Welcome...
...to The Irish Brigade website, a resource devoted to the history of 38 (Irish) Brigade, a formation of the British Army originally largely comprising soldiers from Ireland or of Irish origin that gained an unrivalled reputation in World War II Allied campaigns in Tunisia, Sicily and Italy. This site aims to preserve the memory of one of the British Army's finest infantry formations and to build bonds of friendship among the people of the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Tunisia and Italy.
- details of the 1,000 men that died fighting with the brigade and of all those recognised for valour in both battalions of the London Irish Rifles in 1939-45.
- eyewitness accounts of its campaigns. Click here to read the account of the brigade's actions in Tunisia during 1942/43 by Brigadier Nelson Russell, here for contemporary accounts of the brigade's actions in Sicily during August 1943 and here for the account of the brigade's actions in Italy during 1944/45 by Brigadier TPD Scott. NOW UPDATED.
- original battalion war diaries. Click here for a day-by-day account of the campaign in Tunisia, Sicily and Italy of 2 London Irish Rifles written at the time. Click here for a day-by-day account of the campaigns of 6 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, and click here for those of 2 Royal Innsikilling Fusiliers.Click here for a day-by-day account of the accounts of 1 Royal Irish Fusiliers. Click here, too, to read 38 (Irish) Brigade's war diaries. NOW COMPLETE.
- complete details of all citations for honours and awards won by men of 38 (Irish) Brigade. NEW.
- official histories of the units it comprised. Click here for the official histories of the 1st and 2nd Battalion of the London Irish Rifles in World War II.
- guides to Irish Brigade battlefields in Tunisia, Sicily and Italy.Click here for a battlefield guide to the Irish Brigade's assault on the Gustav and Hitler Lines during the 4th Battle of Monte Cassino on 15-17 May 1944. Click here for a battle field guide to the Irish Brigade's assault on San Fantucchio ridge and Pucciarelli on 21-15 June 1944.Click here for a comprehensive battle field guide to the Liri Valley.
- the war-time photographs from the album of RSM George Charnick of the 2nd Battalion of the London Irish Rifles, one of the most decorated members of the Irish Brigade.
- personal family stories of some of the men who served with honour with the Irish Brigade. Click here to read their stories. NOW UPDATED.
Faugh a Ballagh! Irish Brigade pipes and drums before St Peter's Basilica in July 1944.
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To access the information in The Irish Brigade website, click one of the tabs on the left hand side of the screen. This is a living project that aims to collect in one place as much information as possible about the Irish Brigade in the Second World War and the 20,000 soldiers living and dead who served in it. We welcome your suggestions and comments.
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on the Spanish Steps in |
Whilst the fullest tribute is directly given here to the three rifle battalions, it should not be forgotten that the Irish Brigade was provided with wonderful support by 17th Field Regiment, the Kensington Regiment, 214 Field Squadron Royal Engineers and many armoured regiments. Not forgetting the RAF, Royal Signals, RAMC, RASC, REME, and RAOC.
With the greatest humility and deepest respect, we salute them all.
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Faugh a Ballagh! Nec Aspera Terrent Quis Separabit
The Irish Brigade website is a private, non-profit initiative dedicated to the memory of Edmund O'Sullivan, Colour Sergeant in E Company of the 2nd Battalion of the London Irish Rifles during its campaigns with the brigade from November 1942 until May 1945.