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6 - The Most Deadly Year

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 August 2023

Huw Bennett
Affiliation:
Cardiff University
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Summary

This chapter analyses British strategy once direct rule had been imposed from London, and covers the period up to September 1972, when talks between the political parties happened without the moderate nationalist Social Democratic and Labour Party. The chapter documents the efforts by the army to buttress Northern Ireland Secretary William Whitelaw’s quest for peace. Discontent lingered amongst elements in the security forces over restraint in fighting the IRA. Low-level brutality continued, particularly in tough regiments. In July the British government and the Provisionals held secret negotiations. Beforehand, republicans and loyalists targeted civilians to shape the impending dialogue. Senior figures in the Ministry of Defence believed loyalist attacks on Catholics might encourage republicans to modify their demands. Loyalist mobilisation probably convinced the government not to give anything away to republicans. These events, and the success of Operation Motorman in re-entering republican areas, persuaded the army to go back on the offensive against the Provisionals. In doing so they committed to retaining internment, expanding interrogation and adopting a modus vivendi with loyalists. These choices allowed the force level in Northern Ireland to be brought down, as demanded by the commitment to NATO, and swelling discord about repeated deployments on a deeply unpleasant mission.

Type
Chapter
Information
Uncivil War
The British Army and the Troubles, 1966–1975
, pp. 163 - 203
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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  • The Most Deadly Year
  • Huw Bennett, Cardiff University
  • Book: Uncivil War
  • Online publication: 03 August 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316479841.008
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  • The Most Deadly Year
  • Huw Bennett, Cardiff University
  • Book: Uncivil War
  • Online publication: 03 August 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316479841.008
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • The Most Deadly Year
  • Huw Bennett, Cardiff University
  • Book: Uncivil War
  • Online publication: 03 August 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316479841.008
Available formats
×