Guerrilla phase of the Irish Civil War

The guerrilla phase of the Irish Civil War began in August 1922, when the forces of the Irish Free State took all the fixed positions previously held by the Anti-Treaty IRA. The IRA then waged a guerrilla war to try to bring down the new Irish Government and overturn the Anglo-Irish Treaty. This guerrilla campaign was ultimately defeated.

Guerrilla phase of the Irish Civil War
Part of the Irish Civil War and Irish revolutionary period

Partial front page of newspaper (The Boston Post, Massachusetts, U.S., 23 August 1922) describing killing of Irish revolutionary and politician Michael Collins (Irish leader) on 22 August 1922.
DateAugust 1922 – 24 May 1923
Location
Ireland
Result

Free State victory

Belligerents

Irish Free State

Anti-treaty IRA
Commanders and leaders
  • Michael Collins 
  • Richard Mulcahy
Strength
  • Irish National Army: c. 55,000 soldiers and 3500 officers by end of the war
  • Irish Air Corps: 10 planes
  • Irish Navy: 1 ship
  • CID: 350
c. 15,000
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown
Civilians: Unknown

The IRA called a ceasefire in April 1923 and "dumped arms" the following month. This phase of the war was characterised by small-scale military actions but also by assassinations and executions on both sides. The Free State also imprisoned up to 13,000 IRA fighters. In addition, the campaign saw the destruction of a great deal of infrastructure such as roads and railways by the IRA.

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