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 ...
Ping
Some recent history. No G, some G, no G involved.
I don't believe they were punished ~
I had a Canadian in my unit in 1961 who join the US Army so he could become a US citizen.
Wow!
Never knew this little bit of recent history!
If the poor ol guy’s still living in that much fear, why would the paper print his full name and location of residence?
I don't believe they were punished ~
Good point.
I think this article may be related to the new movie out over Christmas, “The War Horse”. One of the main Characters in the movie had hidden his medals that he earned from the British during the war. He was Irish.
Tens of thousands of Americans joined the Canadian army to fight in WWII before the US entered the war.
I don't believe they were punished ~
I've read about how the US government handled that but I don't recall the story. After Pearl Harbor, FDR did pretty much as he pleased so I guess the problem just went away. IIRC, the soldiers returned to the US to join our military.
I would guess a key difference is that these soldier according to this article deserted the Irish military. Militaries tend to frown upon people leaving on their own schedule.
I would guess a key difference is that these soldier according to this article deserted the Irish military. Militaries tend to frown upon people leaving on their own schedule.
I think when we were kids it was called “I double dare ya.”
Haven’t seen the movie (plan to), but wasn’t “The War Horse” about WWI? Even though the fear might cross both wars.
Bump
The Irish Prime Minister went to the German embassy to offer his condolences when he learned that Hitler died.
The British Crown persecuted Irish Catholics for centuries. The Crown was complicit in such fun times as the Famine and the murder of Catholic people in the occupied six counties.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend, the old saying goes.
Not only that several hundred Americans joined the flying Tigers(Chinese air force)with the covert permission of the US government.
I gather the brave Irishmen buggered off here, the UK, or elsewhere in the Empire/Commonwealth, and the cowards that were left elected the biggest cowards among them into government.
England has been The Oppressor since 1155
A bit shortsighted considering Nazi notions of gratitude.
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