Irish neutrality in WWII was ultimately unimpeachable but was tempered with rumours of nefarious deals, subterfuge and diplomatic liaisons with both the British and the Nazis. For example, stories have long abounded that agreements were set in place for British use of Irish ports in return for control of Ulster. Ostensibly there was also a bond with Germany, made visible through the Irish army’s use of Vickers helmets and De Valera’s signing of Hitler’s book of condolence.
Although it is often seen that the British were the old enemy and that the Nazis were therefore proxy allies through the skewed logic of “your enemy’s enemy is your friend”, this is not borne out through deeds. Large numbers of young men signed up to fight in the British army or sail in the merchant navy. Accordingly few had Nazi Germany as their paymaster.
The balance definitely swung further towards London than Berlin. The British clearly saw it that way. Click the image below to view movie:
The Emergency was the vernacular term for the state of affairs that existed in Ireland during WWII. The complexities, nuances and intrigues of Irish neutrality during the second world war are a many layered story better told by other authors in more expansive media. A great start would be the works of Diarmaid Ferriter, Claire Wills or the inimitable Robert Fisk.
This article was posted by Ronan McDonnell on
Thursday, April 8th, 2010 at
17:44.
It is archived in History, Ireland and tagged film, History, Ireland, neutrality, war, ww2.
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