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On the British side i'm in the process of researching my grandfathers time in Italy (1st Battalion Hertfordshire Regiment):
Landed Naples 29th July 1944
Castle of Vincigliato August 1944
Monte Cerceri
Fiesole
Florence September 1944
Grezzano area attack on the Gothic line after 12th September 1944 which is where the weather took a turn for the worst.
Paluzuolo
Point 714 (which talks of the battalion struggling and fighting up to their knees in mud)
Ranzuolo Ridge October 1944
Monte Cece
Point 677
Hills south of Bologna November 1944
Monte Cerere
Monte Calderaro December 1944
It mentions the shortage of rations and ammunition, the soaking rain, the mud, the difficulty of helping the wounded, and the stubborness of the enemy.
I visited Italy last year (unfortunately before I had my grandfathers record), but in the places I visited, you can't imagine how difficult it must have been for them to fight their way throught the terrain, and towns in such conditions.
I think they certainly did their part as much as those who fought on the beaches of Normandy (My Great Uncle survived Gold Beach through to the end of the war, and still going well at 89!).
Regards
Paul
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