Ireland’s Biggest Mistake

The BBC reports:

The Irish government is to take action over the soldiers who were punished for fighting with the British during World War II, the BBC understands.

Ireland was neutral during the conflict, but around 10% of its armed forces deserted to join the fight against fascism.

On their return many were placed on an official blacklist, banning them from getting jobs, benefits or pensions.

There has been growing pressure on Dublin to issue the men with a pardon…

Yours truly is unaware of any U.S. administration having ever requested so much as even a polite explanation from Dublin about its Soviet-style internal exile-like postwar mistreatment of those Irish soldiers. After all, they had not been fighting only “with the British”; they were, of course, ultimately also supporting the United States. How many American soldiers returned home alive because those Irish soldiers had bravely risked everything in defying their government’s absurd “neutrality”?

Ireland’s not declaring war on Nazi Germany ranks as its biggest blunder of the independence era. Participating would have led not only to a more mature country internationally after the war. Owing to it displaying a willingness to shoulder responsibility for the greater good and to move on from the divisive independence struggle, it could well have allayed fears among Ulster Protestants and helped lead eventually to a united 32 county Ireland.

Once the U.S. entered the war, joining the Allies, even if only diplomatically, would not have placed the country in greater peril. Unlike in 1940-41, by 1942 there was no longer any serious possibility of a Nazi invasion of Ireland. Moreover by 1942 even South American states were breaking diplomatic relations with Berlin.

A source of pride in Brazil today is the well-regarded expeditionary force sent to join in the battle against Nazi troops in Italy; but Ireland cannot — as a country — look back on any national effort like that. Indeed it has spent the years since 1945 supplying excuses for why its “neutrality” was proper. Yet what well could have been, had de Valera taken to the radio on New Year’s Day 1942?:

“Much has changed in the last three years. It is clear now this not a European conflict that Ireland can avoid. It has become a war for humanity.

“Nazi troops are outside Moscow. Ireland’s friend, France, who had stood with our struggle for independence in 1798 and afterwards, has been crushed and occupied. Just weeks ago, American grandsons and great-grandsons of Ireland, were killed in a surprise air raid by Nazi-ally Japan.

“I have spoken with President Roosevelt. American troops will soon again be in Europe fighting tyranny. Ireland will welcome those needing to be based here.

“The Dáil has voted, and Ireland will certainly do its duty. Irish troops, in Irish units, under Irish commanders, will serve alongside American troops. Ireland will also join in clearing the Atlantic of the Nazi U-boat menace. We will also provide all possible support to General de Gaulle’s Free French and to the embattled USSR.

“The President spoke of America’s gratitude. I reminded him Ireland is a land of heroes. It always stands without question for freedom…”

At a stroke, that would have united the Irish behind the Allies. However, as we know, that did not happen. And as we can see, Ireland continues to have to face the consequences.

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