5831469 Pte W H GIRLING, 2/5 Queens : Monty signature

2/5 Queens didn’t fight from Egypt to Tunisia they moved by motor transport from Iraq to the Envidaville area (the ‘longest approach march in history’!) and then took part in the last month or so of fighting in Tunisia - under 8th Army and Monty.

They then trained in amphibious operations before taking part in Invasion of Italy in Sep 43 at Salerno. They fight up through Italy as part of 10 Corps under 5th Army and were inserted into Anzio beachhead after already having a tough time from Salerno up to the Garigliano river west of Cassino. Battered again in Anzio, 56 Division was withdrawn from Italy to rest and retrain in Egypt before returning once more to Italy in time to take part in the autumn battles at the Gothic line north of Rome.

Put it all together, and it is undoubtedly a fact that they had a bloody tough war.

Regards

Tom

 

Excellent. That should give you a really good feel for what 56 Inf Div got up to.

F

 

Thanks. My brother was convinced he'd been fighting across N Africa but as you say, that wasn't the case. Thanks for your help. Much appreciated.

 

If you count Tunisia as North Africa - and I do, he fought there.

F

 

Thanks. Yes, I know he fought there - at the end of the long march. My brother was under the impression that he had fought all the way across starting with Al Alamein.