Recruitment Begins for the Black and Tans

Recruitment for the Black and Tans began in January of 1920 during the Irish War of Independence. The Black and Tans were a paramilitary police force composed primarily of British World War I veterans who were sent to Ireland to assist the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) in suppressing the Irish Republican movement. The name “Black and Tans” was derived from the mixed colors of their uniforms, which consisted of black police tunics and khaki army trousers.

Background

The recruitment of the Black and Tans was a response to the escalating violence and unrest in Ireland during the War of Independence. The British government sought to reinforce the RIC, which was struggling to maintain control.

Composition

The Black and Tans were primarily recruited from former British soldiers, many of whom were demobilized after World War I. They were often inexperienced in policing and had a reputation for being rough and undisciplined.

Brutality

The Black and Tans gained notoriety for their brutal and heavy-handed tactics, which included reprisals, violence, and atrocities against civilians. Their actions intensified the conflict and fueled anti-British sentiment.

Impact

The presence of the Black and Tans in Ireland added to the tension and bitterness of the conflict. Their actions and behavior contributed to a hardening of the Irish population’s resolve to resist British rule.

Disbandment

The Black and Tans were disbanded in 1922 as a result of the Anglo-Irish Treaty and the establishment of the Irish Free State. Many former Black and Tans returned to Britain, while some chose to remain in Ireland.

The recruitment and deployment of the Black and Tans are remembered as a contentious and tumultuous chapter in Irish and British history, reflecting the complex and often violent dynamics of the struggle for Irish independence during the early 20th century.