Tag Archives: 1940

Ireland’s Wars: German Bombing Of Ireland

In our last entry, we discussed the terrible consequences of the German decision to extend their bombing campaign of the United Kingdom to Belfast. The destruction meted out there would remain long in the memory, serving as a potent reminder … Continue reading

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Ireland’s Wars: “Britain Alone” And 1941

When we last discussed the progress of the war proper, it was in the context of the early stages of the conflict, which were characterised by a series of German successes in Poland, Denmark, Norway, the Low Countries and France. … Continue reading

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Ireland’s Wars: The Rathgar Road Shootout

The IRA was not in a good position going into the Autumn of 1940. The S-Plan had stuttered to an uninspiring conclusion. The Christmas Raid had left the organisation with more problems than benefits. Its leading light had died onboard … Continue reading

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Ireland’s Wars: Sean Russell In Germany

The early sections of the Second World War for the IRA had been dominated by the continued implementation of the S-Plan, the subsequent failure of which had left the organisation at a low ebb. In combination with the long term … Continue reading

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Ireland’s Wars: Plan W

We round of this trilogy of entries on the theoretical aspects of Ireland’s involvement in the Second World War with a look at that which both the British and Irish leadership came up with in the same period as Plan … Continue reading

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Ireland’s Wars: Operation Green

The Nazi conquest of the Low Countries and France brings us to a critical point of the Second World War. Much of Ireland’s strategic position at the outset of the conflict was based around the simple reality that it was … Continue reading

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Ireland’s Wars: Plan Kathleen And Operation Mainau

My commentary on the IRA’s activities in the early stages of the Second World War have tended to be critical. The S-Plan was a resounding failure in its stated aims, and the Christmas Raid ended up undercutting its short-term success … Continue reading

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Ireland’s Wars: The Phoney War And The Fall Of France

Having looked at the initial Irish reaction to the Second World War and the early activities of the IRA for the same, it is now time to take a closer look at the war itself. Ireland was not a belligerent … Continue reading

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