Is Irelands neutrality stance in WW2 unfairly criticized? (see Mod note 217)

Read the book on censorship during the war. Dev deliberately used and had others use the term "the Emergency" instead of "war" . He did not want the media in Ireland using the term "Nazi" because he thought that portrayed them in a negative light! No mention was to be made of the tens of thousands of Irish going to Britain to sign up etc.

They were protecting their own shipping..

Equating a possible invasion of Ireland as the similar risk as Norway or Iceland is farcical.

I agree the US was late to the war, same as in WW1. All they did before Pearl harbour was send a few Eagle squadrons to Britain to be based there to fight the Germans, which they did.

The Eagle Squadrons were Americans who had either joined the RAF or crossed the border into Canada and joined the RCAF. They had nothing to do with the American government and weren't sent there! If you are going to introduce something to further your argument at least research it!

And while neutral, before Pearl Harbour and joining the war, they patrolled the Atlantic out to 300 miles off their coasts to help protect Allied shipping from U boat attacks. Roosevelt wanted us to do that out to only 50 miles but Dev would not even do that.

And remember what happened next? I told you the other day.

The Government of the United States having violated in the most flagrant manner and in ever increasing measure all rules of neutrality in favor of the adversaries of Germany and having continually been guilty of the most severe provocations toward Germany ever since the outbreak of the European war, provoked by the British declaration of war against Germany on September 3, 1939, has finally resorted to open military acts of aggression.

On September 11, 1941, the President of the United States publicly declared that he had ordered the American Navy and Air Force to shoot on sight at any German war vessel. In his speech of October 27, 1941, he once more expressly affirmed that this order was in force. Acting under this order, vessels of the American Navy, since early September 1941, have systematically attacked German naval forces. Thus, American destroyers, as for instance the Greer, the Kearny and the Reuben James, have opened fire on German submarines according to plan. The Secretary of the American Navy, Mr. Knox, himself confirmed that American destroyers attacked German submarines.

Furthermore, the naval forces of the United States, under order of their Government and contrary to international law have treated and seized German merchant vessels on the high seas as enemy ships.

The German Government therefore establishes the following facts:

Although Germany on her part has strictly adhered to the rules of international law in her relations with the United States during every period of the present war, the Government of the United States from initial violations of neutrality has finally proceeded to open acts of war against Germany. The Government of the United States has thereby virtually created a state of war.

The German Government, consequently, discontinues diplomatic relations with the United States of America and declares that under these circumstances brought about by President Roosevelt Germany too, as from today, considers herself as being in a state of war with the United States of America.

Accept, Mr. Chargé d'Affaires, the expression of my high consideration.

December 11, 1941.

RIBBENTROP.

Has to be wilful, otherwise the country is f**ked if they can last 40 years in the CS, I hope it wasn't in anything important!

It is the official declaration of war on the US delivered by the German government.

I posted it to show one of the reasons they declared war on the US and could have used on us if as suggested we did the same. I am in no way defending it, only posting it in a historical sense.

My point entirely, the Eagle squadrons were volunteers from the US who volunteered to join the fight against Nazism, before America joined the war. I referred to them a few days ago as well. There was a lot of support in America for them. There were 6,700 applications from Americans to join the RCAF or RAF.

After Pearl harbour and the war the USAF was very glad to have these experienced pilots to draw from, and to teach others lessons learned in combat.

16% of Americans suppirted entering the war after Germany invaded Poland

That was the ACTUAL feeling not the spin.

You stated America sent them, you were wrong. It seems you followed my advice and bothered to actually research them.

They have absolutely nothing to do with this conversation only to deflect from the shocker of day you've had!

Nobody ever mentioned or asked about the level of support in America for entering the war in the very beginning ( after Germany invaded Poland ).

I said that America was late for both World wars. That was a fact, same as most of what I say are facts.

After WW1 many people were weary of war. But someone had to stand up to the Nazis (and other Axis countries) some time.

Who said the Germans were sane?

Roosevelt would have known that we has not the means to patrol our own coasts out to 50 miles then. But he clearly wanted the coasts patrolled out to 50 miles with our co-operation, against the German threat. Of course, Aiken would not co-operate.

Its not hard to join the dots.

Because we were Neutral.

What are you not getting about that?

We remain Neutral to this day

I know full well what you told me last week, it has no relevance to anything we are talking about! As I told you then Ireland had between 70,000-100,00 volunteers during the war so I don't know what point you're trying to make!

How much clearer could I have been than that? They had permission to go and get the combat experience. They did not face charges when they came back.

Another quote what I said : I said the US government " quietly "winked at the law" to allow American pilots to travel to Europe, and later granted them formal pardons and military integration".

To address your ninja edit. If they had permission why were they granted pardons then?

Another post that contradicts itself.

The US ignored what the Nazis were doing as did the British right through the 30’s right up until they were in Poland for the British and until Japan bombed Pearl Harbour for the US

Freedom of small nations my eye.