Italian Campaign - 75th Anniversary

Discussion in 'Italy' started by bexley84, May 16, 2019.

  1. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    In early June 1944, my father and his comrades could probably foresee that a few more D-Days lay ahead for them in Italy.

    Brigadier Pat Scott:
    "We lay in uninterrupted peace until the evening of the 4th when we were warned to send a battalion to the 9th Armoured Brigade on a special job, towards Tivoli, a town some twelve months east of Rome. The Faughs were nominated and the battalion moved to a concentration area west of Frosinone. In the meanwhile, the French had captured Tivoli and so this party died a natural death.

    Rome fell.
    The Germans were going north at full speed..."

    Lt Col John Horsfall, CO of 2 LIR:
    "The following day, the 5th, was designated the official fall of Rome. The 78th Division naturally assumed that it could not have happened without them and General Charles Keightley laid on a banquet at Frosinone in honour of the achievement – though not expressly claiming what I have just mentioned. All the COs and other chiefs in the division were invited to this feast which went on in to the late evening.

    Writing home at the time I said:
    ‘...have never had such a dinner since pre-war. Six courses with things like vol au vent, chicken, strawberry flans and hors d’oeuvres (not in that order) – all from rations and local produce....we are feeding exceptionally well, new potatoes and beans fresh plucked, cherries etc – the fruits of victory in fact. The Bosche never got the chance to strip these parts.

    The locals have gone out of their way to be kind and show every evidence of pleasure at our being here...our Doc has done a lot for them.

    The drums and pipes are playing Retreat tonight and Harry Graydon (The Reverend HC Graydon MC Cof E padre of the Irish Brigade) is following it up with a service.

    ‘We aren’t in the least sorry that our theatre has hit the headlines for the last time."

    CQMS Edmund O'Sullivan, 2 LIR:
    "We continued advancing. We were cut off from advancing into Rome by the Americans finally coming out of Anzio and being the first troops into Rome… We were forced to rest at Ripi. On our last day there, a jeep ran over a booby-trapped mine killing all four of its occupants."
     
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  2. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    Looking down on Albaneta Farm from point 593. Richard-did you happen to take a picture of the (new) brewery that is to the right of the farm? It was not there last year.Also, a couple photos that are not often seen.

    rsz_20190513_104545.jpg
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    rsz_20190512_170255 (1).jpg
    rsz_20190512_160350.jpg

    Stu.
     
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2019
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  3. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    Not knowingly.. I only went up there briefly and a lot of Polish scouts were in the area so missed it.

    Great photos - thanks.
     
  4. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    I'm trying to get in contact with one of the ladies that was in our group, but I'm (struggling with her email address!) I'm almost sure that Helen took a photo of it? Will come back if i can get one.

    I do like the memorial of Clinton W. Thomas 142 Inf Regt, 36 Division, (Texas). You have probably got the following book, others may not? I would strongly advise anyone in obtaining a copy. THE TEXAS ARMY A History of the 36th Division in the Italian Campaign.
    Its by Robert L. Wagner. A brilliant book that i keep going back to.o_O

    Stu.
     
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  5. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Richard.

    Fab. Will check it out in Jul when I am there.

    Regards

    Frank
     
  6. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Stu.

    Do you want address for Helen Conrad?

    F
     
  7. hutt

    hutt Member

    Stu
    Its not a great shot but P1140181red.jpg let me know if you want the full res version
    Graham
     
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  8. zola1

    zola1 Member

    Great shots ..Graham is that the new brewery?

    These vehicles were up by the Albaneta Farm, Frank commented they are all over Italy some in barns and some restored and being used amazing.

    Derrick
     

    Attached Files:

  9. zola1

    zola1 Member

    Hi Stuart,

    I’ve just had a quick look up for the book but could only find ones from the US $$ !.

    Found this interesting article online, Did you stop off there ? We were a way back behind you in the car so missed some of the stop offs.

    Texans, Italians Honor 36th ID on anniversary of liberation


    Have you got this one ?

    Bloody River


    Regards

    Derrick
     
    Last edited: Jun 8, 2019
  10. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    Yes please.

    It may be the reason why I'm struggling to get in contact with her. I've even tried via Sally.

    Derrick, that is the brewery has I've mentioned. Its was just case of someone coming along with a photo of it, which Graham has kindly done. I will post a image of the book, & the contents page. I came across it by chance a while back. The chapter that i like the most is: VI. VELLETRI: WALKER'S CHOICE.. 154-182. I cant remember how much i paid for it, but a reasonable price springs to mind.

    Regards
    Stu.
     
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  11. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    Derrick,

    I tend to stay away from books by Martin Blumenson - (of which i do have one!) I will not be buying any others. These are the images that i was talking about in my post 44. I got my copy from a UK bookshop. We did not do a stand in San Pietro. See the contents page below. By the way, I'm sure the 36 (Texas) Division have a memorial in the town. Its in the shape of a obelisk.. I could be wrong?

    Regards
    Stu.
    rsz_20190608_084746.jpg
    rsz_20190608_085229.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Jun 8, 2019
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  12. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    Will be in touch about that book, Stu!
     
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  13. zola1

    zola1 Member

    Hi Stu,

    I had a brief conversation with Frank about Martin B and it appears he is heavily biased in the manner of all things are good with reference to the US Army's contribution the Italian Campaign ..i get it...I don't have any of his books, but will take on board your experience of them.. i'm definitely be keeping an eye out for The Texas Army book , albeit a costly option at the moment. But there are many online book shops out there, i'm sure to find one.

    the contents look really interesting, thanks for the heads up ..

    Look forward to hearing from you ref the book.

    Regards

    Derrick
     
  14. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    Richard-sorry for crashing your thread.

    You may have come across the memorial below? I'm sure Frank will confirm has to it being in San Pietro. Not the best photo of the memorial that should be.
     
  15. zola1

    zola1 Member

    Richard- me too.

    Stu where was picture of the memorial ?
     
  16. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    Its here.It does help if one does upload a file! :oops: Its wise not to ( press the wrong key!) Not the best photo, but you can see the top of the T- Patchers. M. Trocchio looks well in the back ground.

    Stu.
    rsz_img_0188 (1).jpg
     
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  17. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    San Angelo in Theodice?
     

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  18. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    What do you mean by San Angelo in Theodice?
     
  19. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    Where the Memorial to the 36th Div is... I took my photo a few years ago - perhaps in 2011 or 12.
     
  20. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    Richard,

    I did not see your image in my post 58. I think you may have edited it & added the pic? No problem. I need to do some more reading.

    Regards,
    Stu.
     

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