Sgt J.V. Murphy killed Italy 10/03/44

[51highland]

EDITED by Owen D.New thread started from another by Tonym


Just wondering who/why 2928554 Sgt J.V. Murphy killed Italy 10/03/44 ?

[Tonym]

51 Highland

Sgt Murphy was my uncle ( see my avatar). Served in the Palestine campaign 1935/36. On 10th March 1944 'D' Coy, 2nd Camerons were in the forward positions on the slopes of Point 593 and became so depeleted that a Platoon from 'A' Coy was sent forward to reinforce them. Vinny Murphy led the Platoon, in broad daylight crawling on their stomachs. They had barely settled when they came under intense mortar fire. 2 men were killed instantly and 19 wounded. Sgt. Murphy died on the way to 17th Advanced Dressing Station.

Tony

[Paul Reed]

Originally Posted by Tonym

51 Highland

Sgt Murphy was my uncle ( see my avatar). Served in the Palestine campaign 1935/36. On 10th March 1944 'D' Coy, 2nd Camerons were in the forward positions on the slopes of Point 593 and became so depeleted that a Platoon from 'A' Coy was sent forward to reinforce them. Vinny Murphy led the Platoon, in broad daylight crawling on their stomachs. They had barely settled when they came under intense mortar fire. 2 men were killed instantly and 19 wounded. Sgt. Murphy died on the way to 17th Advanced Dressing Station.

Tony

Hi Tony - funny enough, was only discussing your uncle with Teri last week. Have you ever had a look at the Italy section of my site? It has a lot about 593 and the Snakeshead. The ground up there has hardly changed since 1944. See:

Italian Battlefields of WW2 - Italy Battlefield Guide

[Owen]

Hope you don't mind, I thought Sgt Murphy deserved his own thread in the Italy section.

[Tonym]

Not at all Owen, he crept onto the other thread by a question that I was asked. Probably find himself amongst some colleagues now.

Cheers, Tony

[Tonym]

Originally Posted by Paul Reed

Hi Tony - funny enough, was only discussing your uncle with Teri last week. Have you ever had a look at the Italy section of my site? It has a lot about 593 and the Snakeshead. The ground up there has hardly changed since 1944. See:

Italian Battlefields of WW2 - Italy Battlefield Guide

Paul

Read your dad's Italian experience. I thought the avatar was you, almost a twin brother.

Tony

[Paul Reed]

Originally Posted by Tonym

Paul

Read your dad's Italian experience. I thought the avatar was you, almost a twin brother.

Tony

Owen thought the same - if I stay as fit as my old dad has into old age I won't be complaining!

[51highland]

My father was with 2nd Cams/ 4th Indian Div. when he was sent to N. Africa in 1942. Just been reading a copy of 79th news dated October 1944 and a letter about 2nd Cams actions 14th Feb to 26th March. They were in the forward area for over 31 days and in the line for 2 weeks. Lost 50 killed and 118 wounded.

[Tonym]

Originally Posted by 51highland

My father was with 2nd Cams/ 4th Indian Div. when he was sent to N. Africa in 1942. Just been reading a copy of 79th news dated October 1944 and a letter about 2nd Cams actions 14th Feb to 26th March. They were in the forward area for over 31 days and in the line for 2 weeks. Lost 50 killed and 118 wounded.

The information that I received from a Col. Cochrane (a Captain in 'C' Company at the time) was that ironically the Camerons never received an order to attack. They were relieved on 24th March by The Lancashire Fusiliers and had lost 250 men (51 killed). Their colleagues in the two battalions of the Rajputana Rifles lost 800 men, 400 from each battalion so a costly effort with no reward for the Camerons or the Rifles.

Tony