British red coats

[Sandinista]

A long time ago, Britain and America were at war. During one battle, the Americans captured a British Colonel. They took him to their headquarters, and the American General began to question him. Finally, as an afterthought, the American General asked, "Why do you British officers all wear red coats? Don't you know the red material makes you easier targets for us to shoot at?"

In his casual, matter-of-fact, way, the officer informed the General that the reason British officers wear red coats is so that if they are wounded, the blood won't show, and the men they are leading won't panic.

And that is why, from that day forward, all American Army officers wear brown trousers.

[Techno]

 
Cheers - Phil

[Hertsblue]

 

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Too true!

[FierceKitty]

Never have forgiven them for beating you, have you?

[Ithoriel]

Never have forgiven them for beating you, have you?

The Americans?

The Americans didn't beat us ... the French had to come and save them from us.

Something modern Americans seem to conveniently forget

[sebigboss79]

Actually most of the English troops were Germans and they lost to other German mercenaries (and some Dutchies).
Contrary to other believe the Lexington Garrison surrendered to the French, not anyone else.

[Steve J]

 

[Danyo]

 

That made me giggle.

[fsn]

Never have forgiven them for beating you, have you?

Besides which, we beat them in the rematch with the second squad.

[chalkie]

My C/o told me once that After the ECW, the parliamentarians  had a surplus of red dye  because it was the easiest to produce thus was used for military coats , this became the tradition of the British army until it was changed to Khaki. I don't think the story of hiding the blood  was ever really factual but I wasn't there so who know ?

Just thought I would put that out there   

Paul

[fsn]

I thought it was the New Model Army's preferred colour?

[chalkie]

Yeh , my C/O said that they were the first to adopt it and it just carried on. He was an authority on military uniforms, clever bloke for a Rupert ...lol

[Leon]

I thought it was the New Model Army's preferred colour?

We were having a chat in the pub recently where this came up, and as far as I remember, chalkie is right in that it was the only coloured cloth available in bulk when they needed to fit out the troops.  I may be wrong though, there was beer involved, although not on my part...!   

[Matt J]

I also read somewhere that the red coats made it hard for the enemy to count the numbers of troops at a distance (not sure how true that is)