| ID | 159442 |
| Title Proper | Unintended consequences |
| Other Title Information | Baton Rounds, Riots, and Counterinsurgency in Northern Ireland, 1970–1981 |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Drohan, Brian |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | By analyzing the use of baton rounds as riot control weapons during the Northern Ireland “Troubles,” this article explores the British Army’s difficult transition from colonial counterinsurgency to a war in which the army faced greater public sensitivity and scrutiny than before. British forces tried to minimize the use of force against rioters by introducing new non-lethal baton rounds. But soldiers often disregarded the rules of engagement by firing the weapons excessively and at unsafe distances, which resulted in injuries and deaths that infuriated the local population. The technological innovation of baton rounds thus undermined British counterinsurgency efforts. |
| `In' analytical Note | Journal of Military History Vol. 82, No.2; Apr 2018: p.491-514 |
| Journal Source | Journal of Military History 2018-06 82, 2 |
| Key Words | Counterinsurgency ; Northern Ireland ; Riots ; Unintended Consequences ; Baton Rounds ; 1970–1981 |