“If it is true, as the article says, that the army opened fire without warning or provocation, and that some that were shot were fleeing”
Hardly. It was a time when in the preceding 3 or 4 months, something like 30 British soldiers had been killed in sniping and bombing attacks. Areas of Derry were in revolt complete with barricades. Grenades and IRA murder was rampant. In the middle of that, they took one of their marches towards a nearby community and the Paras were sent to prevent that.
Some of the radicals stormed the para blocking position and the fight ensues.
Without provocation is a bit of a stretch. This was like the Fergusun crowd only much more dangerous and violent.
Thanks for providing balance