Eamon de Valera

Eamon de Valera{{ref|Name}} (born Edward George de Valera, sometimes Gaelicised Éamonn de Bhailéara; October 14, 1882 – August 29, 1975), was an Irish politician, best known as a leader of Ireland's struggle for independence from the United Kingdom in the early 20th Century, and the Republican anti-Treaty opposition in the ensuing Irish Civil War.

Neutrality in World War II

Germany's interest in Ireland before and in the early years of World War II (called The Emergency in the Free State) including investigating whether the IRA could be used against Britain, investigating the tactical advantages of invading Ireland, and negotiating with the Irish government. Germany courted the Irish government, before and during the war, though with little success.

Related Topics:
Ireland - World War II - The Emergency - Germany

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De Valera kept the Free State neutral in World War II. The British MI5 naturally took more than a passing interest in his deeds and whereabouts. Whereas the neutrality of the USA was terminated with the attack on Pearl Harbor, Irish neutrality was maintained right through to the end of the war. Both the possibility of a German invasion and a British invasion were discussed in the Dáil.

Related Topics:
MI5 - USA - Pearl Harbor - Dáil

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Characteristics

Irish neutrality took on some unique characteristics of its own:

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• The Irish government secretly aided the Allies side; for example, the timing of D-Day was decided thanks to weather reports supplied by Ireland which told of incoming weather conditions from the Atlantic.
• Most Allied airmen were 'accidentally' allowed to 'escape' into Northern Ireland while all German airmen who crashed in the Free State were interned.
• 100,000 Irishmen voluntarily joined the Allied forces.
• On the occasion of the death of Adolf Hitler, de Valera paid a visit to Eduard Hempel, the German minister in Dublin, to express sympathy over the death of the Führer. This action was criticised by some of the victorious allies, but he thought it necessary to preserve Ireland's neutral image. This was also criticised as an anti-British move coming as it did before the 1945 Presidential Election which was won by Sean T. O'Ceallaigh, the Fianna Fail nominee.

Analysis

Non-neutrality could either have meant support for Germany or the United Kingdom. Neither was particularly appealing and either would have led to an upsurge in subversive activity. An alliance with Germany risked certain invasion from the UK. An alliance with the UK risked internal political instability. De Valera's policy of neutrality probably enabled de Valera and the opposition to maintain a political unity. That might not have been achievable had de Valera wanted to openly side with the Allies, which would have provoked the IRA. De Valera interned hundreds of IRA men during the war, and had no hesitation in executing IRA prisoners to set an example. He feared that IRA actions might provoke the British into crossing the border.

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Some historians might argue that Irish neutrality was the best tactic for the Allies too, as an attack by Germany on a neutral Ireland would have enraged Irish-Americans and so brought the United States into the war earlier, although had Ireland joined the war in 1939, the reality of the war would have been brought to Irish-Americans earlier.

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In 2005 documents were released from the Public Record Office regarding contacts between Dev and a British MI6 officer in 1942 over Ireland joining the Allies. Details of the meetings were not disclosed but it is believed an offer was made over the status of Northern Ireland. Many such vague offers were made at different times but were never accompanied with any form of guarantee, leading the Irish side to dismiss them as insubstantial.

Related Topics:
Public Record Office - MI6

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