Minturno January 1944

[andalucia]

Hi All

I noticed the thread from cynic" what Battle" and i thought i would try my luck.

My Grandfather died on 25th January 1944 and is buried at Minturno war cemetery. He was a gunner with the Royal artillery and at the time of his death was serving as part of the 51 medium regiment. he was in Malta until October 1943. If you click on my signature you can see pictures of him in uniform .

Somebody on the forum told me to look at Spike Milligans book, but i could never find a copy. i would like to know if there is any way i can find out where he landed in Italy and what route he took, or battles he fought in. And of course i hope to locate the place where he died or as near to it as possible.

Not sure if any answers are out there but there are many knowledgable people here, so you never know.

Many thanks

Anthony.

[Owen]

Anthony, All I can suggest is a visit to The National Archives,Kew,London andspend a day checking here.
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/c...0&Summary=True

I've looked at 1914-18 War Diaries up there but not WW2 ones,sorry.
That is about the limit of my help on this one.

PS I got the link to Grandas's photos by copy & pasting it, the link doesn't work for me. I get WW2Talk Forum page.

Also found this on BBC website.http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/s...a2308385.shtml
My name is Bert Meakin and I was a gunner with the 51st Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery. After our involvement in the defeat of the Germans in North Africa my regiment landed in Italy as the continuing pursuit of the German forces. We sailed from Tripoli in September 1942 and landed at Solerno in Southern Italy on about day 4 of the assault. The Germans were still overlooking the port from the surrounding hills and it was touch and go whether we were going to have to retreat, we were making no progress in land. We were still in our dessert battle dress and it was raining and miserable but we managed to clear the beach and move up the road into the hills away from the town. We found some woods to provide cover and set up firing positions and were shelling every day for most of the day. After a week we moved on and crossed the Volterno River. From there we moved forward slowly for about a month setting up positions and firing most days.

Spike Milligan's book is here.http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...&mode=books-uk
BUT according to this he was 56th Heavy Regiment.http://www.phespirit.info/pictures/heroes/p005_info.htm

[andalucia]

Hi Owen

And thanks for the info. i will check it out.

The link should work now, dont know what happened there?

its also here......

http://www.freewebs.com/bernardhoganmaltaitalyww2/

Thanks Again

Anthony.

[Owen]

Just found this,scroll down to 51st Med.Regt.
http://members.tripod.com/~nigelef/regtsumm.htm#medregt

[andalucia]

Thanks again Owen

Im not sure what it all means. I assume it means they linked up with other regiments. I have no idea on ww2 so you will have to forgive me as i dont understand most things.

But im willing to learn.

thanks again.

I will jot it all down

Anthony.

[andalucia]

I know he only joined up with the 51 medium regiment when he left Malta in 1943 and was posted to Italy. that is on his service record.

[Owen]

Italy 1943 - 1 AGRA
Italy 1944 - Army Troops att 56 (London) Inf Div & 1 Cdn AGRA

AGRA is Army Group Royal Artillery.
That is the Command level they were under. They would support what ever unit was in the Line.Unlike most Field Regiments that would stay with their Division.
In 1944 it says the 51st Med Regt. was attatched to 56th Div.(Black Cat's)
so your Grandad's unit was firing in support of that Division. Find out where they were and your Grandad would be there too.Assuming they were with them in January.

[andalucia]

Cheers Owen

Very good of you

Anthony

[Paul Reed]

Little bit more on the 56th Division who they were attached to here:

http://battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/56th_division.htm

Looks like it was the crossing of the Garigliano River by his date of death. There are many from that action buried in this cemetery. A little more Italy on my site:

http://battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/italy.htm

[andalucia]

Thank you Paul

Great site you have there, I will be reading your section on Italy after the Weekend ( i have to work )

Thank you both for the help

Anthony.