Northern Ireland, 1966.

In Northern Ireland there is a once-glamorous paramilitary group, the "Irish Republican Army".

The IRA was founded in 1919 as a military arm of Sinn Féin in Ireland. Headquartered in Dublin, its members are located in North and South Ireland. In December 1921, Britain signed a treaty with Ireland, allowing the 26 counties in the south of Ireland to form a "Free State" with the right of self-government, and the 6 counties in the north were assigned to the United Kingdom, that is, Northern Ireland. In 1922, the IRA was suppressed for its opposition to the Anglo-Irish Pact, which divided Ireland into north and south.

After Ireland's independence in 1937, Northern Ireland remained under British rule. The IRA declared that it would continue its struggle for the reunification of the North and the South and that it would engage in violence. In 1939, the IRA began to cause bombings in the United Kingdom, which were banned by the Irish and British governments. In October 1954, it announced the cessation of military activities in southern Ireland, pointing the finger at the British army in Northern Ireland, aiming to unify Ireland by force.

By the 60s of the 20th century, the organization had largely disintegrated.

However, this military organization, which was declared illegal by the British government at the time, was revitalized after the outbreak of the Great War.

They received full support in terms of funds and weapons from abroad, and their personnel were greatly expanded. There are even rumors that the IRA has a secret military base overseas, dedicated to training military personnel to keep the entire organization combat-ready.

This rumor is not unfounded. The leader of the IRA, Belt. Adams knew that all of this was true, and that they were not only supported by money and weapons from abroad. And there are indeed secret military bases built overseas.

Since the outbreak of the Great War, the Queen has gone into exile and a new British government has been formed. This presented a huge opportunity for the moribund IRA. Especially at a time when the war situation was becoming more and more favorable to the Axis powers, the Fenton government had already been in a mess, and they had no more focus on Ireland and the IRA.

And this also makes Belt. Adams saw the possibility of victory.

More than a dozen trucks slowly appeared, and when the truck stopped, Belt. Adams' right-hand man, Edward, jumped out of the first truck and came to Belt. Adams' presence: "Leader." A new group of fighters has completed their training, and our allies have delivered new weapons. ”

"Edward. I saw the dawn of victory. "Belt. Adams suppressed his excitement.

"There's even more gratifying news." Edward then said, "Our ally, our staunchest supporter, Mr. A, has fallen. ”

Belt. Adams was taken aback.

"Mr. A", this is the code name of the largest provider of funds and weapons for the IRA, at the same time. The IRA's overseas military training bases are also under the responsibility of this "Mr. A". It's just Belt. Adams had never met "Mr. A," and when he heard the name, Belt. Adams hurriedly asked, "Where is Mr. A?" ”

Only then did he notice that there was a black sedan in the middle of the truck line, and after a while, the door of the sedan opened, and an old man stepped out of it.

Adams hurriedly greeted him: "You are Mr. A?" ”

"Yes, I am." The old man smiled: "Belt. Mr. Adams. Hello, when we get in touch. I'm Mr. A, and now, you can call me Tinland. Will. Tinland. ”

"Will. Tinland? Adams thought the name familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had heard it.

"President of the Montegro Group." Edward whispered in Adams' ear.

Adams was a little stupid when he heard it, he couldn't imagine that "Mr. A", who had always helped him, would be the president of the Montagu Group.

"Former president, now, my company has been handed over to my son to take care of......," Will said with a smile, "and my main job at the moment is to help you realize your dreams." ”

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Adams finally came to his senses from the shock: "Welcome here, Mr. Timland, I am confident that with your help we will be able to complete the unification of Ireland with the north and the south." ”

This was the dream of the IRA, and it was the dream that Adams wanted to achieve all his life......

Ireland's problems have been around for a long time, with negotiations, riots, renegotiations, and riots all the time in Ireland, and the opposition between Protestants and Roman Catholics has become a sharp contradiction.

At the beginning of the 20th century, due to the agitation of the Irish Parliamentary Party, it was already close at hand. The Unionists, who were mostly Protestant and settled in Ulster, opposed self-government and Irish independence, feared living in an overwhelmingly Catholic country dominated by the Roman Catholic Church. In 1912, the Union faction was founded in Edward. Carson's leadership signed the Treaty of the Ulster Alliance, vowing to resist decentralization by force if necessary. To this end, they formed the paramilitary organization Ulster Volunteer Army and imported weapons from Germany. The nationalists formed the Irish Volunteer Army, ostensibly to ensure that the post-World War I devolution would not be resisted by the British or Unionists. But the Irish Volunteers were gradually infiltrated by members of the Irish Brotherhood, such as Patrick. Pierce. The First World War of 1914 diverted the crisis and delayed the resolution of the question of Irish independence. Decentralization, although passed by the British Parliament, was suspended during the war.

But the question was provoked by the Easter uprising in Dublin by elements of the Irish Republican Brotherhood of the Irish Volunteers. While the rebellion was suppressed, the execution of 15 leaders of the uprising greatly radicalized the Irish nationalists. The question of independence came to a head in December 1918, when the separatist Sinn Féin won a majority of seats in Ireland and formed the Irish Parliament in Dublin, seceding from the United Kingdom, although it was not recognized by Britain or other countries at the time. Meantime. Seeing themselves as the army of the Republic of Ireland, Brethren volunteers began an armed assault on government forces in the following January 1919, killing two Catholic policemen transporting Gerry explosives in Solohydeberg, County Tipperary.

1920 year. During a guerrilla war by IRA volunteers against British government forces, the Irish government bill divided the island of Ireland into two separate jurisdictions: "Southern Ireland" and "Northern Ireland". The partition of Ireland was confirmed by the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, which ended guerrilla warfare in the south and established the Irish Free State – a virtually independent Irish state – which became a republic and became fully independent in 1949. This agreement recognized the great divide between the Irish people, who were mainly concentrated in the ancient province of Ulster, who wished to remain as part of the United Kingdom, and the overwhelming Catholics who demanded independence from England as a whole.

In such a situation, 1922. The Irish Civil War broke out.

The main reason for the outbreak of the war was the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty.

The Anglo-Irish Treaty arose out of Irish separatists – who organised the Anglo-Irish War between the Republic of Ireland and the British Government. The treaty provided for the establishment of a self-governing Irish state, with control over most of Ireland's population and land, and its own army and police. But. It stipulates that the country, like Canada and Australia, is a dominion within the British Empire, with the British monarch as the head of state, rather than an independent republic as most nationalists advocate. The treaty also required members of the new Irish Parliament to pronounce the following "oath of allegiance":

"Me. Solemnly declares sincere faith and allegiance to the constitution of the Irish Free State, which was established by law. In accordance with the duties of an ordinary citizen of Ireland, and to the constituent states of Great Britain and the Constituent States of Great Britain to which it depended and joined, to His Majesty King George V, and to his heirs and lawful heirs. ”

The oath drew strong opposition from many Irish republicans. Under the treaty, the new state was not called a republic but a "free state" and included only 26 counties in the west and south of Ireland. The remaining six counties remained in the United Kingdom as Northern Ireland. In addition, several strategic ports are still occupied by the Royal Navy. Nevertheless, the Republican leader who led the Irish negotiating group, Michael Murphy. Collins, persuading him, said that the treaty "did not grant all peoples the most fundamental liberty to aspire to and pursue." but the freedom to achieve freedom". Later events proved him right, and the Free State later evolved into an independent republic. But. In 1922, anti-Treaty fighters believed that the treaty would never lead to full independence for Ireland.

The war went on on and off for more than eight months before it ended.

The anti-Treaty republicans failed, but their armed struggle never stopped.

As the new leader of the IRA, Adams wanted more than anyone else to see his organization triumph, and more than anyone else, to wash away the shame of the defeat of the anti-Treaty Republicans in the Irish Civil War.

And now it is clear that this opportunity has appeared in front of him.

Will. What could be more exciting than Tinland, a well-known chaebol in the world, who has become their staunchest ally, to maximize their financial problems?

Adams accompanies Will. Mr. Tinland inspected his base and armament, and could see that Will was quite satisfied with the IRA.

"Mr. Adams, I must warn you that a major Axis offensive against Britain is about to begin." After returning to Adams' headquarters, Will spoke, "This is perhaps the best chance for you and the IRA to have the largest armed uprising in the history of the IRA, before October 8th. ”

Adams didn't seem to particularly understand: "Mr. Tinland, what is it before October 8th?" ”

"Because on October 8, the Axis powers will launch a full-scale landing operation."

Mr. Timland's words made Adams a little confused, such a military secret, such a specific date that only the senior leaders of the Axis military know, how does a businessman know about Lu Dao?

"Mr. Adams, do you think I'm the only one behind you?" A smile appeared on Will's face, "No, you're wrong, I can't do all of this alone. A large organization, or more accurately, a large regime, is always supporting you and your IRA. ”

There were so many things that surprised Adams today. But none surprised Adams more than these words.

A huge regime that has always supported itself and its own IRA? Ever since he became the leader of the "IRA", he had never known this.

"Mr. A" - Will. Tinland's support for himself began last year, and before that. The IRA lacked funds and weapons, and it was Mr. Timland's involvement that changed that. And now Mr. Timland's words are clearly sending a signal that the IRA has more powerful allies than Mr. Tinland.

"Mr. Adams, Germany." Will named the country: "Germany has always been selflessly and quietly supporting the IRA, especially in terms of weapons. They are willing to see Ireland reunited and willing to help you achieve your dreams. Let's be more explicit, Ernst. Marshal Bream – Baron Alexon. He dominated it all, and it was his persistence that made a fundamental change in your organization. ”

When he heard the name, Adams was moved.

Baron Alexon. The Knight of Hell sent to earth by the Grim Reaper, an undefeated legend.

Adams suddenly realized that victory was firmly in his hands. Germany and Baron Alexon would be the greatest guarantee of victory for the IRA.

"Please convey to me my gratitude to the Baron and to Germany." Adams said respectfully: "When Ireland is unified." I will let everyone know how Baron Lun Dao can help us. ”

"Nope. I don't think I can help you get that across that. Will's reply was somewhat unexpected: "It would be better for you to face him, for His Excellency the Baron will soon arrive in Ireland." ”

Adams had forgotten his surprise, but at the same time there was an excitement rising in his heart:

The Baron will arrive in Ireland!

The IRA was about to face the regular army, a long-standing guerrilla army that lacked experience in a head-to-head confrontation with the government's national army, and if it was commanded by the baron, everything would have been different.

"Did you say the Baron would arrive in Ireland himself?" Adams decided to confirm the news anyway.

Will nodded solemnly: "Yes, I have made contact with the Baron before I arrived in Ireland. He will personally guide you in your armed struggle. Before that, of course, we will launch an armed uprising in advance! ”

Adams became perk.

"Do you have a map here?"

"Of course." Adams had a map of Northern Ireland brought in. Will pointed to the map and said, "Moyle, our uprising will start with Moyle first. It's close to Raslin Island, so it can advance and retreat freely, and can get support from the sea. Mr. Adams, what we can ensure is that the weapons will continue to flow into your hands. ”

Adams looked at the map carefully: "Yes, this is a good place for the uprising, here we have a large number of sympathizers, and I am sure that we will be able to get the support of the locals. I think the only thing we have to deal with there is the Internal Guard, and the Internal Guard is just as likely to win them over to our side. ”

The Home Guard is a special unit that was created during the Irish Civil War.

The civil war was short and bloody. Many high-ranking figures died, including Michael, who is revered as the father of the Irish nation. Collins. Atrocities were staged on both sides: anti-treaty armed murder of parliamentarians and the burning of monuments; The government executes anti-treaty prisoners, either formally or covertly. The national forces that supported the treaty suffered more than 800 casualties, with a total of 4,000 dead. Another 1,200 IRA soldiers were held in custody until the end of the civil war, most of whom were not released by 1924. In October-November 1923, as many as 8,000 Republican prisoners went on hunger strike to protest their continued incarceration.

However, it is debatable whether the casualties of the Irish Civil War could have been even more severe. The number of dead was insignificant compared to other civil wars of the time. In addition, the new police force, the Internal Guard, was not involved, meaning that the Free State could create an unarmed and politically neutral police force after the war.

There were also IRA sympathizers in the force, who even gave the IRA some covert help in exchange for a promise not to attack the Home Guards.

"Compassion and complete support are not the same." Will looked away from the map: "Moyle's Commander of the Internal Guard, Colonel Tarrant, and I know him, and I think I can visit this commander in advance." ”

"I must thank you again for your support." Adams said gratefully, "I asked Edward to follow you with a few men to keep you safe. ”

"I don't think I'll be hurt in Ireland, and of course it's best to have someone with me." Will smiled and said, "During this time, I hope that you can prepare for an armed uprising in full swing. In three days, you must personally reach Moir to command an armed uprising, and I will be waiting for you there. ”

"Yes, Mr. Tinland." Adams nodded seriously and said: "We have 2,000 armed men in Moyle, and at the same time, I will gradually transfer the armed personnel here to Moyle, and by the time of the uprising, I think we can have about 5,000 combat members, which is a huge force." ”

Will smiled: "I think, don't forget that there are also those elite police officers of the Internal Guard. ”

Adams didn't know what Mr. Timland was up to, so confident that he would persuade Tarrant to join the armed uprising! (To be continued......)