Times of Troubles : Britain's War in Northern Ireland

This is the first academic study of the British Army in Northern Ireland. It investigates the complex experiences of English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish soldiers alike during the often-controversial __Operation Banner__ 1969-2007. The experiences of these soldiers raise many important and difficult questions on war and policy. When do 'troubles', riots and insurgency become war? How does a liberal state respond to an internal war within its own borders? How does it decide on its rules of engagement for its armed forces? Featuring key interviews with former soldiers, paramilitaries and Special Branch detectives, amongst other key actors, the authors attempt to answer these questions and enhance our knowledge of conflict resolution by providing a deep analysis of one of the most significant British military operations since the Second World War. Key Features * First title to analyse the role of British Army in Northern Ireland * Draws on new primary sources including soldiers' diaries, log-sheets, interviews and previously unreleased MOD documents * Relevant to former members of the armed forces, particularly those who served in Northern Ireland (a demographic of over 300,000) When do 'troubles', riots and insurgency become war? How does a liberal state respond to an internal war within its own borders? How does it define the rules of engagement for its armed forces? These questions, amongst others, faced the British government in 1969, when it decided to send the British Army to the streets of Northern Ireland.This is the first academic study of the British Army in Northern Ireland, featuring Scottish, Welsh, Irish and English regiments. It investigates the complex experiences of soldiers during the often-controversial Operation Banner (1969-2007). The experiences of these soldiers raise many important and difficult questions on war and policy. Featuring key interviews with former soldiers, paramilitaries and Special Branch detectives, amongst other key actors, the authors attempt to answer these questions and enhance our knowledge of conflict resolution by providing a deep analysis of one of the most significant British military operations since the Second World War.Andrew Sanders is the John Moore Newman Research Fellow at University College Dublin. He is the author of Inside the IRA: Dissident Republicans and the War for Legitimacy (Edinburgh, 2011)Ian S. Wood is a distinguished Military historian, lecturer and journalist. He is the author of Gods, Guns and Ulster (Caxton 2003); Crimes of Loyalty: a History of the UDA (Edinburgh 2006); Britain, Ireland and the Second World War (Edinburgh 2010) and is a contributing author to A Military History of Scotland (Edinburgh 2012).Key WordsNorthern Ireland, British Army, Scottish soldier, Troubles, Northern Ireland, Ulster, Operation banner, Bloody Sunday, Saville report, soldiers, IRA, British Army, military, occupation, RUC, UDA, UVF, conflict, Military history, counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, terrorism Key Features* First title to analyse the role of British Army in Northern Ireland* Draws on new primary sources including soldiers' diaries, log-sheets, in This Is The First Academic Study Of The British Army In Northern Ireland. It Investigates The Complex Experiences Of English, Scottish, Welsh And Irish Soldiers Alike During The Often-controversial Operation Banner 1969-2007. The Experiences Of These Soldiers Raise Many Important And Difficult Questions On War And Policy. When Do 'troubles', Riots And Insurgency Become War? How Does A Liberal State Respond To An Internal War Within Its Own Borders? How Does It Decide On Its Rules Of Engagement For Its Armed Forces? Featuring Key Interviews With Former Soldiers, Paramilitaries And Special Branch Detectives, Amongst Other Key Actors, The Authors Attempt To Answer These Questions And Enhance Our Knowledge Of Conflict Resolution By Providing A Deep Analysis Of One Of The Most Significant British Military Operations Since The Second World War.--publisher's Website. Introduction -- British Soldiers On The Front Line, 1970 -- The Battle For Belfast -- Belfast: Winning The Battle -- Derry's Walls -- War On The Border -- Unlawful Force? -- 'at Least I Took No Lives ... ' -- The Secret War -- Full Circle? Drumcree And Withdrawal. Andrew Sanders And Ian S. Wood. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [260]-268) And Index. 'Bloody Sunday' is one of the iconic moments in British History, but what were the experiences of the soldiers in Ulster, many of them Scottish, and how did the wider events of the Troubles figure in their minds? This title gives voice to these soldiers, with many new documents, interviews and diary entries that are in the public domain. How 'The Troubles' in Ulster defined the Scottish and British military experience post-WW2 'Bloody Sunday' is one of the iconic moments in British History, but what were the experiences of the soldiers in Ulster, many of them Scottish, and how did the wider events of the Troubles figure in their minds? This book provides the answers.