The 2nd Division, nicknamed "Spearhead", was an infantry division in the Irish Army during the Second World War.

The division was one of two infantry divisions established by Ireland during the duration of the war. The authorisation for the creation of the division, along with the 1st Division, was granted by Minister for Defence Oscar Traynor on the 9th of May, 1941 as part of military expansion. The division was initially headquartered at Dublin, but shortly after at Carton House, Maynooth for the duration of the war; tasked with defending the Northern Ireland border.

Origins 
Following the declaration of state emergency by the de Valera government in 1939, efforts were made for military expansion. However, there was no grave concern until the Fall of France in 1940, after which the neutral status of Ireland was in peril. Prior to the outbreak of war in December 1937, it was estimated that a force of three divisions would be necessary to defend Ireland in the event of an invasion. However, by September 1939, only two reinforced brigades (gravely understrength) were raised. By early 1941, seven brigades were mobilised — just over 40,000 men.

The question of divisions was put forth at the start of 1941, and so the decision to authorise the establishment of two divisions was given by Oscar Traynor, then Minister for Defence on the 9th of May, 1941. Six of the brigades would be organised into two divisions, thus leaving an independent brigade (the 5th) to be subordinated to the Curragh Command.

Organisation 
The division was organised as follows:

 2nd Brigade, based in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin
 2nd Infantry Battalion
 5th Infantry Battalion
 11th (Dublin) Infantry Battalion
 2nd Field Artillery Regiment
 2nd Motor Squadron
 4th Brigade, based in Mullingar
 6th (Dublin) Infantry Battalion
 8th (Thomand) Infantry Battalion
 20th Infantry Battalion
 4th Field Artillery Regiment
 4th Motor Squadron
 6th Brigade, based in Collins Barracks, Dublin
 7th (Dublin) Infantry Battalion
 18th Infantry Battalion
 22nd Infantry Battalion
 6th Field Artillery Regiment
 6th Motor Squadron

Each brigade also consisted of field companies of engineers, signals, supply & transport; a field medical company; and military police.

In addition to these units, the division was given two Armoured Squadrons (which serviced armoured cars and light tanks) as well as several cyclist squadrons (for anti-paratrooper operations).

Maj. Gen. Hugo MacNeill, then Assistant Chief of Staff of the Army, was appointed command of the division. Experienced with training from the United States and head of the Temporary Plans Division, MacNeill was regarded as a "forward-thinker". Being from Northern Ireland, MacNeill was ardently anti-British and, in the 1930s, was among other army leaders in calls for a war with Britain - and even approached German intelligence on several occasions.

References 

Irish Army
Ireland in World War II
Divisions of the Republic of Ireland