Bwg3coy Anzio was not a port - it was only a beach - and as Phaethon says - the Lufwaffe was still an item at that time and they were very active - if you look at a map of Southern Italy you will find that the nearest port was at Taranto miles away to the South or Bari - even further away on the other coast- so there very little choice and it was Infantry at Naples - Tanks and Artillery at Taranto. The Allied Air forces did become top dog - after most of the Luftwaffe was withdrwn to protect Germany. Anzio might have been handled better with an aggressive commander but his boss had told him not to stick his neck out - and he didn't ! Cheers First as you know I have every admiration for the guys in this theatre. So I am not criticising only interested. What happened to the Desert Air Force after Africa was won? Could they not hit back at the Luft waffe as they did in Africa. I notice there was another port slightly west of Cassino just above Naples called Formia. That might have saved all that fight up the valley and the constant look of the mosastory. Was Reggio viable? I would imagine that as ear marked by the Germans after Sicily. What about the Adriatic Side to support the Naples landing? Like Bari. Cut a line across the Germans ans split them? I am assuming that the Adriatic side was heavy with German and Italian Warships and maybe vulnerable from their shelling. I dont know much about the Balkan War on the Chetniks and Partisan forces. Not much else I ask this because of such a tragic loss of life Modern historians compare this area in the war to that of the first world war of atrition
BWG3coy It is always of great importance for all of us to sit back and re run the Battles of the past - BUT - it's the same to-day in football why didn't Fergie play Berbatov instead of the peanut ? Simple - he had to play what he had in hand -now we all know what a terrible loss of life took place at Cassino- the people who were there know all about that and I do mean Ron - Niccar- Gerry and myself and a few others do also - BUT it is only now after 60 odd years that the majority of British people have started to realise the full scope of that battle which was a forerunner of the more popular D Day battle. I don't know how long it will be before they realise the extent of the savagery that was the Gothic Line Battles - but the fighting for Caen was fierce - no one disputes that for a minute ! Now getting back to your point about avoiding Cassino's loss of life - no question it could have been done - IF Monty's suggestion was followed -" set up a defensive winter camp around the Sangro River -build up your supplies - then in the spring fight up the coast to Pescara - then head East and take Rome - game over ...we won 3-1 on penalties ! " Didn't happen - why not - because D day was scheduled for early June and it would be nice if we could have Rome - first major Capital to fall etc - before then ......so we went head long into the mountains surrounding Cassino and at a place called Monte Camino you will see where the Guards were massacred....then another 120,000 fell at Cassino...there was little we could do at the time ! Cheers
BWG3coy It is always of great importance for all of us to sit back and re run the Battles of the past - BUT - it's the same to-day in football why didn't Fergie play Berbatov instead of the peanut ? Simple - he had to play what he had in hand -now we all know what a terrible loss of life took place at Cassino- the people who were there know all about that and I do mean Ron - Niccar- Gerry and myself and a few others do also - BUT it is only now after 60 odd years that the majority of British people have started to realise the full scope of that battle which was a forerunner of the more popular D Day battle. I don't know how long it will be before they realise the extent of the savagery that was the Gothic Line Battles - but the fighting for Caen was fierce - no one disputes that for a minute ! Now getting back to your point about avoiding Cassino's loss of life - no question it could have been done - IF Monty's suggestion was followed -" set up a defensive winter camp around the Sangro River -build up your supplies - then in the spring fight up the coast to Pescara - then head East and take Rome - game over ...we won 3-1 on penalties ! " Didn't happen - why not - because D day was scheduled for early June and it would be nice if we could have Rome - first major Capital to fall etc - before then ......so we went head long into the mountains surrounding Cassino and at a place called Monte Camino you will see where the Guards were massacred....then another 120,000 fell at Cassino...there was little we could do at the time ! Cheers Well I too am getting on now. 59 next February and I have all sorts of stuff I have collected since a boy I went into the Welsh Guards at 15. Dad would only allow me to join the Infantry Junior Leaders Bn and I was trying to follow my Dads footsteps. I had nothing but Africa and Italy stuff on my locker. Used to be funny going to Welsh Guardfs reunions I had to stand by with you lot of the Italy Campaign. A right lot of rebels. Sometimes he would ask guys, "Were you 1st or 2nd Bn, I cant remember your face" if they said yes he would wonder off. All £wg were like it. They made special efforts to be late at Regimental functions. LOL Always made me laugh to see Guardsmen act so. I went to a Dinner once. dad was not there. It was a Boy soldier invite to Chester. 3WG were there in force. Late as usual. I remember hereing "Look is that Jacks boy?" Next thing I was dragged in with them, they had crates of champagne under their chairs. I was carried home LOL Getting back to our point..... My personal view is that there are two big forgotten Theatres in that War. Italy and Burma. My dad was so greatful for the bombing of Japan. He told me that 3WG were getting ready up in Scotland, to go to Burma. There was a Burma Star march Past at the Cenetaph in London. But I cannot recall an Italy Star March past. I think there is even a D Day Veteran March Past aswell. The computer age has now allowed us all to make contact with many old friends and World wide, while we just sit at our desks typing. Something I wish I could have done 30 years ago. My Dad would have loved it. Its what he did love. Being Part of the Italy Campaign and wearing that tie! sadly he is dead now. And all I have now are his memories and a computer to catch the last few heros that remain. I even have The Mailed Fist on my Land Rover So talking and discussing all this is brilliant. I value every word. And discussing it sort of brings back Dad I suppose. I wear his medals at every Rememberance I am proud of him always will be. I hope I am not a pain on here I do look forward to reading the replies. I hope you can tell us the best places to go next year. Militarily that is Thanks again guys. Here is a start. Is this the same route you remember
