章節 362: Chapter 439 Ireland 2
In Britain, the British army urgently mobilized forces to attack Bumare. However, the roads to Bumare were heavily bombarded by German bombers, leaving them riddled with craters and laden with numerous mines, severely hindering the British advance. Additionally, German bombers continued to patrol the skies, and any significant gathering of British troops would be swiftly bombed.
Throughout the entire day, the British army made little progress and suffered considerable losses. They could only watch helplessly as German transport planes made repeated trips to Bumare, delivering supplies. The Germans not only used transport planes for airdrops but also deployed various sizes of gliders for forced landings in Bumare. Most of these gliders were designed for single use, with little need for recovery, and were loaded with steel plates that could withstand rough landings. Ensuring the pilot's safety was the primary concern, while the condition of the glider itself was secondary.
These steel plates were PSP (Pierced Steel Plank) mats, commonly known in World War II as Marston mats. The concept of Marston mats originated in Europe. Before World War II, many military airfields in Britain and France were unpaved. As planes became heavier and started using brakes, the world-renowned grass fields of British and French airfields could only just cope.
As Germany rose to power and war clouds loomed over Europe, Britain and France grew anxious. They anticipated that existing airfields would inevitably be attacked, necessitating the rapid construction of numerous temporary airfields. British engineers developed steel mesh rolls for quick runway construction, while the French developed wooden planks with interlocking mechanisms.
These developments caught the attention of the U.S. Army Air Corps, who concluded that neither solution was ideal. The British steel mesh couldn't support the heavy American bombers, and it was difficult to repair once damaged. The French solution was too heavy and cumbersome to install. Consequently, the Carnegie Steel Company in Illinois synthesized British and French experiences and ultimately developed the Marston mat.
During World War II, Marston mats were widely used. Each mat was 3 meters long, 0.38 meters wide, and weighed 30 kilograms, with two transverse grooves dividing each plate into three sections and 87 holes punched in each plate. With front and back clips for interlocking, installation was straightforward, requiring only simple tools. A small engineering team could construct a 1,500-meter-long, 60-meter-wide temporary airfield within two days.
Marston mats were easy to install and repair. Simple leveling of the ground was sufficient for construction, and the mats were laid in an interlocking pattern to expand the runway's width. Depending on need, sections could be secured with U-shaped stakes driven into the ground or welded for extra stability. For additional reinforcement, a layer of grass mats could be laid as a base.
Due to their ease of installation, quick repairability, and widespread use, Marston mats were crucial to Allied air power during World War II, enabling timely forward deployment and operational efficiency. Without them, the effectiveness of Allied air operations would have been significantly reduced, potentially impacting the war's outcome.
Though the technology was straightforward, it consumed considerable resources. The U.S. alone produced about 2 million tons of Marston mats during World War II, costing $200 million at 1940 prices. Resource-poor Axis countries couldn't afford such expenditures.
Steel plates were swiftly connected, and by evening, a 30-meter-wide, 200-meter-long runway was constructed, ready for use by morning.
As night fell, the British army cautiously advanced toward Bumare, clearing mines and repairing roads.
Meanwhile, in the Irish Prime Minister's office, a German emissary glared at Prime Minister Éamon de Valera. "Your forces secretly sent nearly a battalion to England today. Is this your so-called neutrality?"
Prime Minister de Valera wiped the sweat from his face. "Mr. Jonas, I swear to God, those people were not sent by us. They were acting independently."
When World War II broke out, de Valera informed the lower house that neutrality was Ireland's best policy, receiving nearly unanimous support. Among the Commonwealth nations, Ireland was the only neutral country.
Despite the government's neutrality, many Irish chose to resist Germany. Statistics show that by the war's end, 60,000 Irish served in the British military, including thousands from the Irish armed forces. They either traveled through Northern Ireland to Britain or went directly to mainland Britain to join the British army, accounting for about one-sixth of Ireland's total military force (42,000).
Fearing deteriorating Anglo-Irish relations, the British military didn't form dedicated "Irish units" but instead distributed Irish soldiers across various units.
However, these Irish soldiers didn't expect the Irish government to view them as "deserters" rather than commend their bravery.
After the war in Europe ended, the Irish government began prosecuting these "deserters." On May 17, 1945, Irish Defense Minister Oscar Traynor proposed a bill stripping deserters of any right to public employment. The bill passed on August 8 and included four main provisions: stripping all wages and allowances during desertion, losing any pension rights, forfeiting unemployment benefits typically available to retired soldiers, and barring them from any public employment for seven years.
This decree only applied to those who "deserted" to join foreign armies during World War II, affecting an estimated four to five thousand soldiers.
Despite efforts by some military veterans and politicians to repeal the decree, the lower house of the Irish Parliament upheld it.
In this environment, many returning veterans faced dire circumstances, labeled as "traitors." Listed on government blacklists, they were barred from public employment and lived in poverty, enduring public scorn. Their families also suffered from the stigma.
Due to the sensitive nature of Irish internal affairs and the Northern Ireland issue, the British government didn't intervene in the Irish government's punitive actions. It wasn't until the 1990s that Irish society's attitude towards these World War II veterans began to change.
The German emissary waved his hand, cutting off de Valera's explanation. "No need to explain, Prime Minister. Whether these men acted independently or under your government's orders, I only know that in the future, German soldiers may die by their hands. This is an act of war! If your country wants war, then war is what you shall get!"
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