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05/01/2022 3:49 pm
During the Royal wedding of William and Kate, millions around the world saw that Prince William chose to wear a uniform that included the famous British ‘Red coat’.
Many people asked, "Why did the British officers wear red coats in battle?"
Over 200 years ago, Britain and France were at war. During one battle, the French captured a British Colonel. They took him to their headquarters and the French General began to question him.
Finally, as an afterthought, the French General asked him,
"Why do you British officers all wear red coats? Don't you know the red material makes you easier targets?"
In his casual, matter-of-fact way, the officer informed the General that the reason British officers wore red coats is so that if they were wounded, the blood wouldn't show and the men they are leading wouldn't panic.
And that is why, from that day forward, British officers wear red uniforms and French Army officers wear brown trousers.
For those who took this seriously, it is actually a joke. I'll explain the real reason for red uniforms later.
06/01/2022 11:11 am
As I recall, the reason for red was because it was the cheapest cost fabric available...
Zeeky Banutski
The People’s Republic of Maryland
David Green and David Green reacted
Topic starter
06/01/2022 11:15 am
Thanks Terry. You are correct. Here is a fuller explanation to suit any historians angst in us.
That original reason was a joke.
One British officer captured by the French did give that answer, according to legend, but that is not why red was used.
Note the comment about brown pants on French uniforms so that messing their pants did not show.
Below is what I believe to be the real reason.
During the years of the English civil war (1642-1651): Parliament forces and opposing Royalist soldiers were given uniforms by their commanders, not by the government, which meant that there was a wide diversity of uniforms for each army. Some armies got good, comfortable uniforms while others got nothing more than itchy dyed rags.
This led to many armies being severely disorganized, while also making it hard to identify which army were Loyalists or Parliament as nether sides had a signature uniform that all troops wore.
Oliver Cromwell, the Parliament leader created the New Model Army and wanted a uniform ( Uniform actually means ’the same’). The reforms was to give the New Model Army the same uniform for every regiment so it would be easier to identify friend from foe.
Because the war was draining the Parliament gold down to the bottom of the barrel, the Roundheads needed to buy dyes that were the cheapest and easiest to produce en-mass on the market, which was at that time a dye called 'Venetian red’.
Not only was Venetian red cheap, it helped to blur soldiers together so that the enemy from a distance found it difficult to distinguish numbers and individuals accurately, meaning the opposing force never knew how many troops they were against. When soldiers were fighting close and personal they could easily see who was wearing the Red uniforms of their own army and quickly identify who to kill and who to not kill, meaning that there was less friendly fire on the field.
After the monarchy was restored, the army continued to use red.
John Kuvakas and John Kuvakas reacted
06/01/2022 2:51 pm
Well done, David. Your answer is a good one, and I also like your first response! Here's a favorite of mine.
