The position of Eire in WW2 was both complex and sublime.
Chamberlain, after Anschluss, went to see Dev. He did not want to guard the Ulster border against Fenians, nor the Treaty Ports against revolting locals. He did want a re-run of WW1 when colleens and Paddies came over voluntarily en masse to serve in uniform and in Munitions Works. So that re-run was arranged. No conscription, but massive Munitions work - Harland, Shorts - in Ulster, and Coastal Command, and intended USAAFE B-29 at Langford Lodge; open border, freedom of movement, inc. of currency, no work permits or residence restrictions; UK out of the Treaty Ports; more...
UK airfield construction programme - which was vast and speedy - employed 60,000 Paddies, liberating fit Brits equivalent to, what, Monty's entire Brit. complement in the desert.
Last edited by tornadoken; 10th Nov 2008 at 07:10.