#OnThisDay 1921 The dead bodies of three British soldiers were found on the Clare-Galway border, shot by the East Clare IRA. The British said the soldiers were deserters but they were most likely spies. A note found around the neck of one of the soldiers with the words ‘Spies tried by Court-Martial and found guilty, all others beware’.
The East Clare Brigade had also captured British General Lucas (see below).
The three soldiers were:
Pvt Williams D.J
Pvt Walker W.S
Pvt Morgan T.L
#OnThisDay 1893 Peadar O’Donnell was born in Dungloe, Donegal. During the War of Independence, he was the head of the 2nd Brigade Northern Division. He took the Anti-Treaty side in the Civil War, hunger striked & escaped from Kilmainham. He also fought in Spain.
O’Donnell went on to become a prolific writer of such novels among the many were ‘Storm”, “The Knife”, “On the Edge of the Stream” and later published “Salud! An Irishman in Spain”.
#OnThisDay 1797 In support of the United Irishmen, Irish-American William Tate landed 1400 French troops in Fishguard, Wales in what would be known as the “Last invasion of Britain”. The invasion did not go as planned & resulted in an unconditional surrender. #Ireland #History
#OnThisDay 1945 @USMC Capt. Joseph J. McCarthy, “the best damned officer in the Marine Corps”, assaulted & took multiple enemy positions across exposed ground on Iwo Jima. “I was scared all the time”. For this McCarthy was awarded the Medal of Honor.
His Medal of Honor Citation reads as:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of a rifle company attached to the 2nd Battalion 24th Marines|, 4th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 21 February 1945. Determined to break through the enemy’s cross-island defenses, Capt. McCarthy acted on his own initiative when his company advance was held up by uninterrupted Japanese rifle, machine gun, and high-velocity 47mm. fire during the approach to Motoyama Airfield No. 2. Quickly organizing a demolitions and flamethrower team to accompany his picked rifle squad, he fearlessly led the way across 75 yards of fire-swept ground, charged a heavily fortified pillbox on the ridge of the front and, personally hurling hand grenades into the emplacement as he directed the combined operations of his small assault group, completely destroyed the hostile installation. Spotting 2 Japanese soldiers attempting an escape from the shattered pillbox, he boldly stood upright in full view of the enemy and dispatched both troops before advancing to a second emplacement under greatly intensified fire and then blasted the strong fortifications with a well-planned demolitions attack. Subsequently entering the ruins, he found a Japanese taking aim at 1 of our men and, with alert presence of mind, jumped the enemy, disarmed and shot him with his own weapon. Then, intent on smashing through the narrow breach, he rallied the remainder of his company and pressed a full attack with furious aggressiveness until he had neutralised all resistance and captured the ridge. An inspiring leader and indomitable fighter, Capt. McCarthy consistently disregarded all personal danger during the fierce conflict and, by his brilliant professional skill, daring tactics, and tenacious perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds, contributed materially to the success of his division’s operations against this savagely defended outpost of the Japanese Empire. His cool decision and outstanding valour reflect the highest credit upon Capt. McCarthy and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
#OnThisDay 1917 Lt Den is Joseph Baily M.C. from Tralee was kiled by a sniper near Messines, Belgium. A Castleknock College past pupil, he served with the 1st Royal Munster Fusiliers & had fought at the Battle of Hulluch & the Somme. He was 23 years old.
The Irish at War 