ROINN COSANTA. BUREAU OF MILITARY HISTORY, 1913-21 ...

24the first lorry passed through unscathed.. However, thesecond lorry was fired on by the main body stationed inthe centre of the ambush position under the column 0/C(Tom Barry).' and halted, lit came under fire of the westernand. middle sections.. Five of the enemy party were killed.Four surrendered. The I.R.A. parts' had no casualties andcaptured eight rifles, a revolver and a large quantity ofammunition. The column then withdrew. towards. BallydalyPier and were ferried across the: Bandon river to KilmacsirnonQuay. They then moved into billets. I was not presentat this engagement as I was engaged, in making arrangementsfor a. training campS in Bantry battalion area. at Kealkil.The camp at Kealkil was attended by the officersof all companies in Bantry Battalion. It was carried onfor a week a similar routine to that employed at Clonbuigand Ballymurphy being followed.. This column when trainedtook up: positions in the area, but there was no appearanceby the enemy.At this. stage, the Brigade 0/C (Charlie Hurley)was; of the opinion that a permanent brigade columnshould be established'. His suggestion was. discussed indetail at a. Brigade Council meeting held at Kelly's,Gloun, Dunsuanway. It was finally agreed to establisha column on the lines suggested and to place Tom Barryin charge as column 0/C.. The main difficulty was tolay down some rules governing the relations between thebrigade 0/C,, column 0/C,. battalion and company commanders.Battalion and company 0/Cs were instructed to facilitatethe column and its 0/C in every possible waywhen it was in their districts.. It was suggested