November 28, 1920. A quiet country road in West Cork, Ireland. 36 Irish rebels lying in wait. Two British military lorries approaching. In the next 4 minutes, everything would change forever.
This is the complete, untold story of the Kilmichael Ambush – one of the most significant military engagements of the Irish War of Independence. Discover how Tom Barry, a 23-year-old former British soldier turned IRA commander, planned and executed a devastating ambush against Britain’s elite Auxiliary Division that would send shockwaves through the British Empire and change the course of Irish history.
In this deep-dive documentary, we explore every detail of this legendary battle: the strategic planning, the 36 volunteers who lay in freezing ambush positions for hours, the tactical brilliance of the attack, the brutal 4-minute firefight, and the profound aftermath that sparked British reprisals and inspired the entire Irish independence movement.
You’ll learn about the men who fought and died on both sides, the controversial “false surrender” incident that historians still debate today, the weapons and tactics used, the intelligence network that made the ambush possible, and how this single engagement proved that guerrilla warfare could defeat even the most powerful military forces on earth.
This isn’t just a story about a battle. It’s about ordinary men who became extraordinary soldiers, about a community that stood together against overwhelming odds, and about a moment that echoed through Irish history for generations. From the streets of West Cork to the halls of Dublin Castle, from the burning farmhouses to the negotiating tables, witness how the Kilmichael Ambush became a turning point in Ireland’s fight for independence.
Featuring detailed analysis of military tactics, historical context of the 1920 conflict, the role of the Black and Tans and Auxiliaries, Tom Barry’s transformation from British soldier to IRA legend, and the human stories behind the statistics – this is Irish history like you’ve never seen it before.
KEY TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 – Introduction: The Road to Kilmichael – Setting the scene for November 28, 1920
8:45 – Tom Barry and the West Cork Flying Column – Who were the 36 men waiting in ambush?
18:30 – The Ambush Begins – Minute by minute breakdown of the 4-minute battle
35:20 – Aftermath and Legacy – British reprisals, historical impact, and the debate that continues today
Credit to : Irish History