Sam Lewis, Rifle Brigade, Italy 1943-1944

[Ron Goldstein]

I've just received this letter in my e-mail.

I've checked to confirm that Geoff doesn't mind "going public" and now invite your help in giving him some possible answers.

Dear Ron, in looking for clues about my father Sam Lewis's journey through Italy with various btns during 1943, including Light AA and Bren gun teams, I stumbled across your Blog. The routes and names are very familiar, but I am trying to pin-point where in the mountains near Florence my father was wounded. He was with the RIfle Brigade by then having been transferred from the Royal Ulster Rifles in August 44. He was wounded on 3rd October 1944 somewhere up in the mountains. Do you think your links, contacts and reminiscences may have anything to add to the story I am piecing together? Best Wishes, Geoff. Lewis

[Owen]

Ron,
Sounds like he could have been with 61st Bde, 6th Armd Div.
Have a look here.

61st Infantry Brigade; Green Jackets in Italy.

[Ron Goldstein]

Originally Posted by Owen

Ron,
Sounds like he could have been with 61st Bde, 6th Armd Div.
Have a look here.

61st Infantry Brigade; Green Jackets in Italy.

Owen

Many thanks for starting this off, I think you've hit the target first time

Ron

[Owen]

For a bit of background reading I'd suggest the classic,

Recollections of Rifleman Bowlby by Alex Bowlby.

He was in that Bde.

Answers to be found if Geoff can get hold of this work.
THE RIFLE BRIGADE 1939-1945
Original Paper Covers 2 Volume Set 133 & 174pp Illustrations, Roll Of Honour The Full Story Of The Brigade Of Rifles In WW2

THE RIFLE BRIGADE 1939-1945: Committee Of The Rifle Brigade "Chronicle"

[Tom Canning]

The 16/5th Lancers certainly slowed down when I joined them at Knittelfeld in Central Austria - mind you no one was shooting at us by then ! We had to wait until the Russians moved out to be replaced by Tito's mob before we could take up our appointed positions, then rounding up some bad guys - and being spat on by a very old woman !
Happy days !

[Ron Goldstein]

The 16/5th Lancers certainly slowed down when I joined them at Knittelfeld in Central Austria - mind you no one was shooting at us by then ! We had to wait until the Russians moved out to be replaced by Tito's mob before we could take up our appointed positions, then rounding up some bad guys - and being spat on by a very old woman !
Happy days !

Tom

As I understood it, the 16/5th Lancers used to be a very posh cavalry unit until they were obliged to take in the hospital throwouts from the RTR units

Anyway, I thought it was my old mob (the 4th QOH) that did most of the rounding up of the SS types in Austria ?

Finally, I have to say that I think the "very old woman" was being very restrained on being confronted by Trooper Canning and his erstwhile colleagues

It's good to see that you are still as lively as ever..... keep taking the tablets !

Cheers

Ron

[Tom Canning]

Ron -
the whole of 26th Armoured Bde was very posh - but then the Lothian and Border horse - being a Territorial mob were let go - and your lot - the 4th QH came in as replacements - they didn't even have the right gear as we had to lend them our Lances so they could do their fancy pants horse riding at the Vienna Tattoo - that finished them of they were sent back to Trieste to sort out - or join - the other bandits belonging to Tito !

[PeterG]

I am trying to pin-point where in the mountains near Florence my father was wounded.

I think that the publication recommended by Owen would be of great value in determining where Geoff's father's unit was on 3 October 1944. Finding out where he was wounded is highly problematic, all that can be said with certainty is that on 3 October it would not be further than the Northern Apennines of the Romagna, north of Firenzuola and many miles north of Florence.

The closest situation map I have found is one showing the German line on 2 October 1944, the day before Geoff's father was wounded. The map is from the official British History of WW2, The Mediterranean and Middle East, Volume VI, Part II - June to October 1944, page 387.

For comparison I have attached a modern Google map of the same area.

Hope this will be of some help.

Peter

[Tom Canning]

As Peter says - it is problematical to find an exact spot of any event but an idea may be found in the regimental history of the whereabouts of his compnay / platoon at the time although all of those histories seemed to dwell on the fate of Officers rather than the O.R's