Send me a message

Measuring less than one square mile, the island of Heligoland in the North Sea, just 30 miles off the north German coast, is an easily forgotten British colony.
But, this Frisian (not German) peaking island of 3,000 inhabitants was part of the British Empire from 1814 to 1890.

Support My Show


Heligoland had its own British governor (or.Lt. governor), its own flag incorporating the Union flag, and from 1867 issued its own stamps with Queen Victoria’s head on them.

During British rule, the island became a spa resort attracting the cream of European society.
The laid-back colony, became a hub for German liberals, avoiding the more draconian
governments in places like Prussia.
One of these liberal was the poet, August Heinrich Hoffman von Fallersleben.
Whilst staying on the island in 1841 he wrote a poem entitled “Das Lied der Deutschen”
Put to a tune previously written by Joseph Hayden 40 years before, it has become the German National Anthem.

In 1890 in a bizarre land deal, Britian gave up the island to Kaiser Wilhelm II's Germany in return for recognition of her colonial ambitions in Uganda, Kenya & Zanzibar.

During both the First and Second World Wars the island was heavily fortified by the Germans.
During WW2, it suffered from a 1,000 bomber raid from the RAF and after the war, in 1947 the British conduscted one of the largest ever non-nuclear explosions to destroy German fortifications once and for all (operation Big Bang).

Nowadays, Heligoland, with a population of just over 1,000 is part of the German state of Schleswig-Holstein.

Support the show

Send me a message

“Rule Britannia” is one of the most recognised songs that identifies Great

Britain.

But what is the history behind the song?

In this episode you will discover:

The little-known story of why it was actually written,

The real person Britannia was modelled on,

And why most people are singing the wrong words!

Support my show by becoming a Patron

Support the show

Send me a message

Almost wiped out by the Zulus, Losing half their men charging Sikh cannon with bayonets, Surrendered twice, captured twice, losing their colours...

Were the 24th Regiment of Foot the unluckiest regiment in the British army?

You decide, as we explore their heroic, bloody and forgotten charge ta the battle of Chillianwala in 1849.

Support my show by becoming a Patron

My other episodes about the British - Sikh Wars:

133 The Battle of Mudki - Opening battle of the 1st war
137 Ferozeshah
141 Battle of Aliwal
143 Sobraon - the Indian Waterloo?
151 Ramnagar - the opening battle of the 2nd Anglo Sikh War

Further episodes about the 24th Regiment in the Anglo Zulu War:

104 The Battle of Isandlwana
107 Saving the colours at Isandlwana

Support the show