Northern Ireland & WW2 Flashcards
What was NI’s government reaction to WW2?
NI’s PM Sir James Craig immediately enlarged NI would play its full part in supporting Britain in war
JC hoped to use war effort to convince British of loyalty of Unionists & persuade Britain to maintain partition
Unionists condemned Eire’s neutrality in war
Few practical steps taken by NI government to protect NI, preparations before war had been poor
In 1938, stormont passed ‘Air Raid protection Act’ which made local authorities responsible for civil defence
Why were there limited actions by NI’s government for WW2?
Dispute between stormont & Westminster about who should pay for civil defence
Government was too complacent because many ministers believed NI wouldn’t be bombed as it was too far away from European mainland
Why did NI ministers believe NI wouldn’t be bombed?
Would require Luftwaffe to fly 1000 mile round-trip, limit of flying range of its planes
Luftwaffe would have to risk 2 crossings of British radar & anti-aircraft guns
Ministers though Luftwaffe would concentrate on more valuable industrial & strategic targets on mainland
It may result in Eire entering war & lending strength to allied forces
Some thought DV had done deal with hitler, preventing bombing in Belfast to protect nationalist areas
Why were NI’s preparations for protection of its civilians inadequate?
By 1939, it had:
0 RAF night fighters
0 searchlights
0 smoke screens
Very few anti-aircraft guns
2 small barrage balloons
Too few air raid shelters - only 15% of houses eligible for Anderson shelters had them
4000 private household shelters & 2000 public shelters for population of 1.2 million people
Edmund Warnock returned Air Raid Protection equipment to Britain, thinking NI wouldn’t need it
How were the NI public complacent?
They ignored air raid sirens & instructions of ARP Wardens as they didn’t think Germany would bomb them
It was difficult to get sufficient recruits for ARP & Home Guard as public didn’t think it was necessary
They discarded gas masks as they though they weren’t needed
By early 1940, offences for not complying with blackout requirements reached 1000 per month
Why were there changes made to civil defences in mid-1940?
Fall of France in June 1940 increased likelihood of air attack on NI
Reports abut devastation caused by German blitz of Coventry increased concerns
New Ministry of Public Security led by John MacDermott much more active
How were improvements made in NI in terms of civil protection?
Local evacuation plan drawn up
Construction of military airfields started at Aldergrove & Ballykelly
Number of RAF squadrons in NI increased
Up-to-date hurricane fighter aircraft deployed
Fire service strengthened
Erection of public shelters accelerated
Despite improvements:
Still only 22 anti-aircraft guns
Public shelters for 25% of population
Only 7000 of 70000 children due for evacuation actually left city
When was conscription introduced in Britain & when did they try to introduce it in NI?
Britain - April 1939
NI - 1939 & 1941
What was the unionist reaction to conscription?
They wanted it as:
Would give NI opportunity to show loyalty to Britain & strengthen relationship
Convince Britain partition should continue
Determined to be treated same as rest of Britain
What was nationalist reaction to conscription?
They objected to it because:
They didn’t want to fight for Britain as it wasn’t Ireland’s war
Some felt more connection to Germany than Britain because of German assistance during Easter rising 1916
What happened in the failed attempt to bring conscription to NI in 1939?
British government were surprised at strength of nationalist opposition to conscription in NI
Therefore, NI made exempt in may 1939, as Britain feared it would cause unrest in NI & district Britain’s time & resources away from fighting Germany
JC was furious & met Neville chamberlain, but was unable to overturn decision because of “special difficulties” chamberlain said existed in NI
However, award of defence contracts of £6 million to NI’s industries relieved some tension between governments, as unemployment fell by 30,000
Nationalists in NI jubilant at exemption
What happened in the failed attempt to bring conscription to NI in 1941?
British labour minister (Ernest Bevin) suggested it should be introduced into NI
This was because of shock of Belfast blitz & Britain standing alone against Germany
Unionists yet again supported conscription, but in may 1941, Britain exempted NI from compulsory military service for second time
Why did Britain not impose conscription in NI?
Very strong protests from nationalists 10,000 marched in protest in Belfast & DV condemned it
Would have been embarrassing for British government to deal with mass refusal by nationalists to enlist
Britain didn’t want to worsen relations with Eire
RUC inspector-general warned conscription could lead to serious public disorder
Stormont initially welcomed idea, then realised it would create many problems, so gave upc
However:
Men & women from both communities volunteered for military service
38,00 from NI joined British forces
43,00 from Eire joined British forces
When were the German air raids on Belfast?
7-8 April 1941 15-16 April 1941 4-5 may 1941 5-6 may 1941 Most devastating was 15-16 April 1941
Why did the Luftwaffe attack Belfast?
By 1941, war not going well for Germany, so hitler needed to disrupt convoy system & win battle of Atlantic
Belfast playing important industrial & strategic role in war
Concentration of prime targets within 1 mile radius made Belfast tempting target
Belfast was soft target
Reconnaissance flights by Germans revealed it was defended by only 1 fighter squadron & 22 heavy aircraft guns
There were no searchlights, night fighters or smokescreen & very few barrage balloons
