot allow the 55th Division to leave … without expressing … his satisfaction at the way they fought and worked during the recent operations. It is not at present quite clear what happened on the left of the Division, but, from the enquiries made … he knows that … in spite of the heavy losses incurred, [9 April] was a day which will always reflect credit on the 55th Division.”

The Stoic English at Rorke's Drift, 1879

Of the 122 soldiers of the 24th Regiment of Foot (later part of the South Wales Borderers) present at the Battle of Rorke's Drift, 49 were English, 32 were Welsh, 16 were Irish, 1 was Scottish, and 3 were born overseas. The nationalities of the remaining 21 soldiers are unknown. — Norman Holme (1999), The Noble 24th, p. 383

And renowned historian Ian Knight states:

“And no one, I'm sorry to say, sang Men of Harlech; the regimental march in 1879 was The Warwickshire Lads.” (Source: rorkesdriftvc)

The battle, which took place from January 22–23, 1879, during the Anglo-Zulu War, saw a small British force successfully defend the mission station at Rorke's Drift against an overwhelming assault by a much larger Zulu army, numbering over 3,000. Despite facing almost certain defeat, the defenders held their ground, and their heroic stand became one of the most famous incidents in British military history.

The nationalities of the defenders reflect the diverse makeup of the British Army at the time, which drew recruits from across the United Kingdom and its colonies. Notably, the 24th Regiment of Foot—while later associated with Wales as the South Wales Borderers—still carried strong English regimental traditions at the time, including its use of The Warwickshire Lads as their regimental march. This English identity is also reflected in the regiment’s base, which was in Brecon, Wales, but the regiment’s early roots and traditions were closely tied to England, particularly to Warwickshire, a county that influenced the regiment’s name and culture. Among the defenders were several men who would later be recognized for their bravery, with 11 soldiers receiving the Victoria Cross.

43rd (Wessex) Division: The Yellow Devils

The 43rd Wessex Division, known as the Wessex Wyverns, earned the nickname “Yellow Devils” from the Germans, reflecting both their fighting prowess and a shoulder patch featuring a yellow dragon emblem associated with the ancient Saxon kings of Wessex. The regiment embraced the name “Fighting Yellow Devils.” German prisoners also referred to the division’s use of armoured tanks as so formidable that they called them “The British [English] SS Panzer Division.”

49th (West Riding, Yorkshire) Division: Polar Bears

The 49th Division (West Riding, Yorkshire) bore a divisional badge of a polar bear, earning them the nickname “Polar Bears.” The badge was chosen when the division was initially intended for deployment to Norway in 1940. Though only part of the division went there, the badge was retained as a symbol of the division’s ability to withstand extreme conditions and adversity, much like a polar bear thriving in the Arctic.

The Germans, noting the division’s ferocity, called them the “Polar Bear Butchers”, reflecting their reputation for harsh treatment of German snipers and Waffen-SS troops, sometimes executing them in contravention of the Geneva Convention. The division was also led by Evelyn Barker, and during his command, the troops were sometimes called “Barker’s Bears.” Barker reflected on their achievements:

“My fortune was to command the Polar Bears, whose achievements were made possible by its great efficiency at all levels, its high morale, and the marvelous teamwork… It was a splendid fighting machine.”

Three excellent battalions chosen to lead D-Day landings in WW II

"the 2nd Devon’s, 1st Hampshire’s and 1st Dorset’s…the three battalions won a reputation second to no other formation in Montgomery’s army. Their record in Sicily and Italy prompted Monty to choose them to lead the British landings on D-Day." - Taken from the book “Roy’s Boys” as part of the 8th Army in Sicily and Italy. You can find the excerpts on The Keep Military Museum website online about these local regiments.

Two Heroic Counter Attacks by the 2nd Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Battalion at Ypres 1914

During the First World War, the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (commonly known as the "Ox and Bucks") raised 12 battalions (17 in all), six of which fought on the Western Front, two in Italy, two in Macedonia, and one in Mesopotamia. The regiment won 59 battle honours and four theatre honours. Many gallantry awards were given to members of the Ox and Bucks, including two Victoria Crosses—the most prestigious honour for bravery in the face of the enemy—awarded to Company Sergeant Major Edward Brooks and Lance Corporal Alfred Wilcox, both of the 2/4th Battalion.

On 31 October, 1914, the Germans launched a large-scale attack against Lieutenant-General Sir Douglas Haig's I Corps in the Ypres area. The attack began with heavy bombardment followed by a mass infantry assault; two companies of the 2nd Ox and Bucks took part in the defence and a subsequent counter-attack that forced the Germans back to their front line.

On 11 November, 1914, the Germans made another attempt to capture Ypres, sending—on the orders of the German Kaiser—the elite Prussian Guard against the British forces. The 2nd Ox and Bucks counter-attacked at Nonne Bosschen Wood, preventing their advance and forcing them to withdraw—almost one hundred years after the 52nd had defeated Napoleon's Imperial Guard at Waterloo.

The stand of 30 Men at the Battle of La Bassée in 1918, during World War I, involving soldiers from the Leicestershire Regiment.

During the German Spring Offensive in 1918, the Allies faced intense pressure, and small units often had to hold critical positions under dire circumstances. According to regimental history and local lore, a small group of around 30 men from the Leicestershire Regiment held a vital trench at La Bassée against a much larger German force. Despite being heavily outnumbered, they fought fiercely to delay the German advance. Their resilience bought valuable time for the rest of the Allied forces to organize a counterattack and stabilize the front. This act of bravery became a symbol of the regiment’s fighting spirit and determination, embodying the "never surrender" ethos that the regiment was proud of. This story has been celebrated in regimental histories and memorials, and it exemplifies the courage of small units facing overwhelming odds.

Praise from the Man Himself for the 50th and the Durham Light Infantry in World War Two

After Operation Husky in 1943, General Bernard Montgomery wrote to Major-General Frederick Kirkman, the GOC: “One somehow never imagines that the 50th Division can do otherwise than well, and in this short campaign it has lived up to its best traditions.” He also paid a splendid accolade to the stout-hearted Durham Light Infantry.

“Of all the infantry regiments in the British Army, the DLI was one most closely associated with myself during the war. The DLI Brigade [151st Brigade] fought under my command from Alamein to Germany … It is a magnificent regiment. Steady as a rock in battle and absolutely reliable on all occasions. The fighting men of Durham are splendid soldiers; they excel in the hard-fought battle and they always stick it out to the end; they have gained their objectives and held their positions even when all their officers have been killed and conditions were almost unendurable.”

The 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division was a key British assault division selected for the Normandy landings on D-Day, 6 June 1944, due to its proven effectiveness in previous campaigns. It landed on Gold Beach as part of XXX Corps. The 3rd British Infantry Division, also chosen for the initial assault on Sword Beach, was a highly trained regular army formation, considered dependable for this critical operation. The 50th, drawn mainly from northern England, had already distinguished itself in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy from 1941 to 1943, earning a reputation as one of the British Army’s most experienced and reliable formations. During the Second World War, four of its soldiers were awarded the Victoria Cross, more than any other British division, reflecting its sustained courage and effectiveness in combat.

Examples of Fighting Spirit in the 50th (Northumbrian) Division, 1944

In mid-June 1944, during the Normandy campaign in north-west France, south-west of the city of Caen, the 50th (Northumbrian) Division became heavily engaged in bitter fighting following the Allied landings. After D-Day, the Panzer Lehr Division, formed in 1943 from personnel drawn from various Wehrmacht training and demonstration units, had been deliberately moved west of Caen to block the British drive toward Tilly-sur-Seulles and Villers-Bocage. It was intended as a model formation to showcase the principles of modern combined-arms warfare, but in Normandy it was committed as a frontline unit and proved a formidable opponent. The 50th (Northumbrian) Division became the primary British formation opposing Panzer Lehr in this area.

Between 13 and 15 June 1944, the 50th Division faced the Panzer Lehr Division in an exhausting stalemate. Repeated English attacks met determined German counterattacks from well-prepared defensive positions. The fighting was attritional, with little ground gained despite sustained effort on both sides.

On 16 June, the 50th Division advanced against stiff resistance toward Longraye, approximately halfway to its objective of securing a road to the south. Progress was slow and costly. By 18 June, the division captured Tilly-sur-Seulles with the assistance of the English 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment, of the 56th Brigade. The attack was supported by the English 6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, and tanks of the 24th Lancers—an armoured regiment equipped with American Sherman tanks, including the English Firefly, an adapted Sherman mounting the powerful 17-pounder gun. All these units were part of the British Army and recruited primarily from England. The assault was preceded by a rolling artillery barrage, later described as demonstrating “the perfect cooperation of artillery, tanks, and infantry” and as having “really showcased what could be achieved when all arms worked together.”

After months of combat, the 50th Division returned to Britain at Liverpool Docks in early November. Sgt Max Hearst of the 5th East Yorkshire Regiment recalled:

“On the way home we was told to remove all our insignia as no one was to know we was coming. The first thing we saw when we entered Liverpool Docks was a big banner proclaiming 'Welcome Home 50th Division'.”

5th East Yorkshire Regiment was part of the 69th Infantry Brigade, a key component of the 50th Division composed entirely of Yorkshire regiments, including the 6th and 7th Battalions, Green Howards. I note these because of my Yorkshire background.

The Cambridgeshire Regiment earned the battle honours Johore, Batu Pahat, Singapore Island, and Malaya 1942 for its actions during the Malayan campaign and the defence of Singapore. Its two battalions displayed exceptional discipline and resistance in the face of overwhelming Japanese superiority.

The 1st Battalion fought in the Sime Road–Adam Park sector during the final phase of the Battle of Singapore. Over several days, they held their ground against repeated assaults by elements of the Japanese 41st Infantry Regiment, despite severe casualties and shrinking defensive lines. Their stubborn defence at Adam Park—regarded as one of the battalion’s finest actions—helped delay the Japanese advance toward the city and drew commendation for their steadfastness.

The 2nd Battalion, meanwhile, reinforced the 15th Indian Brigade and played a decisive role in the ten-day defence of Batu Pahat, one of the most effective delaying operations of the entire campaign. Facing units of the veteran Japanese 18th Division, the battalion helped hold the town far longer than Japanese commanders anticipated, inflicting significant losses and maintaining cohesion even as Allied command structures were breaking down along the peninsula. Their withdrawal occurred only under orders as part of the larger strategic retreat, not through any failure of their own.

Pioneer of Armoured Warfare

Major General J.F.C. Fuller was a pioneering English military theorist, historian, and officer, famous for developing modern armoured warfare concepts, planning the first mass tank attack at the Battle of Cambrai (1917), and advocating for army mechanization. Though initially resisted in Britain, his ideas later influenced German commanders, including Heinz Guderian. Fuller pioneered modern mechanized warfare and breakthrough tactics—concepts largely ignored in Britain but influential for some German officers. After retiring in 1933, he became involved with the British Union of Fascists and openly praised Hitler, attracting attention in Germany. He visited Germany frequently, knew several Nazi leaders, and attended Germany’s first armed maneuvers in 1935 as the only foreign observer. In 1939, he was invited as an “honoured guest” to Hitler’s 50th birthday parade, reflecting both his military reputation and fascist sympathies. Fuller recalled Hitler greeting him: “I hope you were pleased with your children,” to which he replied: “They have grown up so quickly that I no longer recognise them.” The anecdote appears frequently in historical literature. His expertise and reputation earned him recognition and respect among German military and political leaders.

The Commando Model for the SAS

The Commandos, formed in 1940, predated the SAS and served as the original model for British special forces. They were inspired and initiated by Dudley Clarke, born in South Africa, although his roots were in England—his father was an Englishman from Hull who had emigrated to Africa before eventually returning. Clarke attended Charterhouse School, a prestigious boarding school in Surrey. He proposed the idea of small, highly trained raiding forces to strike against German-occupied Europe, drawing inspiration from the Boer commandos, who had famously used guerrilla tactics during the Boer War. His efforts led to the establishment of the Commandos. In January 1941, Clarke initiated Operation Abeam, fabricating the existence of a British paratrooper regiment in North Africa to exploit Italian fears of an airborne assault. He created a fictional 1st Special Air Service Brigade, using faked documents, photographs, and reports, which were leaked to the Italians. This fictional unit later inspired David Stirling, a British Army officer serving in North Africa, to form the real Special Air Service (SAS) in 1941, officially adopting the name Clarke had used. In 1942, American officers came to England to observe British special operations and study the Commando model as part of broader training and liaison efforts.

Hill Action at Jitra – “Norfolk Hill”: A Counterattack by the 2nd Royal Norfolks in the Malayan Campaign

During the Battle of Jitra on 11–12 December 1941, the 2nd Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment held part of the left sector of the British defensive line in northern Malaya, occupying a low but important ridge in dense, rain-soaked rubber plantation terrain. During the night of 11 December, Japanese infantry infiltrated through the rubber and overran a forward Norfolk company on the ridge, creating a dangerous gap in the line. To restore the position, the Norfolks were ordered at first light on 12 December to counterattack and retake the hill. Advancing through flooded, muddy ground under heavy machine-gun, grenade, and sniper fire, the companies moved up the slope in short rushes before closing with the Japanese in close-quarters fighting among the trees. By mid-morning they had fought their way onto the crest, clearing trenches and driving the Japanese off, successfully recapturing the ridge—later informally called “Norfolk Hill.” Although the Norfolks restored their flank, the battalion suffered significant casualties, and with other parts of the Jitra line collapsing, higher command ordered a general withdrawal that night. The hill action was one of the first British counterattacks of the Malayan campaign: tactically successful, but ultimately overtaken by the wider Japanese breakthrough.

Holding the Line: Battalions of the 4th SLI and 5th Wiltshires in the Nijmegen Salient

After the main thrust of Operation Market Garden, the 4th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry (4th SLI), part of the 129th Infantry Brigade in the 43rd (Wessex) Division, was deployed on “the Island,” the strip of land between the Waal and Nederrijn rivers. There, they faced a serious German counterattack beginning on 1 October 1944. Alongside the 5th Wiltshire Regiment, the 4th SLI defended positions around the town of Elst for approximately 48 hours, holding firm despite intense enemy assaults. The fighting involved heavy artillery bombardments and night attacks, with the Somersets and their fellow units coordinating with divisional artillery and RAF medium bombers to repel the attackers. Meanwhile, other units of the division played complementary roles: the 5th Dorsets fought off attacks from the 116th Panzer Division, while the 7th Hampshires cleared German troops who had fortified positions in brick kilns. During this two-day engagement, the 4th SLI suffered around 150 casualties but succeeded in capturing roughly 80 German soldiers, demonstrating effective resistance under pressure. This action was part of a broader effort by the 43rd Division to stabilize the front in the Nijmegen salient, ensuring that German forces could not break through the British-held corridor between the rivers and highlighting the importance of combined-arms support in holding key defensive positions.

Battle of the River Orne – 7th Royal Norfolks of the 59th Staffordshire Division

The 7th Royal Norfolks fought a grueling 36-hour engagement to secure and hold a vital crossing over the River Orne. Captain David Jamieson was awarded the Victoria Cross for extraordinary bravery; despite being severely wounded and evacuated, he returned to the frontline to direct and inspire his men, reporting enemy targets and ordering artillery strikes. His VC citation stated that “He personally was largely responsible for the holding of this important bridgehead over the River Orne and for the repulse of seven German counter-attacks with great loss to the enemy.” The Norfolks bore the brunt of the fighting, suffering 226 casualties, while German losses were reported as heavy, with at least 200 prisoners taken by the brigade. The achievement was formally recognized by Major-General Charles Lyne, the British divisional commander, who praised the brigade “for the magnificent fight which they successfully waged in the Orne bridgehead,” noting that the front “is literally strewn with bodies of men of the 12th SS Division, killed during their repeated counter-attacks, which you so ably repulsed.” In later historical assessment, Dr. John Buckley, a leading British military historian specializing in the Second World War and the Normandy campaign, described the division as having “battled hard in generally non-glamorous roles” and observed that in this engagement it “displayed grit, determination and intelligence in securing and holding a crossing over the River Orne.”

The Siege of Acre, 1799: English Commodore Sir Sidney Smith Foils Napoleon’s Eastern Ambitions

In 1799, Napoleon besieged Ottoman-held Acre during his Egyptian campaign, aiming to expand into Syria and ultimately reach India, which he saw as key to establishing a vast Eastern empire. The city was defended by Commodore Sir Sidney Smith, whose fortifications, naval artillery, and coordination with Ottoman forces repeatedly repelled French assaults, forcing Napoleon to abandon the siege. Napoleon is often quoted as saying that Sidney Smith was “the man who made me miss my destiny” (first recorded in Bourrienne’s 1829 Mémoires sur Napoléon); while the exact wording is unverified, it reflects his frustration that Acre blocked him from seizing the East, conquering new territories, and fulfilling the grand strategic vision he considered central to his destiny.

Private Thomas Richardson of the Green Howards wrote home in 1916 during the Battle of the Somme

“The mud here is like quicksand, and the trench walls are crumbling from the endless shelling. Every morning we wake to the whistle of incoming shells. The air smells of smoke, sweat, and fear. We live in rat-infested holes, sharing what little food and water we can carry. Yet, when the time comes to go ‘over the top,’ we stand shoulder to shoulder, shouting ‘For Yorkshire!’ It’s the thought of home, and the mates beside me, that keeps me going.”

The Book Rommel Carried

German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel kept a copy of General Wavell’s Generals and Generalship with him throughout the North African campaign. While Rommel held Wavell in high professional regard as an adversary, his interest was specifically driven by Wavell’s stunning performance during Operation Compass. In that campaign, Wavell’s relatively small British force had advanced 500 miles in just two months, destroying nine Italian divisions and capturing 130,000 prisoners.

Rommel was sent to Africa in early 1941 for the express purpose of "saving the Italians" after this catastrophic defeat. Having achieved his own legendary success in France using Blitzkrieg tactics, Rommel recognized Wavell as a fellow master of rapid, mobile warfare. By carrying Wavell’s lectures, Rommel was not merely studying an opponent; he was analyzing the practical methods of the man who had first proven that the vast, "impossible" desert could be conquered through audacity, speed, and a deep understanding of the "human element" of command. For Rommel, the book served as a validation of his own aggressive leadership style and a guide to the tactical rhythm of the commander who had so thoroughly dismantled his allies' forces.

The Annexation of the Three Kingdoms: The Rise of the English Republic

The Wars of the Three Kingdoms culminated in a radical political transformation: for the first time in history, the British Isles were unified under a single, centralized republican authority. Following the crushing military defeats of the Irish Confederates and the Scottish Covenanters, the separate parliaments of these nations were dissolved and their territories were annexed into a singular "incorporative union" with the English Commonwealth.

This newly established state reached its apex in 1653 with the creation of The Protectorate, which designated Oliver Cromwell as its Lord Protector. Under this regime, Scotland and Ireland lost their independent sovereignty and were each granted 30 seats in a unified Parliament at Westminster—a move designed to centralize control and impose Cromwellian authority through military strength. Although Cromwell’s son, Richard Cromwell, succeeded him in 1658, his inability to maintain the support of the army led to the collapse of the Protectorate in 1659. While short-lived, this era remains unique in British history as the only period when the three kingdoms were bound together not by a monarch, but as an annexed series of territories within a unified military republic.

Securing Britain and the Atlantic: The Naval Victories of 1759

(a) The Battle of Lagos, fought off the coast of Portugal and crucial in weakening the French navy in the Atlantic. This victory removed a substantial French fleet from the war, further reducing French power in the Caribbean and North America. The British fleet, led by English Admiral Sir Edward Boscawen, used its superior numbers and tactical positioning to overwhelm the French, attacking from multiple directions and forcing them into a disorganized retreat. The victory removed a large French fleet in the Atlantic, preventing reinforcements to the Caribbean and North America.

(b) The Battle of Quiberon Bay, often referred to as The Battle that Saved Britain, was a decisive action fought between the Royal Navy and the French Navy off the coast of Brittany, France. The Royal Navy's victory destroyed a large part of the French fleet, preventing a French invasion of Britain and securing Britain’s dominance at sea, particularly in protecting supply routes to its colonies. English Admiral Sir Edward Hawke employed the line-of-battle tactic, arranging his ships in a single line to maximize broadside fire and minimize vulnerability, while the French fleet under Admiral Elphège de Villeneuve attempted to break through but were outmaneuvered, ultimately forcing them to retreat in disarray.

During the Napoleonic Wars, the Coldstream Guards and Grenadier Guards played significant roles in many battles, often functioning as elite assault or defensive units. While the term “shock troops” was not formally used at the time, these regiments frequently performed similar roles—leading crucial attacks or holding key positions—thanks to their discipline, training, and combat effectiveness.

The Grenadier Guards were established in 1656 as the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards and were among the most senior and prestigious regiments in the British Army. They were often deployed at pivotal moments of battle, tasked with leading charges, breaking enemy lines, or defending vital positions. Their discipline, courage, and morale enabled them to inspire surrounding troops and achieve decisive results in close combat.

The Coldstream Guards were founded in 1650 and were similarly elite, capable of sustaining or leading heavy fighting. They participated in major campaigns of the Peninsular War and played a crucial role at the Battle of Waterloo (1815). During the battle, the Coldstream Guards defended Hougoumont Farm, a key strongpoint on Wellington’s right flank, holding off repeated French assaults in brutal close combat. Meanwhile, the Grenadier Guards distinguished themselves in the final stages of the battle by repelling the last assault of Napoleon’s Imperial Guard, helping to break the French line and secure victory.

Their elite training, discipline, and proven reputation made them suitable for leading key offensive or defensive actions. Their morale and esprit de corps inspired other troops to follow them under fire. Their effectiveness in close combat and ability to endure heavy pressure made them ideal for decisive action on the battlefield.

The Battle of Aliwal (1846) was a crucial stepping stone toward the eventual annexation of the Punjab region in India.

Commanded by English Major-General Sir Harry Smith, born Henry George Wakelyn Smith in Shropshire, England, whose career exemplified the British Empire’s military and administrative reach. He joined the British Army in 1805 and distinguished himself under the Duke of Wellington during the Peninsular War and at the Battle of Waterloo.

Smith later achieved lasting fame in India for his decisive victory at the Battle of Aliwal during the First Anglo-Sikh War, a triumph noted for its precision and effective coordination of British and Indian regiments. This success earned him a baronetcy and widespread acclaim. Reflecting on the victory, Smith wrote:

“I have gained one of the most glorious battles ever fought in India ... Never was victory more complete, and never was one fought under more happy circumstances, literally with the pomp of a field day; and right well did all behave.”

Many commentators later called it “the battle without a mistake,” as his tactics were executed with precision and his troops suffered relatively light losses—apart from the 16th Lancers, who lost 144 men out of about 300.

Beyond the battlefield, Smith served as Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Cape Colony (1847–1852), strengthening frontier defenses and promoting colonial development. This illustrates the dual military and administrative roles common to senior imperial officers. His legacy is commemorated in colonial geography, including the towns of Harrismith and Ladysmith (named after his wife, Juana María de los Dolores de León). Smith’s career demonstrates the Empire’s reliance on British-born officers to enforce control, manage colonies, and leave a lasting imprint on both India and southern Africa.

According to the reputable BritishBattles website, the anecdote of how he met his wife is as follows:

“General Sir Harry Smith, who commanded the British and Bengal troops at the Battle of Aliwal, had fought through the Peninsular War in the 95th. After the storming of Badajoz in 1812, a Spanish lady sought protection from the rampaging British troops. Smith married the lady, who became the Lady Smith after whom the Natal town was named.”

British (English) at the Battle of Aliwal (excluding the Indian contingent)

16th (The Queen’s) Lancers (HM 16th Queen’s Light Dragoons (Lancers) — Raised in Northampton, 1759. Part of a series of cavalry amalgamations and contributed to the formation of Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeths' Own) in 2015 (armoured cavalry reconnaissance regiment).
31st (Huntingdonshire) Regiment of Foot — Became the East Surrey Regiment; lineage now preserved within The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (PWRR), formed in 1992. PWRR is the senior English line infantry regiment, carrying the traditions and battle honors of the 31st Foot and other historic regiments.
50th (West Kent) Regiment of Foot (HM 50th Foot) — Became the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment, later amalgamated into The Queen’s Regiment, now part of PWRR. Its 2nd Battalion serves as the 1st Battalion of The Ranger Regiment, Army Special Operations Brigade since 2021. PWRR preserves the lineage and honors of the 50th Foot.
53rd (Shropshire) Regiment of Foot (HM 53rd Foot) — Became the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry (KSLI), later merged into The Light Infantry, which in turn became part of The Rifles in 2007.

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