Guarding Neutral Ireland

Guarding Neutral Ireland PDF Author: Michael J. Kennedy
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 400

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Book Description
Ireland's Second World War frontline troops were the men of the Coast Watching Service. From 1939-45 they maintained a continuous watch along the Irish shoreline, reporting all incidents in the seas and skies to Military Intelligence (G2). They had a vital influence on the development of Ireland's pro-Allied neutrality and on the defence of Ireland during 'The Emergency', as through their reports G2 assessed the direction of the Battle of the Atlantic off Ireland and reported belligerent threats to the state upwards to the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, to the Cabinet and Taoiseach and Minister for External Affairs Eamon de Valera. Using unique Irish military sources and newly available British and American material, the history of the coastwatchers and G2 combines to tell the history of the Second World War as it happened locally along the coast of Ireland and at national and international levels in Dublin, London, Berlin and Washington. Of particular importance, the study reveals in the greatest detail yet available the secret relationship between Irish military and diplomats and British Admiralty Intelligence, showing how coast watching service reports were passed on to the RAF and Royal Navy Britain in the hunt for German u-boats and aircraft in the Atlantic.

Guarding Neutral Ireland

Guarding Neutral Ireland PDF Author: Michael J. Kennedy
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 400

Get Book Here

Book Description
Ireland's Second World War frontline troops were the men of the Coast Watching Service. From 1939-45 they maintained a continuous watch along the Irish shoreline, reporting all incidents in the seas and skies to Military Intelligence (G2). They had a vital influence on the development of Ireland's pro-Allied neutrality and on the defence of Ireland during 'The Emergency', as through their reports G2 assessed the direction of the Battle of the Atlantic off Ireland and reported belligerent threats to the state upwards to the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, to the Cabinet and Taoiseach and Minister for External Affairs Eamon de Valera. Using unique Irish military sources and newly available British and American material, the history of the coastwatchers and G2 combines to tell the history of the Second World War as it happened locally along the coast of Ireland and at national and international levels in Dublin, London, Berlin and Washington. Of particular importance, the study reveals in the greatest detail yet available the secret relationship between Irish military and diplomats and British Admiralty Intelligence, showing how coast watching service reports were passed on to the RAF and Royal Navy Britain in the hunt for German u-boats and aircraft in the Atlantic.

A Long Long War

A Long Long War PDF Author: Ken Wharton
Publisher: Grub Street Publishers
ISBN: 1907677607
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 524

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Book Description
The author of Bloody Belfast delivers “a vivid and unforgettable record” of the Northern Irish conflict that captures the “true horrors of war” (Best of British). There are stories from some of the most seminal moments during the troubles in Northern Ireland—the Crossmaglen firefights, the 1988 corporals killings, the Ballygawley bus bombing, and more—told from the perspective of the British soldiers who served there between 1969 and 1998. This was a war against terrorists who knew no mercy or compassion; a war involving sectarian hatred and violent death. Over 1,000 British lives were lost in a place just thirty minutes flying time away from the mainland. The British Army was sent into Northern Ireland on August 14, 1969, by the Wilson government as law and order had broken down and the population (mainly Catholics) and property were at grave risk. Between then and 1998, some 300,000 British troops served in Northern Ireland. This is their story—in their own words—from first to last. Receiving a remarkable amount of cooperation from Northern Ireland veterans eager to tell their story, the author has compiled a vivid and unforgettable record. Their experiences—sad and poignant, fearful and violent, courageous in the face of adversity, even downright hilarious—make for compelling reading. Their voices need to be heard. “One of the first and only books to offer the perspective of regular British soldiers serving in the Northern Irish conflict . . . a valuable addition to the extensive literature about the Irish Troubles.” —Choice

Spitting on a Soldier's Grave

Spitting on a Soldier's Grave PDF Author: Robert Widders
Publisher: Troubador Publishing Ltd
ISBN: 1848764995
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 92

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Book Description
The story of the Irishmen who deserted from the Irish Army to join the Allies in the struggle against fascism and Nazism during the Second World War, has been kept secret for over half a century. These men fought, and sometimes died, in some of the bloodiest battles of the war. And after the war they were all Court Martialed, even the dead. This meticulously researched book tells the story of the men who fought for freedom but were vilified after death. It tells the story of men like Joseph Mullally who died on D-Day, 6 June 1944, fighting with the British Army on the beaches of Normandy, a year before his court-martial. And Stephen McManus who’d already suffered torture and starvation whilst being worked to death in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. Gerry O’Neill risked his life with the newly formed Irish Navy, rescuing wounded British soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk And Nicholas McNamara volunteered to serve with RAF Bomber Command knowing it meant almost certain death. The freedoms and democratic rights we enjoy today were earned by men like these, who fought, and sometimes died, on the home front and the battlefields of World War II. The deserters from the Irish Army, who joined the Allied struggle, faced the horrors of the bloodiest war in mankind’s bloodstained history. Their stories are now told, in meticulous detail, in Spitting on a Soldier’s Grave.

Cross Channel Attack

Cross Channel Attack PDF Author: Gordon A. Harrison
Publisher: BDD Promotional Books Company
ISBN: 9780792458562
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 552

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Book Description
Discusses the Allied invasion of Normandy, with extensive details about the planning stage, called Operation Overlord, as well as the fighting on Utah and Omaha Beaches.

The Nine Years War, 1593-1603

The Nine Years War, 1593-1603 PDF Author: James O'Neill
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781846827549
Category : Great Britain
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
"The Nine Years War was one of the most traumatic and bloody conflicts in the history of Ireland. Encroachment on the liberties of the Irish lords by the English crown caused Hugh O'Neill, earl of Tyrone, to build an unprecedented confederation of Irish lords leading a new Irish military armed with pike and shot. This book is an important reassessment of the military dimensions of the Nine Years War, as situated in the wider context of European political and military history. Backed by Philip II of Spain, Tyrone and his allies outclassed the forces of the English crown, achieving a string of stunning victories and bringing the power of Elizabeth I in Ireland to the brink of collapse. The opening shots were fired in Ulster, but from 1593 to 1599 war engulfed all of Ireland. The conflic consumed the lives and reputations of Elizabeth's court favourites as they struggled to cope with the new Irish way of war. Sophisticated strategy and modern tactics made the Irish war appear unwinnable to many in England, but Lord Mountjoy's arrival as deputy in 1600 changed everything. Mountjoy reformed the demoralized English army and rolled back the advances achieved by Tyrone. Mountjoy's success was crowned by his shattering defeat of Tyrone and his Spanish allies at Kinsale in 1601, which ultimately led to the earl's submission in 1603, though not before famine, misery and atrocity took their toll on the people of Ireland. This book rewrites the narrative and interpretation of the Nine Years War. It uses military evidence to show that not only was Irish society progressive, it was also quicker to adopt military and technological change than its English enemies."--

The Irish Brigade in the Pope's Army 1860

The Irish Brigade in the Pope's Army 1860 PDF Author: Donal Corcoran
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781846827266
Category : Ireland
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The Irish brigade rushed to defend Pope Pius IX and the Papal States from invasion by the army of King Victor Emmanuel II of Piedmont, and revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi's 'red shirt' guerrillas. This event offers a fascinating insight into post-Famine Ireland and the Italian Risorgimento when both nations struggled for independence, unity and an end to foreign domination. Historical background on Ireland, the Papal States and Italy before 1860 is given, featuring the interplay between nationalism and religion. The brigade's recruitment by priests and nationalists, their motivation, journey to Italy, and hardships suffered on arrival are detailed, together with the complexities of the papal army - military, political and clerical infighting, and the partisan media war. Military accounts of the battles and sieges at Perugia, Spoleto, Castelfidardo and Ancona are recorded, along with the brigade's imprisonment at Genoa, journey home and heroes' welcome. A list of brigade members is included. [Subjects: Irish History; Italian History; Risorgimento; Nineteenth-Century History; Military History]

The Geopolitics of Anglo-Irish Relations in the Twentieth Century

The Geopolitics of Anglo-Irish Relations in the Twentieth Century PDF Author: Geoffrey R. Sloan
Publisher: A&C Black
ISBN: 9780718513566
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 350

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Book Description
Anglo-Irish relations in the twentieth century can be described as being close but tortuous. This paradox is fused with Ireland's geographical location - both isolated from Europe and in close proximity to the main island of the British archipelago. Using a geopolitical analysis based on the theories of Sir Halford Mackinder, this book provides a new understanding of the strategic imperatives that have driven British policy throughout the turbulent events of the twentieth century. Containing material which has only recently been released by the Public Record Office, this book brings an entirely new perspective to the reality of Irish neutrality, and the pivotal importance of Northern Ireland in the Battle of the Atlantic during the Second World War. Furthermore, using US archival material, it gives a new insight into Ireland's geopolitical importance in the First World War, and her contribution to victory against the German U-boats.

Irish Military Elites, Nation and Empire, 1870–1925

Irish Military Elites, Nation and Empire, 1870–1925 PDF Author: Loughlin Sweeney
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3030193071
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 311

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Book Description
This book is a social history of Irish officers in the British army in the final half-century of Crown rule in Ireland. Drawing on the accounts of hundreds of officers, it charts the role of military elites in Irish society, and the building tensions between their dual identities as imperial officers and Irishmen, through land agitation, the home rule struggle, the First World War, the War of Independence, and the partition of Ireland. What emerges is an account of the deeply interwoven connections between Ireland and the British army, casting officers as social elites who played a pivotal role in Irish society, and examining the curious continuities of this connection even when officers’ moral authority was shattered by war, revolution, independence, and a divided nation.

The Transformation Of Ireland 1900-2000

The Transformation Of Ireland 1900-2000 PDF Author: Diarmaid Ferriter
Publisher: Profile Books
ISBN: 1847650813
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 897

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Book Description
A ground-breaking history of the twentieth century in Ireland, written on the most ambitious scale by a brilliant young historian. It is significant that it begins in 1900 and ends in 2000 - most accounts have begun in 1912 or 1922 and largely ignored the end of the century. Politics and political parties are examined in detail but high politics does not dominate the book, which rather sets out to answer the question: 'What was it like to grow up and live in 20th-century Ireland'? It deals with the North in a comprehensive way, focusing on the social and cultural aspects, not just the obvious political and religious divisions.

A Long Long Way

A Long Long Way PDF Author: Sebastian Barry
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 1101075767
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 302

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Book Description
A powerful new novel about divided loyalties and the realities of war from “master storyteller” (Wall Street Journal) Sebastian Barry, author of Old God's Time In 1914, Willie Dunne, barely eighteen years old, leaves behind Dublin, his family, and the girl he plans to marry in order to enlist in the Allied forces and face the Germans on the Western Front. Once there, he encounters a horror of violence and gore he could not have imagined and sustains his spirit with only the words on the pages from home and the camaraderie of the mud-covered Irish boys who fight and die by his side. Dimly aware of the political tensions that have grown in Ireland in his absence, Willie returns on leave to find a world split and ravaged by forces closer to home. Despite the comfort he finds with his family, he knows he must rejoin his regiment and fight until the end. With grace and power, Sebastian Barry vividly renders Willie’s personal struggle as well as the overwhelming consequences of war.