British Army

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The British Army was a branch of the Armed Forces of the Kingdom of Great Britain. It was formed in 1707 with the Act of Union, and focused on land-based warfare.

Following Great Britain's triumph over the Kingdom of France in the French and Indian War, which ended in 1763, the soldiers of the British Army were thought to be the best in the western world.

The superior discipline, skill-at-arms, equipment, organization, and reputation of the British Army were major sources of intimidation to the initially amateur soldiers of the Continental Army, during the American Revolution. During the conflict, the British Army received military support from their Hessian allies, mainly in the form of Jägers

The soldiers of the British army – the British Regular – were often referred to as "Redcoats" or "Lobster-backs" during the American Revolution, due to their distinctive red-dyed uniform.

Arms and equipment

The British Regulars of the 18th century was armed with the standard British Army smooth-bore flintlock musket, and a fifteen inch socket bayonet that could be locked onto the end of the musket barrel.

British soldiers were drilled extensively in the use of these primary weapons, until they could load and fire their muskets with their eyes closed. A well-trained infantryman could average around three shots per minute from his musket, whereas a sub-par soldier could accomplish perhaps two.

British officers usually armed themselves with flintlock pistols and sabres, although it was not unknown for light infantry officers to carry their own musket or rifle as the war progressed.

Tactics and warfare

When on patrol, British soldiers usually marched in groups of 6-9 men. These groups consisted of one Officer a Drummer, four Regulars, and four Grenadiers. These numbers changed over the course of the Revolutionary War.

The British greatly emphasised mass line infantry fire and prized discipline. In this regard, punishment was strict for deserters and disobedience.

Many pitched battles were focused around ranks of line infantry unleashing volleys of synchronised musket fire, and often in pursuit of an objective, many thousands of lives would be laid down for a small gain.

Trivia

• Despite the British Army having retreated from America in 1783, remnants of British Regulars could still be found around the Frontier, Boston and New York.

Gallery

• 
  Concept art of a British infantryman.
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  A British Officer.
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  A British Grenadier.
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  Illustration of a Jäger soldier.
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  Illustration of British soldiers.
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  Concept art of Ratonhnhaké:ton surveying a British army encampment.
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  A contingent of British soldiers.
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  A British army camp in the Frontier.
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  Ratonhnhaké:ton watching a British patrol.
• 
  Ratonhnhaké:ton fighting three British soldiers.
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  Ratonhnhaké:ton being halted by a British soldier.
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  Ratonhnhaké:ton killing two British soldiers.
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  In-game image of a British encampment.
• 
  Concept art of a British soldier.
• A squad of British soldiers.
  A squad of British soldiers.

Reference

• Assassin's Creed III