"British Greatcoats Winter 1813/1814?" Topic

The recent Bergen-op-Zoom episode of The Waterloo Podcast brought this mind. The British typically would have greatcoats returned to stores for Spring and Summer in the Peninsula, or left with the baggage in milder climates (e.g. Waterloo). However, they kept the fighting up through the Winter of 1813-14 in both Southwest France and the Low Countries.

My question then is, do we have any record of whether they fought engagements in their greatcoats? I'm thinking the Nive (Dec. 1813), Hoogstraten (Jan.1814), and Garris & Orthez (Feb,1814) would have been likely cases, in addition to Bergen -op-Zoom.

Yes there are, Andrew Bamford -Triumphs and Disaster: Eyewitness Accounts of the Netherlands Campaigns 1813-1814

it is very worthwhile to read and you can get it for a very reasonable price for kindle, even friendly fire was caused by wearing greatcoats.

Thank you very much! would you also recommend A Bold and Ambitious Enterprise: The British Army in the Low Countries, 1813-1814?

I would – in fact I find all books of Andrew Bamford worthwhile to read.

Very much appreciated, I've added these to my shopping list.

Is an eye witness description of the 73rd Regt fighting in Northern Germany in late 1813, taking off their greatcoats so the oncoming French could see they were regular British, not the (Hannoverian) militia they were expecting. This lead to a rapid retreat by the French column!