Battle of Florence

I live in Sesto Fiorentino, a little town North of Florence. I am studying the events of the liberation of the city. The witnesses and two documents written by the partisans say that on september 1 1944 tanks entered in the city, with the help of the partisans, but returned back for a German attack . The Partisans controlled alone the city until Allies return (on 2 according a document, on 4 according the other). I think the tanks were of the 6th british armoured division. I found a note in the reports of the 100th battalion USA reporting they cross the Arno in Signa and Piagge and send a patrol toward Sesto where they found a British patrol. Any help?

 

Ciao Enrico e benvenuto,

Here's the information you want. 6th South African Armoured Division, not 6th British Armoured Division, is the unit you are looking for:

Little known WW2 fact – the South Africans liberated Florence!

If I am not mistaken there is a plaque to this event in Piazza Santo Spirito.

Best wishes,

Vitellino

 

Welcome to the forum

Photos and War Diary links on this old thread, IWM site may have added many more since then
Scars of Florence, 1945

Tagged threads, etc 6th south african armoured division | WW2Talk

 

This isn’t a direct answer to your question, but found this document in my looking for you, show’s an American unit stationed near that location

Source: Fold3.com from
Publication title
EU, Roberts Commission - Protection of Historical Monuments, 1943-1946

 

One of many IWM films available online.
This one was new to me.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060036268


British Pathe

 

Hi Janet,

Who wrote that link? I've not looked.. Emmmmm

At a quick glance, I can see no mention of the THE FIRST BRITISH INFANTRY DIVISION.

FLORENCE -MONTE GRANDE.
August 44- January 1945.. Oops, Oops and a sad oops on this person.

This Division relieved the 4 British Infantry Division around second week of August off the top of my head.

Just a slight correction.
Edit. The first amoung equals was in Florence for three/four weeks.

Regards,
Stu.

Hope you & Enzo are well?

 

Stu,

Both Enzo and I are well, thanks for enquiring. I have a personal interest in this topic as thirty-five years ago I lived in Florence for a while, near to Porta Romana, through which 6 African Armoured Division entered the city. (Photo in the link)

The author of the article was Peter Dickens. His sources were Wikipedia, the Imperial War Museum and film footage (see above) . Here is why he should be judged as qualified to write on the subject:

Peter Albert Dickens B. Soc Sc (Rhodes) PG. Dip (UNISA)

Peter Dickens works closely in South African military veterans affairs, in the United Kingdom he is the President of the South African Legion of Military Veterans – United Kingdom and Europe Branch and he is also the founding Chairman of the Royal British Legion – South African Branch. In South Africa he is the Old Bill of the Memorable Order of Tin Hats – Seagull Shellhole.

Peter has a Bachelor of Social Science from Rhodes University and a Post Graduate Diploma from the University of South Africa. He is currently registering and submitting a proposal for a Masters in Military Science (MMil) in Military History at Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Military Science. He is also currently on a lecturing circuit on early anti-Apartheid militarised resistance movements with focus on Sailor Malan and the Torch Commando.

In terms of military experience, Peter served in the South African Army in both the SADF and the SANDF as an Operations Officer, a Convoy Commander and finally as a SSO3 in 15RCD – Gauteng Command, he holds the rank of Captain.


A South African who was actually there replied to his article:

10 thoughts on “Little known WW2 fact – the South Africans liberated Florence!”

1. Hugh
   January 6, 2018 at 2:55 pm
   Yes I actually know this as I myself was a member of UMR and 1SSB.

For those who haven't opened the link here is an excerpt from Dickens' quoted sources:

On 20 July General Kirkman XIII Corps commander, issued orders for a “…powerful thrust to seize all crossings across the River Arno to the west of Florence.” This effort was to be concentrated on the 6th South African Armoured Division front. The advance was to be led by the South African Division with the 4th Infantry Division to its right, supported on the flanks by the 6th British Armoured Division and the 8th Indian Infantry Division.

The Allies advanced through Greve and were stopped by the German 4th Parachute Division on the River Greve on 24 July. The Allies had, however, outflanked the German Parachute Division, who then withdrew during the night of 24/25 July, allowing the South African, New Zealand and Indian Divisions to advance to the Paula Line which was reached on 28 July.

General Kirkman again placed the South African and New Zealand Divisions as the spearhead of his Corps advance, this time to break the Paula Line and to take Florence. By the 3rd of August columns of South African, New Zealand and 4th Infantry Divisions were advancing towards Florence. By 4 August, advance parties of South Africans and New Zealanders were exploring the outskirts of Florence to find that all bridges across the Arno River viable for military transport had been destroyed by the retreating Germans.

A South African armoured patrol, made up of the South African Imperial Light Horse and the Kimberley Regiment raced into central Florence and found the smaller (and iconic) Ponte Vecchio bridge intact, they crossed it under heavy shelling, entering into the centre of the city at 4 am on the 4th August 1944, to be crowned as the first Allied troops to enter Florence.

Regards,

Vitellino