Letter: Irish In War

John Alderson
Tuesday 18 November 1997 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: M A Martin (letter, 14 November) does not wear a poppy to honour the dead of two world wars. He takes narrow political views rather than generous ones.

In the Second World War the Irish Free State never declared war on Germany and throughout remained a threat to British survival. The Royal Navy was denied use of Irish ports while German U-boats sailed in Irish waters to attack our life-saving convoys of food and arms. As British cities were devastated by German bombs the lights of Dublin provided a beacon for German bombers, particularly to Merseyside and Glasgow.

I met and was friends with many southern Irishmen in the British Army in the war, but it is true that most of them were mercenaries, rather than ideological soldiers.

John Alderson

Ottery St Mary, Devon

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in