Read on Twitter
1/8
This is Austin Hehir, MM, of 2SAS,
Back in March I tweeted a thread about the Ironman Irishman, and said I would love to know more about this remarkable soldier.
Thanks to his family (& Twitter) I now do after they contacted me.
This photo of Austin was taken in his POW camp.
This is Austin Hehir, MM, of 2SAS,
Back in March I tweeted a thread about the Ironman Irishman, and said I would love to know more about this remarkable soldier.
Thanks to his family (& Twitter) I now do after they contacted me.
This photo of Austin was taken in his POW camp.
2/
Quick recap:
Hehir was part of Op Maple, parachuting into northern Italy in January 1944.
His method of eliminating Nazi staff cars was ‘to draw his two revolvers & walk up the road firing at the car’. He did this twice.
In 10 days his team accounted for 25 enemy vehicles.
Quick recap:
Hehir was part of Op Maple, parachuting into northern Italy in January 1944.
His method of eliminating Nazi staff cars was ‘to draw his two revolvers & walk up the road firing at the car’. He did this twice.
In 10 days his team accounted for 25 enemy vehicles.
3/
Hehir & Lt David Worcester were caught in March 1944. They tried to escape & Worcester recalled how “a German stood over him as he lay on the floor & emptied the whole magazine from the Schmeisser at him”.
Hehir lived & also survived being shot during a later escape attempt.
Hehir & Lt David Worcester were caught in March 1944. They tried to escape & Worcester recalled how “a German stood over him as he lay on the floor & emptied the whole magazine from the Schmeisser at him”.
Hehir lived & also survived being shot during a later escape attempt.
4/
The following information comes from Theresa, who knew Austin.
He was born & raised in Dublin but when his parents split his mum returned to her native Co Clare. He was a high-spirited kid & used to ride the local farmers’ horses around, racing through different small farms.
The following information comes from Theresa, who knew Austin.
He was born & raised in Dublin but when his parents split his mum returned to her native Co Clare. He was a high-spirited kid & used to ride the local farmers’ horses around, racing through different small farms.
5/
He was a farmhand when war broke out in 1939 & after the war he returned to Co Clare & lived in a small cottage with his mum. He worked as a farmer & was in the process of setting up a poultry farm when he took ill.
He was a farmhand when war broke out in 1939 & after the war he returned to Co Clare & lived in a small cottage with his mum. He worked as a farmer & was in the process of setting up a poultry farm when he took ill.
6/
Austin died of TB in his early 30s. The family believe that his war wounds played a significant factor in his death.
When he returned to Ireland after the war Austin told his family it was a miracle he had survived his wounds.
Austin died of TB in his early 30s. The family believe that his war wounds played a significant factor in his death.
When he returned to Ireland after the war Austin told his family it was a miracle he had survived his wounds.
7/
He spoke of the war but apparently only as a POW & the help he received from a local girl who hid him in her loft & aided his escape.
Austin took this pic of 3 Polish POWS in his camp
He's remembered with great fondness by his family. He was a softly-spoken, easy-going man.
He spoke of the war but apparently only as a POW & the help he received from a local girl who hid him in her loft & aided his escape.
Austin took this pic of 3 Polish POWS in his camp
He's remembered with great fondness by his family. He was a softly-spoken, easy-going man.
8/8
Austin Hehir is buried in Callura Cemetery, Lahinch, County Clare, not far from where he lived.
Thanks to all the family who generously provided me with this information & the photo. Very gratifying to be able to put a face to the name of a very brave man.
Austin Hehir is buried in Callura Cemetery, Lahinch, County Clare, not far from where he lived.
Thanks to all the family who generously provided me with this information & the photo. Very gratifying to be able to put a face to the name of a very brave man.
@threadreaderapp unroll
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
