Sicily after 65 years

Discussion in 'WW2 Battlefields Today' started by sicily43, Dec 4, 2008.

  1. sicily43

    sicily43 Senior Member

    Richard do you know this pictures?
    Riposto
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Guy Hudson

    Guy Hudson Looker-upper

    WHITEAWAY Michael Aubrey Lt. 156831 1st Independent Parachute Platoon A.A.C.
    Born : 22nd May 1919 Weybridge, Surrey
    Died : 19th October 1990 Southwark, London Age 51
    Commissioned in the Intelligence Corps 2nd November 1940 (London Gazette 19.11.1940 p. 6628)
    Transfers from Intelligence Corps to Army Air Corps 21st February 1943 (London Gazette 4.5.1943 p. 1998)

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    Lt. Whiteaway 1st Independent Parachute Platoon January 1945

    The 1st Independent Parachute Platoon was part of the 2nd (Independent) Parachute Brigade.
    Formed when 1st Airborne Division was in Italy, some of whom joined the unit from 21st Independent Parachute Company, they initially helped establish parachute training facilities in Italy. Platoon members are believed to have assisted in the training of US Pathfinders prior to Op Dragoon to Southern France in August 1944.
    On 15 August 1944, the 1st Independent Parachute Platoon took part in the operation and emplaned on aircraft to fly in formation with Mitchell Bombers on-route to a target. The Platoon jumped in at 0320, securing the Drop Zone "O" and established their Eureka beacon and navigational aids in advance of the 2nd Parachute Brigade.
    Later the Platoon returned to Italy, and took part in Operation Manna to Greece.
    (Courtesy of Para Data)

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    Last edited: Nov 11, 2017
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  3. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    montylirsicily.jpg
    Marco,

    Not exactly sure.

    Monty did a lot of talking to the men during August 1943.. this is another when speaking to 168 Brigade near to Fiumefreddo (we believe)

    best wishes
     
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  4. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Richard

    You say "Monty did a lot of talking to the men during August 1943."

    You are, of course, spot on..... Monty used to "address the ranks" at the drop of a hat, it was what he was famous for and I had the pleasure of seeing him do it at Bone as we were about to embark for Sicily.

    Give me a minute and I'll see if I can find a link !

    Just found a link: http://ww2talk.com/index.php?attachments/p1360292-jpg.96754/ and see to my chagrin it wasn't Bone but Hammamet, South of Tunis. G-d protect me from this bloody memory !!!

    Ron
     
    Last edited: Nov 11, 2017
  5. sicily43

    sicily43 Senior Member

    thanks Guy Hudson

     
  6. sicily43

    sicily43 Senior Member

    yes Richard, it is up Fiumefreddo, good picture


     
  7. sicily43

    sicily43 Senior Member

    Hi near simeto river close Bincavilla
    Could be this symbol about British regiment?
    And interesting the miles or other indication on fascist road stone
    I think the box it is tea or choccolate box
     
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  8. BarbaraWT

    BarbaraWT Member

    So sad :(
     
  9. BarbaraWT

    BarbaraWT Member

    Sorry to read that Alan.
     
  10. sicily43

    sicily43 Senior Member

    Now we restore
     

    Attached Files:

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  11. tron333

    tron333 Member

    On a side note, the rail house at Gerbinni has been demolished . There have been a lot of prostitues using pill Boxes bunkers etc. for illegal activity. The barrack and station house remain. sicily43 Are you attending the ceremony at the bridge near gela?
     
  12. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    Superb Marco...
     
  13. sicily43

    sicily43 Senior Member

    No only 14 July at Primosole bridge
     
  14. PaulE

    PaulE Senior Member

    Just going through this thread again and as i'm going to Sicily next July i was wondering what ceremonies takle place at Primosole Bridge etc ?
     
  15. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    S43 will come on in due course but I don't think anything is arranged right at the "bridge area" itself - though, Marco and his friends do arrange an event at the Memorial on the main road, ss114, close by the area

    I also know he DLI occasionally arrange visits to their Memorial and we, the London Irish Rifles, visit the bridge regularly and also the Royal Berkshire Memorial up the road towards Fosso Botacetto - we also have a memorials at Piedimonte Etneo.

    thanks.
     
  16. PaulE

    PaulE Senior Member

    Thanks Richard , i work as a researcher at the DLI Archive and sadly the Association hasn't been out there for quite a few years , the visit next year is a bit of a recce for a visit of a larger DLI Group the year after . Sadly since Dickie Atkinson died we have no DLI veterans who fought there but we are keen to continue the remembrance of the men of the 151 Durham Brigade that fought there , i have followed your posts on here and many thanks for all the detailed info and photos you have have posted,

    Regards

    Paul
     
  17. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    Paul,

    Thank you for the update.. we, both the Assn and current D Coy LIRmen, may be over to Sicily in 2021, health conditions willing, and a visit to Primosole bridge and the area north to Fosso Botacetto will certainly be on the agenda,

    best wishes
     
    PaulE likes this.
  18. sicily43

    sicily43 Senior Member

    Hello every year around 14 July we organize a commemoration at Primosole bridge, sure next year we can organize someting togheter.
    Paul in our page in Facebook Gruppo Ponte Primosole you can follow our activity, we maintain also the DLI and the 10th B. monuments around the bridge
    BR
     
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  19. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    Thanks Marco:

    Gruppo ponte Primosole
     
  20. PaulE

    PaulE Senior Member

    Thank you Marco , I very much appreciate you organsing the Ceremony and maintaining the DLI Memorial , i will look forward to seeing you next year .
     

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