7 September 1935 was a Saturday ...

Posted: 18.12.2023

"Karl Spindler (1887-1951) was a German naval officer who was involved in an arms smuggling operation intended to equip Irish rebels as part of the Easter Rising of 1916. ... "

From - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Spindler_(naval_officer)

Posted: 18.12.2023

"Joseph McGarrity (28 March 1874 – 4 September 1940) was an Irish-American political activist best known for his leadership in Clan na Gael in America and his support of Irish Republicanism back in Ireland. ..."

From - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_McGarrity

Posted: 18.12.2023

Kapitän Spindler wrote a book about his experiences gun-running. Should be an interesting read - archive.org/details/gunrunningforcas00spin

Posted: 18.12.2023

“The IRA signed all its statements 'J.J. McGarrity' up until 1969 when the organisation split into the 'Official' and 'Provisional' movements. Thereafter the term continued to be used by the Officials while the Provisionals adopted the moniker 'P. O'Neill' “ - Wikipedia

Posted: 18.12.2023

Capt Spindler was also a PoW in WW1. He and some other officers escaped but were recaptured near Nottingham because someone noticed they were walking in step. Not on purpose, it just came naturally.

Posted: 18.12.2023

[https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnspooner] Have you read the good book already?! See page 234 - archive.org/details/gunrunningforcas00spin/page/234/mode/... " ... In answer to my question how the detective had discovered us, I learned that he had watched us for a long time without noticing our identity with the wanted men. Then he suddenly remarked that whenever we chanced to get out of step we quite mechanically regained step, and he said to himself, 'Those are certainly two German officers.' It was too silly. ..."

Posted: 18.12.2023

Niall McAuley

What does the inscription actually say? Looks like: "For my friend in Joe McGarrity's café Capt Spindler 7/9/35"

Posted: 18.12.2023

@32162360@N00/ It's like a scene out of The Great Escape.

Posted: 18.12.2023

Niall McAuley

I don't see a Joseph McGarrity in the birth record near 1874 in Tyrone.

Posted: 18.12.2023

www.flickr.com/photos/beachcomberaustralia] No, it was in the newspapers when they were caught in July 1917. Before they were caught the papers, especially in the English east midlands, published descriptions of the fugitives - "Karl Spindler , German naval officer , aged 30 , fresh complexion , dark hair , blue eyes , stout build , 5 feet 11 inches ; speaks English "

Posted: 18.12.2023

In 2006 divers placed a plaque on the site where Spindler scuttled the Aud at the approach to Cork Harbour. (Irish Independent - Monday 17 April 2006)

Posted: 18.12.2023

@29809546@N00/ Thanks, John. We don't often find out eye colour.

Posted: 18.12.2023

Streetview of Wilford Toll Bridge at Nottingham where the Spindler and Winkelman were arrested. The book mentions the toll-keeper's house. There was much speculation in the press in the following days as to how they got hold of civilian clothes, maps of eastern England, and money (Spindler had £4 ). But their preparation had failed to include provision for water, and they had drunk from the Trent. They said they would have steered clear of Nottingham but they thought they might have a better chance of getting food and water there.

Posted: 18.12.2023

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_McGarrity His Wikipedia entry

Posted: 18.12.2023

Ireland’s Own article: “The forgotten hero of 1916” www.irelandsown.ie/the-forgotten-hero-of-1916/

Posted: 18.12.2023

[https://www.flickr.com/photos/nlireland] Another similarity with the Great Escape is that Spindler and Winkelmann, a pilot, intended to find an aerodrome, steal a plane and fly it back to Germany. The characters played by James Garner and Donald Pleasance tried something similar in the film (but flying out of Germany, obviously).

Posted: 18.12.2023

[https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnspooner] I see a new movie script in your future!

Posted: 18.12.2023

[https://www.flickr.com/photos/184711311@N04] It's hard to beat Ireland's Own !!

Posted: 18.12.2023