Posted on 12/27/2011 7:46:14 PM PST by decimon
Five thousand Irish soldiers who swapped uniforms to fight for the British against Hitler went on to suffer years of persecution.
One of them, 92-year-old Phil Farrington, took part in the D-Day landings and helped liberate the German death camp at Bergen-Belsen - but he wears his medals in secret.
Even to this day, he has nightmares that he will be arrested by the authorities and imprisoned for his wartime service.
"They would come and get me, yes they would," he said in a frail voice at his home in the docks area of Dublin.
And his 25-year-old grandson, Patrick, confirmed: "I see the fear in him even today, even after 65 years."
Mr Farrington's fears are not groundless.
He was one of about 5,000 Irish soldiers who deserted their own neutral army to join the war against fascism and who were brutally punished on their return home as a result.
They were formally dismissed from the Irish army, stripped of all pay and pension rights, and prevented from finding work by being banned for seven years from any employment paid for by state or government funds.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
Appreciate your response, doesn’t seem to have much to do with my question ... unless you wish to elaborate.
You wrote: “Militaries tend to frown upon people leaving on their own schedule.”
In particular, the Commanders of the Roman Legions frowned upon soldiers who mutinied, DESERTED or who had been derelict in their duties. For these offenses, an entire unit would be subjected to “decimation” in which one out of every ten legionaries, chosen by lots, would be beaten to death, usually by the other nine with their bare hands.
I often hear reporters talking about the “decimation” of cities, etc.... men of military units are “decimated.”
Just pointing out that the Irish know how to carry a grudge.
So he fought in the 'Bulge when he was 13 or 14 years old. Interesting...
Yeah, that seems unlikely. Maybe he's 90 and not 80.
I just read a book titled, "The Few". It is about the Americans who joined the RAF before we got in. They were, and would have reamined in trouble with the US government had we not entered the was. But, as it turned out, most of these guys were eventually killed in action.
More of de Valera’s radicalism. He let that country sink into poverty too. It was he that offered condolences upon Adolf’s death.
The Irish Prime Minister went to the German embassy to offer his condolences when he learned that Hitler died.
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what a fool!
I wonder if he knew the nazis considered celts and gaelic speaking people an inferior race?
bttt
They were formally dismissed from the Irish army, stripped of all pay and pension rights, and prevented from finding work by being banned for seven years from any employment paid for by state or government funds.
Beyond disgraceful - Ireland should hang its head in shame.
“A good number of Canadians defied their Government in joining the US military during the Vietnam war. I don’t believe the Canadian government retaliated against them. “
By coincidence, a good number of Americans defied their government in joining Canada during the Vietnam War. Carter made them feel all better later.
Well, you never know. The youngest person to serve in the US military in WW2, John Tosh, joined at age 14 after managing to convince the recruiter that he was really 16. He continued to serve in the military up through Desert Storm.
The BBC News UK is probably hoping the Irish government will engage in a vendetta against this 92 year old vet. The BBC can thereby generate more “news” at his expense.
The Irish had quite a few people during World War 2 that sympathized with the Nazis. It would not surprise me there may be people in power who want to visit revenge against an old Irish vet who fought with the Brits against the Germans.
Uh, did they desert the Canadian army first?
“He was one of about 5,000 Irish soldiers who deserted their own neutral army...”
In the Mexican War (1846-48) many recent Irish (along with some German) immigrants who had joined the American army deserted and went over to the Mexican army. The main reason given was being Catholic same as the Mexicans, they were treated badly by the Americans. Later when captured, a number of them were executed.
de Valera was a pig. As contemptible as Quisling.
A lot of Irish-Americans sympathized with the Nazis, including the Patriarch of the most evil political family this country has ever produced.
John Tosh...
A Confederate Air Force member, and founder of the Texas Air Museum in San Antonio, as I recall.
A bit off topic. This made me think of an American Hero who was so anxious to fight the Nazis that he deserted his unit (I believe Army) and went off to Europe.
this guy was a ferocious and fearless fighter.
When the US got into the War her returned to the Army and was court marshaled. His commanders were so impressed with him and felt bad about doing it. I am certain he won the Medal of Honor in WW II.
He served in the Korean conflict and again was absolutely ferocious against the enemy. He won more medals.
He even went on to serve in Vietnam. I believe he was called "big red" or something because of his red hair.
It was fascinating to read about this warrior.
To restore our faith in mankind, I picked up a book in Toronto many years ago that stated that more Canadians came across the border to fight then Americans going the other way. Recruiting stations around Plattsburgh even had signs in French.
Yeah, that’s the guy. I actually had a chance to talk with him once while visiting the museum - a really interesting person.
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