An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir June 2015 www.dfmagazine.ie 34 | BattLegrOunD: the BattLe FOr the generaL pOSt OFFiCe 1916 Paddy FinuCane Fighter aCe the gLOriOuS maDneSS taLeS OF the iriSh anD the great War author: Turtle Banbury publisher: Gill & Macmillan (October 2014) www. gillmacmillanbooks.ie iSBn: 9780717162345 price: €29.99 H/B pages: 224 With numerous events scheduled for the next number of years commemorating seminal events of the First World War it is apt to examine the role of Irish men and women who participated in the Great War. The story of these men and women has now been vividly brought to life in the Glorious Madness by Turtle Bunbury, himself a scion of a family with a distinctive Anglo-Irish history. Bunbury is a well-known name on Irish television and radio. He is co-presenter of RTE 'Genealogy Roadshow', and the founder of Wistorical, an innovative concept of promoting Irish History globally. This beautifully illustrated work is akin to the opening of a time capsule of the period and the role of the Irish in the Great War. It takes a sweeping majestic view of the conflict from the mud and mire of Flanders Fields, to the ultimately futile Gallipoli campaign where the Irish played as significant role as the ANzAC Brigade; the war at sea, Irishmen who fought in the Middle East made famous by the exploits of Lawrence of Arabia as part of the Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire. The role of Irishmen who fought in the skies above the trenches is also addressed, including the 'Eagle of Trieste' Gottfried Freiherr von Banfield, the most successful Austro-Hungarian naval pilot of the war, descended from the Banfields, a Quaker family from Clonmel, Co Tipperary. The poignant story of Erskine Childers, awarded a DSO (Distinguished Service Order) for his outstanding reconnaissance skills over the North Sea, Gallipoli and Palestine is also recounted. Author of the acclaimed The Riddle of the Sands, considered the world's first spy novel, he was subsequently executed during the Civil War. He had been found guilty by a military tribunal of possessing a prohibited firearm, an ivory- handled Spanish automatic, a gift from Michael Collins during happier times. Their stories are all at once tragic, honourable, often recklessly brave, overshadowed in many instances by the deep loss felt by Irish families left in mourning by the loss of family members killed in the charnel house of the Western Front and other far-flung theatres of war. This evocative work brings alive the Irish and their role in the Great War, be they nuns, artists, sportsmen, poets, aristocrats, nationalists, clergymen and even film directors. RF author: Doug Stokes publisher: Crecy Publishing, (October 1992, re-released June 2015) www.crecy.co.uk iSBn: 978 08597 91809 price: €15.00 pages: 176 Dublin born fighter pilot Brendan 'Paddy' Finucane in his short life of 21-years achieved fame and recognition in the USA, Britain, and Australia and yet, until very recently, virtually none in the land of his birth. Doug Stokes has, with the co-operation of the Finucane family, written a comprehensive, interesting and detailed account of this young Irishman's life. Born in Dublin in 1920 he was the eldest of five children born to Thomas 'Andy' and Florence Finucane; 'Andy' had fought as a Volunteer in the 1916 Rising. Educated firstly at Christian Brothers schools at Synge Street and latterly O'Connell Schools Brendan, along with the family, moved to Richmond, Surrey in 1936. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1938. After a time on general flying duties he reported for duty on July 15th, 1940 to the Spitfire-equipped 65 Squadron at Hornchurch. The Battle of Britain was at its height and Brendan was soon in action. After achieving several victories Brendan was promoted and joined the newly arrived 452 Squadron from Australia in 1941. His leadership and tactical abilities with the squadron brought huge publicity and he became one of the top scoring 'aces' in Fighter Command being awarded the DSO and three DFCs. A very modest young man, he did not relish all the publicity but realised that it was a necessary to keep the country's morale high. In early 1942 he took command of 602 Squadron who were engaged, along with many other Spitfire and Hurricane squadrons, in furious dogfights over northern France. In late June 1942 Brendan became the youngest Wing Commander in the RAF when he took over the Hornchurch Wing. Leading the Wing on a raid over France on July 15th, 1942 his aircraft was damaged by machine gun fire and he 'ditched' in the English Channel. His body was never recovered. Brendan had not reached his 22nd birthday. Mb author: Paul O' Brien publisher: New Island Press (June, 2015) http://newisland.ie iSBn: 978-1848404274 price: €12.99 pages: 120 Written by Military Historian, Paul O'Brien, the latest addition to New Island's In Focus series, Battleground is a detailed account of the actions in the area of operations in and around the General Post Office that Easter week in April 1916. As members of the Irish Citizen Army and the Irish Volunteers under the command of Padraig Pearse and James Connolly, occupied the General Post Office, O'Brien takes the reader through the smoke filled labyrinth of streets and alleyways and the posts occupied by Republican Forces as they prepare to defend their newly declared republic. Defending in the largest area of operations, republican forces were under manned and under equipped to secure the area, allowing British forces to move into the city centre, and by Thursday, the military launched a devastating artillery bombardment on the beleaguered Irish Forces. The description of Pearse's Battalion's attempted breakout from the surrounding British forces is harrowing in its detail describing the deaths of Volunteers as they tried to breach British lines and establish a secure corridor for the Irish command to escape encirclement. This is the author's sixth book on the Rising and like the previous five; it is a fast paced work that details the command strategies, tactics and battle experiences of those fighting on both sides during that turbulent week in Irish history. Complementing the text are a number of black and white photographs and an excellent map of the area that gives the reader an authentic feel for the battle. Once again, O'Brien has brought the reader to the frontlines of the 1916 Easter Rising - another excellent read. WF

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