Why did the British soldiers wear red coats during the Revolutionary War?

Answer by  Fleshj (403)

The British Army was designed for Linear Warfare (putting the troops in a firing line). In that type of warfare, it is advantagous to for commanders to identify their troops rather than hiding them. There was no advantage to concealment; therefore Euro-armies dressed in bright colors.

Answer by  Desine (427)

It's rather hard to hide a hundred or so musketeers standing in two ranks. The tactics of the time had companies of musketeers (approximately 80 men) standing in an orderly line, two men deep, massing fire against similarly-ranked companies. Late 18th-century muskets were not very lethal weapons, so massed fire was the order of the day.