Virtual Tour Of North Africa

Great addition to your site Kieron - looking forward to the next part of the journey, through Sicily and up the Boot.

The first photograph in the Tunis section appears to be taken at the entrance to the Medjerda Valley looking toward "Longstop Hill" - I so, may I have permission to reproduce it? Longstop was the key to opening up the Valley, and was captured by 78th Division supported by the North Irish Horse - the Germans deemed it impossible that a tank could reach the summit!

Warmest regards, Gerry
Hi Gerry.
"Longstop Hill" was taken by "B"Company ,8th Battalion Argyle&Sutherland Highlanders. Lead by thier commanding officer (acting) LtCol Jack Anderson. LtCol Anderson was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on the day. Before the attack the hill was heavily shelled by the Royal Artillery, one of the gunners being Writer,Actor and comedian Spike Milligan .

 

Adelphi08
You might be preaching to the converted inasmuch as it was Gerry's NIH "B" sqadron which accompanied the A & SH up Longstop Hill.....when they lost Lt.Col McNab and Major Anderson took over the battalion to the top.

LT Col McNab had been CoS to Lt. Gen Anderson but relinguised that task to return to the Regiment.

I thought Spike was in 8th Army - not 1st army ???
Cheers

 

I 've been tracing the career of my father-in- law during his stay with the 51st Royal Tank Regiment. I've managed to get War Diaries and a small library, but what I find difficult to find is military maps of the areas and correct time period.


Hi Our Bill,

25th Tank Brigade's narratives are an excellent source complete with maps. Thus far I have transcribed one of three from material accumulated from the various sources.
25th Tank Brigade

When I return from London I plan to start on the Brigade's narrative covering the campaign in Tunisia.

Cheers, Gerry

 

Hello Tom. I am going by what i have read and what i was told by my late dad who was at Longstop in B company A&SH.
Spike mentions Longstop in his book "Monty my part in his Victory" (if i got the title right?)

 

Adelph08
Your Father did well to survive after all the battles that 78th Di went through - try this link for another view of the Longstop battle
78th Divison

Spike was indeed in 1st army with 56 Heavy Artillery - probably with an AGRA - as the heavies were invariably with Army Troops

 

Thanks Tom.
Ironically the thing that probably saved him was being captured at Termoli, Italy.
He almost came through the war with no physical injuries until the prison camp he was in was liberated by the Russians. The Red Army had enough on thier plate without having to deal with a load of POW's, so they were told to head west to Allied lines. I don't know how long they walked but they eventually met U.S forces who loaded them on to trucks to be taken back behind the lines. Unfortunatley the truck my dad was in was involved in a head on collision with another and he ended up with a fractured skull and other injuries.
Oh and another thing that may have helped was his turning down promotion to Sargent , which saw him demoted from Lance Corpral to private.

 

Adelphi -
Termoli was bad enough as I understand it - but you are right - it got worse from then on !
Friend of mine a Feldwebel in the German Infantry walked 6oo kilometers to get home from Russia.
Thou shalt not refuse a promotion - it gets the C.O. a bit liverish !
Cheers

 

Hi Guys

Have had a few pictures come in since I last
updated my website so I have got to get round
to updating it with the new material but before
that I am in the process of researching the
material before it goes live. I had a little count
up and I must now have nearly 100 photos
of Tobruk, which gives a real insight into how
it must have been for the people who served
there.

Back to the translation thread here are a couple
of photos around Tobruk of signs I tried translating
them on google but they did not make sense,
anyone got a grasp of German fancy ago at
the translation?

 

first one of that the street is free.

I presume a 'clear' road ahead

second one is 'sommerweg not drivable'. Sommerweg is a place,
I think, in Germany, so maybe a Jerry joke - or else it means
something like 'verge', so verge not drivable


kind regards

 

First one clearway, park on adjacent street

second one seasonal road not practicable (for driving)

Cheers

Paul