Monte Grande Bologna 1st Infantry Division Anniversary

Beware of Italian names on maps.
Casa Nuova on RS Maps and on Ubique
Not the same place but close by.
The name means "New House"
Very confusing.
Casa Nuova below Castellaro or near Cerere

 

Google Maps
It seems that this was a war fought by the United Nations.

 

I will beg to differ. To me, Casa Nuova is to the south of M. Cerere. I will go with the Italian map I sent you. Have a look Chris.

If I'm wrong, then my hands will go up?

Edit: Nuova is to the South East of M.Cerere. The maps that will follow will show this.

Regards,
Stu.

 

Don't mean to be difficult but on the map that you sent,
after a quick look. I make it three places called C.Nuovo
992393 (Top left of the map)
983333 (South west of M Castellaro
005316 (South of Cerere)

Look forward to seeing your next offerings
(Feeling a bit better now, waiting more results from the Doc)

The thread is running well, don't want to spoil it now.
Still much to do before they go to Palestine.


Mennell Family Collection

 

Vladuka.

This will help you to understand the German attack.



Regards

Frank

 

Frank,

you have beaten me to it. I see you have not used the original map that I pestered you for, and I can understand why. I will show mine in time along with the Sketch map of the German Attack from the Frontier Force Rifles. When did you do that map? It's not in the pack.

Regards,
Stu.

 

Chris,

good news you are feeling a bit better. Fingers crossed re quacks. Be a while before I can had much more. Off to that lovely country that is Italy for a couple of weeks has you do! Happy days.

Regards,
Stu.

 

Vladuka.

This link has translations and photos of the area.

I paracadutisti tedeschi tentano di riprendere Monte Cerere

 

The para supply columns were not just decimated by by Mortar fire.
They were bombarded with 25 pounder shells from the guns of the 67th firing in Upper Register.
The shells were fired over the crest of the hills dropping into the gullies used to supply the paras.
Here the shell bursts had maximum effect.



Mennell Family Collection

Capt Tom Averill 446 Bty in the background
on the banks of the River Silaro San Clemente Valley, December 1944.

 

This is my attempt of the map. I've not worked out where the the Mule head was of ("A" Coy 6 RFF RIF). The sketch map which is on page 316 is rather good if you ask me. It gives House, Medium machine gun, Platoon HQ's, Company HQ's & T.A.C HQ's postions. Plus the shrine that is on the top of M. Cerere.

Frank,

I'm sure you once sent me the War diaries of 1A &SH for this period? I've not got them. I think we will not need them. These lot have two battalion histories has you will know. That's it for me for a while.

Edit: Frank, thanks for the map.

Regards,
Stu.

 

Stu.

I sorted it when I took a group on to Monte Grande in 2022.

Regards

Frank

 

It is, plus another one. Open your eyes Stuart. Pages 53, & 54. on my part. I still say I can understand why you have not used the map that I sent you. You probably did not have it when you spent much time in putting the pack together. Any chance you can show page 53? I've little on the 3/8 Punjabs. I think a chat with Sue Hughes is needed regarding the War Diaries. I was looking for some more Info re the Punjabs to see if they had a book and came up with the following info from a thread I started some time ago on this board.

Ahmad, Rifat Nadeem & Rafuiddin Ahmed. Unfaded Glory: The 8th Punjab Regiment 1798-1956. Abbottabad, Pakistan, Baloch Regimental Centre, 2007 IWM LBY/2537.

Frank, in time, can you ask the PCL if they have this book please? Plus the other Library at Boston-Spa that you mentioned not long since (that I never knew about). Okay, they don't lend out the books which is a shame.

Regards,
Stu.

 

Stu.

Not a book but there is a memoire by one of the officers.

Regards

Frank

 

Photos from an envelope taken by relatives of someone in the 67th FR during a visit in 1986.
Possibly Ivamy family, Lt Ivamy was in the OP with the Argyles during the battle 12- 16 December 1944

Written on the envelope: Monte Grande incl Monte Castellaro and Cerere.

Anyone recognise which is which?
Think top two lines are Calderaro.


Averill Family Collection

 

Google Maps 5532! 4d11.500973!16s%2Fg%2F11v9zd24n2?authuser=0&entry=ttu

Hi Uncle Target,
it is the castle of Frassineto, today for sale and in a state of abandonment. The first mention is in the year 1136.
Google Maps

 

This could be significant in the battle of M. Cerere.
Was it where the 1st Argyle's had their Command Post and why the Artillery Observers survived with them.

 

Vladuka.
For your benefit I have posted the story of this battle from the perspective of the 67th Field Regiment 1st Division Artillery.
A History of the 67th Field Regiment by Peter Mennell.
(Many of the photos are from his wartime photo album).