Brendan Finucane, Fighting Against Neutrality

Brendan Finucane, Fighting Against Neutrality

1938-1942

1938-1942

Brendan Finucane was also known as Patty. He was born in Dublin in October of 1920. He died in the RAF (British Royal Air Force) in July of 1942. This photograph of Brenan represents the group of Irish young men who fought in World War Two with the British Army. Although Ireland had declared neutrality, some of the population disagreed with the action. Brendan represented Ireland well. He shot down thirty two Axis planes. It’s interesting to note that not everyone agreed with De Valera’s decision to keep the country neutral. De Valera felt that neutrality would protect the Irish people. He felt that Ireland would have little, if any effect on the outcome of the war, but feared that the war would have a massive effect on Ireland. Obviously, some Irish men disagreed and felt the urge to join the Allies and fight the Axis powers. To this day, Brendan Finucane with his clover emblazoned spitfire are recognized as one of the great fighting aces of World War Two. Brendan was not the only Irishman with a want to help the Allies cause. Some 50,000 Irishmen joined the British Armed Forces.

ww2aces.e-monsite.com. "Paddy Finucane- WWII aces."          http://ww2aces.e-monsite.com/pages/royaume-uni-u-        k/paddy-finucane.html (acessed 25 Feb 2014).

Sweeney, Mathew. "Irish Neutrality in World War II: Eamon      de Valera's Struggle to Protect Eire." The Hanover                Historical Review (Spring 2009). Accessed 25 Feb 2014.

Lydon, James F. The Making of Ireland. London: Routledge, 1998.

War

Kelsie Cagle

Photograph

Unknown