Ireland/Northern Ireland Timeline

[RN7]

I think a point worth also bringing up is the quality of the two sides’ soldiers. I have friends in Dublin and used to visit regularly in the early to mid 90’ and the subject of the Irish Army came up in conversation a few times.

My understanding from talking to my friends was that the majority of Southern Irishmen who were serious about pursuing a long term military career opted to join either the British Army or, in some cases, the French Foreign Legion. This meant that these organisations attracted the best quality recruits, whilst the Irish Army wasn't seen as a good option and had to make do with what was left (or the British / French didn’t want).

I didn't want to bring this topic up but you are spot on.

I think Ireland (south) is the largest source of British Army recruits outside of the UK and maybe Nepal. Most recruits to the Irish Army have either the wrong temperment to be employed at anything else or see it as a career move to a fairly comfortable government job. Many married soldiers go home to their families after work, at least for part of the week, and it was recently highlighted in the Irish media that many Irish soldiers are well over 30 and out of shape. Many also volunteer for UN peacekeeping duties because they get a big pay rise for doing so.

Back in the 90's Irish army soldiers tried to suit the Irish government because they claimed their hearing was damaged because they werent given ear plugs while on target practice. Some soldiers also tried to suit because they werent provided with sun-screen while on UN duties in sunny climates such as Cyprus and the Lebanon. It was also claimed that Irish soldiers were asked to make pretent shooting and explosive noises while on exercises as the army couldn't afford to give them real or training ammunition because of cuts.

Recently some new vehicles, helicopters and weapons have been bought to increase the forces capabilities, particularly regarding UN duties, but outside of the Ranger Company which is very well trained and highly regarded, the average Republic of Ireland soldier isn't as well trained, equipped or of the same calibre of their British counterparts.

[Mohoender]

Originally Posted by RN7

I didn't want to bring this topic up but you are spot on.

That's why I don't have Ireland fighting UK even when that last country is badly weakened. Still CA's idea is nice and I like it.

[StainlessSteelCynic]

Originally Posted by RN7

... Many married soldiers go home to their families after work, at least for part of the week,

That in itself isn't too surprising, there's a few Western armies that have the same thing during peacetime with personnel either in married quarters on base or in the local area near the base. During peacetime, if they aren't on exercises/training, then the army is practically a 9 to 5 job like any other job.

[Matt W]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle6814997.ece

The real-world plan of attack for the Irish army

[Webstral]

I lived in Cork during the '90-'91 school year as an exchange student at UC Cork. One of my housemates was an Irish reservist--a sniper. Living with him was very revealing.

Webstral

[RN7]

British Army orbat for Northern Ireland for the 1980's.

NORTHERN IRELAND

33 Independent Field Sqn RE, Antrim
Provisional Regiment AAC, Aldergrove
4 Royal Irish Rangers, Portadown
5 Royal Irish Rangers, Lurgan
102 Light Air Defence Regiment RA, Newtownards

8 Infantry Brigade, Londonderry

• 1 Queens Own Highlanders, Aldergrove
• 1 Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Ballykelly
• 1 Royal Anglian Regiment, Londonderry
• 1 Queen’s Regiment, Omagh

39 Infantry Brigade, Lisburn

• 1 Royal Highland Fusiliers, Holywood
• 1 Devonshire & Dorset Regiment, Ballykinlar

Ulster Defence Regiment

• 1 UDR, Ballymena
• 2 UDR, Armagh
• 3 UDR, Ballykinlar
• 4 UDR, Enniskillen
• 5 UDR, Limavady
• 6 UDR, Omagh
• 7 UDR, Holywood
• 8 UDR, Dungannon
• 9 UDR, Antrim
• 10 UDR, Belfast
• 11 UDR, Portadown

74 Engineer Regiment, Belfast
655 Sqn AAC, det to Aldergrove

[Rainbow Six]

Originally Posted by RN7

British Army orbat for Northern Ireland for the 1980's.

NORTHERN IRELAND

33 Independent Field Sqn RE, Antrim
Provisional Regiment AAC, Aldergrove
4 Royal Irish Rangers, Portadown
5 Royal Irish Rangers, Lurgan
102 Light Air Defence Regiment RA, Newtownards

8 Infantry Brigade, Londonderry

• 1 Queens Own Highlanders, Aldergrove
• 1 Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Ballykelly
• 1 Royal Anglian Regiment, Londonderry
• 1 Queen’s Regiment, Omagh

39 Infantry Brigade, Lisburn

• 1 Royal Highland Fusiliers, Holywood
• 1 Devonshire & Dorset Regiment, Ballykinlar

Ulster Defence Regiment

• 1 UDR, Ballymena
• 2 UDR, Armagh
• 3 UDR, Ballykinlar
• 4 UDR, Enniskillen
• 5 UDR, Limavady
• 6 UDR, Omagh
• 7 UDR, Holywood
• 8 UDR, Dungannon
• 9 UDR, Antrim
• 10 UDR, Belfast
• 11 UDR, Portadown

74 Engineer Regiment, Belfast
655 Sqn AAC, det to Aldergrove

Isn't this missing the 3rd Infantry Brigade in South Armagh?

There was also a Royal Military Police presence...I'm not 100% on this but think it might have been 173 Provost Company at Lisburn (at least from August 87 - the lineage of RMP Companies in NI seems a bit complex...a lot of Provost Companies and Regiments have been disbanded then reformed over the years).

The Infantry Battalions are also complicated by the fact that additional Battalions (and occasionally Royal Artillery Field Regiments) transferred in on short term roulement tours. (I'm guessing the orbat above is showing the Battalions on long term tours at the time?).

Finally, I think at during at least part of the 80's there was also an Army Guard Force at the Maze prison which may have been a detached Squadron from an Armoured Regiment or Battery from an Artillery Regiment (operating in an infantry role without their respective tanks / artilley pieces). Again I think this was a short term roulement posting.

Cheers