53-850: The Clonfin Ambush was an ambush carried out by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) on 2 February 1921, during the Irish War of Independence . It took place in the townland of Clonfin (or Cloonfin) between Ballinalee and Granard in County Longford . The IRA ambushed two lorries carrying members of the British Auxiliary Division , sparking a lengthy gun battle in which four Auxiliaries were killed and eight wounded. The Auxiliaries eventually surrendered and their weapons were seized. The IRA commander, Seán Mac Eoin , won some praise for helping
106-407: A Lewis gun and 800 rounds of ammunition. In the aftermath of the ambush, British forces raided the nearby towns of Killoe, Ballinamuck, Drumlish, Ballinalee, Edgeworthstown, Granard and Ardagh. A number of houses and farms were burnt. They shot dead an elderly farmer, Michael Farrell, in reprisal for the ambush. The flying column laid low after the ambush and did not attempt any more attacks until
159-529: A kill zone is a hallmark of good troops and training in any ambush situation. Ambushes were widely used by the Lusitanians , in particular by their chieftain Viriathus . Their usual tactic, called concursare , involved repeatedly charging and retreating, forcing the enemy to eventually give them chase, to set up ambushes in difficult terrain where allied forces would be awaiting. In his first victory, he eluded
212-425: A kill zone is a hallmark of good troops and training in any ambush situation. Ambushes were widely used by the Lusitanians , in particular by their chieftain Viriathus . Their usual tactic, called concursare , involved repeatedly charging and retreating, forcing the enemy to eventually give them chase, to set up ambushes in difficult terrain where allied forces would be awaiting. In his first victory, he eluded
265-441: A mountain pass . Conversely, it could involve a small irregular band or insurgent group attacking a regular armed-force patrol. Theoretically, a single well-armed, and concealed soldier could ambush other troops in a surprise attack . In recent centuries, a military ambush can involve the exclusive or combined use of improvised explosive devices (IED). This allows attackers to hit enemy convoys or patrols while minimizing
318-399: A basic fighting tactic of soldiers or of criminals have been used consistently throughout history, from ancient to modern warfare . The term "ambush" is also used in animal behavior studies, journalism , and marketing to describe methods of approach and strategy. In the 20th century, a military ambush might involve thousands of soldiers on a large scale, such as at a choke point like
371-421: A forward patrol harbour from which the attacking force will deploy, and to which they will retire after the attack. Ambushes are complex multiphase operations and are therefore usually planned in some detail. First, a suitable killing zone is identified. This is where the ambush will be laid, where enemy units are expected to pass, and gives reasonable cover for the deployment, execution, and extraction phases of
424-421: A forward patrol harbour from which the attacking force will deploy, and to which they will retire after the attack. Ambushes are complex multiphase operations and are therefore usually planned in some detail. First, a suitable killing zone is identified. This is where the ambush will be laid, where enemy units are expected to pass, and gives reasonable cover for the deployment, execution, and extraction phases of
477-535: A nearby avenue of approach to delay enemy reinforcements. When deploying into an ambush site, the NVA first occupied several observation posts, placed to detect the enemy as early as possible and to report on the formation it was using, its strength and firepower, as well as to provide early warning to the unit commander. Usually, one main OP and numerous secondary OPs were established. Runners and radios were used to communicate between
530-444: A nearby avenue of approach to delay enemy reinforcements. When deploying into an ambush site, the NVA first occupied several observation posts, placed to detect the enemy as early as possible and to report on the formation it was using, its strength and firepower, as well as to provide early warning to the unit commander. Usually, one main OP and numerous secondary OPs were established. Runners and radios were used to communicate between
583-621: A raid against the Quraysh . His group consisted of about twenty Muhajirs. This raid was about a month after the previous one. Sa'd, with his soldiers, set up an ambush in the valley of Kharrar on the road to Mecca and waited to raid a Meccan caravan returning from Syria. However, the caravan had already passed and the Muslims returned to Medina without any loot. Arab tribes during Muhammad's era also used ambush tactics. One example retold in Muslim tradition
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#1732851026519636-473: A raid against the Quraysh . His group consisted of about twenty Muhajirs. This raid was about a month after the previous one. Sa'd, with his soldiers, set up an ambush in the valley of Kharrar on the road to Mecca and waited to raid a Meccan caravan returning from Syria. However, the caravan had already passed and the Muslims returned to Medina without any loot. Arab tribes during Muhammad's era also used ambush tactics. One example retold in Muslim tradition
689-623: A stratagem to surprise the enemy". When the Roman infantry became entangled in combat with his army, the hidden ambush force attacked the Roman infantry in the rear. The result was slaughter and defeat for the Romans. Nevertheless, the battle also displays the effects of good tactical discipline on the part of the ambushed force. Although most of the legions were lost, about 10,000 Romans cut their way through to safety, maintaining unit cohesion . This ability to maintain discipline and break out or maneuver away from
742-445: A strong force of cavalry and infantry in concealment, near the battle zone. He had noticed, says Polybius , a "place between the two camps, flat indeed and treeless, but well adapted for an ambuscade, as it was traversed by a water-course with steep banks, densely overgrown with brambles and other thorny plants, and here he proposed to lay a stratagem to surprise the enemy". When the Roman infantry became entangled in combat with his army,
795-438: A successful ambush. They took cover in difficult forested terrain, allowing the warriors time and space to mass without detection. They had the element of surprise, and this was also aided by the defection of Arminius from Roman ranks prior to the battle. They sprang the attack when the Romans were most vulnerable; when they had left their fortified camp, and were on the march in a pounding rainstorm. The Germans did not dawdle at
848-438: A successful ambush. They took cover in difficult forested terrain, allowing the warriors time and space to mass without detection. They had the element of surprise, and this was also aided by the defection of Arminius from Roman ranks prior to the battle. They sprang the attack when the Romans were most vulnerable; when they had left their fortified camp, and were on the march in a pounding rainstorm. The Germans did not dawdle at
901-521: A tactic error in their retreat led to the Romans retaking the train and putting the Lusitanians to flight. Viriathus later defeated Servilianus with a surprise attack . Germanic war chief Arminius sprung an ambush against the Romans at Battle of the Teutoburg Forest . This particular ambush was to affect the course of Western history. The Germanic forces demonstrated several principles needed for
954-408: A tactic error in their retreat led to the Romans retaking the train and putting the Lusitanians to flight. Viriathus later defeated Servilianus with a surprise attack . Germanic war chief Arminius sprung an ambush against the Romans at Battle of the Teutoburg Forest . This particular ambush was to affect the course of Western history. The Germanic forces demonstrated several principles needed for
1007-406: A vantage point overlooking the ambush site. Reconnaissance elements observing a potential ambush target on the move generally stayed 300–500 meters away. A "leapfrogging" recon technique can be used. Surveillance units were echeloned one behind the other. As the enemy drew close to the first, it fell back behind the last recon team, leaving an advance group in its place. This one in turn fell back as
1060-406: A vantage point overlooking the ambush site. Reconnaissance elements observing a potential ambush target on the move generally stayed 300–500 meters away. A "leapfrogging" recon technique can be used. Surveillance units were echeloned one behind the other. As the enemy drew close to the first, it fell back behind the last recon team, leaving an advance group in its place. This one in turn fell back as
1113-467: Is a surprise attack carried out by people lying in wait in a concealed position. The concealed position itself or the concealed person(s) may also be called an " ambush ". Ambushes as a basic fighting tactic of soldiers or of criminals have been used consistently throughout history, from ancient to modern warfare . The term "ambush" is also used in animal behavior studies, journalism , and marketing to describe methods of approach and strategy. In
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#17328510265191166-622: Is said to have taken place during the First Raid on Banu Thalabah . The Banu Thalabah tribe were already aware of the impending attack; so they lay in wait for the Muslims. When Muhammad ibn Maslama arrived at the site, the Banu Thalabah with 100 men ambushed the Muslims while they were making preparation to sleep and, after a brief resistance, killed them all except for Muhammad ibn Maslama, who feigned death. A Muslim who happened to pass that way found him and assisted him to return to Medina . The raid
1219-514: Is said to have taken place during the First Raid on Banu Thalabah . The Banu Thalabah tribe were already aware of the impending attack; so they lay in wait for the Muslims. When Muhammad ibn Maslama arrived at the site, the Banu Thalabah with 100 men ambushed the Muslims while they were making preparation to sleep and, after a brief resistance, killed them all except for Muhammad ibn Maslama, who feigned death. A Muslim who happened to pass that way found him and assisted him to return to Medina . The raid
1272-644: Is the Battle of the Trebia River. Hannibal encamped within striking distance of the Romans with the Trebia River between them, and placed a strong force of cavalry and infantry in concealment, near the battle zone. He had noticed, says Polybius , a "place between the two camps, flat indeed and treeless, but well adapted for an ambuscade, as it was traversed by a water-course with steep banks, densely overgrown with brambles and other thorny plants, and here he proposed to lay
1325-519: The Roman-Persian Wars . A year after their victory at Carrhae , the Parthians invaded Syria but were driven back after a Roman ambush near Antigonia . Roman Emperor Julian was mortally wounded in an ambush near Samarra in 363 during the retreat from his Persian campaign . A Byzantine invasion of Persian Armenia was repelled by a small force at Anglon who performed a meticulous ambush by using
1378-408: The Roman-Persian Wars . A year after their victory at Carrhae , the Parthians invaded Syria but were driven back after a Roman ambush near Antigonia . Roman Emperor Julian was mortally wounded in an ambush near Samarra in 363 during the retreat from his Persian campaign . A Byzantine invasion of Persian Armenia was repelled by a small force at Anglon who performed a meticulous ambush by using
1431-419: The 20th century, a military ambush might involve thousands of soldiers on a large scale, such as at a choke point like a mountain pass . Conversely, it could involve a small irregular band or insurgent group attacking a regular armed-force patrol. Theoretically, a single well-armed, and concealed soldier could ambush other troops in a surprise attack . In recent centuries, a military ambush can involve
1484-648: The Auxiliaries. He also had water brought from nearby houses for the British wounded. When he was later captured by the British, three Auxiliaries testified at his court martial to his generous treatment of them at Clonfin. Mac Eoin's humane treatment reportedly delayed the IRA's getaway and they were almost caught by 14 lorries of British reinforcements as they escaped across Clonfin Wood. The IRA had captured 18 rifles, 20 revolvers ammunition,
1537-456: The British. The plan was to explode a mine as the lorries passed. The British assessment was that, "the ambush was most cleverly laid" The IRA detonated the roadside improvised explosive device as two British lorries were passing a bridge, killing the driver of the first lorry instantly. The IRA unit then opened fire on the lorries, triggering a fire-fight of two hours. One of the Auxiliaries got away and managed to summon reinforcements. During
1590-480: The OPs and the main command post. The OPs were located so that enemy movement into the ambush could be observed. They would remain in position throughout the ambush to report routes of reinforcement and withdrawal by the enemy, as well as his manoeuvre options. Frequently the OPs were reinforced to squad size and served as flank security. The command post was situated in a central location, frequently on terrain which afforded it
1643-434: The OPs and the main command post. The OPs were located so that enemy movement into the ambush could be observed. They would remain in position throughout the ambush to report routes of reinforcement and withdrawal by the enemy, as well as his manoeuvre options. Frequently the OPs were reinforced to squad size and served as flank security. The command post was situated in a central location, frequently on terrain which afforded it
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1696-570: The Romans and the destruction of three legions. The Germanic victory caused a limit on Roman expansion in the West. Ultimately, it established the Rhine as the boundary of the Roman Empire for the next four hundred years, until the decline of the Roman influence in the West. The Roman Empire made no further concerted attempts to conquer Germania beyond the Rhine. There are many notable examples of ambushes during
1749-420: The Romans and the destruction of three legions. The Germanic victory caused a limit on Roman expansion in the West. Ultimately, it established the Rhine as the boundary of the Roman Empire for the next four hundred years, until the decline of the Roman influence in the West. The Roman Empire made no further concerted attempts to conquer Germania beyond the Rhine. There are many notable examples of ambushes during
1802-429: The ambush patrol. A path along a wooded valley floor would be a typical example. Ambush can be described geometrically as: The terrain for the ambush had to meet strict criteria: One important feature of the ambush was that the target units should 'pile up' after being attacked, thus preventing them any easy means of withdrawal from the kill zone and hindering their use of heavy weapons and supporting fire. Terrain
1855-429: The ambush patrol. A path along a wooded valley floor would be a typical example. Ambush can be described geometrically as: The terrain for the ambush had to meet strict criteria: One important feature of the ambush was that the target units should 'pile up' after being attacked, thus preventing them any easy means of withdrawal from the kill zone and hindering their use of heavy weapons and supporting fire. Terrain
1908-554: The county to put down the local IRA, and were reinforced in January 1921. Whereas previously the IRA had tried to operate in relatively large numbers, often attacking police barracks, from this point on, their GHQ in Dublin ordered smaller but more frequent attacks to be made. The ambush site, on the road between Granard and Ballinalee, was well chosen. Mac Eoin selected a position where the ambushers had excellent cover and were barely visible to
1961-1108: The end of the month. MacEoin was captured at Mullingar railway station in early March and charged with the murder of RIC DI MGrath. He was released in July under the terms of the Truce which ended hostilities. In his absence, the Longford IRA were not able to sustain the intensity of their campaign. A memorial was later erected at the site of the ambush. The IRA combatants were: MacEoin (Ballinalee), Sean Duffy (Ballinalee), James J. Brady (Ballinamuck), Tom Brady (Cartronmarkey), Paddy Callaghan (Clonbroney), Seamus Conway (Clonbroney), Pat Cooke (Tubber), Seamus Farrelly (Purth), Paddy Finnegan (Molly), Larry Geraghty (Ballymore), Mick Gormley (Killoe), Hugh Hourican (Clonbroney), Jack Hughes (Scrabby), Mick Kenny (Clonbroney), Paddy Lynch (Colmcille), John McDowell (Clonbroney), Jack Moore (Streete), Mick Mulligan (Willsbrook), Michael F. Reynolds (Killoe), Sean Sexton (Ballinalee) and Jim Sheeran (Killoe). Ambush An ambush
2014-426: The enemy again closed the gap, and the cycle rotated. This method helped keep the enemy under continuous observation from a variety of vantage points, and allowed the recon groups to cover one another. ambush An ambush is a surprise attack carried out by people lying in wait in a concealed position. The concealed position itself or the concealed person(s) may also be called an " ambush ". Ambushes as
2067-400: The exclusive or combined use of improvised explosive devices (IED). This allows attackers to hit enemy convoys or patrols while minimizing the risk of being exposed to return fire. The use of ambush tactics by early people dates as far back as two million years when anthropologists have recently suggested that ambush techniques were used to hunt large game. One example from ancient times
2120-414: The fighting, four members of the IRA party worked their way around the flank of the Auxiliaries, killing their commander, Lt. Commander Francis Craven. After his death, the remaining policemen surrendered. A total of four Auxiliaries had been killed and eight wounded. MacEoin's treatment of his prisoners was humane. He congratulated them on the fight they had put up and prevented his fighters from assaulting
2173-424: The hidden ambush force attacked the Roman infantry in the rear. The result was slaughter and defeat for the Romans. Nevertheless, the battle also displays the effects of good tactical discipline on the part of the ambushed force. Although most of the legions were lost, about 10,000 Romans cut their way through to safety, maintaining unit cohesion . This ability to maintain discipline and break out or maneuver away from
Clonfin Ambush - Misplaced Pages Continue
2226-414: The hour of decision but attacked quickly, using a massive series of short, rapid, vicious charges against the length of the whole Roman line, with charging units sometimes withdrawing to the forest to regroup while others took their place. The Germans also used blocking obstacles, erecting a trench and earthen wall to hinder Roman movement along the route of the killing zone. The result was a mass slaughter of
2279-414: The hour of decision but attacked quickly, using a massive series of short, rapid, vicious charges against the length of the whole Roman line, with charging units sometimes withdrawing to the forest to regroup while others took their place. The Germans also used blocking obstacles, erecting a trench and earthen wall to hinder Roman movement along the route of the killing zone. The result was a mass slaughter of
2332-401: The risk of being exposed to return fire. The use of ambush tactics by early people dates as far back as two million years when anthropologists have recently suggested that ambush techniques were used to hunt large game. One example from ancient times is the Battle of the Trebia River. Hannibal encamped within striking distance of the Romans with the Trebia River between them, and placed
2385-503: The rough terrain as a force multiplier and concealing in houses. Heraclius ' discovery of a planned ambush by Shahrbaraz in 622 was a decisive factor in his campaign . According to Muslim tradition, Islamic Prophet Muhammad used ambush tactics in his military campaigns. His first such use was during the Caravan raids . In the Kharrar caravan raid, Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas was ordered to lead
2438-404: The rough terrain as a force multiplier and concealing in houses. Heraclius ' discovery of a planned ambush by Shahrbaraz in 622 was a decisive factor in his campaign . According to Muslim tradition, Islamic Prophet Muhammad used ambush tactics in his military campaigns. His first such use was during the Caravan raids . In the Kharrar caravan raid, Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas was ordered to lead
2491-614: The siege of Roman praetor Gaius Vetilius and attracted him to a narrow pass next to the Barbesuda river, where he destroyed his army and killed the praetor. Viriathus's ability to turn chases into ambushes would grant him victories over a number of Roman generals. Another Lusitanian ambush was performed by Curius and Apuleius on Roman general Quintus Fabius Maximus Servilianus , who led a numerically superior army complete with war elephants and Numidian cavalry . The ambush allowed Curius and Apuleius to steal Servilianus's loot train. However,
2544-563: The siege of Roman praetor Gaius Vetilius and attracted him to a narrow pass next to the Barbesuda river, where he destroyed his army and killed the praetor. Viriathus's ability to turn chases into ambushes would grant him victories over a number of Roman generals. Another Lusitanian ambush was performed by Curius and Apuleius on Roman general Quintus Fabius Maximus Servilianus , who led a numerically superior army complete with war elephants and Numidian cavalry . The ambush allowed Curius and Apuleius to steal Servilianus's loot train. However,
2597-527: The wounded Auxiliaries. Following the ambush, British forces burned a number of houses and farms in the area, and shot dead an elderly farmer. The IRA's North Longford Flying Column , 21 strong and led by Seán Mac Eoin , had been formed in late 1920. In that year they had killed four Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) constables. In November, a company of the Auxiliary Division —a paramilitary police force made up of ex-military officers—had been stationed in
2650-400: Was unsuccessful. In modern warfare, an ambush can be employed by ground troops up to platoon size against enemy targets, which may be other ground troops, or possibly vehicles. However, in some situations, especially when deep behind enemy lines, the actual attack will be carried out by a platoon. A company -sized unit will be deployed to support the attack group, setting up and maintaining
2703-400: Was unsuccessful. In modern warfare, an ambush can be employed by ground troops up to platoon size against enemy targets, which may be other ground troops, or possibly vehicles. However, in some situations, especially when deep behind enemy lines, the actual attack will be carried out by a platoon. A company -sized unit will be deployed to support the attack group, setting up and maintaining
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#17328510265192756-417: Was usually selected which would facilitate this and slow down the enemy. Any terrain around the ambush site which was not favourable to the ambushing force, or which offered some protection to the target, was heavily mined and booby trapped or pre-registered for mortars . The NVA/VC ambush formations consisted of: Other elements might also be included if the situation demanded, such as a sniper screen along
2809-417: Was usually selected which would facilitate this and slow down the enemy. Any terrain around the ambush site which was not favourable to the ambushing force, or which offered some protection to the target, was heavily mined and booby trapped or pre-registered for mortars . The NVA/VC ambush formations consisted of: Other elements might also be included if the situation demanded, such as a sniper screen along
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