Historical Events tagged with "british army"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Military & Warfare

IRA Attack at Massereene Barracks

March 7th, 2009 16 years ago

The Real Irish Republican Army ambushed British soldiers at Massereene Barracks, resulting in the deaths of two British soldiers and injuries to two others along with two civilians. This attack marked the first fatalities of British military personnel in Northern Ireland since the conflict known as The Troubles officially ended in 1998. The assault was characterized by its premeditated use of firearms at a military installation, reflecting ongoing tensions in the region despite the peace process.

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Military & Warfare

End of Operation Banner in Northern Ireland

July 31st, 2007 17 years ago

Operation Banner marked the British Army's presence in Northern Ireland, commencing in 1969. By the summer of 2007, the British government announced the end of this operation, which had lasted almost 38 years. The decision was made following significant decreases in violence and advancements in the peace process, particularly the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. The operation was a response to the Troubles, a period of conflict in Northern Ireland involving nationalist and unionist communities, primarily centered in Belfast and Derry. The final battalion was withdrawn from the province, symbolizing a new era of stability.

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Military & Warfare

PIRA Attack on British Army Checkpoint

December 13th, 1989 35 years ago

A Provisional Irish Republican Army unit attacked a British Army temporary vehicle checkpoint near the village of Rosslea in Northern Ireland. The assault resulted in the deaths of two British soldiers and left two others wounded. This incident marked a significant escalation in the conflict, showcasing the ongoing tension and violence related to the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

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Military & Warfare

IRA Bombing Kills Eight British Soldiers

August 20th, 1988 36 years ago

A roadside bomb detonated by the IRA struck a British Army bus in Ballygawley, County Tyrone. The attack resulted in the deaths of eight soldiers and left 28 others wounded. This incident was one of the deadliest attacks during the conflict known as The Troubles in Northern Ireland, showcasing the ongoing violence and tensions between nationalist and unionist communities. The event heightened security measures and underscored the risks faced by British military personnel in the region.

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Military & Warfare

Inglis Barracks Bombing Claims a Soldier's Life

August 1st, 1988 36 years ago

A British soldier was killed in a bombing at the Inglis Barracks, a military facility in London. The attack was attributed to the ongoing conflict in Northern Ireland, specifically linked to the actions of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA). The tragic incident underscored the vulnerabilities faced by military installations in urban areas during this turbulent period. The soldier's death was part of a larger context of violence and unrest associated with the Troubles in Ireland, profoundly affecting both military personnel and the civilian population.

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Military & Warfare

SAS Shoots IRA Volunteers in Gibraltar

March 6th, 1988 37 years ago

Three Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) volunteers were shot dead by the Special Air Service (SAS) while they were in a car in Gibraltar. The incident, known as Operation Flavius, occurred when the SAS intercepted the suspected IRA members, who were believed to be planning an attack. The volunteers, who were unarmed at the time, were identified as Sean Savage, Geoffrey McIlroy, and Brian McGlinchey. The confrontation sparked controversy and debate regarding the use of lethal force in counter-terrorism operations.

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Military & Warfare

British Victory at Goose Green During Falklands War

May 29th, 1982 42 years ago

The Battle of Goose Green was a significant military engagement during the Falklands War, where British forces successfully captured the strategically vital settlement from Argentine troops. Occurring in the challenging terrain of East Falkland, the battle involved intensive ground combat and showcased the effectiveness of British military tactics. Major Julian Thompson led the British forces, who conducted an overnight attack on the Argentine positions. The battle resulted in the defeat of Argentine forces, significantly boosting British morale.

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Military & Warfare

Deadly IRA Ambush and Lord Mountbatten Assassination

August 27th, 1979 45 years ago

A significant IRA ambush near Warrenpoint resulted in the deaths of eighteen British soldiers, marking a critical moment in the conflict. Concurrently, an IRA bomb claimed the life of Lord Mountbatten, a British royal family member, along with three others while on his boat at Mullaghmore in the Republic of Ireland. These attacks highlighted the escalating violence during the Troubles and the effectiveness of the Provisional Irish Republican Army in executing complex operations against British targets.

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Military & Warfare

M62 Coach Bombing by the IRA

February 4th, 1974 51 years ago

A devastating bomb explosion occurred on a bus carrying off-duty British Armed Forces personnel traveling on the M62 in Yorkshire. The Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) was responsible for the attack, which resulted in the deaths of nine soldiers and three civilians. The incident marked a significant escalation in the conflict between the IRA and British forces during the troubled period of The Troubles, aimed at the political unification of Ireland and against British rule in Northern Ireland.

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