An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 5 Manager Comdt David McKnight info@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5306 Editor Sgt Wayne Fitzgerald magazine@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5307 Connect Sgt Karl Byrne connect@military.ie Photo/Journalist Cpl Lee Coyle journalist@military.ie Photographer Armn Jamie Barrrett photo@military.ie Subscriptions Cpl Kelly Gallagher +353 (0)45 44 5312 subs@military.ie DF/PR Information Vacant admin@military.ie +353 (0)45 44 5308 DF Webmaster Sgt Mick Burke +353 (0)45 44 5309 webmaster@military.ie Magazine Archivist Mr Sean Shinnors Designer/Advertising JM Publishing & Media, Arklow, Co. Wicklow,Ireland Tel: +353 15331911 Tel: +353871344135 Web: www.jmpublishing.ie Email: info@jmpublishing.ie Printer Turner's Printing Co., Ltd Earl Street, Longford, Ireland Tel: +353 (0)43 3350500 The fact that an article appears in this magazine does not indicate official approval of the views expressed by the author. © Published by OiC Public Relations Branch for the Defence Forces at DFHQ, Block 5, Ceannt Bks, DFTC, Curragh Camp, Co Kildare, Ireland. Tel: +353 (0)45 445312 Front Cover Design concept by Sgt Wayne Fitzgerald For more Defence Forces photographs, checkout: www.flickr.com/photos/ dfmagazine Editorial H ello and welcome to our War of Independence special issue, which includes a number of articles by highly- acclaimed authors and historians looking at different aspects of Ireland's struggle for freedom. "You cannot conquer Ireland; you cannot extinguish the Irish passion for freedom. If our deed has not been sufficient to win freedom, then our children will win it by a better deed." - Patrick Pearse at his court-martial in 1916 Some new and some old photographs set the mood in On Parade before our In Focus pages looks at an RDF volunteer who recently completed a 'Gold' Gaisce Award. John McGuiggan's piece titled, 'The British Army at War in Ireland', looking at British regular forces operating in Ireland starts off our historic look at the War of Independence. Gerard Shannon follows this with his look at the opposing Irish forces. Next, Michael Barry looks at the weapons used in the conflict and accompanies this with a short piece on the armoured cars employed at the time. American author Joseph EA Connell Jnr then looks at one of the main characters on the Republican side in his article 'Michael Collins: Shaping a Revolution'. This is added to by Dr Pádraig Óg Ó Ruairc PhD in 'Spies and informers beware!' which examines one of the most important aspects of the conflict - the intelligence war. Regular An Cosantóir contributor Paul O'Brien MA looks at the Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary (ADRIC), in 'Masters of Chaos: British Special Forces during the Irish War of Independence.' Mícheál Ó Doibhilín follows this with an account of the first member of Cumann na mBan to die in the War of Independence in 'Josie McGowan – A Willing Heart.' Next up is 'Forgotten Allies: The Dublin Fire Brigade 1919-1921', in which historian and recently retired fire fighter Las Fallon looks at this well trained, professional force. Ailbhe Rogers and Paul Gosling then combine to look at 'Cumann na mBan Regalia: Uniforms, Badges & Flags, 1914-1923.' A regular An Cosantóir contributor on Irish aviation matters, Guy Warner, again looks to the skies in 'The RAF in Ireland, 1918', before our regular naval correspondent, CPO/ERA Ruairi De Barra, looks seaward for 'Cogadh na Saoirse: Ar Muir is ar Tír' (The War of Independence: On Sea and on Land). Acclaimed historian Liz Gillis looks at a pivotal moment in the War of Independence in 'The Burning of the Custom House.' OC Military Archives Captain Daniel Ayiotis brings us through some ongoing research projects in 'The Military Archives and the War of Independence.' In 'Wexford's Military Past and Present' I write about visiting the Model County to learn about CSM Martin Doyle, who won a VC on the Western Front in 1918, came home to play his part in the War of Independence, and went on to serve in the newly formed National Army. Finally, in our Sports pages we cast an eye back at the 1919 All-Ireland football final between Kildare and Galway, and along with Teamwear.ie we look at how sports clothing has changed in the intervening 100 years. All this, plus our regular Tac-Aide, Gear Review, Noticeboard, and Book Review features. "Those whom we commemorate here were doubly tragic. They fell victim to a war against oppression in Europe. Their memory too fell victim to a war for independence at home in Ireland." – Former President of Ireland Mary McAleese at Messines Peace Tower, Belgium, 11th November 1998 Sgt Wayne Fitzgerald

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