Hi, My late great uncle was killed in action in 1944, in this battle. He was South African, and is buried in Italy. I am looking for historical books on this battle, and the battle for points 806 and 826 between 19 - 22 October 1944. His name was PVT Bennie Shain, and he passed away on 20th October 1944. If you can guide me on what books to read, I will be most grateful. Regards Evan Seligmann
seligs Not too many books known about this area as it was the US 5th Army sector and at that time they were heading for Bologna - so you might be better off getting the war diary of the 6th Sth African Armoured Division for some details of that time Cheers
Evan, I've got a book called " The War, North of Rome June 1944 to May 1945" written by Thomas R Brooks, which has several pages covering the period from early Oct 1944 onwards when the South Africans were fighting for Monte Stanco, Monte Salvaro, Monte Pezza, and Campiaro. The Witwaterstrand Rifles/De La Rey Regiment attacking Stanco from 13 Oct onwards. I'm just having a read now.. best,
Would the recent publication Come Back to Portofino: Through Italy with the 6th South African Armoured Division [Hardcover] by James Bourhill be of any help?
You would imagine that last mentioned book should have full details. The book I mentioned covers that period over 4-5 pages. Private Shain served with the Witwaterstrand Rifles/De La Rey Regiment. Point 806 was "a rugged 2600 foot rise about half way to Monte Salvaro.." The Rifles attacked towards 806 in the morning of 19th Oct 1944, and got onto it by 0740. On Oct 20, the Rifles threw back eleven counterattacks between 0900 and noon. In the afternoon they managed to clear the immediate approaches to Salvaro, and then were bombarded for two hours by German artillery fire. In the 7 days up to and including that day, the battalion had suffered 223 casualties, and as a result, the planned attack on Salvaro on 21st Oct was called off.. Gives a flavour of what was going on...
My dad fought in this battle, and on Friday 13 October he survived being killed twice.I would love to read more about this Battle. His name was Cyril Slabber.
Marilyn, I'm not a specialist on this particular part of the Italian campaign.. hopefully you have your father's service detail as a basis for any "research". Ideally, you would then get hold of the war diaries of your Dad's unit. Although he wouldn't be mentioned therein, you'll get a sense of the details of the battlefield events that took place in the sector 13th October 1944 (and the days before/after) and the overall geography of the area (perhaps including map refs). That being said, I've had a quick look at the National Archives' database of war diary files but can't immediately spot one that might be relevant for 6 South African Armoured Div or its constituent units Browse records of other archives | The National Archives There will also be campaign narratives that would cover this period (including some books as mentioned above) and no doubt there are some personal accounts lying about or on line.. hopefully someone more knowledgeable than me can point to/link a few of these best wishes
Thank you for your reply. I will need to start by getting his army records here from the South African army authorities, and would like to try get the books mentioned. I would very much like to travel to Monte Stanco one day where this battle took place. Duting the battle my dad was only one of a handful of soldiers left standing- the others were either killed or wounded. He was right up front carrrying the radio. Shortly afterwards my dad was sent on his own to get help from an army force stationed nearby. He was standing with two of the army officials on a rise looking down over the battle field, he was standing between them, when they heard the whistle of a missile approaching.They crouched down - and when my dad got up he saw that both men on either side of him had been killed. He had escaped death twice on that Friday 13 Oct 1944.
The recently published history of the South African's Armoured Forces has quite a bit on the Battle of Monte Stanco. Volume 2 is pretty much a history of the 6th South African Armoured Division. Here are the books: Steenkamp, Willem. The Black Beret: The History of South Africa’s Armoured Forces: Volume 1: Beginnings to the Invasion of Madagascar 1942. Solihull, England: Helion & Company Limited, 2016. Steenkamp, Willem. The Black Beret: The History of South Africa’s Armoured Forces: Volume 2: The Italian Campaign 1943-45 and Post-War South Africa 1946-61. Solihull, England: Helion & Company Limited, 2017. It is available here for a VERY reasonable price. I have a copy of the set and it is excellent. THE BLACK BERET VOLUME I & 2 The History of South Africa’s Armoured Forces - Naval & Military Press
Thank You for this information! I know Willen Steenkamp, a brilliant South African military historian- I have heard him lecture on a few military topics in the past. I will order these books. I value your information and assistance! Thank You!