Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 2nd Bn. 21st April, 1945

[JOHNB84]

Do any forum members know what action the 2nd Bn., Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers where involved in on the 21st April, 1945. One of my local lads lost his life with them this day, please see CWGC link below. I do know that the Battalion was in Italy at this time, but that's about it. I am rather new to WW2 research, so any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
John.

CWGC :: Casualty Details

[Owen]

I grapped by copy of 5th Div History as I forgot they transfered to 78th Div in July '44.
Now I have 78th Div History in front of me.

At half past one in the morning of April 21st the Royal Irish Fusiliers and the Inniskillings moved forward under a barrage and crossed the canal by the rubble of the demolished bridges. The staging of this attack at short notice and in darkness was a particulary fine performance which could only have been achieved by very highly trained troops.
Opposition was lighter than had been expected , and by five in the morning the bridgehead was half a mile deep, taking in the village of Montesanto, and thirty prisoners had been taken, mostly from the 26 Panzer Division.....and the Irish Brigade was ordered , therefore , to exploit its gains with all speed.
In spite of stiff opposition and some very heavy shelling , the Royal Irish Fusiliers and the Inniskillings suceeded in making a considerable enlargement of the whole bridgehead area by midday , and there was room at last for the Kangaroo Force to form up over the canal.

Hope that helps. There is a map I'll post it tomorrow.
Might be worth checking this book too, I haven't got it........yet.
Clear the Way! A History of the 38th (Irish) Brigade, 1941-47.

[Owen]

Aha, the map in the 78th Div History is the same as this one on wiki.
Battle of the Argenta Gap - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
You can just see Montesanto by Potomaggiore.

[Owen]

Just looking at his Army Number.
4397694
Looking at this thread.
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/searchi...locations.html

See that is a Green Howards number.
The Green Howards 4379001 - 4435000

[Ron Goldstein]

Hi JohnB & Owen

re:

Do any forum members know what action the 2nd Bn., Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers where involved in on the 21st April, 1945.

Purely by coincidence, I have recently been sent a review by my old friend Tom Canning of Richard Doherty's "Eighth Army in Italy- The Long Hard Slog" .

There is quite a bit in the book about the 38th Irish Brigade's part in the Battle for the Argenta Gap and the Kangaroo Force (in which my old unit the 4th QOH were involved)

If you finally settle whether or not the Iniskillings was the correct unit please come back to me for more on this action.

Ron

[Owen]

Ron, it is the correct unit, Fus Emmerson was a Yorshire lad & looks like he joined Green Howards and later posted to R Innis F.
What confused me at first if 2 R Innis F spend most of the war with 5th Div before transfering to 38th Bde , 78th Div.
Please tell us more.

[Ron Goldstein]

Originally Posted by Owen D

Ron, it is the correct unit, Fus Emmerson was a Yorshire lad & looks like he joined Green Howards and later posted to RIF.
What confused me at first if 2RIF spend most of the war with 5th Div before transfering to 38th Bde , 78th Div.
Please tell us more.

Owen

It's 12:20 am here in the UK, just off to bed, will get back to this "Domani "

Ron

[Owen]

Blimey is that the time, I must be off too, Goodnight.

[Ron Goldstein]

Originally Posted by Owen D

Blimey is that the time, I must be off too, Goodnight.

Owen & JohnB

A new day and back to the chase !

I attach one of the pages of Tom Doherty's excellent book that Tom Canning had previously sent me, plus the front cover in case John wants to pursue the matter further.

The Iniskillings are mentioned in the first para of page 211.

If you need any further background on the Kangaroo Army episode I have excerpts from the Regimental Diaries of the 4th QOH plus ditto from my own diaries that cover the specific dates that JohnB mentions.

I have also been re-looking at my copy of Eric Linklater's "The Campaign in Italy" and see he says on Page 460:
"On the 78 Division's front the Irish Brigade rushed the enemy off the Saint Nicolo canal and before dawn on April 21st had reached the village of Montesanto half a mile beyond it. The Divisional Commander decided to use the 36th Brigade and his Kangaroo Force to achieve results"

[JOHNB84]

Owen/Ron
What can I say....brilliant results, thank you both so much for your help. As you can probably tell I am new to WW2 research, I have spent the last few years researching my local WW1 lads. What I am finding absolutely fascinating since I have started to look into my lads from WW2 is actually talking to veterans who served during this war, I have even been fortunate enough to have the honour to talk to an old gent who was present (in the same aircraft) when one of my local boys lost his life. I needed I stiff brandy after that...real heart rendering stuff.
Ron it would be a pleasure and a honour to see your own diaries that cover the specific dates.
Once again gentlemen thank you so much for taking the time for me...it is very much appreciated.

All the best
John

PS...I guarantee, I will be back to pick your brains (and other forum members) who will hopefully point me in the right directions with my WW2 lads research.