First of all, thank you for everyone's input so far. Frances really appreciates the information posted above. Some more information to date: First of all she has applied for her late father's service records. It should show the number of his Platoon. There appears to be a discrepancy as to the date of his death. The paperwork her mother was sent when he was killed stated that he was killed on the 29th February by a mortar. The CWGC has this dated as the 28th. Frances visited his grave at Anzio Beach Head War Cemetery and says the date on the headstone is the 29th. She employed a researcher in 2008 who copied the WO 170/1375 War Diary for February 1944. He looked again at the war diaries and found no entry for 29th February. In fact the next diary entry was for March, starting at 3-4 March so presumably no significant action in the interim. This appears to contradict the information Frances received, since she has information from a good authority that the Germans launched a particularly ferocious assault on 29th February on the Allied positions at Anzio. No mention at all of any casualties in D Coy. Any comments would be welcome on the above queries. Now I have the war diaries I can try to pinpoint where her father was as there are some map references. Copies of War diaries to follow. Lesley
6th Battalion, The Cheshire Regiment. War Diary February 1944. WO 170/1375 (particularly interested in D Company) Now all I need is for some kind soul to photograph the Appendices and put them on here. Cheeky I know, but worth asking :wink: Edit: Just to add that Frances doesn't have internet connection-she uses the local library so the more info put on this thread the better . I have pointed her to the forum, so maybe she will register and join in the discussion.
Report as requested - your lady may know that the reference to No1, 2, 3 and 4 (not mentioned), refers to the roles of the gunners - No.1 fires the MMG, No.2 feeds the belt, No.3 brings up ammunition belts, water and oil, No 4 fills the ammunition belts with bullets. Lt WJ Rees – 15 Platoon D Coy, 6th Cheshires in Action at San Lorenzo, Garigliano On the morning of the 21st of January, 1944, at about 3.30am, my Platoon was ordered to move forward to Lorenzo as an infantry platoon to assist a company of the London Irish Rifles who were holding the village in small numbers. The Brigade Commander was under the impression that in addition to our medium machine guns, we were also armed with light machine guns. When I informed him that we hadn't any, it was decided that as it was absolutely necessary for us to go forward, I was to use two medium machine guns as best I could. I had been in position in front of Brigade Headquarters acting as local protection for about eight hours. At about 4.0am, we moved forward taking two guns and their equipment and 2,000 rounds of ammunition, and twenty-four hours rations. The track junction north of Brigade Headquarters was being shelled and mortared and we had to do a slight detour to get back on to the track. Brigade Headquarters were sending a jeep up to assist in carrying the kit. After we had marched for about fifteen minutes, the jeep caught us up. The essentials, No. 1 and 2 and I jumped in, but unfortunately the driver in the dark ran into a big crater and couldn't get the jeep out. The kit then had to be manhandled again. At approximately 5.0am, I arrived with my Platoon and met the Company Commander of the London Irish Rifles. All he had was two rifle sections and one 6-pounder anti-tank gun. Incidentally I believe he was the only officer left in the Company. I was given my tasks, but as it was dark, had to rely a lot on this officer who knew the ground. My two sections were put in position, each with one medium machine gun. The left section, 1, was to cover the road to Castelforte running below the Damiano feature and the wood immediately in front. The right section 2, was to cover the main Lorenzo - Castelforte road and as far right of the road as we could get. The distance between my two sections was about 80 yards - the left hand, 1 Section, near the anti-tank gun, and 2 Section in a large but strong house. At about 6.0am the enemy started shelling the road junction and the area in which my sections lay. The stonk lasted for about half an hour and then both sections spotted the enemy in their areas and fire was brought to bear, both sections engaging different targets. Casualties were inflicted and the enemy group fired on by the right hand section lost about half their number, the range being about 400 yards. Other little groups of three or four men, carrying Spandaus and belts were engaged and again casualties were inflicted. While with 2 Section, I spotted a party of the enemy about 30 strong, crossing the road in the direction of Sujo, about 600 yards away. There was a big gap of about two miles between the left hand company of 169 Brigade and us, the right company of 168, and the enemy was able to walk through this ad lib. However, before I could get the gun into another position to fire on this party, they had got behind cover and disappeared. I informed the infantry section on my right and tried to find Infantry Company Headquarters, but was not successful as they had moved and no one knew where. We were being shelled and mortared continuously and every time the guns fired, we got a double dose. The anti-tank gun and a Sherman tank put out an enemy tank on the road running at the foot of Damiano at about 6.30am, not more than 150 yards from 1 Section. There was another gap now to my left, as during the night the infantry had been forced to withdraw and the enemy could approach from our left without detection. I put out a couple of men to give warning of anything approaching from this direction. At about 8.0am the Section Commander and Nos. 1,2 and 3 were wounded by fragments from a mortar bomb which burst in between two slit trenches. They all suffered facial and neck wounds, the Section Commander getting an additional wound in the right hand. The men were replaced with what could be spared from 2 Section. By about 9.0am, the enemy had got quite close to our right rear and the infantry were retiring, followed by the crew of an anti-tank gun. I went to try and find out what was happening and was informed by the anti-tank gun sergeant that he wasn't going to fight tanks and infantry as it wasn't possible, so he withdrew because the infantry had. I was collecting together what could be found of the infantry section to go back, as tanks had been seen in that direction, when my Company Commander, Captain H.J.W. Marks, came up. I explained what had happened and was told to put my other machine gun and 2 Section in the vicinity of 1 Section. I went to 1 and had to act as Commander and No. 1, as to indicate small targets was impossible. Firing in bursts of four or five rounds about twelve members of German Spandau crews were either killed or wounded. 2 Section were now spotted and being sniped at. I fired at various places trying to locate the machine gun and soon their fire ceased. A shout from the left accompanied by a terrific bang, brought it home to us that we were being fired on by a tank, just near the one that was out of action. The anti-tank gun opened up but unfortunately about six mortar bombs dropped yard or two away from the gun and killed all bi one of the crew. Meanwhile, the tank was firing away and about seventeen shots were directed at us, all landing within a radius of 5 yard; Miraculously the gun was not hit but the two remaining belts, the condenser can and tube were damaged by splinters. A Sherman tank, about 5 yards down the main track, came up and fired an the German withdrew. The tank firing had enabled two Spandau crews to get into action and we were now being fired on from their guns, two in front and one t our left rear, half way up the hill. About eight bursts were fired by one gun at us, but either his aim was bad or the siting of the weapon bad, for the shots went each side of us. We returned the fire from the rounds that weren't damaged, I had transferred all good rounds to one belt, and the quietened down. We were being ably assisted by the Bren Gunner from the infantry section. The enemy was quiet for spasmodic moments, otherwise it was almost a continual shelling and mortaring from 6.0am till about 5.45pm We were ordered to withdraw after it had turned dark, and were moved back with the infantry to the centre of the village. My Platoon suffered 5 casualties, none fatal and in return had either killed or wounded with! the region of 40 Germans.
Lesley, have done a bit of work on the 6th Cheshires in the period immediately prior to the end of February 1944 based on the diaries you posted and some other sources. I will email you, but am posting some here in case others – who know far more than I do about the Anzio situation – can comment or correct any errors I have made. This site has a lot of information on the Anzio battles and some relevant maps. http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/anziobeach/anzio-fm.htm The chapter “VI Corps holds the beachhead” on page 91 states that the 56th were given responsibility for the left side as shown on their map, below. The map also shows the individual regiments. The Cheshires were, of course, one of the 56th’s divisional troops and not directly part of one of the infantry brigades. Unfortunately most battle references are at brigade level, in this case the 167th, 168th or 169th, or their constituent regiments. The positions in these maps are consistent with the map references contained in the 6 Cheshire diaries that you posted; I have plotted these below, apologies for poor quality but had to do it with a screen print, think it is just about readable though. Andy’s book mentions squares 8530 and 8130, this map shows their positions. It also highlights that the area where the 56th were in action is a maze of streams, gullies and ditches; they show up as dark green, lush vegetation. Wadi Cafferalla gets a diary mention on 22nd. Is it a coincidence that there is a road named Via della Cafferalla in the vicinity? Note the stream/gully (wadi?) just to the south of it. Other sources of information (there are plenty more) are below; the London Irish were of course 56th division. http://graffagnino.com/doctorslounge/anzio1944.htm http://www.londonirishrifles.com/second-world-war/second-world-war-70th-anniversary-events/anzio-februarymarch-1944 One action the 56th were involved in is known as ‘the battle of the caves’ involving the 2/7 Queens, part of 169 brigade. They lost a lot of men. This is a quote from the Anzio Beachead article: “The 56 Division reported on 25 February that its 167 Brigade was at only 35% of effective strength, the 168 Brigade at 50%, and the 169 Brigade, which had seen no action at the beachhead before 20 February, was down to 45%, not counting the 2/7 Queens, which had been reduced to 15% during the battle of the caves. Although the enemy's tactics of nibbling away at the left shoulder failed to carry him as far south as the vital lateral road, the drain on the strength of the British divisions was becoming more serious daily” The 6th Cheshires would have been heavily involved in these actions. According to the CWGC there are 12 men of the 6th Cheshires buried at one of the two Anzio cemeteries, three of whom, are shown as having died on 28 February 1944: Joseph Higginson, Arthur Wright and Frank Baines. Hope this helps your quest, will try to improve the maps!
I have been to see the caves. They are quite something and I can see why they were such a prickly thorn for the Germans trying to push down the Anzio-Albano road. FdeP
First of all, I would like to thank everyone who has posted information to my query on behalf of Frances. There are a couple of members who I would like to publicly mention who have been particularly helpful behind the scenes. First of all, many thanks to Rob (Ramacal) for going out of his way to photograph the Appendices to the war diaries for me at no cost and sending them via e-mail to be downloaded. Secondly, I would like to thank Tony (Tony56) for his hard work in mapping out the route from the map references supplied in the Diaries and Appendices, which Frank Baines took with his Company for the two weeks before he was killed, and also copying the Appendices onto disc for Frances. I have been in touch with Frances and she has asked me to thank all the members who have supplied information; in fact she is overwhelmed by everyone's kindness. Frances will be able to visit Italy again and walk the path her father took before he was unfortunately killed. Well done, especially to Rob and Tony-another example of members taking the time behind the scenes to help others. Thanks chaps Lesley
Just an update on this story. I am very pleased to report that Frances has just returned from an emotional trip to Italy to honour her father's memory, guided by Frank de Planta. With the help of the war diaries and maps so kindly copied and compiled by Tony and Rob, Frank was able to take her to the places her father had been before he was unfortunately killed. Hopefully during the next few days, we shall be seeing the details and photos of her trip, either by myself or Frank. Lesley
Lesley. Roger Sparkes took lads of photos so hopefully we can attach something of interest. Regards Frank
Frances has now forwarded some photos of her visit to the Anzio Battlefield on 20-22 May 2015. I will attempt to attach some fairly decent images (unfortunately I have had to photograph these from the prints so apologies for quality of some of them) Once more I would like to thank Tony (Tony56) and Rob (Ramacal) for all their help in supplying the information so Frances could make the trip. Also to Frank (Minden) for taking the time out of the busy schedule so she could visit where her father had been before he was unfortunately killed. Perhaps Frank would like to give his account and more photos of the visit Below are some of the photos and notes sent to me by Frances: Liri Valley, in the direction of the advance by Canadian Corps towards Pontecorvo/Hitler Line in May 1944. The field is the foreground is the scene of the disaster which overcame the tanks of the North Irish Horse which were acting in support of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. Running across the photo in the mid-ground is a hedge of low shrubbery; this marks the beginning of the German anti-tank trap that brought the armour to a complete halt and exposed it and accompanying infantry to a lethal hail of fire from enemy gun emplacements on the right flank. Shows the slope-now covered with vines-leading down to the railway embankment where 2 Sherwood Foresters and other British units suffered devastating casualties. View within the Campoleone Salient, where British infantry positions came under intense pressure from the Germans on 3-5 February 1944. Farmhouse near to the Anzio-Albano road where 'D' Coy of the 6 Cheshires spent the night of the 13 February 1944 Anzio War Cemetery Centre of Aprilia. Close-up of statue in front of the church building and shows the still-visible splinter damage caused, possibly, by artillery bombardment. more.....
HQ building of, it is believed, 1 Coy 5 Grenadier Guards, Buonriposo Ridge Site of the gully where Captain Philip Sidney of 5 Grenadier Guards won a VC for his action on 7-8 February 1944, in leading a counter-attack against German infantry. Pantano Ditch, along which 1 and 3 US Rangers waded in an attempt to launch an assault on Cisterna undetected, on 30 January 1944 Stone gate near the Pantano Ditch. To this day they bear evidence of splinter damage from the fighting as the Rangers strove to extricate themselves. Position held by 15 Pl. 'D' Coy 6 Cheshires, late February 1944, prior to movement towards the Blenk line. Its role was to give machine-gun support to infantry fighting to prevent German domination of the Anzio-Albano road, nearby. Trees and other vegetation were removed to allow clear fields of fire for the Cheshires' Vickers Medium machine guns. more...
Position held by 13 Pl. 'D' Coy 6 Cheshires, near to that held by 15 Pl., late February 1944. The misson of 13 Pl. was, presumably, the same as that of 15 Pl. Memorial in the grounds of the Military Museum, Anzio (apologies for poor quality) View of the Anzio-Albano road from the 'Flyover' or 'First Overpass' Memorial to Allied personnel killed in the fighting around the 'Flyover' Scenes of the 'wadi' terrain in which British troops held defensive positions. These were taken near to the 'caves' and represent a distance of c. 75-100 yards from German positions. Views from Cori of the terrain over which Operation Buffalo was launched in May 1044. Aprilia and the 'Flyover' lie on the horizon, virtually invisible from this distance. The direction of North is towards the right-hand edge of the photographs. Over to you Frank :wink: Lesley
Lesley. No pictures to add. I relied on Roger to take the ones that he wanted. All in all, it was a terrific trip. We looked in detail at the five distinct periods of the Anzio beachhead - the landings, the push out, the German counter-attack, the stalemate and the breakout. The ground is largely the same as it was in 1944 so it is quite easy to explain what happened and, as always when someone has a very personal involvement, it is always more poignant. One cannot really understand the reasons for some of the decisions taken at Cassino without appreciating its enormous relevance to what was going on at Anzio at the same time. Regards Frank
