this post was submitted on 05 Jun 2026
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Why did the Brits fight the Colonists in red attire? Would that not stick out like a sore thumb? Also back then how easy was it for someone to go AWOL or at least turn into a spy for the other side? (lemmy.world)
submitted 2 days ago by Patnou@lemmy.world to c/askhistorians@lemmy.world
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[–] setsneedtofeed@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Adding to this, battlefields are chaotic and with black powder smoke and no radio, friendly fire becomes an outsized concern. It has to be very clear what side troops are on. In the U.S. Civil War there are many incidents of troops firing on the same side who are wearing the wrong color. As an example the, the Union 2nd Wisconsin took friendly fire for wearing grey uniforms.

Even today in an era of radios, smokeless powder, and extended ranges we've seen a lot of bright markings used by both sides in Ukraine in situations where they feared friendly fire more than not being camouflaged.