Evening star., 1944-03-12

no"' h. henrs. their govern.
ment. The figures for Southern
irshmen serving in the British
Army and Navy at the best can bt
only estimates, it is explained at the
shamrock Club, leave headquarters
Tor Irish servicemen in Londons
West End.
The Georgian mansion is frequent.
ed both by men from Fire ane
from the six Northern counties, but
the Southern soldiers often do not
give their correct addresses. The
minimum estimate, however, is
100000. The club provides them not
only with a place to live while on
leave in London but also with a
place to deposit their uniforms and
change into civilian clothes before
going home on leave. This is nec-
essary to avoid internment.
Says Ireland Is in War.
A bulletin just issued by the
commonwealth Irish Association
which conducts the Shamrock Club
says: ireland is in the war. what
ever the official views held in Lon
don. Dublin or Berlin. The total
number serving is matter of happy
dispute, but navy, army and air
forces have plentiful Ieaven of
1rishmen in their ranks.
Apart from Irish regiments there
Is no British regiment without an
Irish complement as we'll. The navy
and air force are stuffed with Irish
names which show nobly on the
honors and casualty lists.
The Irish brigade has won glory
In Africa. The Royal Inniskilline
Fusiliers, the London Irish Rifles
and the Royal Irish Fusiliers were
IN action six months before the First
Army entered Tunis. These untried
troops faced the cream of the Ger
man Army. By January Is there
was major German attack. II
was met by the Irish brigade. and
the enemy was left poorer by two
oattalionS and 80 tanks.
Tackled Goering Outfit.
Later the Inniskillings tackled
the Hermann Goering regiment on
Two-Tree Hill. The London Irish
held difficult positions until relieved
by battalion of the guards. But
the German thrust was held. The
Irish brigade fought in the prelim-
mary actions before the assault of
Tunis. Thrice driven back. they
wore down the enemy resistance un-
til he surrendered.
The Irish guards by their valor
precipitated the collapse of the
Axis armies in Africa. They showed
themselves masters of the German
infantry. Six decorations were
awarded on the field. Their epic
light was before Jebel Bou Aoukar
Held Hill Four Days.
"A hill was captured and held for
four days against bitter counter
attacks, including one with tanks.
BY April 20 the Germans threatened
the summit of the hill and an ar
mored car arrived, to be wiped out.
Attack and counterattack followed,
with varying fortunes, but the Irish
still held the hill, though surrounded
WAeii ce1AAho III OilCli lcdI.
"On the goth the enemy made
their last and greatest attack. One
section of the defenders was over
run and made prisoner, but the
guards succeeded in shooting their
captors and rejoined in 20 minutes.
After four days they were relieved
These are all the baldest facts
and details which military historians
will one day give their proper set
ting"
Secretary of the Shamrock Club,
who Is largely responsible for max
ing it the gathering place of all
Irish servicemen and servicewomen,
is Miss F. C. Gray, for Is years a
member of the British Embassy staff
In Washington and private secre-
tary to the late Ambassador, Lord
Lothian.