Tom 'I do real news' Harwood with an early winner for 'Misinformed tweet of the week' Imagine, a political editor demonstrating they don't know something as basic as the sentiment of a nation during World War Two! For those interested, Ireland wasn't remotely pro-Axis in WW2. We have known since MI5 declassified its war files in 1999, the Irish gave every assistance possible to the Allies, short of declaring war which would have made no sense as it removed the many benefits and would have hurt the Allied war effort. Don't take my opinion on it - read the declassified MI5 files to see them conclude: 'Irish neutrality on balance an advantage’, because there was: ‘A greater contribution to the British cause through security cooperation, Irish exports and Irish civilian manpower, than would have Irish participation in the war’ In particular, they cite the impact of the loss of the 9% of Ireland's population who went to the UK war effort, who would have remained in Ireland if it was at war. None went to Germany incidentally - not one. The use of Irish seaplane bases and overflight of Irish territory, denied to Germany, also get a mention, as do the nationwide coast watch service spying on German military movements are passing the info to Britain for intercept. Or read the American declassified files, with 'J. Russell Forgan, acting head of American Intelligence in Europe, stating: ‘the Irish cooperated with the United States on intelligence matters as if they were Allies… They have never received the credit due to them’. American spy Martin Quigley was sent undercover as a film maker to gauge Irish sentiment. He said: ‘Openly the position was that of pretending neutrality in the classic sense. Actually, it was a neutrality against the Axis in favour of the Allies’. Here is a short summary on why people like Tom are misinformed, still playing catch up on a 20th century misunderstanding of history - xitter.cf/itsjohncrotty/status/2… And for those into more detail, here are the relevant declassified files with links that show Ireland's immense one way support, and the effort to discredit its efforts and intentions with lies - petty politics which was hidden until declassification xitter.cf/itsjohncrotty/status/1… World War Two is actually the beginning of Anglo-Irish relations, commenced by the goodwill of the benevolent Neville Chamberlain, put backwards by Churchill, and reignited by the decency of the British King who thanked the many Irish who served in the British Forces on the occasion of Ireland becoming a Republic. Someone might let Tom know...

5000 years ago - The Irish are building the largest reverential structures in Europe, if not the world. They are masters of stone and sky, world leading in astronomical knowledge and architectural engineering. 4000 years ago - The Irish are producing world class metallurgy. 75% of all the gold lunulae found in Europe are from Ireland. 1500 years ago - Irish law is world leading. Advancements include some of Europe’s earliest humanitarian laws like ‘The Law of the Innocents’, 697AD, protecting women and children in time of war. A complex system of Brehon Laws include Animal welfare laws, property rights & even divorce. 1200 years ago - Gaelic Ireland is Europe’s intellectual and artistic powerhouse. It is producing the world’s most beautiful manuscripts and metalwork, its monks and scholars bringing sophisticated theology, philosophy, astronomy, computus and geography to Europe. Hold your head high Gael Small island - immense legacy