Tag Archives: 16th (Irish)

Ireland’s Wars: 11th November 1918

Posted on Apr 10, 2018 by NFB

Long before the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the Central Powers knew that the First World War was essentially over. Bulgaria had bowed out at the end of September, the Ottoman’s at the end of … Continue reading →

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Ireland’s Wars: The Hundred Days

Posted on Mar 20, 2018 by NFB

On the 8th August 1918, a combined assault of British, Australian, Canadian, American and French troops smashed into the German lines near Amiens, doing so without a major artillery bombardment beforehand, but relying instead on the support of over 500 … Continue reading →

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Ireland’s Wars: The End Of The Spring Offensive

Posted on Mar 13, 2018 by NFB

The latter part of Spring 1918 appeared a grim time for the Allies, and for the Irish. Germany’s offensive had gained significant amounts of ground, casualties had been high, the Irish divisions had taken a pounding and, to cap it … Continue reading →

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Ireland’s Wars: The Last Fight Of The 16th Division

Posted on Feb 27, 2018 by NFB

Operation Michael had stunned the Allies on the western front. A huge gap had been opened in the Somme sector by the ferocious German assault, and now enemy troops were pouring in, the likes of Ludendorff and Hindenburg more concerned … Continue reading →

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Ireland’s Wars: Operation Michael

Posted on Feb 20, 2018 by NFB

At 3.30 AM on the 21st March 1918, the Spring Offensive, Germany’s last great gamble, began with the launching of “Operation Michael”, an attack in the Somme sector, aimed squarely at the British Army lines, just north of where they … Continue reading →

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Ireland’s Wars: Awaiting Kaiserschlacht

Posted on Feb 13, 2018 by NFB

As 1918 began, Germany was on the ropes. There was continued unrest at home from a populace that was increasingly war weary, unhappy with the military oligarchy now in control of the country. The Allied superiority at sea was causing … Continue reading →

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Ireland’s Wars: Cambrai

Posted on Jan 23, 2018 by NFB

In the course of my coverage of the Somme campaign of 1916, I have already mentioned the introduction of the newest form of mechanised warfare, namely the tank. These early versions of the devices that would come to dominate land-based … Continue reading →

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Ireland’s Wars: Messines

Posted on Dec 19, 2017 by NFB

On the 7th of June, the British Second Army, which included the 16th (Irish) and 36th (Ulster) Divisions, would go forward against the imposing Messines Ridge, the German salient that would have to be dealt with before any larger effort … Continue reading →

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Ireland’s Wars: Prelude To The Somme

Posted on Oct 24, 2017 by NFB

As surprising as it may sound, with the memory of what had occurred in the previous year and with the fighting that was ongoing on other fronts, the first few months of 1916 on the western front were considered relatively … Continue reading →

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