S4

CONTENT
The subject of this pod is the Derryard action, a sustained IRA deliberate attack in December 1989 against an Army Permanent Vehicle Check Point (PVCP) close to the border with the Republic Of Ireland a few miles north of Rosslea, County Fermanagh. The checkpoint was manned by members of the Kings Own Scottish Borderers who fought off an Active Service Unit that considerably overmatched them with weapons. On this pod we discuss the motivation of IRA volunteers, how the IRA was financed and obtained its weapons, the attack on Derryard and its aftermath. My book choice on this podcast is "The IRA" by Tim Pat Coogan.
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[@robertwood1416]

My Bn was S ARMAGH Roulement at the same time as the Derryard PVCP attack. On 13/12/1989 my Coy was out on a deliberate Op when our CO announced over the Bn net that Derryard had happened. Then a few months later in 1990 the Bn deployed to SE FERMANAGH and my Coy manned the PVCPs around ROSSLEA. Derryard had been flattened by then, but we often patrolled through the area and it had a spooky vibe. Those two KOSB teams did a sterling job despite the KIA.

[@jackietreehorn5561]

@@robertwood1416 all in the past now....I grew up in SA ....we should all learn from it

[@matthewbrady1562]

As someone from a Nationalist/Irish Republican background, I appreciate this podcast and it was very informative. Obviously some of the IRA's actions were horrible like La Mon or the use of proxy bombs, even the Kingsmill Massacre, descending to the lows of loyalist gangs, who killed defenceless, unarmed Irish Catholics simply as a weapon of terror. Then, there is the other more legitimate side such as the early days of The Troubles such as the Battle of St. Matthew's, protecting Catholic and nationalist residents from being burnt out in Belfast from loyalist mobs, looked on by the RUC and their proxies; including more military action such as Derryard where they acted in a more professional capacity. If they had to fight, more actions such as these would have been better for their reputation, I doubt the Republican Movement would have got drastically better terms than the Good Friday Agreement but nonetheless it is a shame young men, British and Irish killed each other then where they probably had more in common than differences. I hope to see all of Ireland united one day soon, but the best and only way today is through politics.

[@unconventionalsoldierpodcast]

Thank you for a reasoned response. I agree with most of your position and also hope that the peace is maintained. Totally agree with your statement re a united Ireland which will be down to a popular vote north and south as per GFA. We can't go back to those days of violence.

[@roberthamilton2334]

We are all pawns in a bigger game , I feel sorry for anyone who lost their lives or got seriously injured in the troubles. Anyone who can't forgive through faith will never find peace in their hearts and that is very difficult for some who have lost loved ones .Sadly children are born in N Ireland into a predestined side by no say of their own ,some feel Irish ,others feel British and more recently some feel Northern Irish. As for a United Ireland even Gerry Adams admits he has done nothing but divide the people. There most likely will be an all Ireland one day but for a United Ireland that's another question.

[@cecilwilson5442]

Keep dreaming it will definitely Never be a united country,, think all the IRA murders ,, were any different to loyalist ones clown 🤡,,,

[@neilcolwell3107]

The PIRA are on the same level as #Hamas.

[@TheNinyo77]

​@@neilcolwell3107they are called freedom fighters !!! Something I wouldn't expect jocks to understand !!! You rolled over and took it .

[@sheasonic0639]

I grew up in south Armagh during the troubles, we were only kids, heard a few big bombs going off too, Glenanne army base getting flattened was probably the biggest, never forget the windows shaking and i lived about 5 miles from there.

[@robertferguson3023]

Excellent read, top work on the mic. Top vid on the subject, as previous commentors have stated. Thank you.

[@fermzy]

The occupation forces complain about the locals fighting back!!!

[@unconventionalsoldierpodcast]

No didn't complain but if you had listened you would know that wouldn't you?

[@jackietreehorn5561]

@@unconventionalsoldierpodcast growing up in south Armagh army kept people awake at night.... Add that to political grievance without sleeping and people very cranky lol

[@Letsgetiton41]

I'm afraid it was the other way around mate it was republicans that complained the Brits were fighting back IRA didn't do to well when they came up against armed opponents and their political mouthpieces had the cheek to claim the British had a shoot to kill policy you couldn't make this shit up.

[@jackietreehorn5561]

​@@Letsgetiton41I'm a republican and always thought that shoot to kill made us sound like wingers...but thankfully in a better place now and may everyone move on

[@SociallyAcceptedGopnik]

Interesting, I served five tours there, 2 tours were primarily as a member of a weapons/explosive and IED search team during 88/89. I probably knew every known terrorist in the Belfast area by searching their homes and cars. I personally managed two secure two conviction, I suspect they were released as part of the good Friday agreement.

[@jackietreehorn5561]

How many more did you get to join from the harrasmemt? Id say many... lessons should be learned from this

[@farizdbro9903]

Just discovered your channel about a week ago. Glad I did because I’m really enjoying it. Thank you! Greetings from Malaysia.

[@unconventionalsoldierpodcast]

Welcome aboard!

[@michaelmulligan0]

Very well balanced viewpoint

[@BingoFrogstrangler]

Insightful ,brilliant.

[@neilmurray1359]

I was involved with the building PVCP at Rosslea at this time, Pulled out a week before it happened. Funny thing though we were warned of a imminent attack in the area 6 weeks before. OP Tin hat.

[@jonesyjones7626]

Gents, the algorithm brought me here. Excellent content. Now subscribed.

[@tech9auto223]

I downloaded the green book and was very surprised how well thought out it was it told a volunteer how to deal with everything he might experience like how to handle intense interigation and weapons handling it even went into detail on explosives and how to use it how much was needed to cut through wood concrete or metal un fortunately i lost my phone and everything on it

[@patrickglennon7058]

Excellent, well researched

[@bigstudio2.044]

Hey I just wanted to say I’ve really been enjoying the podcast. keep up the magnificent work you do. Much respect from the states 🫡

[@unconventionalsoldierpodcast]

Thanks for listening 👍

[@neilcolwell3107]

This is a great Podcast. God Bless these K.O.S.B. My uncle Ian Morrell was a Colour Sergeant in the KOSB. He died 2 years ago.

[@thewesties8725]

Great podcast!

[@robtime]

Great podcast! Watched from Dubai.

[@williammacrae6119]

Done a tour of fermanagh in 97. Been in golf 240 eerie feeling

[@nobbytang]

Brilliant narrative…love it …

[@TheNinyo77]

😂😂😂 are you serious 😂😂😂

[@janwrobel8912]

Just subscried. Channel is great.

[@Matt-Durham]

Hiya mate, I'm Matt Durham I've covered the Troubles for years if you need a chat or advice I'll happily help you out. II've worked with Peter Taylor at the BBC and we often worked on making documentaries about the subject, I believe the flamethrowers came from Russia originally, I can't imagine anything more terrifying and fairly recently the PIRA got their hands on two AN-94 assault rifles, yes the Russian gun that fires two bullets at the same time, one is at the British Royal armouries museum.

[@patkearney9320]

I thought the flamethrowers came from Libya.

[@jackietreehorn5561]

Russians armed the sticks not the provisional IRA

[@gerard1965able]

@@patkearney9320 homemade,based on a Russian design.

[@patkearney9320]

@@gerard1965able If you read the what weapons where decommissioned 26 flamethrowers where handed over and they came from Libya, though never used they came via Libya could be Russian designed but fact came on a successful run along with HMG And AKs how many I don’t know. PIRA had little use for flamethrowers as they where a two man unite. Interesting I’ve thought that was kinda urban legend the AN, 94 that blasts 2 bullets. If possible could u say they was 7.62 round. Also I find u give fantastic intel on your subjects.☘️

[@gerard1965able]

@@patkearney9320 old one, "we found his head & shoulders on the beach,happy hamburger day,what's a leg between friends,"old one,crazy times, European Department hitting targets, northern command completely compromised,English Department hitting targets,Derry over run,lost,Belfast over run,lost,both compromised,"the Wee Man,""the Assassin,"southern command impregnable,IRB taking orders via 5 key associates,the Dublin department,impregnable,absolute insanity,the tell (Mi5)was the split,northern (clowns) command,taking control,Mi5 op, have a look at TPQ,Anthony McIntyre,great write ups,now it's the vote,peoples choice,the above?both explosive devices failed to detonate?why?they were got at,Paddy O' Kane did a good job.

[@Lee-jj8nt]

You dare to call me a terrorist while you look down your gun

[@ProfileP246]

Stupid analogy

[@unconventionalsoldierpodcast]

But you weren't a terrorist were you? Just some sad man with a keyboard.

[@jackietreehorn5561]

@@unconventionalsoldierpodcast tourist

[@TheNinyo77]

​@@unconventionalsoldierpodcast the entire nationalist community was treated like WE started the war here !!! We didnt ,that was GBs poisonous little state police that mounted those gun attacks on innocent Catholics,i seen it ,i was there in the falls rd area 1969 , you thought you could comtinue to walk over us !! You couldnt then ,and you won't now .

[@zanjoo3430]

Love this podcast

[@evillabrador1]

Remember when this happened. We turned the net on to listen to what was going on. We were in Aughnacloy in South Tyrone. Feeling helpless. They were lucky that the patrol was out. Border pvcp got .50 cal machine guns after this.

[@ThePleasent1]

A cracking podcast.

[@jbuckley2546]

Top drawer, as per.

[@deanrobinson4129]

Only live few miles from here

[@SeanWalsh-du5vr]

Very Secretary point of view. The British Are the territories in Ireland.

[@unconventionalsoldierpodcast]

Is that you Joe Biden?

[@user-yv1od6ho7t]

The PVCB was not totally destroyed because the bomb never detonated, but it was wrecked. Simple as that. Not because of any B A action. As for this being a victory for the KOSBs I would hate to see what a defeat looks like. British army doctrine arms its units too lightly this was borne out in the Falkands and Iraq and cost lives.

[@unconventionalsoldierpodcast]

So basically what was said in the podcast less the Falklands bit. The IRA stated that their mission was to destroy the PVCP but were beaten off. Again in the pod. So they failed. Also mentioned about the underarming of troops in FOBs in Afghanistan. So a somewhat pointless reply but thanks anyway.

[@jackietreehorn5561]

​@@unconventionalsoldierpodcastthey weren't professional soldiers tho and like the Vietcong didn't do too bad for a few farmers

[@wuwie83GT]

Tam the slab,great man, lyndsay

[@unconventionalsoldierpodcast]

If you like terrorist criminals who stole from the cause he was fighting for. Not for me.

[@wuwie83GT]

@@unconventionalsoldierpodcast at least he wasn't murdering innocent civilians,unlike your army

[@wuwie83GT]

@unconventionalsoldierpodcast I forgot your army where angels 😇 lol,eitherway your channel is very informative 👍, if the soldiers of the ira are terrorist?what does that make your army?please answer the question

[@wuwie83GT]

@unconventionalsoldierpodcast these men and women where in there own country ,you where not

[@clario2178]

You go armed into a foreign land armed to the gills and call the natives terrorists ,unbelievable

[@angloaust1575]

Dividing the country was a gross error in 1921 Protestants could have been Evacuated back to scotland If they didnt want to live under Irish rule 300.000 brits in spain dont Complain about catholic rule!

[@philiprufus4427]

At least six Irish Regiments in The British Army prior to The Treaty,OneThird Of The Auxies Were Irishmen, The R I C were a mostly Catholic force. Canadians,Aussies and NewZealanders, were to be found in The Tans and Auxies as well as Scots Welsh and English. Not Everyone Supported Shein Fein. The Brits and Irish Loyalists were even getting the better of The Ruthless Boyo's towards the end of 21 accordingto Mick Collins himself. The Big Man Got The Ball Rolling,him and The Irishmen who came back from The British Army in The Great War and changed sides. The Brits would eventually rub The Boyo's out,The Big Man told them that,The Treaty Saved The Day.

[@jackietreehorn5561]

​@@philiprufus4427the Brits didn't do too well in the USA when one of their soldiers rebelled against them and sent them packing with their tails between their legs....it's called independence day

[@br1472an]

Guess you don't realise how much the Scot Presbyterian protestants hate Irish Catholics , hate is still here even after 25 years of peace , you can feel it the tensions everyday .

[@patkearney9320]

@@br1472an Sadly very true there’s young folk today still as staunch as the conflict days.

[@jackietreehorn5561]

@@br1472an very true, I thought we had moved past that put seen it first hand when in a relationship with a protestant girl....the family didn't want to move on and progress..... suppose still stuck in 1690

[@ranger8575]

This happened because of a honey trap recce

[@ShaneMuckian]

Sad to see the Scottish bow to English rule. Decent listen but the tone and pettiness of some of your comments are frustrating to hear. My family, like so many others got abuse upon abuse and were treated like sub-humans.

[@ardakolimsky7107]

Shame

[@ArranAviation-dr7zs]

🍊

[@liambyrne591]

Are you English, if so why were you in Ireland

[@CH-tp4wz]

What a weird comment there's so many Irish in England some people can put things in the past and move on. From a Scott.

[@unconventionalsoldierpodcast]

No I am Scottish. Which is part of the United Kingdom like England and Northern Ireland. We were supporting the police to fight terrorism. It really isn't difficult to understand.

[@liambyrne591]

@@unconventionalsoldierpodcast we have the right to fight for the independence of our country as has Scotland it is a pity to see a fellow Celt fight for England against his own people the UK was formed illegally it has no right but might

[@earlofeastwood777]

fellow Celt but thee couldn't recognise the accent what pudding, as for we have a right to fight for our country i suggest thee starts then and start fighting to get a referendum on leaving the EU, because you are ruled from Brussels Paris Bonn Frankfurt so enjoy your future, as we are still fighting for Brexit.

[@liambyrne591]

@@earlofeastwood777 agree with you 100 percent, don't know what pudding is about must be your education, the EU are implementing population replacement and LGBTQ propaganda

[@kasparjacks]

it is their COUNTRY,not your's,brit,you are RULED BY england.

[@ArranAviation-dr7zs]

🍊

[@unconventionalsoldierpodcast]

You can't even spell. You utter Muppet 😅

[@ProfileP246]

The Republic is governed from Brussels why don’t you take yourself off and live there. Ireland is in the geographical location of Britain, it’s one of the British isles.

[@seanmercer7704]

Have a word you helmet!

[@williammacrae6119]

Walloper