Heroes or Traitors

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Eire seceded from the United Kingdom in 1922 and simultaneously established its own National Army (known as the Free State Army, later as the Irish Defence Forces). Regardless of this historic national step, the centuries-long tradition of Irishmen joining the British military did not cease. Rather, the custom continued, and during the Second World War, despite Eire's official neutral stance, tens of thousands of Irishmen joined the British military. Within this number, there is a unique sub-group of soldiers who took a personally greater risk by enlisting - those that deserted from the Irish National Army. The author has established that over 7,500 men deserted from the Irish Defence Forces during WWII out of an established strength of 42,000 between 1939-1945. Of this number approx. 50% would join the British military. It is the 'why' of their decision that the author has sought answers to. An analysis of this 'why' and not a judgment of it acts as the centrifugal force within the narrative of this book and the key motivation of the author.