Belfast Diaries: A Gunner in Northern Ireland 1971-74 - Brossura

Corbett, Steve

Brossura

ISBN 10: 1909384070 ISBN 13: 9781909384071

Casa editrice: Helion & Co Ltd, 2013

Riassunto

"It's a very weird sensation to be shot at ... Very often you see the gunman when it's too late or you don't see him at all. You might as well just be targets on a rifle range. I often wondered if I would get through this tour ok, and even now I still do ... " In the four-month period during 1971 that Gunner Stephen Corbett was stationed in Andersontown, Northern Ireland, 33 servicemen were killed by terrorist action in the province. His unit, 9 (Plassey) Bty, Royal Artillery, was attacked by a bomb, bullet or rioters on more than 400 occasions. In 1972 alone, the toll of service personnel killed was more than 100. Yet their action was never classed as a war. When the servicemen returned home there were no marches through the streets to cheering crowds. They just quietly slipped in unnoticed and carried on with their other duties. The young Gunner's notebooks detailing his two tours of duty- Andersontown, November 1971 to March 1972, and New Lodge June 1974 to October 1974 - were put in a drawer where they were to lay, untouched, for more than 30 years. Here, for the first time, this account of his service is vividly brought to life and validated through newspaper articles, intelligence reports, and surviving examples of IRA propaganda. Share in the day-to-day life of a Gunner and his 'band of brothers' as they patrol the streets of this unforgiving suburban battleground. Relive the sights and sounds of the rioting and gun battles, and the devastating losses of fallen comrades Bernie Fearns and Kim Maccunn. Belfast Diaries offers a unique opportunity to see this conflicted city through the eyes of a serviceman charged with peace-keeping duties at the height of 'The Troubles'; a real 'must-read' for any Northern Ireland or British Army enthusiast.

Su questo libro

L'autore:

Passionately interested in military history Stephen Corbett joined 252 Hulme Cadet Battery in Manchester at 12 years of age. Five years later, he was about to be promoted to Sergeant Instructor but opted to leave the cadets and join the Regular Army instead. After passing out at Woolwich in June 1969 he joined 12th Light Air Defence Regiment at Dortmund in Germany. In July 1971 the Regiment returned to England and immediately started training for what would become two tours of peace-keeping duties in Northern Ireland, faithfully documented by the author in two pocket-sized notebooks. During that time a bomb blast left him with the devastating condition tinnitus. More than four decades later the incessant ringing has never stopped. He was one of the lucky ones, as 'The Belfast Diaries' will attest. Stephen left the army at the end of his second tour and now lives in Warrington with his wife Pam, who he met while in the army. They have two children and two grandchildren who are and always will be immeasurably proud of Stephen - especially on the publication of this, his first book.

Su questa edizione

• Editore: Helion & Co Ltd
• Data di pubblicazione: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1909384070
• ISBN 13: 9781909384071
• Rilegatura: Copertina flessibile
• Numero di pagine: 220