Why I Wrote It: Hitmen for a Revolution: Michael Collins’s Squad

**Why I wrote it is a series in which I explain interesting things about the topic I chose or why it matters that people know this history. Please see the story being referenced here.

Before I get into what I found interesting or important, I think I should explain how I even began learning about the Irish War of Independence. As a college freshman, I was looking to get back into reading history. I had done it when I was younger but drifted a bit as I tried to be cool (it didn’t work). When looking for topics, I was targeting something outside American history. Don’t get me wrong, I love American history, but I had only focused on that my entire life. I wanted to expand.

The trouble is picking a new topic is hard. I’m not sure if you’re aware, but there is a lot of history. So I did what most people do when searching for something: I chose a subject to which I had some connection. My family is from Ireland, with my grandparents being right off the literal boat. I have ancestors who were reportedly members of the Cork IRA. This topic had meaning to my family. That’s how I decided to study the Irish War of Independence.

Once I started reading about it, I instantly became hooked. This war was so different from the American Revolution. In fact, in so many ways, it was a very modern war. It involved guerilla fighting, and victory wasn’t through major battles but by making the entire affair too expensive for the British. But even among modern guerilla wars, the Irish War of Independence is unique. It was an intelligence war where each side fought by eliminating select agents. There are not many wars where the killing of chosen individuals meant as much or more than battles won. However, it should be noted hit-and-run battles did exist.

Then I read about the Squad. They were a collection of young men whose sole purpose was to carry out intelligence assassinations. They always felt like a mix of the CIA meets the Mafia. I’m not sure about you, but I love that. I read as much on the Irish War of Independence as I could. Even today, it is a topic I continue to revisit.

Now, with these, I like to explain why I think a topic is important beyond entertainment value (when possible). It probably isn’t vital for Americans unless you care about Ireland. However, if you’re Irish, the topic of the War of Independence is of immense importance. The outcome, the method of fighting, and the divides that grew among the people played out for the next century. Even today, the ramifications of the war are still felt. If you have ever wondered why the Troubled existed in Northern Ireland, you must understand the War of Independence and the major players such as the Squad.

The treaty signed at the war’s end split Ireland into the North and South. This division created the fire keg that existed in the North. Also, the civil war in the South that immediately followed the treaty meant that the IRA in the South was in no position to help those in the North. It also resulted in the death of several prominent leaders, such as Michael Collins. These deaths likely changed the course of history and the plans to unify the country. Finally, the way the War of Independence was fought has a lasting legacy. Targeting intelligence agents and police officers was accepted as the norm in Ireland and would be taken to extremes in the North. Who knows what the battles in the North would have looked like if they did not have the Squad to turn to for inspiration. Finally, the success of one guerilla war means people expect a second could work. This confidence undoubtedly inspired many in the North when they fought during the Troubles.