1st Battalion Royal Sussex at Cassino 1944

Hi all, I am researching the operations conducted by 1st Battalion Royal Sussex at Cassino, from 15th to 18th March February 1944. Following the bombing of the Montecassino Monastery, LtC Glennie's men fought over three nights on Snake's Head Ridge, trying to conquer Point 593. My intent is to get my research as detailed as possible in terms of tactics, maps and of course personal experiences or the human dimension of that battle. I already have copy of the unit's War Diary, but I kindly ask you if you can contribute with docs or indications about how to learn more on the subject. Thank you all in advance for your time.

 

A very specific request. I can only readily identify two threads that refer to Snake's Head or Snakes Head: Freyberg and the Abbey at Monte Cassino and Monte Cassino and 2nd Battalion QOCH

It might be worth looking through the threads tagged Italy.

There is this: 1st Battalion Royal Sussex Monte Cassino Feb 44 If you search using "1st Battalion Royal Sussex" + "ww2talk.com" there are several threads on the unit.

 

I think you mean 15-18 Feb 44. By 15-18 Mar 44, 2 CAMERONS were sitting on Snakeshead Ridge enduring constant German artillery, MG and mortar fire.

Regards

Frank

 

Slightly later than the date you wanted but a first hand account from 56 Recce here:

 

Yes, sorry for the mistake, I am referring to 15-18 Feb 44 indeed.

 

Apparently these are the only two photos on Snake's Head Ridge, the left one showing an indian unit.

 

Thank you all for your answers so far.

 

The chap turning back in the right-hand photo is wearing a 4th Ind Div patch, which makes him 1/4th Essex (5 Bde), 1st Royal Sussex (7 Bde) or 2nd QOCH (11 Bde).

Do we have a date for this image? Is it IWM?

 

Thank you dbf, unfortunately the link does not seem to work. I don't know if the problem is with my PC.

 

Unfortunately I have no date. It is from the web, but I do not know the original source.

 

I assume that you will have seen their website that contains a video about Monte Cassino?
The Regiment | The Royal Sussex Regiment (theroyalsussexregt.org.uk)

 

It's 1/4th Essex.

Their official history contains a photograph taken a few seconds earlier or later than that one. The only difference is that the man I mentioned is facing forward, not back.

Frustratingly, this is one of the images I cannot find an original for.

It's credited to Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate, GHQ, New Delhi.

The caption claims March (with a typo adding 1943 instead of 1944), but I wonder whether it isn't February.

I might take a look.

 

Pinched from Matthew Parker's book--in case you haven't seen it.

 

Good info, thanks all. Just today I've been able to find the title of the diary written by LtC Jack B. Glennie, CO 1st Royal Sussex:

it was published in British Troops Malta Command Study, The Battles of Cassino January to May 1944 (HQ British Troops Malta 1968).

It would be a pearl to be found...

 

Got it, thanks Charley Fortnum. Here you are a couple of polish scketches from the Doctor's House area on Snake's Head Ridge, in return.

 

Yes Tony 56, I know the video, it actually contains another photo taken on Snake's Head Ridge, with indian soldiers. It also contains the photo of Major Ben Dalton OC C Coy, the one that performed the first assault to Pt 593 during the night 15/16 Feb., 8 hours after the bombing of the Monastery. Also of interest is the inteview to Col John Bukeridge, former 2nd Lt and Commander of No. 13 Pl in C Coy. The same vet's experience at Cassino is mentioned in a recent book.

 

I would very much like to see that.

Have to rack my brain as to where to search.

 

I'd really like you to be succesful!