"While the buildup of men and machines continued, BF.I was taking an active part in the conflict. Observer/gunners were readily available, these were men who had never flown before but were well experienced in guerrilla warfare, some being veterans of the 1916 Rising. Russell was partnered by a former member of Collins' elite Active Service Unit, when he took off on the first sortie to support ground troops in Wicklow. The aircraft was armed solely with a standard infantry Lewis gun with which the observer engaged the Irregulars, firing it from his hip while dangerously balanced in his cockpit. The lack of armament on this and a second aircraft obtained from the RAF, perhaps underlined the original peaceful plans for the Air Service: its founders had refused guns, ammunition and bombs, which somewhat puzzled the donors. However, after the first sortie, warlike stores were accepted, once it became apparent that a real war was brewing up."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
1922Civil wars involving the states and peoples of EuropeCivil wars of the 20th centuryHistory of the Republic of IrelandMilitary of the Republic of Ireland
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Donal MacCarron, Wings Over Ireland: The Story of the Irish Air Corps (1996), p. 15
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Irish_Civil_War
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Irish Civil War
30 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Irish Civil War →
Related Quotes
"We had to turn against you, Mick, there was nothing we could do 'Cause we couldn't betray the Republic like Arthur Gr…"
"Fairly restrained by international standards, the Irish Civil War was nonetheless an intense and often cruel war; the…"
"As nations, we've known hardship and division, but we've also found solace and sympathy in one another. And just 4 ye…"
"There is no British Government anymore in Ireland. It is gone. It is no longer the enemy. We have now a native govern…"
"The Treaty is already vindicating itself. The English Die-hards said to Mr. Lloyd George and his Cabinet: "You have s…"
"After the executions, the families of the dead men were sent a typed pro forma notification. The note for the Cassidy…"
"The country moved towards the end of 1923: impoverished and riven with bitterness. Control was maintained through cen…"
"One of the most contentious policies was the suspended death sentence experiment tried out in Kerry and then apparent…"
"In the space of a few months, thousands of anti-Treaty prisoners and those suspected of being so were interned withou…"
"We beat them in the cities and we whipped them in the streets. And the world hailed Michael Collins, our commander an…"