Morning all, Thanks to your help here I've managed to find out from my father in law service history that he was in the 21 beach group which landed in Salerno in September 1943. Was wondering if anyone has any info on this group. He was in the 2/4 Hamphire Regt. Have managed to gleam some information from a book of the history of the Hampshire Regt. Any other information would be greatly appreciated. Trying to trace his war service from his embarkation in North Africa ( 1st Army) to his demob in Greece. Thank you very much. Regards Kevin Williamson.
If you haven't already got copies, the War Diaries held at Kew would probably give more detail for the battalion than the Regimental History. Some of these files might not apply to his service history but linking all available years (that I could find) for the record: 21 Beach Group 2/4 Hampshire Regiment | The National Archives Reference: WO 169/10228 Description: 21 Beach Group 2/4 Hampshire Regiment Date: 1943 June, July, Sept.- Nov. INFANTRY: 2/4 Hampshire Regiment. | The National Archives Reference: WO 166/4326 [Home Forces] Description: INFANTRY: 2/4 Hampshire Regiment. Date: 1939 Nov.- 1941 Dec. 2/4 Hampshire Regiment | The National Archives Reference: WO 166/8715 [Home Forces] Description: 2/4 Hampshire Regiment Date: 1942 Jan.- Oct. 2/4 Hampshire Regiment | The National Archives Reference: WO 175/501 [North Africa] Description: 2/4 Hampshire Regiment Date: 1943 Jan.- May 20 Beach Group 2/4 Hampshire Regiment | The National Archives Reference: WO 169/10227 Description: 20 Beach Group 2/4 Hampshire Regiment Date: 1943 June, July 2/4 Hampshire Regiment | The National Archives Reference: WO 169/10226 [Middle East] Description: 2/4 Hampshire Regiment Date: 1943 Aug.- Dec. 2/4 Hampshire Regiment | The National Archives Reference: WO 170/1399 [CMF ; Italy] Description: 2/4 Hampshire Regiment Date: 1944 Jan.- Dec. 2/4 Hampshire Regiment | The National Archives Reference: WO 170/5014 [CMF ; Italy] Description: 2/4 Hampshire Regiment Date: 1945 Jan.- Dec. 2/4 Hampshire Regiment | The National Archives Reference: WO 170/8000 [CMF ; Italy] Description: 2/4 Hampshire Regiment Date: 1946 Jan.- June
dbf, Thank you for that information and the work you have done to get the links to the war diaries. Hopefully I will be able to follow his way through Italy. Greatly appreciated. Regards Kevin.
Hi Kevin I have their diaries for December 44 and January 45 if you want a copy. 2/4/ Hamps were part of 28 Brigade (4 Division) 4 Division movements 1945 and 1946. Extracted from Official History of RAMC in WW2. After the truce in Jan 45, 10th Bde moved to Khalkis, 12 Bde remained in Levadhia and 4 Div HQ went to Thebes. Later (no date) 12th Bde was relieved in Levadhia by 28th Bde, who then went to Khalkis to relieve 10th Bde. By end of Feb 4 Div were in Provinces of Phthiotis, Boeotia and Northern Attica, with HQ at Thebes and based in Piraeus. From 1 to 3 Mar 45, 4 Div, less 28 Bde, moved North. Based in Lamia, Volos, Thebes and Levadhia. By 31st March 4 Div were in Eastern Mainland Greece, based at Volos and Athens. In Feb 46, 13th Infantry Division (179th, 180th and 181st Brigades) was formed out of 3 Inf Regs, 3 Arty Regts and 1 LAA Regt from 4th Indian Inf Div and 3 Inf Btns from 4 Div. By spring of 1946, 4 Div were in Kavalla, Salonika and Veroia. Hope this helps Gus
Kevin. I have a lot of information on 2/4 Hampshire at the Fourth Battle of Cassino where they were responsible for running the 28 Infantry Brigade river crossing operation and then their initial breakout towards Mass Vertechi. They were tasked with getting 2 Som LI and 2 KINGS across. Regards Frank
Gus, Thank you very much for all the information you have posted and all the work and effort you have put in too. It is greatly appreciated. The diaries for them daye would be great if you could send me a copy. I am willing to pay foe them if that is necessary. Once again thank you and kind regards. Kevin
Hi Kevin, It's also worth noting that due to the casualties suffered at Salerno by 56 Infantry Division the 2/4 Hamps were withdrawn from the Beach Group on 11 Sep 43 and placed in the front line under 167 Infantry Brigade just south of Battipaglia. Regards Tom
Thank you very much for you info Tom. I had read somewhere about them being moved to different operations after the landings but didn't know the reason why! I will now look to see what 167 infantry brigade were up to at that time. Thanks again Tom. Regards Kevin.
Some info on 2/4 Hampshires on this thread. 174363 Richard WAKEFIELD, VC, 2/4 HAMPS: Original Recommendation
Thank you Owen, I will read that later after work. I'm still trying to find out what company my father in law was in. Any ideas? Regards Kevin.