Trying to find anyone who might know where the 2/5th Leicestershire Regiment were in Italy late September 1944. I'm looking into Lt Thomas Theo Hopkins, 295725, a former school teacher from Ibstock who died 23rd September. I know he is buried at Coriano Ridge War Cemetery if that helps pinpoint them and I know the 2/5th were a Territorial Battalion along with the 1/5th as they were in WW1.
War diary entries (Lt. Hopkins being lost is mentioned on the second page, just before the 23rd, if you make it out): The objective of A and C Companies was the village of Camerano, but they were stopped short by I./ Pz. Gren. Regt 200 of 90. Pz. Gren. Division. The original map is here - Cesena | Digital Archive @ McMaster University Library. Google Maps - Google Maps, Camerano is bottom left.
Thank you Frank, the one erected at the time will probably go in the book however the Historical Society archives would certainly appreciate a copy.
Email me through my website www.cassinobattlefields.co.uk and I will send it from my phone when I am there in April. Regards Frank
More info from 139 Infantry Brigade, with a bit more detail. The initial defenders were from I./ Grenadier Regiment 817 from 356. Infanterie-Division. According to this account, I./ Pz. Gren. Regt. 200 launched a tank supported counterattack.
My Grandad was wounded and subsequently captured in this assault. I went there in 2022, the photo is from the German positions looking back down to the river which is beyond the area of flat ground. Meaning they had to cross the river under fire, then cross approx 1/2 mile of flat ground before they got to the ridgeline. My grandad was sent forward with a PIAT to help repel the German counter attack, he hit one vehicle before being hit himself. He made his way back down to the river, bleeding heavily, but was cut off and eventually captured.
