On this day August 13th, 1969: This stalemate is broken at 7.00p.m. that evening when the RUC, supported by Unionists, breach the barricade and rampage up Rossville Street breaking house windows as they go. The Bogsiders retreat, then turn, and drive the RUC back down to the mouth of Rossville Street. RUC and Unionist supporters advance up Rossville Street, 12th August. Under pressure to contain the situation the RUC begin using CS gas, the first occasion such an indiscriminate weapon has been used in the United Kingdom jurisdiction. Prior to authorising the use of CS gas the Stormont Minister of Home Affairs, Robert Porter, is alleged to have administered a dose to himself. Over the next 2 days 1,091 canisters, and 14 grenades of gas were fired into the Bogside. Local people responded, after receiving advice from Red Mole in London, by soaking handkerchiefs in vinegar & water. Reports are divided as to the effectiveness of this antidote. The RUC also use stones, and on occasion petrol bombs. Within the Bogside first-aid posts are set up by Drs Donal McDermott and Raymond McClean. They are staffed by Knights of Malta volunteers. During the Battle of the Bogside local first aid facilities dealt with almost 1,000 casualties. Local doctors, nurses, first aid volunteers and the Knights of Malta based themselves at the Candy Corner shop in Westland Street. This shop, which lacked running water and the most basic medical supplies, served as the medical headquarters for the Bogside until it was evacuated in the early hours of 14th August as CS gas began to make the centre intolerable. Staff at this centre coped with injuries including; exposure to CS gas, lacerations, impact injuries from gas canisters and gun shot injuries. Many of the more seriously injured, refused to visit Altnagelvin Hospital through fear of the RUC and were transferred across the border for further treatment. That night over 500 women and children are evacuated from the Bogside to Donegal. During the night young men and women knock on doors in the Bogside, Brandywell and Creggan areas asking for empty bottles, washing powder and sugar to help make petrol bombs. The next morning nationalist youths, girls and children have taken up position on top of the Rossville Street flats, thus ensuring that any further RUC advance into the Bogside will be met with an aerial bombardment of petrol bombs and other missiles. The Irish Tricolour and Starry Plough are hoisted on top of the flats. https://youtube/watch?v=I0uXw9vpW4k
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 14:55:46 +0000
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