This is to be my first post of what will hopefully become a regular series where I write a short (difficult sometimes) synopsis of some cool/quirky/lucky incidents from history. They are meant to be short with a brief background. As this series is just beginning any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Michael Collins
Background
Ireland's final fight for independence from the British began in 1916 in the Easter Rising which while lasting only 5 days became the spark for the War of Independence 1919 - 1921 in which Michael Collins, despite technically being Minister of Finance, was the main General leading a guerilla war against the British forces. I recommend you read more about Collins but for now that's enough info.
Collins' lucky escape
After the ill fated 1916 Easter Rising the combatants were rounded up and processed into 3 groups depending on how they would be treated. 17 men were taken out as ringleaders all of which were later sentenced to death. One, Éamonn de Valera, escaped that punishment due to his American citizenship. But Collin's should of been among them.
Or maybe I should say Collins was among them. All the prisoners were placed in Richmond Barracks gymnasium where they were separated. Collins was picked out along with the other leaders but after a time standing in this group he simply walked back across the room to the group of prisoners destined for interment in Wales. He did this in full view of hundreds of his fellow prisoners.
He spent only 8 months in prison, instead of the likely death sentence, and then went on to lead Ireland to Independance. A lucky escape for Collins not so fortunate for the British.
References
https://books.google.ie/books?id=mZgmCwAAQBAJ
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Collins_(Irish_leader)
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