Testimony to Courage, A: the Regimental History of the Ulster Defence Regiment 1969-1992 (Hardcover)


Denounced by Britain's Ministry of Defence, this book is the first history of a Northern Irish military unit that was, ironically, criticized as pro-British. The outbreak of "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland in 1968 found many of the local police and army auxiliary units outmoded or discredited. A new and unique force of part-time soldiers was created: The Ulster Defence Regiment. Originally intended to be non-sectarian, the unit became virtually all Protestant, although it maintained many Irish traditions, such as pipe bands and wolfhound mascots.

The UDR was involved in a variety of security duties, although actual combat was supposed to be reserved for British regulars. In but one of many interesting aspects, the regiments "Greenfinch" female troopers were far more involved in active operations than their sisters in other units and armies of the time. Off-duty hours could be deadly for UDR soldiers, with nearly two hundred being killed in attacks while engaged in civilian pursuits. With the easing of the crisis, the UDR has been converted into reserve battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment, a unit that preserves the traditions of several regiments originating in Northern Ireland. Credible charges that some UDR men co-operated with Protestant paramilitarys continue to be investigated, but the Regiment left a proud record of difficult service, carried out by men who were usually a decade older than their counterparts in the IRA and regular British Army.


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Product Description

Denounced by Britain's Ministry of Defence, this book is the first history of a Northern Irish military unit that was, ironically, criticized as pro-British. The outbreak of "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland in 1968 found many of the local police and army auxiliary units outmoded or discredited. A new and unique force of part-time soldiers was created: The Ulster Defence Regiment. Originally intended to be non-sectarian, the unit became virtually all Protestant, although it maintained many Irish traditions, such as pipe bands and wolfhound mascots.

The UDR was involved in a variety of security duties, although actual combat was supposed to be reserved for British regulars. In but one of many interesting aspects, the regiments "Greenfinch" female troopers were far more involved in active operations than their sisters in other units and armies of the time. Off-duty hours could be deadly for UDR soldiers, with nearly two hundred being killed in attacks while engaged in civilian pursuits. With the easing of the crisis, the UDR has been converted into reserve battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment, a unit that preserves the traditions of several regiments originating in Northern Ireland. Credible charges that some UDR men co-operated with Protestant paramilitarys continue to be investigated, but the Regiment left a proud record of difficult service, carried out by men who were usually a decade older than their counterparts in the IRA and regular British Army.

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Product Details

General

Imprint

Pen & Sword Books Ltd

Country of origin

United Kingdom

Release date

March 2001

Availability

Supplier out of stock. If you add this item to your wish list we will let you know when it becomes available.

First published

October 2001

Authors

Dimensions

250 x 182 x 41mm (L x W x T)

Format

Hardcover

Pages

340

ISBN-13

978-0-85052-819-0

Barcode

9780850528190

Categories

LSN

0-85052-819-4



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