British Troops in American uniforms

[Dave G]

I have just been told that British troops during the war were made to wear American uniforms to add backbone to the advance into Germany
Is this true and if so any details

After the american gained independance from the british when we had finished fighting the French did the Gaurds march from Canada and burn the white house down
if so any details
regards Dave

[kempie]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burning_of_Washin gton

I am not aware of the veracity of the claim that "British troops... were made to wear American uniforms to add backbone to the advance into Germany" but conversely (sort of) it is certainly true that a large number of US troops wore uniforms made in Britain.

The British produced clothing and web gear for American GIs, at the behest of the American government as an expedient method of supplying huge numbers of troops embarking to the ETO (European Theatre of Operations).

[Scylax]

No information on the British wearing American uniforms;
this may well be an old soldier's story.

During the 'Battle of the Bulge' in winter 1944, the
Germans (some of them) certainly wore US uniforms,
as a deception plan - and it worked on occasion.

[dundurn]

Yes, the White House was set alight by the British Army but not during the War of Independence.
The White House didn't exist during the American War of Independence (1776ish). They didn't have an elected President until 1789 (G Washington) and the White House wasn't liveable until after he'd retired. The second President, John Adams moved in in c1800. He'd taken over from Washington in 1797.

I'm not certain that the building had been completely finished off when it was burned by the British Army in 1814, during the War of 1812. The original building was just the central portion of what's there today, i.e. no East or West wings. The troops who participated in the raid didn't march from Canada, they were brought in by the Navy from Chesapeake Bay. I don't know if the Guards were involved but certainly marines were involved in the action.