Ireland/Northern Ireland Timeline

[Rainbow Six]

Rapparee, that's an impressive write up - well done.

FWIW I totally agree with you that the UK is simply not going to send an armoured Regiment (or even part thereof) across the Irish Sea - as you rightly state there's a far greater need for those tanks in Europe.

if you follow canon I believe it isn't so much the Irish Army up against British regulars - it's effectively the Irish Army fighting the Ulster Defence Regiment (with perhaps a small number of regulars in support roles).

I also agree with your conclusion that a stalemate would be the most likely outcome. The catalyst for peace negotiations might be the return from Europe of the BAOR (iirc two Divisions are back in the UK by the end of 2000 / start of 2001, with three more to follow later in 2001). That said, I think there's a lot of work to be done in the UK before any thought would be given to sending any of the European veterans to NI, but if they do finally cross the Irish Sea that's going to be a huge gamechanger. I'd expect the Republic to want to go to the negotiating table before that happened.

[Mohoender]

Here is something to complete the already impressive post by Rapparee:

- Arm na hÉireann (Irish Army)
o Army HQ
 Army HQ (Parkgate-Dublin)
 Engineer Survey Coy. (Phoenix Park-Dublin)
 Army HQ Signals Coy. (McKee Barracks-Dublin)
 1st Garrison Coy. MP (Government Buildings-Dublin)
o Eastern Command
 Command HQ (Collins Barracks-Dublin)
 McKee Barracks Coy. (McKee Barracks-Dublin)
 Clancy Barracks Coy. (Clancy Barracks-Dublin)
 2nd Maintenance Engineer Coy. (Collins Barracks-Dublin)
 Army Ordnance School (Dublin)
 2nd Garrison Ordnance Coy. (Cathal Brugha Barracks-Dublin)
 2nd Garrison Supply & Transport Coy. (McKee Barracks-Dublin)
 Base Workshops Coy. Supply & Transport Corps (Clancy Barracks-Dublin)
 2nd Hospital Coy. (St. Bricin’s Hospital-Dublin)
 St. Bricin’s Hospital (Dublin)
 2nd Garrison Coy. MP (Collins Barracks-Dublin)
 Army School of Music (Cathal Brugha Barracks-Dublin)
 No. 1 Army Band (Cathal Brugha Barracks-Dublin)
 Command Training Depot (Cathal Brugha Barracks-Dublin)
 Equitation School (McKee Barracks-Dublin)
 Army Catering School (McKee Barracks-Dublin)
o 2nd Infantry Brigade
 Bde. HQ (Collins Barracks-Dublin)
 2nd Infantry Bn. (Cathal Brugha Barracks-Dublin)
 5th Infantry Bn. (Collins Barracks-Dublin/12 Panhard M3)
 2nd Cavalry Sqn. (Cathal Brugha Barracks-Dublin/10 Panhard AML, 3 XA-180)
 2nd Field Artillery Rgt (McKee Barracks-Dublin/6 L118 and 6 QF25)
 2nd Field Engineer Co (Clancy Barracks-Dublin)
 2nd Field Signals Co (Collins Barrracks-Dublin)
 2nd Field Supply & Transport Coy. (Collins Barracks-Dublin)
 2nd Field Medical Coy. (FCA/Cathal Brugha Barracks-Dublin)
 2nd Field Coy. MP (FCA/Collins Barracks-Dublin)
o Eastern Command Infantry Force
 HQ (Gormanston. Meath)
 27th Infantry Bn. (Dundalk, Gormanston, Castleblaney)
 29th Infantry Bn. (Cootehill, Monaghan, Cavan/5 Panhard M3)
o Eastern Command FCA Group
 HQ (Cathal Brugha Barracks-Dublin)
 7th Infantry Bn. (McKee Barracks-Dublin, Swords, Navan, Kells)
 8th Infantry Bn. (Dundalk, Drogheda, Castleblaney, Cavan, Balieboro)
 20th Infantry Bn. (Cathal Brugha Barracks-Dublin)
 21st Infantry Bn. (Bray, Dun Loaghaire, Wicklow)
 11th Cavalry Sqn. (Cathal Brugha Barracks-Dublin/4 Panhard AML)
 7th Field Artillery Rgt. (McKee Barracks-Dublin/12 Brandt 120mm)
 2nd Air Defense Bty (Cathal Brugha Barracks-Dublin/6 Bofors)
 11th Field Engineer Coy. (Clancy Barracks-Dublin)
 11th Field Signals Coy. (Cathal Brugha Barracks-Dublin)
 11th Field Supply & Transport Coy. (Collins Barracks-Dublin)
 11th Field Medical Coy. (Cathal Brugha Barracks-Dublin)
 6th Field Coy. MP (Collins Barracks-Dublin)
o Southern Command
 Command HQ (Cork)
 3rd Maintenance Engineer Coy. (Cork)
 3rd Garrison Ordnance Coy. (Cork)
 3rd Garrison Supply & Transport Coy. (Cork)
 3rd Hospital Coy. (Cork)
 3rd Garrison Coy. MP (Cork)
 Command Training Depot (Cork)
 Band of the Southern Command (Cork)
o 1st Infantry Brigade
 Bde. HQ (Cork)
 3rd Infantry Bn. (Kilkenny, Curragh/16 Panhard M3)
 4th Infantry Bn. (Cork)
 12th Infantry Bn. (Limerick, Clonmel)
 1st Cavalry Sqn. (Fermoy/10 Panhard AML, 3 XA-180)
 1st Field Artillery Rgt (Balincollig/6 L118, 6 Brandt 120mm)
 1st Field Engineer Co (Cork)
 1st Field Signals Co (Cork)
 1st Field Supply & Transport Coy. (Cork)
 1st Field Medical Coy. (FCA/Cork)
 1st Field Coy. MP (Cork)
o Southern Command FCA Group
 HQ (Limerick)
 11th Infantry Bn. (Bandon, Bantry, Clonakilty, Macroom, Skibbereen)
 13th Infantry Bn. (Fermoy, Cahir, Dungarvan, Kanturk, Mallow)
 14th Infantry Bn. (Limerick, Nenagh, Croom, Kilmallock, Newcastle West, Tipperary)
 15th Infantry Bn. (Tralee, Cahirciveen, Dingle, Killarney, Killorglin, Listowel)
 22nd Infantry Bn. (Ennis, Labinch, Killaloe, Kilrush)
 23rd Infantry Bn. (Cork, Middleton)
 3rd Cavalry Sqn. (Clonmel/4 Panhard AML)
 3rd Field Artillery Rgt (Templemore/6 QF25 and 12 Brandt 120mm)
 8th Field Artillery Rgt. (Ballincollig/6 QF25 and 6 Brandt 120mm)
 3rd Air Defense Bty. (Limerick/6 Bofors)
 4th Air Defense Bty. (Cobh/6 Bofors)
 3rd Field Engineer Coy. (Limerick)
 3rd Field Signals Coy. (Limerick)
 3rd Field Supply & Transport Coy. (Limerick)
 3rd Field Medical Coy. (Limerick)
 3rd Field Coy. MP (Limerick)
o Western Command
 Command HQ (Athlone)
 4th Maintenance Engineer Coy. (Athlone)
 4th Garrison Ordnance Coy. (Athlone)
 4th Garrison Supply & Transport Coy. (Athlone)
 4th Hospital Coy. (Athlone)
 4th Garrison Coy. MP (Athlone)
 Command Training Depot (Athlone)
 University Student Admin. Coy. (Galway)
 Band of the Southern Command (Athlone)
o 4th Infantry Brigade
 Bde. HQ (Athlone)
 1st Infantry Bn. (Galway)
 6th Infantry Bn. (Athlone/14 Panhard M3)
 28th Infantry Bn. (Finner Camp, Lifford, Letterkenny)
 4th Cavalry Sqn. (Longford/10 Panhard AML, 3 XA-180)
 4th Field Artillery Rgt (Mullingar/6 L118, 6 Brandt 120mm)
 4th Field Engineer Co (Athlone)
 4th Field Signals Co (Athlone)
 4th Field Supply & Transport Coy. (Athlone)
 4th Field Medical Coy. (FCA/Athlone)
 4th Field Coy. MP (FCA/Athlone)
 Band of the 4th Brigade (Athlone)
 4th Brigade Training Centre
o Western Command FCA Group
 HQ (Galway)
 16th Infantry Bn. (Athlone, Ballinasloe, Tulamore, Ruscommon)
 17th Infantry Bn. (Longford, Granard, Stroke, Ballyconnel, Mohill)
 18th Infantry Bn. (Westport, Enniscrone, Swinford, Ballina)
 19th Infantry Bn. (Boyle, Carrick-on-Shannon, Dallymote, Castlera, Manorhamilton)
 24th Infantry Bn. (Letterkenny, Donegal, Carndonagh, Milford)
 25th Infantry Bn. (Galway, Clifden, Athenry, Loughrea)
 5th Cavalry Sqn. (Castlebar/4 Panhard AML)
 5th Field Artillery Rgt. (Galway/6 QF25 and 12 Brandt 120mm)
 9th Field Artillery Rgt. (Mullingar/12 Brandt 120mm)
 5th Field Engineer Coy. (Galway)
 5th Field Signals Coy. (Sligo)
 5th Field Supply & Transport Coy. (Galway)
 5th Field Medical Coy. (Galway)
 5th Field Coy. MP (Galway)
o Curragh Command
 HQ (Curragh Camp)
 Military College (Curragh)
 General Training Depot (Curragh)
 No.1 Security Coy. (Portlaoise Prison)
 Army Apprentice School (Naas)
 Army Ranger Wing (Curragh)
 9th Infantry Bn. (Kilkenny, Dunamaggin, Ballyragget, Waterford, Portlaoise, Durrow)
 10th Infantry Bn. (Wexford, New Ross, Carnew, Muinebeag, Carlow)
 1st Tank Sqn (Curragh/14 Scorpion, 5 XA-180)
 6th Field Artillery Rgt (Kildare/12 QF25 and 6 Brandt 120)
 1st Air Defence Rgt (Kildare/8 Bofors)
 6th Field Signal Coy. (Curragh)
 Depot & School Cavalry (Curragh)

This is taken from Irish Army OOB 1923-2004 by Adrian J. English
ISBN 0972029672

You’ll find it on books.google.fr

What I put in Italic have been modified or added and doesn't reflect reality. If 2 XA-180 were effectively bought by Ireland, the other ten had been supplied by UN. In the original OOB they are either Panhard AML or Timoney APC. Also in the original OOB as given, there were only 6 L118 howitzer.

The reason I made these changes come from WW2 readings of the Irish Army. At the time, it had grown from 10.000 in 1938 to 40.000 by 1944. Whatever it is very personnal and open to debate.

[Canadian Army]

Here are a some of the other units involved in Northern Ireland:

Irish Republican Army (IRA)
The central aim of the IRA is to end British control of Northern Ireland and to achieve the reunification of the island of Ireland. From a splinter group of a small and badly equipped paramilitary grouping the 'Provisional' IRA developed into a comparatively large, well financed, well equipped guerrilla organization which has been involved in, what it calls, an 'armed campaign' for almost three decades. Recently the IRA has split into two factions, those serving Arm Na Héireann (Irish Army) as security battalions in controlled Northern Ireland and those still active in British controlled Northern Ireland.

IRA Brigades (Active in British Controlled Northern Ireland)

IRA Army Council

Belfast Brigade:

• Active Service Unit 1
• Active Service Unit 2
• Active Service Unit 3

East Tyrone Brigade:

• Active Service Unit 4

North Antrim Brigade:

• Active Service Unit 5

South Down Brigade:

• Active Service Unit 6

Internal Security Squad (Interrogates and executes suspected informers)

Arsenal:

• Armalite AR-15 Assault Rifle
• Semtex (Commercial High Explosive*)

IRA Internal Security Battalions (Serving with Irish Army in Irish Controlled Northern Ireland):

• 1 South Armagh Battalion; formerly of the South Armagh Brigade
• 2 North Antrim Battalion; formerly of the North Antrim Brigade
• 3 East Tyrone Battalion; formerly of the East Tyrone Brigade
• 4 Belfast Battalion; formerly attached to the Belfast Brigade
• 5 Belfast Battalion; formerly attached to the Belfast Brigade
• 6 Belfast Battalion; formerly attached to the Belfast Brigade
• 7 Fermanagh Battalion
• 8 Derry Battalion; formerly attached to the Derry Brigade

Arsenal:

• AK-47 / AKM Assault Rifle
• 7.62mm FN MAG medium machine gun
• 12.7mmx107mm DShK heavy machine gun
• SAM-7 anti-aircraft launcher
• RPG-7 rocket launcher
• Webley .455 revolver
• LPO-50 flame thrower

The Combined Loyalist Military Command (CLMC)
The Combined Loyalist Military Command original was an umbrella body for loyalist paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland set up in the early 1990’s. Bringing together the leaderships of the Ulster Defence Association, the Ulster Volunteer Force and the Red Hand Commandos, the CLMC sought to ensure that the groups would work towards the same goals. On November 10 1997, the Ulster Volunteer Force, the Ulster Defence Association, the Red Hand Commandos joined together in the Combined Loyalist Military Command, to form united front against the invading Óglaigh na hÉireann (Irish Defence Forces). The CLMC is organised in 13 companies (organized along traditional British Infantry Companies), with members often were a red beret. Its current strength is 2,000 members.

Units:

• Belfast Company
• Ards Company
• Lisburn Company
• Bainbridge Company
• Coleraine Company
• Ballmoney Company
• Ballmena Company
• Larne Company
• Antrim Company
• Armagh Company
• Craigavon Company
• North Down Company
• Carrickfergus Company

Arsenal:

• Czech Sa vz. 58 Assault Rifle
• AK-47 Rifle
• Enfield No. 2 Mk I Revolver
• Uzi Sub-Machinegun
• Browning Pistol
• RGD-5 Offensive Grenade
• RPG-7 Rocket Launcher

Royal Ulster Constabulary
The Royal Ulster Constabulary is the police force in Northern Ireland. The force has come under a lot of criticism from the nationalist community since its inception but particularly since the beginning of the conflict. The RUC had approximately 8,500 officers (The RUC Reserve was made up of 1,500 part-time and 3,200 full-time officers); almost entirely drawn from the Protestant community. Unlike the majority of police forces in the United Kingdom, the RUC is the only territorial police force that is armed, officers are issued the Ruger Security Six revolvers, and either the Heckler & Koch MP5 semi-automatic carbine, or rifles such as Heckler & Koch G3s or HK33s as well as Ruger Mini-14 select fire rifles.

RUC Special Branch
The Special Branch is formally constituted as E Department. It is organized and subdivided by function into three regions (Belfast, North and South). E1 looks after vetting of personnel, internal security, and the supply of under cover vehicles and security of communications (mail and telecommunications). E2 is the department responsible for legal liaison, the interrogation centres and SB activity in prisons. E3 collates all intelligence gathered by field operators, informers and uniformed officers. E4 is the operations division which carries out the day-to-day field work of intelligence gathering.

Headquarters Mobile Support Unit (HMSU)

The HMSU is a special unit established in 1978 by the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) and is the RUC equivalent of the Special Air Service (SAS). Members of the HMSU were drawn from RUC Special Branch and were trained by the SAS to on how to confront Irish Republican Army (IRA) members with 'firepower, speed and aggression'. The unit works in collaboration with the RUC intelligence gathering unit.

Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve (RUCR):

A special reserve force attached to the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC). The force is made up of 1,500 full-time and 3,200 part-time members.

Divisional Mobile Support Unit (DMSU)

DMSUs operate under the control of headquarters in the respective 12 Divisional Command areas. All DMSUs receive additional training from RUC/British Army specialists at the Operations Training Unit based in Palace Barracks. Back-up for DMSUs is provided from within the RUCR some of whom are formed into Shadow DMSUs.

*The IRA has always made use of 'home-made' explosives. These explosives became more sophisticated and more powerful over the years and included home-made mortars and fertilizer-based car and lorry bombs.

[Canadian Army]

I think it's time I post my OOB for British Forces in Northern Ireland:

Northern Ireland Command
HQ Northern Ireland is the command formation responsible for the administration of all British Armed Forces stationed in and around Northern Ireland.
HQ Northern Ireland

• 6 Regiment, Royal Military Police*
• 233 Signal Squadron, 15 Signal Regiment
• 591(Independent) Field Squadron, Royal Engineers (EOD)

Northern Ireland Command Military Intelligence

• 12th Intelligence and Security Company**
• 14th Intelligence Company***
• Force Research Unit****

40 (Ulster) Signal Regiment
40 (Ulster) Signal Regiment is Territorial Army regiment in the Royal Corps of Signals in the British Army. The regiment forms part of 2 (National Communications) Signal Brigade, re-establish some form of regional Government communications infrastructure in the aftermath of a nuclear strike on the UK. The regiment does not have an internal security role in Northern Ireland.

Royal Air Force; RAF Aldergrove
With the elimination of the Irish Air Corps and growing need for aircraft in other theatres, No. 18 Squadron, RAF, No. 72 Squadron, RAF and 5 Regiment, Army Air Corps were redeployed in 1997 leaving only a small force of one Chinook HC2, one Britten-Norman Islander, two Westland Gazelle AH1 No. 3 Squadron, RAF Regiment and the small staff at the Royal Air Force's

• Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre
• No. 18 Squadron, RAF
• No. 72 Squadron, RAF
• 651 Squadron; 5 Regiment, Army Air Corps
• No. 3 Squadron, RAF Regiment (Ground Defence)
• Royal Air Force's Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (Northern Ireland)

36th (Ulster) Infantry Division [Motorized Infantry]
The 36th (Ulster) Infantry Division (36 ID)(taking it’s name from the 36th (Ulster) Division of Lord Kitchener's New Army) is an motorized infantry division of the British Army formed around the battalions, of the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) in 1996. The Division replaced the 3rd, 9th, and 39th Infantry Brigades; who were deployed to European and Middle Eastern Theatres; as the main security force in Northern Ireland.

• Headquarters and Signals Battalion (225 Signal Squadron, 15 Signal Regiment)
• No. 1 (Lovat Scouts) Company, 51st Highland Volunteers*****

107 (Antrim) Defence Brigade

• 1st (County Antrim) Battalion******, Ulster Defence Regiment
• 9th (Country Antrim) Battalion, Ulster Defence Regiment
• 10th (City of Belfast) Battalion, Ulster Defence Regiment
• 7th (City of Belfast) Battalion, Ulster Defence Regiment

108 (Tyrone) Brigade

• 6th (County Tyrone) Battalion, Ulster Defence Regiment
• 8th (County Tyrone) Battalion, Ulster Defence Regiment
• 11th (Craigavon) Battalion, Ulster Defence Regiment
• Queen’s University/Belfast University Officer Training Corps Battalion

109 (Londonderry) Brigade

• 2nd (County Armagh) Battalion, Ulster Defence Regiment
• 3rd (County Down) Battalion, Ulster Defence Regiment
• 5th (County Londonderry) Battalion, Ulster Defence Regiment
• 4th (County Fermanagh) Battalion, Ulster Defence Regiment

Northern Ireland Squadron, Royal Navy
The Northern Ireland Squadron is a unit of the Royal Navy; established during the early days of the conflict in Northern Ireland. The squadron was moved to HM Naval Base Clyde, aka Faslane Naval Base, Scotland in 1993. Also in 1993, the River-class ships were subsequently assigned to the Northern Ireland Squadron where they replaced Ton-class vessels patrolling the province's waterways and participating in counter-terrorist operations in support of the British Army and the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC). On November 1 1997 the IRA sank the HMS Helford, HMS Blackwater, HMS Itchen, HMS Orwell, and HMS Spey and remnants British Northern Ireland Squadron were redeployed to Mediterranean; with destruction of Irish Naval Service and elimination of IRA sea threat, two months later. In 1998 the sunken ships were salvage and under went repairs in order to return them to active duty, but since the nuclear attacks all repairs on the ships have stopped.

• HMS Blackwater (M2008) – salvage and under going repairs at Alexandra Dock
• HMS Itchen (M2009) – salvage and under going repairs at Alexandra Dock
• HMS Spey (M2013) – salvage and under going repairs at Alexandra Dock
• HMS Arun (M2014) – Cyprus, Eastern Sovereign Base Area
• HMS Helford (M2006) – salvage and under going repairs at Alexandra Dock
• HMS Orwell (M2011) – Cyprus, Eastern Sovereign Base Area
• HMS Caroline (D44) *******

* Includes the 243 Provost Company (Volunteers), Royal Military Police

**Conducts undercover Electronic Warfare; including Electronic surveillance/interception operations.

***Conducts undercover surveillance operations against suspected members of Irish republican and loyalist paramilitary groups.

****An ultra-secret unit that is responsible surveillance and for Agent handling in Northern Ireland.

*****A specially trained Territorial Army Yeomanry infantry company that acts in the Anti-Sniper/Sniper role.

******All battalions of the 36th UDD are Motorized Infantry with the battalions organized as follows: 5x AT-105C Saxon - Command vehicle (Headquarters and Headquarters Company), Weapons Company: 16x Land Rover Defender Series III - Beeswing ATGM Launchers (Antitank Platoon), 8x AT-105MR Saxon - 51 mm mortar (Mortar Platoon), and 8x FV 721 Fox Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (wheeled) (Recon Platoon). Three Rifle Companies, each with: 16x Snatch Land Rovers/Land Rover Defender Series III.

******* The HMS Caroline acts as a static headquarters and training ship for the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR), based in Alexandra Dock, Belfast, Northern Ireland. She is the last remaining British World War I light cruiser in service, and the last survivor of the Battle of Jutland still afloat. Although no longer capable of making way under her own steam, she remains afloat and in excellent condition.

[TiggerCCW UK]

Nice to see the Caroline getting a mention, she's a great old lady I've a few pics of her somewhere if anyones interested?

Sadly Caroline is due to be retired in the near future as she is in need of a more intensive overhaul than the RNR can manage on site. Hopefully she'll be turned into a museum and stay in Belfast, but sadly there are no guarantees on that