#OnThisDay 1921 The IRA attacked a four truck convoy of Auxiliaries in the Rathcoole Ambush, Cork. Using mines to disable the trucks, the IRA killed two Auxies & injured many more. However, the IRA soon had to withdraw due to a dwindling supply of ammunition.
#OnThisDay 1921 The Thompson submachine gun (Tommy Gun) was first used in combat by the IRA. Dublin ASU led by Oscar Traynor fired on a train carrying soldiers of the Royal West Kent Regiment. Three were reported to have been injured but no deaths recorded.
#OnThisDay 1864 Colonel Patrick Kelly, from Galway, the commander of the Irish Brigade was shot dead as he led his men at the Battle of Petersburg. It was said that upon his death; “strong old veteran soldiers wept like children & wrung their hands in frenzy”.
#OnThisDay 1921 An FBI & police raid on a ship called “East Side” with an all Irish crew, in Hoboken, New Jersey discovered 495 Thompson submachine-guns which were destined for the IRA. This raid was authorised by future Director of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover.
#OnThisDay 1920 Captain Percival Lea-Wilson RIC District Inspector was shot dead by Michael Collins’ Squad in Gorey, Wexford. It’s said that Wilson was shot because he was the officer who strip searched Tom Clarke when the rebels surrendered after the Rising.
