British Army: Difference between revisions
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[[File:ACIII-GI (2).jpg|thumb|250px|Connor stalking a British Army unit]] '''The British Army''' was | [[File:ACIII-GI (2).jpg|thumb|250px|Connor stalking a British Army unit]] '''The British Army''' was a branch of the Royal {{Wiki|British Armed Forces|Armed Forces}} in the {{Wiki|United Kingdom}}. It was formed in 1707 with the Act of Union and focused on land-based warefare. | ||
Following Great Britain's triumph over the Kingdom of France in the French And Indian (Seven Years') War, ending in 1763, the soldiers of the British army were thought to be the best in the western world. | Following Great Britain's triumph over the Kingdom of France in the French And Indian (Seven Years') War, ending in 1763, the soldiers of the British army were thought to be the best in the western world. | ||
Revision as of 19:21, 28 March 2012
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The British Army was a branch of the Royal Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It was formed in 1707 with the Act of Union and focused on land-based warefare.
Following Great Britain's triumph over the Kingdom of France in the French And Indian (Seven Years') War, ending 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, well-tailored uniforms, and reputation of the British army were major sources of intimidation to the initially amateurish soldiers of the Continental Army during the American Revolution from 1775 to 1783.
Trivia
- The soldiers of the British Army were often referred to as 'Red Coats' or 'Lobster-backs' during the American Revolution due to the scarlet jackets that distinguished their uniforms from those of other European armies.
- The British fielded armies that consisted mostly of infantry during the American War of Independence; each regiment of infantry consisting of two or more 'line' or 'battalion' companies (standard infantrymen), one 'light' company (skirmishers), and one 'Grenadier' company (heavy-hitting veterans). Despite the unreceptive North American terrain, the British high command did their best to utilize cavalry (horsemen) and artillery (cannons) against the revolutionary forces as well.
Arms and Equipment
The British infantryman of the 18th century was armed with the standard British Army smooth-bore flintlock musket, affectionately known as a "Brown Bess", and a fifteen inch socket bayonet which could be locked onto the end of the "Brown Bess" musket's barrel. British soldiers were drilled in the uses of these primary weapons until they could load and fire their muskets with their eyes closed. A well-trained infantryman could average about four shots per minute from his musket, the sub-par soldier, perhaps three.
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 even a rifle, as the war progressed.
Gallery
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Connor Kenway being halted by a British soldier -
Connor fighting three British soldiers -
British officers
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