In the American war of independance is it true that the British Army had mainly German soldiers in their Army?

Answer 1

Not mainly but a lot. George the 3rd was German himself and his cousins were the Monarchy of Germany. He called in a Family favor.

Answer 2

Historians have a quip we like to use about the Revolution: "Our French beat their Germans". King George was part German due to some succession issues where his grandfather came over from Hanover to take the crown. There were many ties at the time of revolution between Britain and Germany so it was not unusual for them to have units of Hessian and Hanoverian soldiers in the British army though the officer corps was usually British. Many British soldiers were spread out through other parts of the world at that time as well.

Answer 3

Mainly is probably an over statement, but they did have Hessian(German) garrisons under British command. For example, the troops Geo. Washington crossed the Delaware River to attack were Hessians for the most part. Check this out:

"On December 25, 1776, General George Washington and a small army of 2400 men crossed the Delaware River at McConkey's Ferry, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on their way to successfully attack a Hessian garrison of 1500 at Trenton, New Jersey. " [See source.]

Answer 4

No they did have a sizable force of German mercenaries called Hessians. These were given a nasty defeat in the battle of trenton, New Jersey. This is where Washington crossed the Delaware river and surprised the Hessians and captured them all. There would be more Hessians in other battles as part of other English armies.

Answer 5

They weren't mainly German, but yes, the Brits used some Hessian mercenary soldiers.

Answer 6

Perhaps. There were still many British regulars. I don't know if this was ever researched.
There will be some one who knows.
Many of the Hussein solders deserted and some of us are descended from them.
There was a strange immigration of Germans to the US, back to German States, back to US.
I knew a man who fought for Germany in WW11, was conscripted for his specialty by US in WW11.
Sometimes people got drafted for countries they were just visiting.
Many Mexicans nationals got pulled into US Military in WW11.
Sometimes being on one side or the other is just fate.
Some German Princes of The revolutionary war era 'volunteered'
their subjects, and made lots of money.

Answer 7

Technically no. Germany didn't become a country until the late 1800s and the boarders were modified after WWI. To say they were Germans was to say the U.S. fought the Gauls, the Koreans and the Romans in WWII.

Answer 8

The British had their own standing army. they did employ Hessian troops who were mercenaries. Professional troops...