Since we have had a run of WWII posts recently thought I'd pose this question.
While Ireland was "officially" a neutral nation,Dublin (and other parts of Ireland) would suffer some bombing from Luftwaffe bombers gone astray
The most serious was the North Strand attack, which killed 28 people. There is some debate on whether this was another accident or a more co-ordinated warning to the Republic after it had dispatched help to Belfast following their blitz.
I wonder if a more serious bombing, resulting in a dramatic loss of life and damage, would change any of Ireland's actions as the war goes on? I can't see the Republic joining the war at this stage, but perhaps once the Americans come in and the threat of bombing has lessened lingering public anger may make it possible? At the very least it may dissuade De Valera from his dimmer decisions like paying respects upon Hitler's death.
Possibly there could be a warming of relations between Northern Ireland and the Republic should they have been seen to take their licks as well. Materially Ireland won't add much to the war effort but would provide greater range for aircraft into the Atlantic for one.
While Ireland was "officially" a neutral nation,Dublin (and other parts of Ireland) would suffer some bombing from Luftwaffe bombers gone astray
Bombing of Dublin in World War II - Wikipedia
en.m.wikipedia.org
The most serious was the North Strand attack, which killed 28 people. There is some debate on whether this was another accident or a more co-ordinated warning to the Republic after it had dispatched help to Belfast following their blitz.
I wonder if a more serious bombing, resulting in a dramatic loss of life and damage, would change any of Ireland's actions as the war goes on? I can't see the Republic joining the war at this stage, but perhaps once the Americans come in and the threat of bombing has lessened lingering public anger may make it possible? At the very least it may dissuade De Valera from his dimmer decisions like paying respects upon Hitler's death.
Possibly there could be a warming of relations between Northern Ireland and the Republic should they have been seen to take their licks as well. Materially Ireland won't add much to the war effort but would provide greater range for aircraft into the Atlantic for one.