Operation Paddy

DATE: 19/05/2022

TIME (GMT): 18:00

ERA: Modern

MAP(S): Ruha

TYPE: COOP

GAME: Arma 3

EVENT: Official

AUTHOR(S): Jarvis for Brothers in Arms

SLOTS: 104 / 107

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RATING: (12)

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'The Troubles' - The British Government ordered the deployment of troops to Northern Ireland in August 1969. This was to counter the growing disorder surrounding civil rights protests and an increase in sectarian violence during the traditional Protestant marching season. The Roman Catholic population of Northern Ireland had little faith in the local police force, viewing the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) as a pro-Protestant organisation. Initially, it was hoped that the British Army might be more readily accepted as a neutral peacekeeping force. The Army’s initial troop deployment proved insufficient and reinforcement was soon needed. Early on, the British developed the tactic of operating and patrolling from fortified bases in Northern Ireland's major towns. This set a pattern for the next 30 years.

The Loughgall ambush, named Operation Judy, took place on 8 May 1987 in the village of Loughgall, County Armagh, Northern Ireland. An eight-man unit of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) launched an attack on the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) base in the village. Soldiers from the British Army's Special Air Service then returned fire both from within the base and from hidden positions around it in a pre-planned ambush, killing all of the attackers. Two of them were subsequently found to have been unarmed when they were killed.

It is the morning of the 10th of May 1987, following the success of Operation Judy two days prior, a failed PIRA raid on a RUC Station, the Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, has authorised Operation Paddy; aimed at neutralising the PIRA threat within County Armagh.