Britain's Greatest Hero Never Existed!

The most celebrated British hero of the First Anglo-Afghan War was brave, resourceful, and utterly magnificent under fire. He was also completely fictional - Harry Flashman. Chris Green is The History Chap; telling stories that brings the past to life. Love British History? Get My Free Weekly Newsletter https://www.thehistorychap.com/Newsle... WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT MY CHANNEL Become A Patron and get exclusive history talks https://www.thehistorychap.com/Suppor... Make a one-off donation https://buymeacoffee.com/thehistorychap The most celebrated British hero of the First Anglo-Afghan War was brave, resourceful, and utterly magnificent under fire. He was also completely fictional. In 1842, a British garrison held the walled city of Jellalabad against Afghan forces for five gruelling months. George MacDonald Fraser placed his roguish anti-hero Harry Flashman at the heart of it — and wrote the fiction so convincingly that several early reviewers questioned whether Flashman was a real historical figure. The line between fact and invention had all but disappeared.This video untangles the two versions of the story.What did Flashman supposedly do at Piper's Fort — and what actually happened on those walls? Who were the real officers who endured the earthquake, the collapse of the city's defences, and the relentless pressure of Afghan forces through a bitter Afghan winter? And why has history largely forgotten the men who actually fought there, while a coward who never existed became a legend? The answers are, in their own way, more remarkable than anything Fraser invented. You'll meet General Robert 'Fighting Bob' Sale, whose stubborn refusal to abandon Jellalabad may have saved the entire British position in Afghanistan. You'll encounter Major George Broadfoot, who turned a crumbling mud fort into something defensible through sheer will and ingenuity. You'll follow the young Captain Henry Havelock — and Colonel William Dennie, who fell in the very moment of victory. And you'll understand exactly what George MacDonald Fraser did with all of their stories. Because that is the real genius. Chapters 0:00 Introduction 0:43 Harry Flashman 2:55 "Fighting Bob" Sale 4:15 Jellalabad 5:40 First Anglo-Afghan War 6:27 Retreat from Kabul 7:15 Dr. Brydon 8:17 Sale's Dilema 9:54 The Earthquake 11:55 Siege of Jellalabad 13:32 A Daring Raid 15:21 "Fighting Bob" Fights Again 17:46 Seige Lifted #britishhistory #militaryhistory #britishempire #flashman Follow me at: https://www.thehistorychap.com Podcast: https://www.thehistorychappodcast.com Facebook:https://bit.ly/37IUfkH    / thehistorychap   My name is Chris Green and I love to share stories from British history. Not just because they are interesting but because, good or bad, they have shaped the world we live in today. History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens. So rather than lectures or Youtube animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life. My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!" Just for the record, I do have a history degree in Medieval & Modern history from the University of Birmingham and am a member of the Royal Historical Society. I am also a member of the Victorian Military Society, the Anglo Zulu War Society and the Military Historical Society. Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel. The History Chap is a trading name of Chris Green Communication Ltd, a company registered in England & Wales (Co No: 05025587)