The B specials, like the Black and Tans in the south, were a top notch force. They existed because of the IRA, if they were brutal at times, it was only because they were dealing with a brutal enemy. In the end, United Irelanders don’t like them because they successfully countered republican forces.
@@lesleymccausland1368 yes and even then in the 50's with the so called border campaign, there wasnt even really anything happening... It wasnt until the UVF and British Army started shooting people that the Provisional IRA came about
My auld granda was a B Special. When one of his sons married a lovely Catholic girl in the 1960s it caused a big problem. Glad to say that they reconciled before his death in 1975...
We must remember that IRA "active units" were well armed , often with assault rifles with plenty of ammo, and in lots of occasions members had been trained by USA or Soviet officers. In 1950 - 1951 B specials managed to repel, only equipped with Lee- Enfield Mk4 rifles ( very good in WW2) large flying columns of IRA equipped with machine guns, Ak-47s and submachine guns.
Absolute twaddle, flying columns were not used since the border campaign ended, the IRA was reorganised into small ASUs. AK47 assault rifles did not arrive until after the B Specials were disbanded. The B men were responsible for some of the most horrendous crimes against the Nationalist community, they were partly responsible for the re-emergence of the largely defunct, inactive IRA. Remember, they gave cover to the loyalist mobs with 50 cal Browning machine guns as they made their way to the Falls Road, burning the streets that lay between that and The Shankill, killing 9 year old Patrick Rooney in his bed in the Divis Flats and Trooper McCabe, a British soldier home on leave.
Am a fan of the b specials maself mate but what you’ve just said just isn’t true ! The Ira active service units only acted in groups no larger than about 6 at the time and there were never trained by US or soviet troops lol quite the opposite actually most of the ira that had miiitary service the majority of the time especially in the early years had done service in the British army . And the Iraq never attacked in colums with ak47s that’s a wild thing to say 😂 they heavily relied on hot and run tactics almost everytime they were carrying out an operation they would never actually even be there for the even
The 'B's were indispensable, however there were the 'A's and the 'C's, the former a full time reserve and the latter a basic, largely untrained and unpaid, civil guard called out in times of crisis. The 'B's were part time, paid, members who knew every inch of their turf, and who to put the finger on when there was trouble. They were also good shots and outgunned through marksmanship, as they trained regularly, fenian insurgents out to cause trouble. It was pointless the 'sf-ra' having machine guns etc., as their range and accuracy was always inferior to well aimed shots from rifles. The Lynch Gov't, was instrumental in getting it disbanded, with Haughey-Blaney in support, to remove their above-mentioned ability in 1970, luckily it was replaced by the UDR who took on much the same role, and suffered over the years appalling casualties, mostly when off duty.
@@markburke2853 my Father and another brother were B Men…Another brother was a full time A man ,policed during the WW2…He was a special Constable,was killed the night of the Belfast Blitz ,he was helping women and children into the Airraid shelter,may I just say he didn’t ask if they were Roman Catholic,Protestant or other,he didn’t ask if they were republicans,Loyalists or whatever…The Germans dropped their bombs on everyone and everything…He was 36yrs left behind a wife and 3 young Boys….🙏✝️🇬🇧
The B specials were disbanded because of Republican propaganda and world opinion.They were too good at their job and that's why the Republicans wanted them out of the way.
@@edwardphimister4525 The B Specials were disbanded because of Republican propaganda.They werent defeated militarily by the IRA.The British government pandered to the Irish and American governments.Same with the Black and Tans and RUC.If the British had given the go ahead and had the will ,these forces could have wiped the IRA off the map of Ireland,north and south.
Universally and factually renowned as a force that was negatively mentally affected by war and discarded in Ireland by a typical English government which was, as usual, Eton heavy with entitlement and self interests.
@@raymondhaskin9449 No such thing as an English government....! Is that right, Raymondo. Fully British, is it? How's that working out for you right now? You're getting clowned by these fools. C'mon lad, we have way more in common in terms of the life we want our families to live, than them lying cheating wankers residing in Westminster.
Ps These brave men put on a uniform and lived among Republicans.Thats what i call brave men.Not like there adverserys who skulked behind hedges and shot the B Specials in the back.
@@desmondhull5778my Father was a B Special and a better man you could ever have met..He was a friend to all…He’s in Heaven today safe in the Arms of Jesus…🙏✝️🇬🇧
@@jennyleishman9617 yes Jenny ,you should be very proud of your father,they dont make men like your father anymore,a dieing breed unfortnately.Im glad you know hes with the Lord.I wish you well.
Always been much more of a prime minister James Craig fan, personally speaking. If Sir Edward Carson couldn’t or wouldn’t choose to take up his rightful place as Protestant Northern Ireland’s LOYAL chief of the Stormont legislature, then, Sir J. Craig was certainly a fine, fine substitute. And a bona fide ULSTERMAN to boot ! 🇬🇧 🤴 🇬🇧 ✝️ 🇬🇧 👸
@@emmethanlon2461 The IRA always had the best guns. Even in the 1920’s, they were in possession of Thompson guns, thanks to their huge support base in America. But the Ulster security forces were better gun fighters. Sean south and his gang got repulsed by a few Ulster specials with revolvers, at brookborough.
@@raymondhaskin9449 Hi Raymond...better gun fighters lol..sounds like Wyatt Earp at the ok corral. When you are professionally trained like the B men you should come out on top but quite often in Irish History the Banditos/Guerillas won the fight even when seriously outnumbered. Slainte for your reply 😉
@@Ulster-vi4mt thanks for posting. I lean on the other side of fence but see things from each perspective. We really need to build proper peace as things seem to be going backwards
Ye've heard about the B men the cruel RUC ye've heard about the Black n Tans in bygone history but there's another regiment the Devil calls it own they're known as the Black Watch commissioned by the throne 🎶🎶
@@triestodrum2215 And what about the Million Irish civilian people who starved to death, during the Grand Famine, between 1845 and 1851 under the Victorian Reign ? Thanks your Majesty, great fucking score ! You will have the eternal gratitude of Cromwell for that genocide !
