Northern Ireland in the Second World WarWhat was the full impact of the Second World War on Northern Ireland and how important was its role in the allied cause? This book assesses Northern Ireland's contribution to the war effort—its industrial production, its use as a base and training center for British and American troops, its strategic importance in the Battle of the Atlantic and the contribution of its volunteers to the allied campaigns. Using recently released papers in Dublin, it looks anew at the Blitz, particularly on whether the lights in neutral Eire helped the German bombers in their devasting raids. It recreates much of the atmosphere of what it was like to live for over 5 years under the combined attentions of German bombers, shortages, bureancracy and American soldiers. It examines the sensitive issues of why there was no conscription, the initially lacklustre performance of the Unionist government, de Valera's persistence with neutrality, and the extent of the tensions between locals and GIs stationed here. The long-term significance of the War—on inter-community relations, on governmental relations north and south, and between Stormont and Westminster - is assessed. It contends that in many of these areas, and in the establishment of the post-war welfare state, the Second World War was a major turning point in the history of Northern Ireland. |
Contents
The Lull Before the Storm | 24 |
The Blitz and After 19411943 | 41 |
From the Ashes a New Beginning 194345 | 66 |
Northern Ireland | 109 |
The Legacy | 134 |
Common terms and phrases
active aircraft allied American Andrews areas arrived attack August authorities became become Belfast blitz border Britain British Brooke Brooke Diary cabinet catholic cause Churchill civil claimed concerned concluded conscription considered continued course D/FA December defence described Diary division Douglas Harkness Dublin early effort Eire especially fact favoured February forces further German given Home houses increased industrial invasion Irish issue January John July June labour late later leadership Letter living London Londonderry major March measures meeting military Minister Ministry nationalist neutrality Northern Ireland noted November Observation October Office op.cit operations party plans political Prime PRONI Protestants province raid Record regarded relations response result September six counties social southern Stormont streets suggested throughout troops Ulster Unionist United Kingdom Valera wartime Westminster Woodside