The Irish who fought Hitler

Osem · 28-12-2011, 18:20

I must say I didn't know anything about this:

Quote:

Five thousand Irish soldiers who swapped uniforms to fight for the British against Hitler went on to suffer years of persecution.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16287211

You'd have thought that, after all this time, and given what Hitler was up to, they'd have been pardoned and treated as heroes by now...

I wonder what all those who wanted the Nazis to win think now?

martyh · 28-12-2011, 18:47

Goes for me too ,i have never heard this either .It is disgusting that nothing has been done about it .As for those who wanted Britain defeated do they think Hitler would have respected Irelands nuetrality should his battle against Britain been succesfull .

Gary L · 28-12-2011, 18:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyh

Goes for me too ,i have never heard this either .It is disgusting that nothing has been done about it .As for those who wanted Britain defeated do they think Hitler would have respected Irelands nuetrality should his battle against Britain been succesfull .

They were probably thinking like they do in them irish jokes

Mr Angry · 28-12-2011, 18:57

Unfortunately time has been unforgiving.

More info here.

Loads more here and the book here for those interested.

Down the Pub · 28-12-2011, 19:00

read about this this afternoon. never heardthis myself, and wouldn't be surprised if large numbers of irish hadn't - doubt it's something the government of the time would want being made common knowledge.

martyh · 28-12-2011, 19:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Down the Pub

read about this this afternoon. never heardthis myself, and wouldn't be surprised if large numbers of irish hadn't - doubt it's something the government of the time would want being made common knowledge.

Those where my thoughts as well ,....."it's something we don't talk about" "let sleeping dogs lie "...and all that

**Maggy J** · 28-12-2011, 19:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Angry

Unfortunately time has been unforgiving.

More info here.

Loads more here and the book here for those interested.

Has no one thought to approach the European Court of Human Rights over this since Ireland's entry into the Eurozone?

Mr Angry · 28-12-2011, 19:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy J

Has no one thought to approach the European Court of Human Rights over this since Ireland's entry into the Eurozone?

Not that I'm aware of Maggy. The unfortunate fact is that this is how the Dail of the time elected to deal with what were seen as deserters.

In the eyes of the law that is / was what they were at the time and each country has its own way of dealing with members of its armed forces who desert.

The 4983 to whom this matter relates were treated terribly, of that there is no doubt.

Another little known / oft overlooked fact is that almost 70000 Irishmen travelled from their homes in Ireland to Belfast to join the British army in their fight against the Nazis.