Editing Ulster Defence Regiment (section)

==Operational role==
Although an integral part of the British Army the UDR's duties did not require it to be called upon to serve outside Northern Ireland.<ref name=autogenerated17 /> This type of engagement was subsequently referred to as "Home Service"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/24000.aspx |title=The Royal Irish Regiment – British Army Website |publisher=Army.mod.uk |access-date=2013-07-17}}</ref> and was similar to the model adopted by the short-lived [[Home Service Force]] raised in the UK in 1982.

The primary function of the regiment was to assist the RUC by "guarding key points and installations, to carry out patrols and to establish check points and road blocks against armed guerrilla-type attacks".<ref name=Hansard19691112>{{hansard|1969/nov/12/ulster-defence-regiment |accessdate=26 October 2008}}</ref>
Patrols and vehicle [[Civilian checkpoint|checkpoints]] on public roads were designed to hinder the activities of paramilitary groups and to reassure the law-abiding general public. Writing in 1991, Ken Maginnis recounted that the Regiment had originally been formed as a "sop to Unionism" and it was never intended to have a "serious" operational role, with UDR soldiers at first being assigned to "demeaning" and pointless posts such as guarding water [[reservoirs]].<ref>"THE ULSTER DEFENCE REGIMENT (Amalgamation... For Better Or For Worse?)", Ken Magginis MP, ''Unionist Voice'', 27 July 1991.</ref>

The first operational deployment of the regiment was by the 2nd and 6th battalions, deploying 400 soldiers in an [[8th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|8th Infantry Brigade]] operation along the border with the Irish Republic in Armagh, Tyrone and Fermanagh to intercept the movement of munitions into Northern Ireland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royal-irish.com/events/ulster-defence-regiments-first-major-operational-deployment|title=UDR's First Major Operation. – Royal Irish – Virtual Military Gallery|website=royal-irish.com}}</ref> As the force was initially part-time the presence of its soldiers was mostly felt during evenings and weekends. It was expected to answer to general call-outs, and was mobilised on a permanent basis on several occasions such as Operation Motorman to provide assistance to the police and army. As the regiment acquired more full-time soldiers it assumed duties previously assigned to the police or Army in support of [[Operation Banner]]. By 1980, the full-time element had matched the numbers of part-timers and the regiment's role had expanded to include tactical responsibility for 85% of Northern Ireland, supporting the Royal Ulster Constabulary.<ref name="MOD Army">{{cite web| title=MOD Army|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/5952.aspx| access-date=25 April 2008}}</ref>

===1974 Ulster Workers Council Strike===
The first [[Ulster Workers' Council strike]] took place between 15 and 28 May 1974.  This is arguably the greatest test of integrity and loyalty the UDR had to endure, along with the RUC.<ref>Ryder p77</ref> The regiment was not called out but 3 UDR, then at annual camp in [[Magilligan]] was deployed on Sunday 19 May by road and air to the south Tyrone and south Fermanagh areas usually patrolled by 4 UDR and 6 UDR. Two days previously on 17 May loyalist paramilitaries had carried out a series of bombings in [[Dublin and Monaghan bombings|Dublin and Monaghan]]. The authorities believed the Provisional IRA would retaliate so had provided the 3rd Battalion as reinforcements to the local battalions.<ref>Potter p129</ref>

Despite there being no call out UDR soldiers flocked to their bases for duty.<ref name="Potterp">Potter p130</ref> They were frustrated in not being able to take any direct action against the strikers but the only orders they got were to "stand back and observe".<ref name="Potterp" /> A patrol from 7 UDR was able to prevent loyalists from throwing stones and bottles at regular troops in the [[Ballybeen]] estate in [[Dundonald, County Down|Dundonald]]. Barricades preventing soldiers from the [[Newtownabbey]] company of 10 UDR who lived in [[Monkstown, County Antrim|Monkstown]] from getting to their base were lifted when the platoon commander and platoon sergeant went down and warned the people manning the barricades that they would "regret it in the future" if they continued to prevent the UDR from getting out on patrol.<ref name="Potterp" />

Some soldiers took their turn manning the barricades alongside the UDA. These were men who lived in UDA dominated housing estates and had been threatened.  Those soldiers in such areas who did not take a turn on duty were not allowed to get out of the estates to report for duty and had their cars and homes damaged and in some cases they and their wives were refused service in local shops following the strike.<ref>Potter pp130-131</ref>

There were two reported instances of loyalists trying to subvert the loyalty of UDR units. One was against an entire company of 3 UDR and one against a platoon from the 8th battalion.  Both failed.<ref name="Potterp_a">Potter p131</ref>

Units from 7 UDR took up positions around key points at the shipyards, an oil refinery in [[Sydenham, Belfast|Sydenham]] and an electricity sub station in the [[Castlereagh (borough)|Castlereagh]] hills.<ref name="Potterp_a" /> Forty drivers were drafted in from 1, 9 and 10 UDR battalions to assist the [[Royal Corps of Transport]].<ref name="Potterp_a" /> Eventually 10 UDR and regular units forcibly dismantled the barricades in Monkstown.<ref name="Potterp_a" />

Prior to the strike some army commanders and the Brigadier UDR had expressed doubts about who the UDR was loyal to and who they would support in the event of such an action by loyalists. Brigadier Baxter later commented: "During the strike the UDR came of age".<ref name="Potterp_a" />

===Ulsterisation===
During the 1970s, the British government introduced the Ulsterisation policy in Northern Ireland, which called for the disengagement of non-Ulsters troops from the region and replacing them with the UDR and RUC. This was done as British policymakers perceived the death of soldiers from [[Great Britain]] to be far more consequential in terms of British public opinion than what could be portrayed as "Irish people killing and policing Irish people".<ref name="Neumann">Neumann, Peter R. "The myth of Ulsterization in British security policy in Northern Ireland." ''Studies in Conflict and Terrorism'' 26.5 (2003): 365–377.</ref><ref>Ellison: Smyth, 2000, p82</ref> The term "Ulsterisation" was coined by the media. The then Assistant Chief Constable of the RUC, [[Jack Hermon]], summed it up when he said, "Ulstermen need to learn to live together and be policed by Ulstermen. If they have to kill, let them kill each other, not English soldiers."<ref>Potter p167</ref>

A report commissioned in 1976 recommended:
* An increase in the establishment of the RUC and RUC Reserve
* Creation of RUC "mobile support units"
* An increase in the conrate establishment of the UDR so it could take over from the regular Army
* A 24-hour military presence by the UDR

The scheme was hampered by the shortfall of conrate officers in the UDR who could take on the role of operations officers. It also placed heavier demands upon senior NCO "watchkeepers" in the operations rooms, or and communication centres (comcens).

The main outcome of Ulsterisation was the creation of the "Province Reserve UDR" (PRUDR) whereby each of the 56 available companies would take it in turns to operate anywhere in the province, although in practice this normally meant in South Armagh.<ref>Potter p148</ref>