Belfast during the Blitz
Northern Ireland / Belfast during World War II
Northern Ireland’s strategic importance / Use by British
When World War II was declared in September 1939, Northern Ireland immediately entered on the British side, seeing it as an opportunity to stress their loyalty to Britain in contrast to the neutral Irish Free State. Lord Craigavon affirmed their intention to “place the whole of our resources at the command of the government of Great Britain” (4 Sept)
Northern Ireland’s strategic importance to Britain had increased greatly with the return of the Treaty Ports to the South in 1938 and the Free State’s neutral status. The use of the Northern ports became even more important following the fall of France in June 1940 as Britain stood alone against Germany in the West. The naval bases in Belfast, Larne and Derry were used by British ships to escort convoys carrying essential supplies from the US and airbases were used to search the seas for enemy forces. At the same time, Northern Ireland provided a training ground for over 100,000 American forces in preparation for D-Day landings in Normandy. However, aiding Britain in this way, as well as producing much British war materials, made Northern Ireland a real target for German attack. Belfast city was to suffer most with German attacks leaving a devastating impact.
Northern Ireland’s and Belfast’s preparation for war & “lack of preparation”
In stark contrast to elsewhere in the United Kingdom, the lack of a sense of war urgency and lack of war preparation in Northern Ireland was evident up to 1941. Of course, measures such as rationing, censorship, identity cards and travel restrictions were introduced. But, no conscription, low numbers joining the armed forces, food being relatively plentiful, and up to April 1941, no bombs falling, all led to a feeling among many people that the North was only “half in the War”.
Similarly, many believed that NI was too remote and far from the theatre of war and
Northern Ireland’s strategic importance / Use by British
When World War II was declared in September 1939, Northern Ireland immediately entered on the British side, seeing it as an opportunity to stress their loyalty to Britain in contrast to the neutral Irish Free State. Lord Craigavon affirmed their intention to “place the whole of our resources at the command of the government of Great Britain” (4 Sept)
Northern Ireland’s strategic importance to Britain had increased greatly with the return of the Treaty Ports to the South in 1938 and the Free State’s neutral status. The use of the Northern ports became even more important following the fall of France in June 1940 as Britain stood alone against Germany in the West. The naval bases in Belfast, Larne and Derry were used by British ships to escort convoys carrying essential supplies from the US and airbases were used to search the seas for enemy forces. At the same time, Northern Ireland provided a training ground for over 100,000 American forces in preparation for D-Day landings in Normandy. However, aiding Britain in this way, as well as producing much British war materials, made Northern Ireland a real target for German attack. Belfast city was to suffer most with German attacks leaving a devastating impact.
Northern Ireland’s and Belfast’s preparation for war & “lack of preparation”
In stark contrast to elsewhere in the United Kingdom, the lack of a sense of war urgency and lack of war preparation in Northern Ireland was evident up to 1941. Of course, measures such as rationing, censorship, identity cards and travel restrictions were introduced. But, no conscription, low numbers joining the armed forces, food being relatively plentiful, and up to April 1941, no bombs falling, all led to a feeling among many people that the North was only “half in the War”.
Similarly, many believed that NI was too remote and far from the theatre of war and