Can anyone help me? 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment

[Natasha]

Thanks to many replies i have establishe the my great uncle the late Frank Taylor served with the 17th infan under the 5th divisions. i do know they were involved in the first cassino battle, the Rapido crossing and anzino, my uncle fell on/near 30th april 1944 the exsact date is not held by the CWGC as his body was never recoved his name lies on the Cassino memorial. i am presuming as he is on the Cassino mem he would have fallen at rapido but the date the division attacked there is much earlier than his fall date! i cannot find any relation to there location on his fall date, i know the 17th infanty, part were sent on to madagascar and the remainer stayed in italy and went on to Anzino but i am not sure if my uncle fell at the Rapido or Anzino, if he moved with the division surly in relatoin to his date of death would put him at the anzino graves or could he have remained behind to defend the Rapido line?i hope some one may be able to help me or point me in the best direction to finding out the divisions movements in relation to this section of the battle, i hope to sent of for his service history soon but want to exstablish what i can now!

[Rich Payne]

You can ignore Madagascar as 13th and 17th Brigades were reunited with the Division again in Iraq in August 1942.

Unless transferred, your man would normally have remained with the Battalion. Died of Wounds is possible but then the grave site would normally be known.

The Anzio option remains most likely. According to the CWGC site, the Cassino Memorial includes those with no known grave [i]who fell during the Italian Campaign[i] so mention there does not necessarily indicate that he died in the vicinity.

My brother has the Battalion histories at the moment and I'll see what I can find out.

[Owen]

Natasha,
The War Diary I have is only for 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment, which I bought from their Museum.It only mentions the Northamptons few times. One time being that attack when your Great-Uncle died.
Re your comments in post#21
Your Great-Uncle's unit the 2nd Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment was involved with the crossing of the Garigliano River , not the Rapido.
The Northamptons landed on the coast, they didn't actually cross the river.
The date of his death would be when they were at Anzio.
The Fortress was the name given to part the river bed of the Moletta river.

[Owen]

Rich Payne has tracked down a copy of the 5th Divison History, which I have now just ordered. Cheers Rich, I am trying to save money but it was too good to miss getting that one.
Should have it next week.

[Natasha]

thanks for this insight, it clears up my qustion on the memorial. i was under the impression that names were of those who fell in the area. i hope to take a trip up to the Northampton museum within the next couple of weeks to help my investigation. i really aim if possibal to pi point the area he fell as this is not known and my nan is very keen to know the last area her brother was possibaly in before he fell.

[Owen]

My copy of the 5th Division History has arrived today.
Let me know if you need anymore info.
It has a good photo of The Fortress area.

[Natasha]

Hi Owen
Does your division history pin point where the 17th infantry (inc. "ns northamptons) were between the 29th April and 1st May 1944?
Thanks for all your help it is much apprechiated.
sinc i was last online i have aquired from a family member my uncles last letter home, he talks of receiving new shoes and being posted to a new batallion (the 2nds) at the time of writing the letter his was in the 4th Batallion of the northamptons!

[Owen]

Natasha,
Go back and re-read the thread. It tells you where great-uncle's unit was.
See my post #13. They were at The Fortress, which is part of the river-bed of the Moletta.See the Anzio map I posted.
Great-Uncle's unit was 2nd Northamptons, which were in 17th Brigade, 5th Division.
When you refer to "17th infantry" that is not correct. I know you may not be used to military terminology. You're better of saying "2nd Northamptons".
The Div history says,

On the 30th April another determined German attack on the Fortress overran a platoon of 2 Northamptons, then in residence. A quickly mounted counter-attack, in the afternoon, was not successful.

What is the date on the letter you have?

[Owen]

Natasha,
Can you view GoogleEarth?
If so enter these co-ords, that is the rough area of The Fortress at Anzio.
I can't locate it exactly,sorry, the placemark is just a guide.

41°34'42.35"N 12°35'31.09"E

[Natasha]

Yes quite unfamilliar with all the terminology! it seems like a complete mine field! sorry!
the letter is dated the 18th July 1943.
Thanks for the further info.