Description

Immediate dispatch from Somerset. Book in excellent unread/unused condition. See images. Fantastic book.

About the book >.>.> The Army have been subject to allegations of harassment and brutality from both sides and it would be extremely naive of me to say that some of the criticisms voiced in the last six years have not been valid; some of them have. It would also be naive to say that no one taken in for questioning had ever been beaten up or given a hard time. Some members of the security forces hold strong views on how terrorists should be dealt with and there are bad apples in every barrel. I do not intend to justify any bad behaviour on behalf of the British Army but on balance I would say that they have maintained a high standard of behaviour in conditions under which many other armies might well have broken down. It would also be true to say in answer to many of the British Army’s many critics that they did not make the situation and when they first arrived in the province they were warmly welcomed by both sides. It is my belief that had strong military action been taken in 1969 and the barricades in both Protestant and Roman Catholic areas removed at the same time the trouble would not have escalated to the degree that it has. The situation had not polarised then to the extent it has and looks as if it will remain for some considerable time. (SP)