Black and Tans

The Black and Tans were a paramilitary police force recruited by the British government during the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921) to suppress Irish insurgents. Comprising mostly British veterans, they earned their name from their makeshift uniforms—dark trousers ("Black") combined with khaki army shirts ("Tans"). Known for their brutal tactics and controversial actions, including reprisals against civilians, they aimed to weaken Irish resistance but also fueled widespread hostility. Their presence symbolized British attempts to maintain control in Ireland, and they remain a contentious part of Irish history due to their role in violence and repression.