Ger Browne @GerBrowne4 Twitter profile | Pikagi

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Ger Browne

@GerBrowne4

4,865

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Military historian dedicated to revealing the fascinating military heritage/history of Clare/Ireland🇮🇪 in all Wars/Armies from the Wild Geese to the present.

Clare, Ireland

https://t.co/WdkwgF2uMv

Joined December 2012

Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.

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@GerBrowne4

Ger Browne

2 years

After 8 weeks +4M views revealing the huge contribution from Éire🇮🇪 to the Allies in WW2 & exposing the myths as lies, it’s time to remember the Irish🇮🇪men & women that participated in nearly every war/battle worth fighting in & for every cause/country worth dying for. Thank you.

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@GerBrowne4

Ger Browne

2 years

80% of all transatlantic flights flies through our🇮🇪 airspace, 97% of all intercontinental data travels through our under water cables & we host the global giants in ICT Pharma & Biotech. Its time we accepted the cost & enormous responsibility of defending our strategic location.

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Ger Browne

2 years

In 1938 PM Neville Chamberlain (knowing war was imminent) returned the Treaty Ports (Lough Swilly, Spike Island & Berehaven) to Ireland unconditionally & ended the Anglo-Irish Trade War for £10M. The Ports were poorly maintained, difficult to defend & needed a massive investment.

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Ger Browne

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In 1939 the 5 Halloran brothers from Ennistymon Co Clare🇮🇪 answered the call to arms. John, William & Michael joined the British Army🇬🇧 while Jeremiah & Martin who were then living in New York joined the US Army🇺🇸 & experienced the D-Day landings. Miraculously all 5 survived WW2.

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Ger Browne

1 year

In 1938 PM Neville Chamberlain🇬🇧 (knowing war was imminent) returned the Treaty Ports (Lough Swilly, Spike Island & Berehaven) to Éire🇮🇪 unconditionally & ended the Anglo-Irish Trade War for £10M. The Ports were poorly maintained difficult to defend & needed a massive investment.

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Ger Browne

2 years

My posts on the ‘Emergency’ which started 12 days ago, have reached 1M views (& counting), showing that there is a massive appetite on this island, to find out what REALLY happened in Éire during WW2.

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Ger Browne

1 year

Mary Elmes Cork City Éire🇮🇪, rescued over 427 children from Nazi extermination camps in WW2, often hiding them in the boot of her car & driving them to safety. She is the only Irish person to receive Israel’s🇮🇱 highest award & a bridge in Cork City🇮🇪 was named after her in 2019.

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Ger Browne

2 years

Of the 3,464 US Medals of Honor🇺🇸 awarded (1861-2009), approx 2,021 have been awarded to Irish-American🇮🇪🇺🇸 recipients, more than twice the number awarded to any other ethnic group. 257 were Irish-born🇮🇪 which represents more than half of all foreign-born recipients.

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Ger Browne

2 years

Brilliant map showing the location of the 83 Coastal Lookout Posts & EIRE signs, Wireless masts, Coastal Artillery & Aerodromes in Éire🇮🇪 during WW2. Also gives the location of the German U-260, that was scuttled off the Cork coast in March 1945 & the minefield off Co Waterford.

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Ger Browne

2 years

L/S James Magennis (1919-86) a Catholic from West Belfast was awarded the VC (the only citizen from NI to do so in WW2) for valor in July 1945 during an attack on a Japanese Cruiser in Singapore, when he left his midget submarine for a 2nd time in order to free explosive charges.

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Ger Browne

1 year

On 13th Sept 1961 at the Siege of Jadotville, 155 Irish soldiers🇮🇪 serving with the UN🇺🇳held back an army of 3,500 rebels, including seasoned Belgian, French & Rhodesian mercenaries in the Congo & remarkably survived. 3 Claremen - Dr Joseph Clune, Q/M P Neville & Pte J Shanagher.

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Ger Browne

2 years

Just passed the 2M views in July showing a lot of people want to know the TRUTH of what REALLY happened in Éire🇮🇪 during the Emergency. Our massive WW2 contribution to the Allies has been deliberately discredited & distorted, creating a stain on our reputation that has to erased.

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Ger Browne

2 years

In the classic movie, The Longest Day, Richard Todd Dublin Éire 🇮🇪, played the role of Major John Howard, commanding the attack on Pegasus Bridge. Incredibly Todd was a Captain🇬🇧 on that real life mission. His own character (Capt Todd), was played by another actor! @roy_kinsella

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Ger Browne

2 years

OTD in 1915 at Rue du Bois the 2nd Bn RMF prepared for battle. “On a lonely dark road-side, lit up by the flashes of our own & German flares, arose to heaven the voices of 800 men singing the glorious hymn - Hail Queen of Heaven.” At dawn 393 men were lost. 19 were from Co Clare.

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Ger Browne

1 year

Sgt Nicholas (Sonny) McNamara Killalee Co Limerick Éire🇮🇪 aged 21, was a Lancaster Tail Gunner🇬🇧 flying over Zeitz in Germany Jan 1945, when attacked by a night-fighter. He was wounded, unable to talk & trapped in his turret with the plane losing altitude & about to be abandoned.

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1 year

The majestic Irish☘️ National War Memorial Gardens at Islandbridge Dublin🇮🇪, were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens🇬🇧 & commemorate the 40K+ Irish☘️ men & women who tragically died in WW1.

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Ger Browne

4 months

Let the pro-Nazi liars say what they like about Éire🇮🇪, we gave the Allies everything they needed in WW2 -our Food/Airspace/Waters/Airports, regular Coastal/Weather & Intelligence reports, Soldiers/Sailors/Seamen/Airmen/Doctors/Nurses/Builders/Workers etc. We apologise to no one.

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Ger Browne

2 years

The concrete runways in 1943 at Rineanna Co Clare🇮🇪 (Shannon Airport). After the war they found chambers beneath them, that were packed with explosives during WW2, in case of a Nazi invasion!

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Ger Browne

2 years

When the House of Lords blocked Irish Home Rule again in Jan 1913 (against the wishes of the majority on the island), followed by partition, they lost their last opportunity to build another Australia, New Zealand or Canada on their doorstep & blew a powerful Irish🇮🇪 ally in WW2.

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Ger Browne

2 years

2.2M views for July, again showing a lot of interest into what REALLY happened in Éire🇮🇪 in WW2. Thank you for following. However our massive contribution to the Allies in WW2 has been deliberately discredited & distorted, creating a stain on our reputation that HAS to be erased.

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Ger Browne

2 years

Sir Adrian Carton de Wiart VC (1880-1963), a one-eyed, one-handed war hero🇬🇧, fought in the Boer War, WW1 & WW2, surviving plane crashes & POW camps. Born in Brussels to Belgian🇧🇪 & Irish🇮🇪 parents. Moved to Macroom Co Cork🇮🇪 in 1951 & died 5th June 1963. Buried Caum Churchyard.

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Ger Browne

1 year

On 21st Aug 1986, Lt Aengus Murphy Tuam Co Galway🇮🇪 aged 25, was tragically killed & 2 other Irish UN🇺🇳 Peacekeepers wounded by a remote controlled bomb, when patrolling a road near the village of Tireh Lebanon🇱🇧, where 47 Irish peacekeepers have lost their lives. @irelandbattles

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Ger Browne

2 years

Capt Reginald A Dench (1897-1964) father of Dame Judi Dench, was raised in Dublin 🇮🇪 & served in the Leinster Regt. Awarded the MC & Bar for inflicting many casualties with his machine gun at Spanbroekmolen March 1917 & for leadership in a raid on enemy trenches near Bullecourt.

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Ger Browne

1 year

When Irishman🇮🇪 Group Capt John 'Paddy' Hemingway RAF🇬🇧 acceded to the title of the last of ‘The Few’ in Jan 2020, it created a sense of apathy & apparent unease in Britain! Read a superb article on Éire🇮🇪 & the 1000's of Irishmen who joined the RAF in WW2

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Ger Browne

2 years

In the film 'Zulu' (1964), Michael Caine played the role of Maj Gonville Bromhead VC (1845-91), born in Versailles to a Co Sligo🇮🇪 mother (3 Irish grandparents) & in a 'A Bridge Too Far' (1977), the role of Lt-Col Joe Vandeleur (1903-88), born in Pakistan to a Co Clare🇮🇪 family.

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Ger Browne

2 years

The spectacular Dunree Fort was built to defend Lough Swilly Co Donegal in the Napoleonic Wars. The RN remained there until 1938 when it was handed over to Éire🇮🇪 & manned by the Irish Army in WW2. It is now a fantastic military museum & the restored guns.

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Ger Browne

2 years

Just hit the 2.5M views for the past 28 days. Let the liars say what they like, we are & always have been the greatest warrior race on earth🇮🇪. Our ancestors have fought in every war & battle worth fighting in & for every country or cause worth dying for. We apologise to no one.

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Ger Browne

2 years

This is an amazing article that outlines a huge amount of Anglo-Irish cooperation during WW2, including armaments, wireless equipment, radar systems, transmitters, anti-aircraft defences, Coastal Patrols, Hurricanes, postal censorship & Fort Shannon.

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Ger Browne

2 years

On 6th August 1945, Sister Julia Canny (1894-1987) Clonbur Co Galway Éire🇮🇪, a former Japanese POW, was sitting outside her Holy Souls Convent in Hiroshima when the bomb dropped. She miraculously survived the blast & helped 90 other survivors as best she could. @DavidCummins86

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Ger Browne

2 years

Churchill & Roosevelt also essentially abandoned the Roman Catholic people of Northern Ireland by supporting a bigoted regime that trampled on their rights & when the Troubles erupted it was partly a consequence of the distorted ignorance of what actually happened in Éire in WW2.

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Ger Browne

1 year

The Connaught Rangers Peninsular War Colour🇬🇧 in St Nicholas Church Galway🇮🇪 with the battles at Orthez (1814), Toulouse (1814), Badajoz (1811/12), Vitoria (1813) Nivelle (1813) Talavera (1809), Bussaco (1810), Ciudad Rodrigo (1810/12), Fuentes de Oñoro (1811) & Salamanca (1812).

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Ger Browne

2 years

Sean Deegan Éire🇮🇪, was too young & skinny to join the Irish Army, so he joined the RAF🇬🇧 instead, locating & salvaging crashed allied aircraft. On June 6th 1944 he landed on the Normandy beaches & was so affected by what he saw at Bergen-Belsen that he became a Franciscan Monk.

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Ger Browne

2 years

When the 5 Irish-American🇮🇪🇺🇸 Sullivan brothers (L to R) Joe 24, Frank 26, Al 20, Matt 23 & George 27, all US Navy were killed on USS Juneau🇺🇸 in Nov 1942 at Guadalcanal, it was not alone the greatest WW2 loss by any US family, but the greatest US🇺🇸 family wartime sacrifice ever.

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Ger Browne

2 years

Over 200 planes crashed/made forced landings in Éire 🇮🇪 during WW2. All but 15 were Allied aircraft. There were 823 aircrew, 223 of which were casualties. Below, the full military honours rendered to the crew of RAF Hampden, that crashed near Blessington Co Wicklow in April 1941.

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Ger Browne

2 years

Brilliant article by Kevin Myers, on the huge contribution from the men & women from Éire🇮🇪 in WW2 & those who gave their lives for our freedom & the good name of Éire🇮🇪. We will never forget them, even if the rest of the world does.

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Ger Browne

1 year

Just before the evacuation at Dunkirk (26 May-3 June 1940) an Irish Navy🇮🇪 crew was sent to Southampton to collect 6 Motor Torpedo Boats numbered M1-M6. Gerry O’Neill (Cork🇮🇪 former RN🇬🇧) the Skipper of M2 was asked to help & the M2 returned twice from Dunkirk🇫🇷 with the wounded.

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Ger Browne

1 year

In Aug 1914 Kitchener accepted Carson's offer of an Ulster Division (26K men) in lieu of exemption for Ulster counties from Home Rule, thus ensuring partition. No one bothered to tell the 122K Irish☘️ men who later volunteered to fight in WW1 or the existing 58K Irish☘️ soldiers.

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Ger Browne

1 year

This is an amazing article that outlines a huge amount of Anglo-Irish 🇬🇧🇮🇪cooperation during WW2, including armaments, wireless equipment, radar systems, transmitters, anti-aircraft defences, Coastal Patrols, Hurricanes, postal censorship & Fort Shannon.

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Ger Browne

2 years

From 1939 the Irish Coastal Sqdn patrolled the Irish sea-board & whenever they spotted marauding & meteorological Focke-Wulf Condors Rineanna would broadcast their course & RAF aircraft would soon be observed in hot pursuit. They were replaced in 1943 by a Hurricane fighter Sqdn.

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Ger Browne

1 year

When Kitchener🇬🇧 agreed to exemption for Ulster Counties from Irish Home Rule☘️ (essentially Partition) in lieu of an Ulster Div in WW1, he destroyed the best war machine the British ever had (1M+ ☘️men in 34 Wars🇬🇧 1801-1918) & blew a powerful Irish☘️ Army for the Allies in WW2.

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Ger Browne

2 years

James Feeney Co Longford Éire🇮🇪 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, survived relentless Japanese advances in Burma April/May 1942 & reached the Indian border with 133 men of 600. The C/O Maj Samuel McConnell aged 44 (Co Dublin🇮🇪) & 2nd C/O Maj Brian Boyle aged 36 (Co Laois🇮🇪) were KIA.

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1 year

In 1588, the Spanish Armada🇪🇸 arrived off Co Clare🇮🇪. The San Esteban🇪🇸 went down off White Strand with the loss of 246 men, the San Marcos🇪🇸 broke up off Mutton Island, with the loss of 450 men. The survivors were hanged on Cnoc na Crocaire near Spanish Point, and buried nearby.

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Ger Browne

2 years

Maureen O'Sullivan Dublin Éire🇮🇪, educated in Belgium & France joined the WAAF in 1939 (Wireless Operator) & the SOE in 1944. Parachuted into France & worked with the Resistance forwarding messages to the UK for 5 months in preparation for D-Day (average life for an SOE 6 weeks).

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Ger Browne

1 year

On 28th June 28th Lt Michael Patrick Murphy🇮🇪🇺🇸 Navy Seal & Medal of Honor recipient, was killed while leading his SEAL Reconnaissance Team in Afghanistan. Marcus Luttrell was the only team survivor, portrayed by Mark Wahlberg in 'Lone Survivor'. His Memorial in Kinsale Co Cork🇮🇪

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Ger Browne

2 years

Michael Rogers, Tulsk Co Roscommon Éire🇮🇪 living in New Jerse🇺🇸, was conscripted into the US Army🇺🇸, landed on the Normandy beaches on D-Day & although wounded, saved a wounded comrade who was drowning & carried him out of the water under intense fire, for which he was decorated.

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Ger Browne

3 years

At Malvern Hill VA 1 July 1862 the Irish Brigade was pinned down. Sgt Driscoll took aim & a rebel officer fell. As he turned the officer over, he saw that it was his own son who had moved to the South. He then was shot. Father & son were buried together. @irelandbattles @irishacw

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Ger Browne

2 years

General James Gavin (1907-90) was born in New York to unwed Irish🇮🇪 parents, who put him up for adoption. He commanded the 82nd Airborne Div🇺🇸 from Aug 1944 in WW2 & made 4 combat jumps including D-Day 6 June 1944, when the 82nd captured Sainte-Mère-Église just behind Utah Beach.

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Ger Browne

2 years

Pte Patrick Gillen Cork City Éire🇮🇪, No 6 Commando, landed Sword Beach D-Day, advanced to Pegasus Bridge (held by 7th Parachute Regt & Capt Richard Todd Dublin🇮🇪) crossed under sniper fire & remained for 7 weeks guarding the Allied flank. After the War, worked at Ford's in Cork.

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Ger Browne

2 years

Fr Cyril Crean, Dublin Éire🇮🇪, was a 6’3” Chaplain for the 29th Armoured Brigade in the Normandy landings June 1944 & stayed with them through France, Belgium & the Netherlands. He returned to Dublin, went on 2 tours to the Congo & was Army Head Chaplain until 1962. He died 1973.

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Ger Browne

1 year

Plan W was a WW2 plan for joint Irish🇮🇪/UK🇬🇧 military operations to be executed in the event of an invasion of Éire🇮🇪 by 8K+ German paratroopers who would firstly be engaged by Irish 5th Bde, followed by 1st & 2nd Irish Div's with the LDF dynamiting bridges & organising ambushes.

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Ger Browne

2 years

Ireland🇮🇪 (1M+men) fought in every British War🇬🇧 (36) from 1801-1918 incl French Revolutionary, Anglo-Maratha, Napoleonic (150K), 1812, 100 Days, Ashanti, Anglo-Burmese, Anglo-Afghan, Opium, Anglo-Sikh, NZ, Crimean (30K), Indian, Anglo-Zulu, Boer (30K) Mahdist Boxer & WW1 (200K).

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Ger Browne

1 year

When the House of Lords🇬🇧 blocked Irish Home Rule☘️ again in Jan 1913 (against the wishes of the majority of ☘️people on the island) followed by partition they lost their last opportunity to build an Australia/New Zealand/Canada on their doorstep & a powerful Irish☘️ ally in WW2.

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Ger Browne

2 years

In 1939 a British Naval Attaché set up the Irish coastal watching service, with Lookout Posts (LOP) built every 5 to 15 miles along the coastline from Co Louth LOP 1, clockwise to Co Donegal LOP 82. EIRE signs were added at the Americans behest, to help pilots get their bearings.

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Ger Browne

3 years

The opening ceremony for the new Co Clare WW2 Memorial was held this beautiful afternoon in front of a huge crowd. I have always believed by building this & the WW1 Memorial, that we have brought these 750 Clare men & women back home to Clare again & they can now Rest in Peace.

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Ger Browne

2 years

Flt Lt David Lord Co Cork Éire🇮🇪 was posthumously awarded a VC🇬🇧 for his actions at Arnhem 19 Sept 1944, when he flew twice over the target with supplies for the besieged troops despite his C-47 Dakota being damaged & just before it exploded killing all of the crew. @roy_kinsella

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Ger Browne

2 years

Then Churchill & Roosevelt deliberately discredited de Valera by distorting the true benevolence of Irish neutrality, in order to undermine the influence of the Irish-American lobby (who they despised) & their ability to make Irish Partition, a post war international issue.

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1 year

Karen Devine (DCU) states that de Valera🇮🇪 did not visit the German Legation, or sign a book of condolences on Hitler’s death but offered Hempel & his family asylum in Éire🇮🇪. This he accepted until 1949, then joined the West German Foreign Service🇩🇪 from 1950-51 & died in 1972.

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Ger Browne

2 years

Lt Commander Edward "Butch" O'Hare (1914-43) Irish-American🇮🇪🇺🇸, US Navy, was awarded the Medal of Honor when with limited ammunition he shot down 5 heavy bombers approaching his carrier USS Lexington on 20 Feb 1942. KIA 26 Nov 1943. O’Hare Airport in Chicago was named after him.

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Ger Browne

2 years

Maj-Gen Corran Purdon MC (1921-2018) Cobh Co Cork🇮🇪, No 12 Commando🇬🇧 commanded a demolition team in the audacious raid on the French port of St Nazaire in March 1942 & was taken POW & sent to Colditz Castle. Made multiple escape attempts until April 1945.

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Ger Browne

1 year

So the $50K question is why would you complete an aerodrome this large at Rineanna🇮🇪 in 1943 during WW2 with 4 concrete runway’s, accommodation for 100+ personnel, bunker’s, pillboxes, tunnel’s, Fort Shannon for protection & 1,000’s of 🇮🇪soldiers nearby, for 4 🇮🇪Air Corps planes?

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Ger Browne

2 years

When WW2 started, de Valera promised every support short of war, giving the British 7 oil tankers (150M long) for free, allowing them base a plane at Foynes to check the coast & confirm no u-boats present, air/sea rescue boats in Cobh & Killybegs & access to coast watch reports.

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1 year

Gen Edward Bulfin (1862-1939) Rathfarnham Co Dublin🇮🇪, excelled in 1st Battle of Ypres when he slowed down the German assault & led the XXI Corps in Sinai & Palestine. In 1920 he refused the offer of Chief of Police & Secret Intelligence🇬🇧 in Ireland, as he was an Irish Catholic.

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1 year

So the $50K question is why would you complete an aerodrome this large at Rineanna🇮🇪 in 1943 during WW2 with 4 concrete runway’s, accommodation for 100+ personnel, bunker’s, pillboxes, tunnel’s, Fort Shannon for protection & 1,000’s of 🇮🇪soldiers nearby, for 4 🇮🇪Air Corps planes?

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1 year

During WW2 Winston Churchill’s closest confidante was Brendan Bracken Tipperary🇮🇪, his pilot was John Kelly-Rogers Dublin🇮🇪, his personal Nurse was Elsie Mansfield Kerry🇮🇪 & his Scientific Advisor John Bernal Tipperary🇮🇪 who showed him how the Mulberry Harbour worked in his bath!

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Ger Browne

2 years

Major Edward 'Mick' Mannock (1887-1918) RFC/RAF🇬🇧 (VC, DSO & 2 Bars, MC & Bar) Ballincollig Co Cork🇮🇪 was an extraordinary flying ace with 61 aerial victories in WW1, the 5th highest scoring pilot of the war. He was shot down while crossing enemy trenches at Doulieu in July 1918.

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2 years

The ‘American Note’ Feb 1944 was a dark period in Irish military history. The Americans were livid that de Valera refused to expel the German legation in Dublin, unaware that the false information they were receiving was from MI5 & Dev knew expulsion would compromise UK security.

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Ger Browne

1 year

Daniel O'Connell (1775-1847) was elected MP for Co Clare🇮🇪 in 1828, but could not take his seat as he was a Catholic. The whole country went mad! After Catholic Emancipation in 1829 & re-election 1830, he became the 1st Catholic in modern history to sit in the House of Commons🇬🇧.

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Ger Browne

2 years

The British Chiefs of Staff agreed with the return of the Irish Ports unconditionally in 1938 & stopped Churchill in 1943 from requesting their use as they concluded they would only be a liability. Hubert Gough also noted that 160K soldiers gave an Irish address for next-of-kin.

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2 years

‘In the Ranks of Death’ Doherty refers to a 1946 letter to the Times by Gen Hubert Gough expressing frustration at the Goverment’s reluctance to acknowledge the debt of honour due to the 165K volunteers from Éire 🇮🇪 who came ‘unasked to the aid of the UK in it’s blackest crisis’.

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Ger Browne

1 year

An absolutely outstanding website by Dennis Burke @irishwarcrash that lists the Foreign Aircraft Crashes/Landings in Ireland🇮🇪 during WW2. Incredible detail & essential reading.

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Ger Browne

1 year

Brian Boru (941-1014) Killaloe Co Clare, first became King of Munster, then subjugated Leinster, eventually becoming High King of Ireland 1002-14. He was killed in the decisive Battle of Clontarf near Dublin on 23 April 1014, which ended in a rout of the Viking & Leinster forces!

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Ger Browne

1 year

Emmet Dalton (1898-1978) born in Massachusetts🇺🇸, was a Home Ruler who became a British Capt🇬🇧 in WW1 (awarded MC at Ginchy🇫🇷), a Director of Training in the IRA, a Maj-Gen in the National Army & was with Collins at Béal na Bláth🇮🇪 when he died. Retired & became a film producer.

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Ger Browne

2 years

Just so that everyone understands how vital ‘Neutrality’ was for Éire🇮🇪 in WW2, after France fell in 6 weeks & Dunkirk, unlike the British we had no Radar, RAF, RN, AA guns, searchlights or balloons to defend us from a Nazi onslaught. Every city & port would have been pulverised.

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Ger Browne

2 years

In return Chamberlain placated the powerful Irish-American lobby, which allowed Britain appeal for US help when WW2 started, allowed Irish beef exports to Britain recommence (from 0 tons 1938 to 16K tons 1941) & saved on the huge investment needed for the Ports & Army/RAF bases.

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Ger Browne

2 years

Brig-Gen Thomas Francis Meagher (1823-67) Waterford City🇮🇪, was a Young Irelander who created the Irish Tricolor🇮🇪, escaped to the US from a penal colony in Tasmania 1852, raised Irish Zouaves for the 69th NY☘️ in the Civil War, C/O Irish Brigade 1862-63 & Acting Gov of Montana.

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Ger Browne

2 years

From 1941-45 approximately 48,000 passengers mainly top brass Allied military & Diplomats flew through Foynes Co Limerick🇮🇪 with tons of vital cargo & mail. It was effectively a military base run by the USN & Royal Navy & the Irish Government imposed a severe news blackout on it.

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Ger Browne

11 months

Fascinating article on the myth of “Irish Neutrality🇮🇪” by former Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald, from the Irish Times in 1999.

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Ger Browne

1 year

After Dec 1940, over 2,000 British women & children🇬🇧 were evacuated from London due to the ‘Blitz’ & welcomed in Éire🇮🇪. At least 200 were children tragically orphaned by the bombing.

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Ger Browne

9 months

The majestic Great War Memorial in Ennis Co Clare🇮🇪 under lights on this beautiful evening. The 700 names are on panels with silhouettes of a Tommy, an Anzac & a Doughboy. The WW2 Memorial & Cross of Sacrifice is in the distance. The Irish-Vietnam Memorial🇮🇪🇺🇸 is on the far left.

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Ger Browne

2 years

The fascinating story of Sr Kate McCarthy Co Cork Éire🇮🇪, who worked with the French Resistance, helped 200 Allied soldiers escape France, was captured by the Gestapo, held in a Concentration Camp until war’s end & honoured by French & British governments.

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Ger Browne

1 year

In Sept 1880, Charles Stewart Parnell delivered his famous speech in Ennis Co Clare🇮🇪, that introduced a new form of non-violent protest – social ostracism, first used against Charles Boycott, a land agent in Co Mayo🇮🇪 who was ostracised by the local community & left in Dec 1880.

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Ger Browne

2 years

The 1st RAF Bomber pilot to be KIA was Willie Murphy (Cork) & his Navigator Larry Slattery (Thurles) was the longest-serving POW. The co-pilot of the last RAF Bomber to be shot down & killed Sgt W Mackay was Irish & in all 250 men from Éire🇮🇪 died with RAF Bomber Command in WW2.

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Ger Browne

1 year

15,260 from Éire🇮🇪 travelled to Belfast & joined the RAF🇬🇧 from 1940-45. 1000s more enlisted from those🇮🇪 who lived in the UK. Of these a minimum 510🇮🇪 died in WW2. To understand the reasons WHY they joined the RAF you HAVE to read this fascinating article

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Ger Browne

2 years

Plan W was prepared for a possible German invasion of Ireland with armaments to help defend Irish ports & airfields especially Foynes (Fort Shannon) & Ireland was also to be the ‘Last Redoubt’ in case Britain was invaded with Rathduff aerodrome for the RAF to continue the fight.

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Ger Browne

2 years

gives the names of 65K men who gave IRELAND as their Place of Birth on their US Draft Cards in 1940 & includes those from Éire🇮🇪 & NI. Also 12K men gave the IRISH FREE STATE (Éire🇮🇪) as their Place of Birth on their US Draft Cards & when enlisting for WW2.

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Ger Browne

2 years

Thanks to the excellent local historian Colm Liddy, these are photos of some of the WW2 bunkers at Rineanna (Shannon Airport).

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Ger Browne

1 year

On 29th April 1915, Pte Patrick Halloran Ennistymon Co Clare🇮🇪, 1st Bn Conn Rangers🇬🇧, died in the 2nd Battle of Ypres🇧🇪 & was buried in Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery🇫🇷. The poignant photograph 'The Last Goodbye', shows him holding hands with his mother & sister for the last time.

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Ger Browne

2 years

Irish Diplomat Seán Lester (1888-1959), was the League of Nations High Commissioner to Danzig (Gdańsk) from 1934-37, who repeatedly protested the German persecution & discrimination of Jews, warned the League of Nations of looming European disaster & was the last Sec-Gen 1940-46.

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Ger Browne

2 years

There was full cooperation between G2 (Irish Military Intelligence), MI5 & the OSS (CIA). German spies were arrested quickly & phone tapping & postal censorship was widespread. 1,130 Republicans were interned without trial, 800 were jailed, 5 executed & 2 died on hunger strike.

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Ger Browne

2 years

The British also had access to weather reports (crucial for D-Day), wireless stations at Malin Head & Valentina Island, submarine cables, Donegal Corridor, Foynes seaplanes for trans Atlantic flights, Rineanna & Coast Patrol Sqdn broadcasts of German incursions in Irish airspace.

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Ger Browne

1 year

Operation Shamrock☘️ was an Irish Red Cross scheme, that brought 500+ refugee children from Europe mostly Germany to Éire🇮🇪 after WW2. They stayed for 3 years before returning home. The Three Fates Fountain in St Stephen’s Green Dublin🇮🇪, was donated by West Germany🇩🇪 in thanks.

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Ger Browne

2 years

Sean Deegan was rejected by the Irish Army for being too skinny so he joined the British Army instead. Nearly killed by US friendly fire in WW2 & participated in the liberation of Belsen. After the war he became a Franciscan Friar & drugs rehabilitation expert. @PadraigBelton

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Ger Browne

6 months

I salute all the families & descendants of the 100's of thousands of Irish🇮🇪 (pop 2.9M) who fought in WW2, those who were prepared to die defending our country🇮🇪 & others whose contribution helped defeat fascism, for taking the slurs of 'pro-Nazi' with grace/dignity for 80 years.

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Ger Browne

1 year

This is list of the Irish🇮🇪 men & women who served in the French Resistance & SOE in France🇫🇷 during WW2, by David Murphy, from the fascinating & brilliant ‘Franco-Irish Military Connections, 1590-1945’.

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Ger Browne

2 years

During the Battle of Fontenoy in 1745, a lone English Guardsman🇬🇧 emerged from the British ranks to face the oncoming Irish & French🇫🇷. Anthony MacDonough Co Clare🇮🇪 stepped forward & the 2 armies momentarily suspended hostilities, to allow single combat commence. MacDonough won!

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Ger Browne

7 months

For some reason a soccer match between Ireland🇮🇪 & Germany in 1936 implies the Irish🇮🇪 were pro-Nazi, while England’s🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 players performed the Nazi salute before their 1938 match in Berlin! Ignorance is bliss. For what REALLY happened in Ireland🇮🇪 in WW2 see below. @neilojim1972

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Ger Browne

2 years

All US air crews that came down in Ireland were repatriated, 225 other Allied airmen were let go & 46 were interned for a time. All German flying crew & sailors were interned for the war while Allied seamen were released. Crashed planes were loaded on trucks & sent to the border.

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Ger Browne

2 years

In WW2 all Irish food exports (3M+ tons Beef & 4M+ cattle) went to the UK in Irish Registered ships, which also supplied the UK with millions more tons of food from Spain Portugal & the US, shipped through Portugal by heroic Irish Seamen, of whom 149 died.

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Ger Browne

1 year

Charles Stewart Parnell died a broken man in 1891 trying to achieve Home Rule for Ireland & the Irish Parlimentary Party (IPP) was divided. His successor John Redmond died a broken man in 1918 trying to achieve Home Rule for Ireland & the IPP was destroyed.

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Ger Browne

1 year

The excellent ‘Wreck Viewer’ inter-active map has details of over 18,000 shipwrecks recorded off Ireland's🇮🇪 coast & includes the Spanish Armada🇪🇸 & WW1.

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Shipwrecks from WWI and the Spanish Armada can be found on this new interactive map

The oldest boats on the map date back thousands of years.

www.thejournal.ie

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