British Army

The British Army was a branch of the Royal in the United Kingdom. It was formed in 1707 with the Act of Union, and focused on land-based warfare.

Following Great Britain's triumph over the Kingdom of France in the French and Indian War (also known as the Seven Years' War), which ended in 1763, the soldiers of the British army were thought to be the best in the western world.

The superior discipline, skill-at-arms, equipment, organization, well-tailored uniforms, and reputation of the British army were major sources of intimidation to the initially amateur soldiers of the Continental Army, during the American Revolution from 1775 to 1783.

Arms and equipment
The British infantryman of the 18th century was armed with the standard British Army smooth-bore flintlock musket, and a fifteen inch socket bayonet that could be locked onto the end of the musket barrel.

British soldiers were drilled extensively in the use of these primary weapons, until they could load and fire their muskets with their eyes closed. A well-trained infantryman could average around four shots per minute from his musket, whereas the sub-par soldier could accomplish perhaps three.

British officers usually armed themselves with flintlock pistols and sabers, although it was not unknown for light infantry officers to carry their own musket, or even a rifle, as the war progressed.

The soldiers of the British army were often referred to as "Red Coats" or "Lobster-backs" during the American Revolution, due to their distinctively red-dyed uniform.