The Real Story Of "55 Days At Peking" & The Boxer Rebellion
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- čas přidán 7. 06. 2024
- In 1900 the Foreign legations(embassies) in Peking (Beijing) were besieged for 55 days during the Boxer Rebellion.
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“55 Days at Peking” is the title of a 1963 Hollywood movie and is based upon a real historical event - the siege of the foreign diplomatic quarter in Peking (now Beijing) during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900.
The film starring Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner and David Niven is a swash buckling period piece, but what are the real historical events and how close does the film come to them?
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:32 The Boxer Rebellion
3:03 Tipping Point
5:44 The Seymour Relief Expedition
8:28 Storming of the Taku Forts
10:35 Peking legations Besieged
12:35 Defence of Legations
13:50 Battle on the Tartar Wall
15:50 Seymour In Trouble
17:47 Major Attack
18:22 Cinese Divided
19:27 Eight Nation Alliance
21:28 Gaselee Relief Expedition
23:11 Seige Lifted
26:20 Atrocities
27:38 Postscript
28:51 55 Days At Peking
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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 CZcams 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.
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, violence 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.
There was also a good Steve McQueen film about gun boat diplomacy - The Sand Pebbles.
Excellent film
And all the incidents, except the mutiny, were real events involving different British Gunboats. No American ones at all. We had 26, the Americans, 6.
Gunboats on the Yangtze is an excellent book.
Great movie
One of my all-time favorites.
@@ak9989It is an excellent film and holds a place in my heart as my dad's favorite.
Love those old time historical movies ... including this one, Khartoum, Zulu, the Four Feathers, the older Erol Flynn India films, the films based on the Horatio Hornblower book series . .. even the newer Sharpe TV series.
Might I recommend the 1939 colour version of The Four Feathers, it's battle portrayals are quite well done.
You can throw in “Taras Bulba”one of my favorites including all that you mentioned..
Also El Cid with Charleston Heston.
@@karlsenula9495 “The Warlord “, The “Agony and the Ecstasy” “El CID” wow unbelievable movies,though I have admit historically dubious…
No-one has mentioned Cleopatra, so I will... there are various versions, the best and most famous of which stars Elizabeth Taylor, of course... but there's also a charming British version with Vivian Leigh in the starring role based on a script by Noel Coward, if memory serves...
One of my life lessons came from this movie. I don’t remember the exact words, however, when Charlton Heston’s character declared that when a man becomes a father, he is now responsible, for all children are his….or something close. I have striven to uphold that challenge as a man, a father, and a professional Army officer. This video is awesome, thank you for your excellent storytelling.
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A priest told Heston every man is the father of every child
I find Herbert Hoover's background during the siege to be interesting. Many Presidents have or had military backgrounds serving in our military, whereas Hoover didn't have a military background he did take part as a civil engineer helping with the fortifications around the city, thus giving him some military experience despite never serving in America's military.
Caught in China during the Boxer Rebellion (1900), Hoover displayed his gift for humanitarian rescue by organizing relief for trapped foreigners. He drew on his China experience in 1914, when he helped Americans stranded in Europe at the outbreak of World War I. For the next three years, he headed the Commission for Relief in Belgium, overseeing what he called “the greatest charity the world has ever seen” and exhibiting impressive executive ability in helping to procure food for some nine million people whose country had been overrun by the German army. So skilled was Hoover’s performance that Pres. Woodrow Wilson appointed him U.S. food administrator for the duration of the war. Relying primarily on voluntary cooperation by the American public, Hoover won wide support for “wheatless” and “meatless” days so that as much of the nation’s agricultural output as possible could be sent to soldiers at the front. Recognized by war’s end as the “Great Engineer” who could organize resources and personnel to accomplish extraordinary acts of benevolence, Hoover was the natural choice to head the American Relief Administration. The ARA sent shiploads of food and other life-sustaining supplies to war-ravaged Europe-including Germany and Bolshevik Russia during the famine in that country in 1921-23. The outreach to Soviet Russia garnered Hoover much criticism, but he defended his actions on humanitarian grounds, saying, “Twenty million people are starving. Whatever their politics, they shall be fed.” < > BRITANNICA
Hoover came from Quaker stock
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Yes.
This is the first I've heard of anyone talk about 55 Days at Peking, I quite like it myself. It's from that era of movies where even if they're not exactly documentary levels of accurate, they're at least rollicking fun. And of course that can spawn someone's interest in the real thing, 55 Days at Peking is actually what got me interested in the Boxer Rebellion.
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Since we are on the subject of The Boxer Rebellion , there were only two men who received the VC during the conflict Lewis Halliday of the Royal Marines and Basil Guy, midshipman. They both have awesome stories.
59 Americans received the Medal of Honor for services in the Boxer rebellion. Including, John Daily, one of only two Americans to ever have gotten two Medals of Honor. Over time, about 50% of the Medal of Honor recipients got it posthumously.
@@raywhitehead730 Dan Daley
Should have had a third in ww1, but politicked down to navy cross
@@raywhitehead730 Chris mentioned a U.S. soldier of the 14th.Inf.Regiment bugler Calvin (Pearl) Titus scaling the wall to effect the U.S.Army contingent's entry of the city. Calvin Titus for his actions on that day (Aug.14,1900) would receive the Medal of Honor. Authorized on the 11-th of March 1902, presented to Titus on the 11-th of June 1902 by then President Theodore Roosevelt. Incidently his receipt of the Medal of Honor rewarded him an automatic appointment for a military academy. He was in the 1st summer as a cadet of West Point when the 26-th President placed the Medal of Honor around his neck on the parade ground of West Point. The story goes that fellow cadet 2-yrs. senior to cadet Titus, a cadet by the name of Douglas MacArthur (future Gen.MacArthur), came to congratulate his underclassman saying " I'd give my immortal soul for one of those ". His award presentation closed the celebration of West Point's 100th anniversary celebration that day in that year.
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One of my favorite old school movies.
If you didn't fall in love with Ava Gardner, there was something wrong with you.😉
Love this movie. Also, The Sand Pebbles with Steve McQueen is another favorite along the same historical lines.
What is a woman 🤡🌏
Well,Frank Sinatra did,and it drove him round the bend,apparently.
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@@TheHistoryChap You're very welcome!
Dan Daly, one of the most legendary US Marines in the history of the Force earned his first Medal of Honor at the legation quarter.
He held his position overnight with a machine gun. He held through the night alone as his compatriots tried to get back to him. They were unable to return til morning. When they heard the gun go quiet in the night they thought Dan had died. When they arrived in the morning they found 200 dead boxers and Dan leaning against the defensive wall.
He ended up receiving another Medal of Honor during the invasion of Haiti. He should have gotten a third in WW1 but the paper pushers didn't like the idea of someone getting it 3 times. Ended up changing the rules to only allow it to be awarded once.
yeah i was bothered that his exploits didnt even get a mention in this vid... i guess he just didnt fight hard enough, hold out long enough and kill enough enemies.. *alone*.. im kidding, im sure this history chap had his reasons.. whatever, fat electrician did a good vid on him, even if its more comedy + history than dry history.. you'd think he would be mentioned though..
UK decorations are not awarded twice but can receive a bar with them.
@@johnwright9372 that is interesting but Dan is a US Marine not UK. The Medal of Honor is a US award which at the time could be given as many times as it was earned.
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Great telling of the 55 day siege of the legations in Peking 😀
Though you omitted to mention the Australian involvement by George Ernest (Chinese) Morrison (“Morrison of Peking”)The Times Correspondent in Peking.
Wholes books have been written of Morrison’s exploits as Doctor, adventurer, Journalist and advisor to the Chinese government in his later years.
Morrison was a brave and engaged defender. He led groups of defenders to rescue Christians outside the walls and was wounded during the siege.
Morrison survived the siege (despite his employer The Times printing his obituary) and received, as did several other civilians, a Peking Siege Medal.
Another interesting detail and another interesting character remembered, thanks to you.
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One of my favorite parts of the movie “55 Days. . .” Is the part where the relief forces finally arrived, and the greetings exchanged when soldiers of the same nation among the defense and relief forces occur. What a contrast between the western forces and the Japanese forces in this regard!
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The book "The Boxer Rebellion" by Miranda Carter is a tremendous work. I started to describe why I think so but there's just so much to appreciate about this book! Highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Boxer Rebellion.
Edit: I'm sorry I credited the wrong author. The correct author for this book is Diana Preston.
Outstanding book indeed !
I can't find this book referenced anywhere online. Is the name / title right?
@@tmorganriley I am so sorry! I'm mixing up my authors. The correct author is Diana Preston and the publication date is 1999 in the UK and 2000 in the US. The title is correct as stated above. In addition there's a descriptive notation on the front cover that reads: "The Dramatic Story of China's War on Foreigners That Shook the World in the Summer of 1900"
@@cynthiaalver Found it. Thanks for the recommendation!
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"The hills are alive with the sound of the Boxer rebellion."😄
Good one!
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Thanks. Another outstanding video. I never would have guessed the historical link between the films, "The Sound of Music" and "55 Days in Peking." I always loved the film because of its storytelling as a high art, with it's star studded cast including John Ireland , Leo Genn, Flora Robson and Paul Lucas in supporting roles. Seeing films like this in my youth prompted me to learn the actual history of this incredible tale. Thanks again!
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Nice one Chris I would love to see you do a history of the 2nd Battalion Royal Leicestershire Regiment, my father, Sergeant Arthur Clarke served in that regiment from 1940 to1945, starting with "The First Advance to Bengazi, then Crete, Syria, the Western Desert and Burma before going to Germany as part of the occupation force.I always loved his description of the Bengazi Advance which he described as abren carrier and two 3ton trucks," We pulled up outside Bengazi, a fortified Town surrounded by minefields, with concrete gun emplacements and while the officer was looking through his binoculars, the Italian flag was lowered, and the white flag raised"
The evacuation from Crete, "During the morning a message was received saying at nightfall take to the hills, every man for himself, later that day a further message was received, hold your positions, the navy is coming to take us out" 2 destroyers and a cruiser but don't know which they were, but do know the cruiser was hit by stukas and had to return to Crete where it was beached.
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My grandfather was stationed in India in 1900 and his regiment was moved to the east coast to board ship for China, but the emergency was ended and they went back to quarters. I met an older English lady at a company I were I worked whose uncle was in the taking of Peking and came home a lot richer than when he left, looting I'm sure.
Fascinating.
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Really enjoyed the movie when i was a kid, Heston and Niven were a good combo
Niven, was a real British hero in WW2. He was an officer in the Army.
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First rate as ever and another fascinating but neglected part of history. The Siege of Peking by Peter Fleming (Ian’s brother) got me throughly engaged with this. Now many more will be enthused by your excellent video.
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I remember quite well the film 55 Days In Peking. It was for a young man a treat but not as sweet as the true factual account of the incident in which it is based upon. As one who has relatives in U.K and the U.S. I am exceedingly proud of the military heroism of those noble nations. It is a pity; however, to remember the aftermath of that little violent war. My heart goes out to the Chinese who suffered in the hands of both Boxers and The Relief Force. Once again thank you Sir for a riveting and brilliant video lecture on the subject of The Boxer Rebellion. I eagerly await your your next offering.
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I loved this film as a kid and it encouraged me to model the Boxer conflict in one of my gaming projects last year. I was always fascinated by the international composition of the coalition and especially by the Japanese involvement. Yes please to opium war videos - certainly not Britain’s finest hour, amongst many
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Another good episode. I love it how you tie events from the future, past of pop culture (movies) together.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Great video today thanks for what you do and keep them coming 👍
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Great work. I really enjoy your videos and find them very interesting. Thank you.
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Another splendid episode. Well done sir.
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Thanks again, Chris, great research ! That was a lot of work...
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Great topic, you continue to amaze.
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Just rewatched the film and was delighted to see another excellent presentation by Mr Green. Stellar work yet again, great channel!
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Another superbly narrated piece of history on one of my favourite channels 😊 - can‘t wait for the next one…
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Terrific presentation; a lot of background that was new to me.
And, definitely, yes.
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Thanks for another history lesson Chris! This one was indeed a lesson for me. A very interesting and nuanced story. I will definitely look at this film a very different way from now on. And the "Sound of Music" too
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My country Australia was still a collection of colonies,which were keen to help Great Britain. The colonies sent naval contingents and reservists as the bulk of the colonies were involved in the Boer war, and they arrived a bit late for major combat. They mainly did police,guard, and restoring civil order duties,6 died of illness,while they were away Australia became a federal commonwealth ,this alliance sure didn't last as these nations were involved in bitter wars in the following decades
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Thank you! I asked for a video about this siege some time back and you promised to make one, and so you have. Very interesting for me, especially so because I am a fan of the film. Again, sir, thank you.
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Your videos are superb. Your enthusiasm for history is infectious. Thanks for the hard work you do.
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My dad was a friend of Chuck as he liked to be called My dad was breaking horses for the movie The Savage when Dad was done with the string of horses. A man came over to him with a beer,and they to trailer and drank their beer with other actors 🎥🎥🎥
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Another 5 star video from the History Chap!
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Brilliant work as usual thanks Chris!
Yes, for the story as well.
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Excellent work - yet again - many thanks, my friend.
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My Gt Grandfather served in the Royal Navy out of the China Station during the Boxer Rebellion and was in Tientsin for some time. I don't know what he observed in his time in China but he apparently told anyone who would listen afterwards to forget about anyone else, the Chinese not to be trusted.
Thanks for sharing. He must have had some interesting stories to tell.
That advice holds true. Smart ancestor.
Don't trust a racist English man as well
What was he doing in China? Who invited him there?
@@evaristus4821He was serving in the Royal Navy running supplies to Tientsin from Hong Kong in aid of the international expedition to relieve the diplomatic quarter in Beijing. He went where the boat/ship he was serving on was ordered. If all you’re trying to do with your comment is cheap point-scoring take it elsewhere. This is a history, warts and all, channel not revisionist to suit an agenda.
Absolutely yes! I recall being taught about it in Year 11 History - my father was my teacher that year - and we joked that when a store of opium was burned all the druggies gathered downwind to "watch."
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Enthralling video once again, Chris. And a resounding YES as you requested.
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I have been waiting for this video... loved this movie.
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The greatest sound you can here if besieged as a British or Commonwealth soldier is the skirl of the Pipes of the Scottish Division
*hear.
Oh, aye1
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To your question, video(s) on the opium wars, YES please
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Thank you, Chris, the more I watch your video's the more I realized I needed to have paid closer attention to the subject when in history class at school. Thanks for another brilliant telling, Cheers.
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Yay! Great to chat during the live today.
Thanks for joining in. I really do enjoy engaging with my viewers.
6:26 …yes, please sir!
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Yes please 👍
I wonder if Arthur MacArthur III's experience with Admiral Seymour's relief column influenced his brother Douglas's famous maxim about never fighting a land war in Asia.
Arthur MacArthur was the father of Douglas MacArthur. They were the only father, son duo to both be awarded the American Medal if Honor. Arthur got his clearing a charge in the American Civil War. Douglas lead a long, charmed military carrier: receiving his Medal of Honor in WW2. But Douglas had been nominated for a Medal of Honor 40 years, before that.
Leading a charge
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Another brilliant presentation sir!!!!
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks.
Most interesting story. It's funny how characters also link to other stories in history. Thankyou so much. I'm looking forward to more.
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I always liked the Steve McQueen movie the Sand Pebbles on this subject. Kind of a long winded movie at times. But this entire thing was very scary
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Yes! Please talk about the Opium War!
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Encore une excellente leçon d'histoire. Merci pour votre travail passionnant.
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Very well done as always 🙂
Hope all is well take care 🙂
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Yes for the Opium Wars video(s)
Thanks.
Understand that the video has to end after covering the capture of Peking. The subsequent events were actually very interesting. The German General Waldersee took over the 8 Nation control after the Peking battles and the Chinese were un-cooperative to the foreigners in being reluctant to supply food and essentials to the occupiers, while the 8 Nations refused to drop the demand to arrest and try the Empress Dowager. The stand off was only ended by the effort of a famous prostitute called Sai Jin Hua who happened to be the former 2nd wife of the past Chinese Ambassador to Berlin and she had personally met Kaiser Wilhelm and Waldersee years before and she could speak German. Sai and Waldersee managed to strike a deal to end the occupation and unsurprisingly Sai was never thanked by both Empress Dowager and the 8 Nations and she passed away destitute in the 30s.
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Cracking video thanks Chris.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Greetings from a new subscriber in Indonesia. Thank you for this well researched and well presented video, delivered fluently and clearly in a jolly English accent
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yes
thanks
YES
thanks
Thank you for increasing my knowledge of the Boxer Rebellion. I learned a lot from your covering this.
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Love your videos!
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Yes
thanks
You know it's gonna be a good video when at 3:48 there's that moustache to greet you
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Yes I really enjoyed watching that movie. Thank you Chris for a fascinating video.👍
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Great video indeed thanks for sharing.
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This was not the only Colonial War film for Niven either - one of his first major roles in Hollywood was in The Charge Of The Light Brigade with his good friend, Errol Flynn!!
The Crimean War wasn't a colonial war.
@@jadger1871 no but most of the 1937 version is actually set in India!! I suggest you watch it OR at least read a synopsis of the film before commenting if you haven’t seen it!!
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@@seanford2358 India wasn't a colony either.
@@jadger1871 yes it was!! What planet are you on?? What on earth do you think the British Raj was then?! British Kings and Queens were also titled Emperor / Empress of India…
Thank you for this fascinating video! 👍🏻
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Yes, enjoying this Peking video much..well done❤
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Great story
Yes please more on the topic would be appreciated
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Very well done!
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Thank you for another great video. I did see this film when it came out. I also studied the Boxer Rebellion at school. All the best from Sydney Australia 🇦🇺
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Excellent telling of a now little remembered historical event. It's so interesting that the historical characters identified go on to play such other important parts. Also, like many of the film comparisons, let's keep in mind this is a drama, not a documentary.
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Thanks Chris!
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Simply splendid
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That was really interesting especially the links to people Hoover and Von Trapp
Thank you
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My great grandfather was only 17 when he took part in the relief of Peking. He actually joined the Marines just before his 15th birthday. Lying about his age to escape poverty. He went on to become a Royal Marine gunner. He was posted to one of the battleships on the China station, just before the rebelion started. His service records show he took part in the disarming the Taku Forts. Before taking part in the relief of Peking. Needless to say his medals are cherished by the family.
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Yes! I thoroughly enjoyed the story of the siege of Peking. It did show the resolve of all of the nations involved. Well done, amigo.
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So excited to see this one, another brave and stirring moment in Western military history. Great job as ever.
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That was brilliant. Thanks.
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What an interesting chapter!
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@@TheHistoryChap Thank you. Indeed! Your channel is guarantee.
Yes and thank you for the video
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Yes. Great video
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
Great video
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I’m now off to watch the film. Thank you very much for the reminder of a great film👍 it will be so much better watched now especially now I’ve watched your brilliant video😁 I will understand it a lot more than when I last watched it, 28 years ago😊👍
Great channel, thank you👍
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Thanks so much Chris
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very good ,thanks
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28:08 “The Wind and the Lion” superb movie.
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Excellent thanks 👏👏yes to the opium episode 👍😁
I have done 3 about those wars.
Nicely presented....now I'll have to source a copy of 55 Days In Peking.
its on youtube
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Nicely presented....now I'll have to source a copy of 55 Days In Peking.
.....Yes to a video on The Opium Wars.
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I enjoyed this video. I remember seeing the movie ages ago. History is so strange with its twists and wrinkles.
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Thanks!
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Hi Chris, I would appreciate hearing about the opuim wars. There was a book in the school library about it. I have forgotten the name of it as it was 50 years ago.
thanks for watching, hope you enjoy my opium war videos.
Yes - love these stories
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Just watched that movie! its great
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I can only commend your broadcasts.
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Yes, I think it would be interesting to hear about the Opium Wars in China.
Chris, as always, you've done another Sterling Job of presenting this lesson in history. Well done. It's much appreciated. 🙂
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fantastic great history
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Another great episode, putting the facts in place, names, and pictures of the real heroes, compared to the "swashbuckling" movie.
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Yes. Cheers Jason
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All good stuff.
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