D.F personnel (pdf) Figures 1969??

celica1994

Hey, was wondering if anyone knew offhand when the troubles broke out in the north in August 1969 how many full time personnel the Defense forces actually had on theyre books, someone i know told me around 850 P.D.F soldiers, can anyone clarify this, exclduing FCA numbers?

concussion

This book should be of help

http://books.google.ie/books?id=7yVsz0GYWSEC&printsec=frontcover&dq=inauthor:adrian+inauthor:english&hl=en&ei=wur7TO3NB6KqhAeojdnpCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false

celica1994

cheers but it will only let me view the first few pages lol

goldie fish

celica1994 wrote: »

cheers but it will only let me view the first few pages lol

Buy it ye cheapskate!

concussion

Check it in a few days, you should be able to view different parts. Historical Dáil debates should give you more info. Type "strength defence forces 1969" into Google, it should give you a link to the Minister for Defence refusing to answer the question in the Dail. Some digging in that site may be of use though.

celica1994

seems odd tho, its such a hard question to actually get an answer to, im tempted to contact the DF themselfs for an answer lol

Wicklowrider

celica1994 wrote: »

seems odd tho, its such a hard question to actually get an answer to, im tempted to contact the DF themselfs for an answer lol

My Father was a Sergeant in '69 and says it was "about" 9000 (establishment at that time was 12000 - this rose to 14000 sometime later). 850 is way off but may have come from a figure deployed to the border?

You could ask the press office or army records who would have a definite answer.

celica1994

im in the army myself and i find the 850 pdf figure a bit off the mark, i might see if i can email the press office for an answer

celica1994

ok emailed the press officer, awaiting reply lol

davetherave

From the Dail Eireann debates site.

davetherave

And another from the same day showing a breakdown of the strength by rank

OS119

the ministers statement says 20,000 in the FCA.

what was the FCA's effectiveness in 1969 - was it a paper tiger or a real asset?

punchdrunk

hey guys my Dad was on camp with the FCA in Gormanstown on the day
and they were called onto the parade square and all NCO's and best shots(iirc) were called forward and issued I think 40 rounds? of ammo for their Lee Enfields,but they were stood down shortly after