Comments on: Michael Collins: A Man Against an Empire http://www.historynet.com/michael-collins-a-man-against-an-empire.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=michael-collins-a-man-against-an-empire From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:45:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: brian http://www.historynet.com/michael-collins-a-man-against-an-empire.htm#comment-548392 brian Wed, 04 May 2011 16:11:01 +0000 #comment-548392 Decent intro to the topic I guess, but so full of errors. Let's take the first 2 sentences: 'To fight the RIC, Collins used the IRA flying columns-small but highly mobile guerrilla groups of poorly armed men, usually no more than 30.' Collins main achievement was his intelligence network (without which the guerilla's would have had no chance) and his keen eye for propaganda value. The development of flying columns was a result of increased pressue on the IRA after the British 'offensive' of summer 1920. Local IRA groups were harassed and many members had to go 'on the run'. Some of these formed mobile units who hit the enemy when the could and then disappeared into the hillsides. They were helped by part-timers and the local populace. To suggest Collin's planned this outcome is not true. Most the warfare took a localized nature and developed haphazardly. Units in Kerry, Cork, Tipperary, etc hardly looked to GHQ for guidance. They adapted and made decisions on their own. This was no centrally controlled war for the most part. 'April 20, 1919, the IRA staged its first raid on an RIC barrack, seizing rifles and ammunition.' The first raid on RIC barracks was actually in 1918, in Kerry. (Gortatlea, I believe) Decent intro to the topic I guess, but so full of errors. Let's take the first 2 sentences:

'To fight the RIC, Collins used the IRA flying columns-small but highly mobile guerrilla groups of poorly armed men, usually no more than 30.'

Collins main achievement was his intelligence network (without which the guerilla's would have had no chance) and his keen eye for propaganda value. The development of flying columns was a result of increased pressue on the IRA after the British 'offensive' of summer 1920. Local IRA groups were harassed and many members had to go 'on the run'. Some of these formed mobile units who hit the enemy when the could and then disappeared into the hillsides. They were helped by part-timers and the local populace. To suggest Collin's planned this outcome is not true. Most the warfare took a localized nature and developed haphazardly. Units in Kerry, Cork, Tipperary, etc hardly looked to GHQ for guidance. They adapted and made decisions on their own. This was no centrally controlled war for the most part.

'April 20, 1919, the IRA staged its first raid on an RIC barrack, seizing rifles and ammunition.'

The first raid on RIC barracks was actually in 1918, in Kerry. (Gortatlea, I believe)

]]> By: Rainger http://www.historynet.com/michael-collins-a-man-against-an-empire.htm#comment-105738 Rainger Mon, 24 Aug 2009 02:27:14 +0000 #comment-105738 I have read the article and it seems pretty good. Did not see any obvious errors throughout the article. Instead of making the statement that there are errors, please point them out so that we can learn. I have read the article and it seems pretty good. Did not see any obvious errors throughout the article. Instead of making the statement that there are errors, please point them out so that we can learn.

]]> By: Tiernan http://www.historynet.com/michael-collins-a-man-against-an-empire.htm#comment-99121 Tiernan Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:24:53 +0000 #comment-99121 Mediocre article at best. Various errors througout. Decent introduction to the topic, I guess. as for Dr Ryan-get a clue Mediocre article at best. Various errors througout. Decent introduction to the topic, I guess.

as for Dr Ryan-get a clue

]]> By: Dr. Jim Ryan http://www.historynet.com/michael-collins-a-man-against-an-empire.htm#comment-32197 Dr. Jim Ryan Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:24:59 +0000 #comment-32197 >the British drove to a Gaelic football match at Croke Park in Dublin later that day and fired into the crowdmost historians agree...< Do they?? where are your references?? >the British drove to a Gaelic football match at Croke Park in Dublin later that day and fired into the crowdmost historians agree…< Do they?? where are your references??

]]>