Security Forces in Northern Ireland 1969–92 (Elite) Paperback – January 28, 1993

Great reading

When Northern Ireland fell apart in 1969 due to "the Troubles", the UK sent in the British Army to restore order. That mission would end up taking decades. This Osprey Elite Series book is a snapshot of the first years of the response. The focus here is on the British Army and how it adapted to a domestic security crisis far different from the counterinsurgency campaigns in Southeast Asia and the Middle East with which it had far more institutional experience. Trial and error was in effect, but persistence made a difference in the end.The book offers a concise and reasonably even-handed narrative that addresses the British Army and its Royal Ulster Constabulary and Ulster Defense Regiment partners, along with the Provisional Irish Republican Army and other opponents. There is a very good color selection of color plates and black and white photographs of uniforms and equipment, including a variety of adapted military vehicles. With the recent progress towards a political settlement in Northern Ireland, the "troubles" have rather dropped off the news. This book is a short introduction to the topic and the response. Recommended.