page_title: Ulster Special Constabulary
section_title: Training, uniform, weaponry and equipment
hierarchical_section_title: Ulster Special Constabulary / Training, uniform, weaponry and equipment
caption_attribution_description: Polski: Pistolet maszynowy Sten Mk II English: Sten Mk II submachine gun Aparat/Camera: Canon PowerShot A75 Polski: To zdjęcie zostało wykonane w Muzeum im. Orła Białego w Skarżysku-Kamiennej English: This picture was taken in The White Eagle Museum in Skarżysko-Kamienna Deutsch: Dieses Foto ist gemacht in das Weißer Adler Museum in Skarżysko-Kamienna
context_page_description: The Ulster Special Constabulary was a quasi-military reserve special constable police force in Northern Ireland. It was set up in October 1920, shortly before the partition of Ireland. It was an armed corps, organised partially on military lines and called out in times of emergency, such as war or insurgency. It performed this role in 1920–22 during the Irish War of Independence and in the 1950s, during the IRA Border Campaign.
  During its existence, 95 USC members were killed in the line of duty. Most of these were killed in conflict with the IRA in 1921 and 1922. Another 8 died during the Second World War, in air raids or IRA attacks. Of the remainder, most died in accidents but two former officers were killed during the Troubles in the 1980s.
  The force was almost exclusively Ulster Protestant and as a result was viewed with great mistrust by Catholics. It carried out several revenge killings and reprisals against Catholic civilians in the 1920–22 conflict. Unionists generally supported the USC as contributing to the defence of Northern Ireland from subversion and outside aggression.
context_section_description: The standard of training was varied. In Belfast, the Specials were trained in much the same way as the regular police whereas in rural areas the USC was focused on counter-guerilla operations. 'A Specials' were initially given six weeks training at Newtownards Camp in police duties, the use of arms, drill and discipline.
  Uniforms were not available at the outset so the men of the B Specials went on duty in their civilian clothes wearing an armband to signify they were Specials. Uniforms did not become available until 1922. Uniforms took the same pattern as RIC/RUC dress with high collared tunics. Badges of rank were displayed on the right forearm of the jacket.
  The Special Constables were armed with Webley .38 revolvers and also Lee–Enfield rifles and bayonets. By the 1960s Sten and Sterling submachine guns were also used. In most cases these weapons were retained at home by the constables along with a quantity of ammunition. One of the reasons for this was to enable rapid call out of platoons, via a runner from the local RUC station, without the need to issue arms from a central armoury.
  'A Special' platoons were fully mobile using a Ford car for the officer in charge, two armoured cars and four Crossley Tenders (one for each of the sections).
  B Specials generally deployed on foot but could be supplied with vehicles from the police pool.
caption: Sten gun
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