The 2nd Division, nicknamed "Spearhead", was an

infantry Infantry, or infantryman are a type of soldier who specialize in ground combat, typically fighting dismounted. Historically the term was used to describe foot soldiers, i.e. those who march and fight on foot. In modern usage, the term broadl ...

division in the

Irish Army The Irish Army () is the land component of the Defence Forces (Ireland), Defence Forces of Republic of Ireland, Ireland.The Defence Forces are made up of the Permanent Defence Forces – the standing branches – and the Reserve Defence Forces. ...

during the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. The division was one of two infantry divisions established by

Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...

during the duration of the war. The authorisation for the creation of the division, along with the 1st Division, was granted by

Minister for Defence Minister may refer to: * Minister (Christianity), a Christian cleric ** Minister (Catholic Church) * Minister (government), a member of government who heads a ministry (government department) ** Minister without portfolio, a member of government w ...

Oscar Traynor Oscar Traynor (21 March 1886 – 14 December 1963) was an Irish republican and Fianna Fáil politician who served as Minister for Justice from 1957 to 1961, Minister for Defence from 1939 to 1948 and 1951 to 1954, Minister for Posts and Telegr ...

on the 9th of May, 1941 as part of military expansion. The division was initially headquartered at

Dublin Dublin is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Situated on Dublin Bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, and is bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, pa ...

, but shortly after at

Carton House Carton House is a country house and surrounding demesne that was the ancestral seat of the Earls of Kildare and Dukes of Leinster for over 700 years. Located 23 km west of Dublin, in Maynooth, County Kildare, the Carton Demesne is a 1,100 ...

Maynooth Maynooth (; ) is a university town in north County Kildare, Ireland. It is home to Maynooth University (part of the National University of Ireland and also known as the National University of Ireland, Maynooth) and St Patrick's College, Maynoo ...

for the duration of the war; tasked with defending the

Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ; ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, part of the United Kingdom in the north-east of the island of Ireland. It has been #Descriptions, variously described as a country, province or region. Northern Ireland shares Repub ...

border.

Origins

Following the declaration of state emergency by the de Valera government in 1939, efforts were made for military expansion. However, there was no grave concern until the

Fall of France The Battle of France (; 10 May – 25 June 1940), also known as the Western Campaign (), the French Campaign (, ) and the Fall of France, during the Second World War was the German invasion of the Low Countries (Belgium, Luxembourg and the Net ...

in 1940, after which the neutral status of Ireland was in peril. Prior to the outbreak of war in December 1937, it was estimated that a force of three divisions would be necessary to defend Ireland in the event of an invasion. However, by September 1939, only two reinforced

brigade A brigade is a major tactical military unit, military formation that typically comprises three to six battalions plus supporting elements. It is roughly equivalent to an enlarged or reinforced regiment. Two or more brigades may constitute ...

s (gravely understrength) were raised. By early 1941, seven brigades were mobilised — just over 40,000 men. The question of divisions was put forth at the start of 1941, and so the decision to authorise the establishment of two divisions was given by

, then

on the 9th of May, 1941. Six of the brigades would be organised into two divisions, thus leaving an independent brigade (the 5th) to be subordinated to the Curragh Command.

Organisation

The division was organised as follows: * 2nd Brigade, based in

Cathal Brugha Barracks Cathal Brugha Barracks () is an Irish Army barracks in Rathmines, Dublin. A key military base of the Irish Defence Forces, it is the headquarters of 2 Brigade, and houses the Military Archives of the Department of Defence. History The barra ...

** 2nd Infantry Battalion ** 5th Infantry Battalion ** 11th (Dublin) Infantry Battalion ** 2nd Field Artillery Regiment ** 2nd Motor Squadron * 4th Brigade, based in

Mullingar Mullingar ( ; ) is the county town of County Westmeath in Ireland. It is the third most populous town in the Midland Region, Ireland, Midland Region, with a population of 22,667 in the 2022 census of Ireland, 2022 census. The Counties of M ...

** 6th (Dublin) Infantry Battalion ** 8th (Thomand) Infantry Battalion ** 20th Infantry Battalion ** 4th Field Artillery Regiment ** 4th Motor Squadron * 6th Brigade, based in

Collins Barracks, Dublin Collins Barracks () is a former military barracks in the Arbour Hill area of Dublin, Ireland. The buildings now house the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts and History. Previously housing first British Armed Forces and later Iri ...

** 7th (Dublin) Infantry Battalion ** 18th Infantry Battalion ** 22nd Infantry Battalion ** 6th Field Artillery Regiment ** 6th Motor Squadron Each brigade also consisted of field companies of engineers, signals, supply & transport; a field medical company; and military police. In addition to these units, the division was given two Armoured Squadrons (which serviced armoured cars and light tanks) as well as several cyclist squadrons (for anti-paratrooper operations). Maj. Gen. Hugo MacNeill, then Assistant Chief of Staff of the Army, was appointed command of the division. Experienced with training from the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

and head of the Temporary Plans Division, MacNeill was regarded as a "forward-thinker". Being from

, MacNeill was ardently anti-British and, in the 1930s, was among other army leaders in calls for a war with Britain - and even approached German intelligence on several occasions.

References

{{Reflist Ireland in World War II Divisions of the Republic of Ireland