Fascist Eire (in Franco's way).

[sparky42]

If Ireland did that they would jumped on. Refueling u-boats would impossible to keep hidden. As for sightings strictly speaking they should not have been passed on but then again seeing as the very same u-boats were sinking ships bringing much needed supplies to Ireland not to do so would be frankly crackers.

Unless the RN picketed Ireland or the RAF patrolled overhead (both of which is more burden for the UK at the worse time), I'd say that you could get away with supplying U boats along the west coast out of the smaller ports (ie don't use the Treaty ports or Galway/Limerick maybe Tralee) with the level of OTL censorship you could reduce the chances of the information leaking from the Irish side.

You're right about the consequences for Ireland losing the supplies though if Ireland is a) nuts enough to go fascist they may not agree and b) if Ireland is Fascist leaning/hostile how willing would the UK be in regards to supplies?

 

[Simreeve]

The only effect of this on the Second World War would be that considerably more British troops would be stationed in Northern Ireland (to deter any adventures), which might have knock-on effects on the process of the war.

IOTL the bulk of the Royal Marines were initially held in reserve in case it became necessary to preemptively occupy the Free State (in the hope that, if we used Marines [who had never been used as part of the UK's garrison in pre-independance Ireland] rather than Army units, the temporary nature of the occupation would be more obvious and thus face less opposition) anyway: That's why, despite coastal raids seeming to fall obviously into the Marines' share of things, the UK's first 'commando' units were Army instead...

 

[Pangur]

Unless the RN picketed Ireland or the RAF patrolled overhead (both of which is more burden for the UK at the worse time), I'd say that you could get away with supplying U boats along the west coast out of the smaller ports (ie don't use the Treaty ports or Galway/Limerick maybe Tralee) with the level of OTL censorship you could reduce the chances of the information leaking from the Irish side.

You're right about the consequences for Ireland losing the supplies though if Ireland is a) nuts enough to go fascist they may not agree and b) if Ireland is Fascist leaning/hostile how willing would the UK be in regards to supplies?

Ah the context for your comment was Ireland had gone fascist? I am not sure even then but OK different scenario

 

[sparky42]

Ah the context for your comment was Ireland had gone fascist? I am not sure even then but OK different scenario

Sure OTL there was never a chance of this, I'm just thinking if they did go Fascist that there might at least be attempts (or even the Merchant Raiders being able to have at least an option of a friendly port).

 

[Pangur]

Sure OTL there was never a chance of this, I'm just thinking if they did go Fascist that there might at least be attempts (or even the Merchant Raiders being able to have at least an option of a friendly port).

You could well end up in the insane position of the IRA and British for all intents and purposes on the one side

 

[The Mahnovite]

Passing intelligence information to Germans is interesting, but what would happen if there were numerous Irish volunteers in the Wehrmacht?