I spent 7 years working in Afghanistan flying a helicopter supporting the US army and its allies there. I have flown down through the pass just east of Kabul and the valleys going to Jalalabad. One of the other pilots I flew with was a historian about the British empire, and he explained about the British retreat east of Kabul. He also pointed out the various outpost along the old route 1 between Kandahar and because that was about a days travel time in those days.

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing.

@jamesgraham6122

Жыл бұрын

Very interesting, I was flying fixed-wing, moving SF guys around, based at Vance at Bagram. We did often fly the gorge between Bamyan along to Herat.. pretty spectacular.. that famous gorge you refer to was too narrow for us ! Switched to ISR work with L3 but not nearly as interesting. Well done !

@victor256in

Жыл бұрын

Wow!

@williamgould2855

5 ай бұрын

nice one

“Flashman” gives an excellent version of this.

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

He does indeed

History turns full circle in 175 years. For leaving the artillery read leaving vast quantities of material, aircraft/helicopters & vehicles.

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

History has a knack of repeating itself doesn’t it?

well what we can take from this is, if your gonna take afghanistan, send michael cane and sean connery .

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

Priceless! Thank you.

@ThomasWLalor

2 жыл бұрын

"The Man Who Would be King" by Rudyard Kipling.

@brianallsopp69

2 жыл бұрын

Or Richard Sharpe ......

@roybennett9284

2 жыл бұрын

And a company of Gurkhas!!

@seancooney297

2 жыл бұрын

Don't forget Christopher Plummer.

Regarding the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980's, there is a terrific film called The Beast/ The Beast Of War (1988). It follows a Russian tank crew who get lost in the desert canyons and are pursued by Mujahedeen, determined to avenge the massacre of an Afghan village. Can't recommend it enough.

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing.

@richbryce5006

Жыл бұрын

One of the best war films imo.

@acoupleofgsanrandaneaniandann

Жыл бұрын

A great film on a par with Das Boot.

@killer3000ad

Жыл бұрын

The Beast truly doesn't get enough recognition. The actors playing the Afghans are not actual Afghans and are but mostly Israeli (the film was shot in Israel) and don't speak any English in the movie. The decision to have the Russians played by American actors speaking in their natural American accents also gives a weird juxtaposition to the audience, since the foreign speaking Afghans are supposed to be the good guys versus the American English speaking Russians who in the opening scene massacre a whole village. An American viewer would find themselves naturally drawn to identify with the Russian tank crew but then remember that it is the Russians who started this beef with the very foreign Afghans who are simply trying to avenge the massacred village.

@williamgould2855

5 ай бұрын

thanks for that

There is a Canadian film starring the terrific actor Paul Gross called Hyena Road. In it he describes Afghanistan thus; *Alexander’s mother Olympias wrote him a letter once, getting on his case for taking so long to knock off these primitive, poverty-stricken Afghans. So Alexander captured three tribal chiefs and sent them back to Macedonia, each one carrying an offering of soil from his own tribal homeland; they were supposed to deliver these tokens to Olympias as a gift from her son. But waiting outside the queen’s palace door, the three chiefs got into a fight and killed one another. Alexander’s Mom wrote back: ‘Now I understand, my son.’* (except from Kipling’s ‘The Young British Soldier’) When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains, And the women come out to cut up what remains, Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains An' go to your Gawd like a soldier.

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for taking the time to share. Your quote from Kipling makes me wonder whether I should do a talk about him. Please make sure to subscribe for future videos. kzread.info

@andyzehner3347

Жыл бұрын

@@TheHistoryChap Makes me wonder whether I should do a talk about [Kipling]. Yes! Please do!

@paulcheney3636

Жыл бұрын

@@TheHistoryChap please do something on kipling👍👍

@daffyduck4267

Жыл бұрын

That's a banging film .

@martinwarner1178

Жыл бұрын

And finally, bring them into your own home land. Peace be unto you

During Soviet invasion, I read an article stating that some Afghans assumed it was the British again! They remember their history just as we do and, I daresay, are just as proud of it and rightly so.

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

@myparceltape1169

Жыл бұрын

If I remember how it was described in the UK at the time:- The Russians had arranged to deliver new tanks and remove the old ones as scrap. So they were all lined up at the exchange point, the Russians brought new tanks and removed the old ones but the tank crews remained Russian soldiers. Or something like that, a trick to let their military in without a fight.

@sawrasam

10 ай бұрын

there was no Soviet invasion.Rather the USSR was asked for assistance by the Afghan Govt which offered the CIA an opportunity to do what it does best,stir up trouble.Its important to be accurate esp in times when Russias right of preemption in Ukraine is so easily swept under the carpet

I've been fascinated by the history of our 19th century military history since I began reading the 'Flashman' series by George MacDonald Fraser back in the 70s. Then, having spent a couple of years flying aid work in Africa I got a posting to Afghanistan ! Bloody fantastic, I started my flying there in January 2005 with the snow heavy over Kabul and the passes that the retreat of the army would have had to walk through.. Had the opportunity to climb up through the snow to the Bala Hisar.. drove much of the road through the passes to Jalalabad where 14000 people struggled and died, . Had no idea when arriving in the country that the last ten years of my flying career would be based in Afghanistan..I've flown, driven and walked over almost all of it.. and survived..retired finally in 2016.. what a country.. I miss it.A very large print of the painting depicted at the top now has pride of place in my study.

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

James, thank you for taking the time to share your experiences. I've never been to Afghanistan but travelled in the tribal areas of Pakistan a long time ago. If you enjoyed my video please subscribe to my channel. kzread.info

@markevans6973

2 жыл бұрын

Very interesting. My brother and I wargames this period along with the Zula war and Susan campaigns. Very enjoyable playing with miniature soldiers re-creating the battles of old. Very interesting part of British military History.

@davidbruce5524

2 жыл бұрын

Flashman novels are what stoked my interest in Victorian era British military hstory as well and Chris does an excellent job telliing the real stories

@marcopignatelli2032

Жыл бұрын

Eventually what happened to the hostages ?

@briancrowther3272

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, I read the Flahsman book about the retreat from Kabul in about 1981. I had just emigrated from London to Australia to look for oil and gas, I read it while on a motorcycle trip up the east coast of NSW from Sydney staying in old pubs, eg by sugar fields. Very romantic, loved it. Then went on to read more of that series.

I've driven that route from Kabul to Peshawar a couple of times (in the 19702). It is is incredubly rugged, even on sealed roads. Kabul Gorge is magnificent, but for foot soliders on dirt roads encumbered by a baggage train, it must have been a nightmare. We stopped for tea at Gandamak.

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

@johnwright9372

Жыл бұрын

The East India Company sepoys marched barefoot.

@FilesdocumentsAndreposit-kr3vb

7 ай бұрын

​@@johnwright9372any source?

I recall a quote from somewhere ; The Afgani people are not at peace, unless they are at war.....

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Seems very true.

Thank you for your well researched comments. I had read in more than one account that Elphinstone was never heard of again after he gave himself up but you have provided a more convincing outcome. I look forward to your future segments.

Excellent thanks for explaining. Are you an academic? Or a amateur historian? Your very good . “The army of retribution to punish the Afghans for defending their homeland” Put perfectly 👏👏👏👏👏

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

Whilst I don't label myself as an academic, I do have an honours degree in History from the University of Birmingham.

Thank you for today's show... Great presentation 👏

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

No, thank you for watching. Best wishes, Chris kzread.info

I commend to you the Journal of the Disaster by Lady Florentia Sale, whose husband commanded the Jellalabad garrison, and who was captured on the retreat from Kabul. I suspect that the comment about "if only the army were commanded by the memsahibs" refers to her. Alongside Fanny Duberley's account of the Crimea and Harriet Tytler's mutiny memoir, it is the best female first-hand account of the the C19th army at war - she also features quite prominently in George Macdonald Fraser's Flashman, mentioned below. As aside, I should also mention that 15 years after surviving the retreat from Kabul, Dr Brydon went right through the siege of Lucknow in the Mutiny.

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Chris. I think some of these Victorian women were formidable characters who have often been overlooked. If you haven’t already, please make sure to subscribe for future videos. kzread.info

@rosiehawtrey

2 жыл бұрын

If she's who I think she is she got her thigh shattered by a jezzail bullet.

@user-vv6sy2ox4q

5 ай бұрын

Was Lady Sale's book the one you quoted "if only the army were commanded by the memsahibs" from?

I’m tickled by the Sharpe’s. Reference. Most enjoyable, thank you sir.

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it. Please make sure to subscribe for future videos. kzread.info

When i was a young lad , I read a book on the Retreat from Kabul - and I marvelled at the continued allowed stupidity of Elphinstone who made every decision that would materially destroy the force he commanded like a morbid death wish

Another insightful video on a fascinating topic, thank you.

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it.

Thanks I have that Paining on my Living room wall, as now a Veteran of the Pompadours. Enjoyed subed

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Great painting.

Great video… history repeating itself!

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately it does seem to.

@HM2SGT

2 жыл бұрын

Indeed. “Now serving number 11…!“ It’s called ‘The Graveyard of Empires’ for a reason... Here are some who tried- & failed!- for 25 centuries before the USA: The Maurya Empire of ancient India; Alexander the Great of Macedon; Umar, an Arab Caliphate; Genghis Khan of Mongolia; Timur of Persia and Central Asia; the Mughal Empire of India; various Persian Empires; the British Empire, the Sikh Empire; & the Soviet Union.

Well, Fella, I was interested to just now watch your talk on the Retreat from Kabul - history not remembered much but very relevant to a place so wild & long-time ungovernable (except, I guess, by traditional/local practices). Not long ago I saw for the first time the portrait of 'The 44th at Gandamak'. I was struck by the appearance of the soldiers - tired, not doubt cold & hungry + far, far away from home etc - & the look in their eyes, like 'This is IT & we're going to die here ...'. Very moving & for me probably one of the greatest examples of real military portraiture ever made. Thanks for your comments & insight into a long-forgotten tragedy - go well.

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Mark, thanks for taking the time to comment. I'm glad you enjoyed my video.

I think you hit the nail right on the head with that statement oh, it is easy to find a way into an Afghanistan but it is hard to find a way out of there. It seems like nobody can learn their lesson, why we are all so stupid I have no idea?

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

You would think us Brits would have been aware of the history.

Great Video Chap!

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching. Here's my brand new video: kzread.info/dash/bejne/dWGAurSaprHIfLg.html

History repeats itself. Thanks for this narration Sir. God Bless you.

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

It does have a habit of repeating itself.

Excellent video. Enjoyed very much.

@TheHistoryChap

9 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

Well done, thank you. My original introduction to this campaign was many years ago through the reading of the novel by George McDonald Frazier, "Flashman". I have read all of Frazier's works and have been not only entertained but educated as to the history of the British Empire's subjugation of the global population, which has only been surpassed by the modern foreign policies of my own dear country of America. From what I have read, and I have seen in my days, it does not seem to be the wisest path for nations that have superior technologies to subjugate nations that are somewhat less technological, for in the end, what is right remains right, and karma IS a bitch. Well done again sir, thank you for your excellent work!

@TheHistoryChap

9 ай бұрын

You can’t beat a bit of Flashman

Great content and even better narration! Can you do a series about the Anglo-Mysore wars and Anglo-Maratha wars?

Actually the Brits played the Great Game very well. They went back with a punitive expedition and kicked butt and installed an Afghan that was friendly. You don't have to occupy to get the desired results, just be a viable threat.

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

@scscscscscdcd

Жыл бұрын

Yeah that really happened but only in you're dreams

@31terikennedy

Жыл бұрын

@@scscscscscdcd Whose dreams?

@michellebrown4903

Жыл бұрын

​@@scscscscscdcd l suggest you pick up a history book . The 2nd Anglo Afghan war saw the British instal a more amicable King in Kabul , after which Afghanistan became a British protectorate until 1919 .

@FilesdocumentsAndreposit-kr3vb

7 ай бұрын

​@@scscscscscdcdeven first Anglo Afghan war was won by Indian sepoys of British army.. remember they stayed in Afghanistan for 3 years and the 2/3rd of troops left and only then did the Afghans dared to attack the British garissions .

Wonderful and so well told

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Many thanks. Glad you are enjoying them.

Yet again I find myself rapt for 16 minutes and change. Bravo, sir.

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

many thanks.

This was so interesting thank you from New Zealand

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Terry, thanks for watching.

The best perfomance of the Kabul retreat I ever saw.

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Glad you found it interesting

I find the British Army in Afghanistan during the 1800s interesting. I have served there with the British Army around Kabul and the surrounding areas as well as other parts of the country and recognise some of the place names you mentioned. Please can you do more about the Afghanistan campaign 🙏

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Yes, I will do. Watch this space.

Very well done , would not have been a good day out to fight on that day, kind regards roy Bennett from Wollongong Australia

@TheHistoryChap

9 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching

Thanks! I'm not sure anyone could have got them out....

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

That's the problem with going into Afghanistan...as Field Marshall Lord Roberts said.

You are the BEST history teller /teacher / professor on YT. I am a very satisfied patreon supporter.

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

Leonidas, thanks for your support. Chris

That painting of Gandamak is one of my favorites.

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

It is impressive.

An interesting and informative book on this is _The Great Game_ by Peter Hopkirk.

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

It is indeed. Thanks for sharing.

@HM2SGT

2 жыл бұрын

Indeed. Have you perhaps had the opportunity to enjoy the picture about the great game, Kim, starring a young Dean Stockwell of quantum leap fame? One of my favorites from the 50s, right behind Bogey’s “We’re no angels“. 😃

I was in The Light Infantry one of our regimental marches is " Jalalabad " so l knew a little bit of our Regiments Victorian era history ... it was history sort of repeating itself when more recently the name Jalalabad was mentioned in news bulletins when we once again were in that area after 911.

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Funny how history repeats itself

@colinraine8245

Жыл бұрын

@@TheHistoryChap isn't it just ..another march is " Secundrabad " but l believe that is situated within what was then India .

Have you read the Flashman papers? Flashman's early years tell some harrowing stories of Afghanistan. I'm slowly catching up and enjoying all of your videos and now have my dad watching them as well.

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Flashman is always a good perspective.

@davidwhite6479

Жыл бұрын

@@TheHistoryChap I must admit to getting most of my Victorian history knowledge from The Bloody Lance, Flashman. ;)

@tooyoungtobeold8756

Жыл бұрын

@@davidwhite6479 You know he wasn't real?

@davidwhite6479

Жыл бұрын

@@tooyoungtobeold8756 I'm a Flashman aficionado :) George MacDonald Fraser did say that Flashman (the original character in Thomas Hughes' Tom Brown's School Days) was based on a real person and claimed to have identified him but kept that identity to himself out of respect for his living descendants.

The chapel in Warley (Brentwood) has lots of paintings and relics from this.

@magnuswalker7957

2 жыл бұрын

For the Yanks, that's Brentwood Essex, UK, not Brentwood California.

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing.

@michaelmayo2500

2 жыл бұрын

You should also visit the old Garrison Church at what used to be WarleyBarracks.(Now Ford's HQ)The lynch gate is particularly interesting. Michael Mayo of Great Warley.

Very nice video

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Thanks

In the late 70s my Mother decided to do a world trip and ended up in Afghanistan and went to the site of the 44th's last stand, she noted that their bones were still visible on the battlefield!

@masihullahmatin7350

7 ай бұрын

I pass through there alot and she probably meant it as a metaphor

@Bobario1

7 ай бұрын

@@masihullahmatin7350The bones of the fallen were apparently still quite visible in the 70's.

They don't call this place The Grave of Empires for nothing.

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

Indeed. Thanks for commenting.

@mudra5114

Жыл бұрын

The British Empire decisively conquered Afghanistan in the second Anglo Afghan War.

"Flashman" by George Macdonald Fraser brought me here.

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching.

I found new history channel now i can learn more about war history

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

I’m glad that you enjoyed my story. Please make sure to subscribe for future videos.

@jakepayda1753

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheHistoryChap Ok imma subscribe

@peterjohnson617

2 жыл бұрын

READ

@jakepayda1753

2 жыл бұрын

@@peterjohnson617 Watch

@HM2SGT

2 жыл бұрын

I also am pleased to have discovered this channel. I think perhaps, like me, you might enjoy his equivalent from across the pond in the states; the history guy. He also did a piece about this misadventure… kzread.info/dash/bejne/nKiImbxygdOzl7g.html

Afghanistan is known as the Graveyard of Empires. But every so often a new challenger thinks "it will be different this time".

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

Indeed. Thank you for taking the time to post your comment.

This was also described in Saul David’s “Military Blunders” as Elphinston aka Elphey Bey’s Afghan retreat.

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing. It is one of many books in my collection.

@pascoett

Жыл бұрын

@@TheHistoryChap In 1993 I came back from visiting England, bringing home a load of military books. In Switzerland, such books were rare but in Britain every bookshop had a great war book section. I still have them, including “Famous Land Battles” by Humble and Great Military Leaders. Unfortunately my University wasn’t great in Military History at all. Finished my degree about the Thirty Years War and the Civil War though. KZread is finally filling the gap included Your channel among others.

This report is really masterful. Thanks so much. And the comparison of Elphinstone to Simmerson made me smile! The only thing that I'd say was a bit misleading was the maps showing the modern outline of Afghanistan. At the time, much of central Asia was Terra Incognita. The Wakhan Corridor wasn't defined until the 1890s. Anyway, thanks again. I learned and I was entertained!

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed.

Would be interested to see the latest chapter in The Graveyard that is Afghanistan, in one of your upcoming videos.

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Bit too recent when I have so many other history stories to cover, but thanks for the suggestion.

@sierracharlie7293

Жыл бұрын

@@TheHistoryChap Fair enough. Plus, perhaps a little too sensitive/roar at this moment. Will take years to fully digest the dogs breakfast that was the latest Withdrawal.

What was his reasoning, to leave the city in the harsh winter with so many civilians and few supplies. He (maybe) had better chances just to stay in his place till Spring, endure siege in an advantageous place, and make a retreat with a coordinated rescue column meeting them from India.

@anthonybrownhovelt

11 ай бұрын

The Base the Army had moved into was not defendable and hopelessly compromised and isolated and was one of the factors leading to the decision to withdraw. Also, The main Political Officers were all dead and their much-needed advice was missing at a crucial point in time! The parsimony of the Company undermined the whole venture anyway!

I often like the history and people of Afghanistan or Central Asia in general. Unforgiving landscapes but rich in history, culture and the kindness that Afghans show to foreigners but I wouldn’t want to invade the country because the people are not afraid to go to war to protect their home.

@TheHistoryChap

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for taking the time to comment

5:50 Alexander Burns: important history The Russians were very afraid to go into Central Asia. Alexander Burns explored and mapped the area. He published a book 📖. That book was translated into many languages including Russian. The Russians used that book 📖 to conquer Central Asia and right up to Afghanistan.

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

@henryburness3580

2 жыл бұрын

I believe Alexander was related to Robert the poet

@tooyoungtobeold8756

Жыл бұрын

Bukhara Burns - a great book.

One of the most amazing stories I have heard from this time was , just at the time in the very early 1900s ,2 old ladies walked into British Embassy in Kabul .They said they were British and just wanted to speak to someone from Britain . The 2 ladies had been captured during this retreat when young children and had been brought up as Afghans ! What a story they could tell . They were never seen again .

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Fascinating. Thanks for sharing

@redwater4778

Жыл бұрын

They were lucky . All those that weren't taken hostage were slaughtered . Horrible things were done to them , even the children.

British forces have been sent on Imperialist adventures to Afgan on several occasions over the last couple of centuries. The last one just recently.. They all ended the same way.. "You can achieve great gains with bayonets... but you can't sit on them" Napoleon Bonapart.

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for taking the time to comment.

As Kipling noted, "When you're wounded and lying on Afghanistan's plains ..."

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

He was so correct! By the way, if you enjoyed my story then please make sure to subscribe for future videos. kzread.info

The chap stutters when he talk about the flag! I think he wants say Flashman😂😂👍

And it gave us the tale of the heroics (sic) of Harry Flashman!!!!!!

@petermaas4455

2 жыл бұрын

That’s a great book indeed! As all the others of Harry Flashman

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

Glory and Honour.

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and for commenting.

I have a question Chris, very similar to the one I asked re the Light Brigade in the Crimea. If there was a British infantry regiment and an East India Company white infantry regiment, how were there only 690 whites? When you say "regiment" do you mean the whole battalion = colours or just some companies? I asked this too re the Light Brigade video because you mentioned five regiments in the brigade and yet only 600 men.

Could you please do a video on Peterloo...or would you consider this social history rather than military history?

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Nick, great idea and also a great question. I guess most people would argue that it is social history because it was a protest that was attacked (rather than an armed rebellion such as the Newport Rising). However, there is enough of a blurred line for me to include it in my ever-growing list.

What an inglorious story, but oh, how I love your storytelling style 😊

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Thank you. Merry Christmas.

So, you're telling me that in the past, an old, inept leader made decisions that resulted in a powerful army suffering the loss of men, as well as equipment to the enemy forces? Why is this so familiar in 2023?

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

History has a way of repeating itself...and we don't learn from history enough.

It is difficult to credit that Someone like Elphinstone would have been permitted to command the loyal and undeserving personnel; squandering their gallant lives and resources. Thanks to this video I will read as much about it as possible in order to improve my own abilities to lead.

@TheHistoryChap

8 ай бұрын

Glad you found it interesting and please do subscribe to my channel

I've read this book it's fascinating well spoken though 👍

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Many thanks.

@shingerz

Жыл бұрын

@@TheHistoryChap your channel is very good but hey I see the English are never recognised by colonised country's for the good they did you name any country we are looked down on I just don't get it they wouldn't be there if it wasn't for the English how about a bit of respect for a change sorry for dragging on

To be fair to the Afghans McNaughton was planning on capturing and executing the Emir at the meeting as well so basically his double cross was double crossed lol.

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

It was a murky old world.

Fairly sure I've seen the original of that painting... It is in the barracks in Springfield, Chelmsford, Essex.

@TheHistoryChap

Ай бұрын

Thanks for the interesting comment.

When you're military commander is compared to Sir Henry Simmerson from Sharpe, you know you are in trouble. I can hardly think of a worse person to be compared to it you're a commander!

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Ha ha, I knew people would enjoy that line.

What a horrible situation and I think this situation could've had a different outcome...

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for taking the time to comment

Boris Bey is the modern version. Frazer would be spinning in his grave to see what "Great" Britain has come to.

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for taking the time to post your comment.

Do a video about the Battle of Jellalabad

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mark. I have added to my list after your comment on the Zulu War video.

I also read that the Afghans were mad at the British because some of them were having relationships with some of the local Afghan women.

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Now that would add some anger.

I'm just glad Harry Flashman made it out alive.

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Otherwise there would have been no more Flashman stories 😆

Very interesting, but i think it's worth bearing in mind that it wasn't as big a military defeat as it is popularly made out to be. It wasn't the Army of the Indus that was retreating, it was just the garrison. The overwhelming majority of the 12 to 16 thousand hapless victims were civilian camp followers; many of them Indian women and children. The actual soldiery weren't that many. The Army of the Indus had left earlier (as he points out). One might wonder at how events would have transpired had these trained regiments not departed. For sure, British forces would not have been so hopelessly outnumbered and the Afghan forces would most probably not have been victorious; had they indeed turned up at all. As it went, just a few thousand soldiers of the garrison put up a good fight, but were simply outnumbered and picked off. Was it a bad political decision to trust the Afghan promises of safe passage to Peshawar? Er, yeah. The real fight came the following year. The Army of Retribution under generals Grant and Pollock returned, pincering via Kandahar/Gazhni and Jalalabad. With an army in the field, there was no question of military disaster this time. The Afghans were summarily defeated and, as title denotes, retribution did follow. As for reasons why... it was of course, the era of the Great Game where Russia was busy gobbling up central Asian possessions. It made sense to suspect Russian designs on Afghanistan (and further?) simply because that is what they had been doing. And a century later in 1979 they eventually did just that! I guess we can just never know when that old bear will suddenly up and invade someone, can we? For my money, hats off to the soldiers of the garrison. They acquitted themselves well.

@TheHistoryChap

10 ай бұрын

Thank you for taking the time to write your in-depth comment

@c0detearz320

10 ай бұрын

Britain only wins on the basis of superior weaponry and by being caniving, we all know gun to gun the stronger hearts are victorious, and you were nothing but invading aliens as you are today... we don't care for your patriotism as you are the invading party, and as your stock love to say F off back to your country mate

Not a bad summation, but a couple of important points missed. The Army camped outside Kabul about a mile from their supply base. This was captured by the Afghans, and an attempt to retake it failed miserably. Additionally the best General present, Fighting Bob Sale, was sent to clear the pass. He fought successfully through, but it just closed up again behind him. He was thus unavailable to be the vanguard of the retreat. The officers who 'rode ahead,' were deserters. Had they survived they should have been court marshalled. Finally, Dr Brydon later survived the siege of Lucknow during the Indian Mutiny, My Son served in Kabul 2011-2012 with the 3PPCLI battle group.

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

Jay, thanks for sharing your knowledge. Appreciated.

Not just poor military strategy, but poor diplomacy. It seems likely that the Afghans didn't want the Russians in control just as much as the British didn't want the Russians invading Afghanistan. They could've politely asked if the Afghans would like any help and them just leave once the job was done rather than an outright take over.

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

Fair point. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

@michellebrown4903

2 жыл бұрын

Yes .... George Dubya obviously didn't read history. What was Blair's excuse?

@Ecky5165.

Жыл бұрын

@@michellebrown4903 Money Money and even more!

@colby25

Жыл бұрын

@@michellebrown4903 Sunni islamic fundamentalist groups declaring a terror war on western civilisation after 9/11. The "war on terror" as it became known, which the west has now won as no major terror attacks on the west since leaving afghanistan. Obama when president said it would take 20 years to win it.

I was in Desert Storm and spent 3 years in the Middle East. I have often wondered if that area has seen more wars than any other. It seems there is always some kind of bloodshed for one reason or another.

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

@josephdowling3745

Жыл бұрын

You were exactly right in surmising that those regions are prone to incessant bloodshed. It is believed that they wished to have murder considered an Olympic sport.

@1Selous

Жыл бұрын

Wow I served for a long time we did Military History and Orentation for service explaining why we where in different country's over the many years.

@misterpinkandyellow74

Жыл бұрын

@@josephdowling3745 what a load of s**t. We kill far more than they do lol

When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains, And the women come out to cut up what remains, Jest roll to your rifle and blow out your brains An' go to your Gawd like a soldier. Go, go, go like a soldier, Go, go, go like a soldier, Go, go, go like a soldier, So-oldier of the Queen! Rudyard Kipling, "The Young British Soldier"

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing.

That’s why a British poet described Afghanistan as a bleeding chalice and Graveyard of Empires! K

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

It certainly has been. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Please make sure to subscribe for future videos. kzread.info

Who says history doesn't repeat it self

@TheHistoryChap

9 ай бұрын

Thanks for commenting

I am Afghani I live in Pakistan when I was going to Afghanistan I was humiliating by Taliban US troop even their national army .but I still love

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for taking the time to comment.

@masihullahmatin7350

7 ай бұрын

دا د ی سه غول باد کرل

Flashy and Hudson were there!

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

You are on a roll...

As Wellington described it, its easy to go in in Afghanistan the problem is how to go out!

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

I used that very quote in my video.

The “poor military leadership” aspect was probably also to a large extent the leadership who appointed Elphinstone in the first place. It seemed to rather underestimate the problems and dangers of such a campaign, to appoint a semi retired Marshall who had only come back to try and pay off his personal debts. They needed someone who could do the serious heavy lifting of strategic planning

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Good insight

@DeepCrossing1

Жыл бұрын

@@TheHistoryChap thank you sir

Hi friends , I don’t know if they are still there but traveling through the Kyber Pas in the later 60s , I noticed carved onto large boulders by the side of the road , the emblems of British Army Battalions . I don’t know when they were carved but it must have been ,up till then ,from the 1800 .

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

You are correct.

George MacDonald Fraser's Flashman covers this. He is not kind to MacNaughton and Elphistone.

@TheHistoryChap

11 ай бұрын

But Flashman had it covered

15:29 Oddly enough, the British territories didn't border Afghanistan. They got safe passage through the 'Sikh Empire ' So , the British invaded and destroyed the Sikh Empire next.

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

Thinking about doing a video about those wars.

@mudra5114

Жыл бұрын

The Sikhs wanted the British to invade Afghanistan, it was in their personal interest. They were supposed to join the British but did not. As far as the British Empire conquering the Sikh Empire, it were the Sikhs, after the death of King Ranjit Singh, who invaded the British Empire.

@beachboy0505

Жыл бұрын

@@mudra5114 fairy 🧚‍♀️ story

@mudra5114

Жыл бұрын

@@beachboy0505 Nope, true.

The more things change the more they stay the same.

@TheHistoryChap

2 жыл бұрын

History is more of a circle than a straight line. Jeff, if you enjoyed then please make sure to subscribe for future videos. kzread.info

Afghanistan is one helluva place to campaign in. For the different powers that have come there, it's too fractured, too remote, too rugged terrain, too far from their bases of power. For Alexander the Great it was very tough region to campaign in and it was pushing the limits of his army who was far from home. The British Empire at its height had trouble here, even though it could use India as a jump off point. The might of the USSR had trouble here with the Soviet-Afghan War, and IIRC, the costs of this war helped break the back of the Soviet Union. For 10 years the USSR was bleeding there. The United States was in there for decades, poured a lot of troops, time, money, and now it's gone and the government it tried to set up there collapsed. It has been the most distant place the US has ever sent its troops to see combat. South Asia has historically, simply been a place where the United States has no presence in. The people are also fractured themselves with the focus on tribes. Hard, mountainous terrain to go with it. Anyways, you Europeans used to be real crazy about all these "Wars of Empire" for the 1700s and 1800s. If the different European imperial powers weren't fighting each other, then they were fighting with the locals in some godforsaken place far from France, Britain, etc. The amount of conflict that Europe used to engage it during those 2 centuries was to me, pretty crazy.

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for taking the time to post your comment.

@mudra5114

Жыл бұрын

The British Empire decisively conquered Afghanistan in the second Anglo Afghan War.

As a Bonapartist, I've never been able to enjoy the Sharpe series.😜

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

I bet 😂

@johnmacpherson9629

11 ай бұрын

Explain

Captain Thomas Souter of the 44th Regiment of Foot (Essex Regiment) was my great-great-grandfather!

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Awesome! The best I seem to have in my family tree is a comedian in a West End show!

Harry Flashman was lucky to survive this one.

@TheHistoryChap

Ай бұрын

Thanks for watching my video.

@TheHistoryChap

Ай бұрын

Thanks for watching my video

Read "Flashman" by George MacDonald Frasier for the "real" version.

@TheHistoryChap

5 ай бұрын

It’s a great story

Do one of Roberts counter-attack. And never, ever, trust an Afghan ruler's word.

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Roberts and Britain's Afghan wars coming soon. Please subscribe so you don't miss out.

What happened to Akbar Khan?

@afgkhan3960

2 ай бұрын

He died shortly after the defeat of British there was a disease which broke out in Afghanistan and killed many Wazir Akbar Khan the nightmare of British was one of them who died unfortunately

America, Russia and Britain have made some last stands in Afghanistan… along with a slew of other great powers in history

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing

Major General Elphinstone wasn't fit to command due to his age, he also had gout & piles. He was unable to ride his horse & had to be carried on a litter. The Sepoy troops were still wearing Summer uniforms & many suffered from frostbite & hypothermia.I also don't think he had led anything larger than a battalion in the field. A sick old man out of his depth.

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

James, thanks for taking the time to provide that analysis.

@Philcopson

Жыл бұрын

Elphinstone's age has got zip to with it - he was 60, at which age most people are fit and healthy and holding down a full-time job. The problems with Elphinstone were that he was incompetent and ill and should never have been appointed. His subordinates should obviously have over-ruled him before he brought disaster upon them, but didn't have the guts to do it.

@Philcopson

Жыл бұрын

typo - "..got zip to do with it.."

Didn't Harry Flashman survive this one too? 🤣😊

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

He survived them all 😆

The Afghans were armed with jezails, which were rifled - hard luck on their opponents who were musket armed.

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for taking the time to comment

Russians wanted to reach the sea , wasn’t that their main aim ? to have a warm sea port south of the winter ice ?

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Not really in this part of the world. They were eyeing up Istanbul (Constantinople) as their warm water port.

What a tragedy.

@TheHistoryChap

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for taking the trouble to comment.