Painting of The Battle of the Flyover at Anzio 44.

Gary,
Thanks for the explanation. On my Grandfather's shoulder patch is just a white divisional triangle, & a burgandy/yelow triangle. I've never known you to be wrong, its just that i wanted it to be 100% correct.

Stu.

 

When I’m back I’ll post some other original examples - as someone mentioned there are no hard and fast rules especially in Italy.

In the WDs of divisions returning to Italy from Africa and the Middle East there are numerous operational orders dictating all divisional insignia is to be removed from uniforms and vehicles.

 

A few examples of units serving in Italy units the differences in approach.




Any battalion in 138th Brigade, 46th Infantry Division (6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, 2/4th Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry or 6th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment).



2/5th, 2/6th or 2/7th Queen's (169 Brigade, 56th Division)



A different 2 North Staffs, 2 Infantry Brigade example (1 Infantry Division formation sign combined with their flash; 1 Infantry Division signals, artillery and engineer units also did something similar with their arm-of-service flashes).



Another example of 2 Infantry Brigade, 1 Infantry Division yhat coukld apply to any battalion in the brigade (1st Battalion Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire), 2nd Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment or 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders).



2nd Battalion Royal Irish Regiment, 38th (Irish) Infantry Brigade, 78th Infantry Division.



2nd Battalion South Lancashire Fusiliers, 11th Infantry Brigade, 78th Infantry Division.

 

I should have posted the one below in my post 41.. Sorry if its been posted on another thread, but the second has probably not? It looks as if they was taken on the same date. I don't have the original for the second one.

On the back - my Grandfather has written, Cairo, 3rd Sept 1945. To my Mother all my love xxx. Eric.



The one below is of Fred Mason that he sent me earlier in the week. He's looking well. I may ask him has to how long ago it was taken?May be taking a liberty, but if you don't ask you don't get?

Today I've sent Fred a print off of the photo that i posted in my post 27. I've asked him to sign it - & write underneath, 07.30 hrs 25 May 2019. ( 75 years to the day that Anzio ceased to be a beachhead!)
Stu.

 

Garry,

Typo - it was of course the 2nd Bn London Irish Rifles.

 

Stuart- I'm really pleased to see Fred is still around.

I met Fred Mason and his wife on the Leger Italian tour in May 2014. He was a really lovely chap, taking the time to talk to us sitting up front on the coach one day on our way to Anzio.

We visited the museum in Ortona, where a bunch of Italian schoolchildren were learning about the war. When they found out that Fred was a WW2 Veteran, one of their class who spoke very good English asked Fred to tell them a little about his time in the war, and he was very happy to oblige. Unfortunately I don't have a picture of Fred but I think Paul Reed took some pictures on our trip.

I will alert Paul to this thread and maybe he could post a picture of Fred.

I think Fred visits Italy every year to pay his respects.

Lesley

 

Lesley, lets hope that Paul Reed does come back with a picture of Fred? It would be nice to see another one. Fred, emailed me to say that he was on his way back from his jollies. That being Friday morning. I will get back to you about his wife. Confirmation is needed..

I've been toying with which war diaries to post has i mentioned in a previous post. The ones below was kindly provided by Gary Tankard. I've chosen the month of May 44.







Clock the map below.

Page 172 & 173 APPENDIX 'B' ANZIO CAMPAIGN BATTLE CASUALTIES, 22 JANUARY--7 JUNE 44. I will only say that the Grand total of 1 Division on page 173 is 8868. I don't have the total figures for the 56 & 5 British Infantry Divisions! It would be interesting to have them if anyone could provide them?


Below is the west shoulder of the Flyover provided by Frank de Planta.

& another from Frank.

The next three are of a memorial that i came across a few years ago. Sorry again if they have been posted in another thread. Some people will have not seen them. See the map at the end of the diaries- its the east shoulder.



The one below is in the Anglican Church in Rome. Courtesy of Frank. I've yet to visit the church.

The last one is THE ALBANO ROAD SECTOR which is shown in its entirety by this photo-masaic compiled in February 1944. App; scale 1:50.000. Its taken from the Anzio Beachhead (22 Jan-25 May 1944) American Forces in Action Series on page 69. I will probably take it with me to Anzio in June. Its not quite the original.. I've highlighted it somewhat.


Stu.

 

Hi to all the wise people who are following this thread. I'm in a pickle, & need some advise has to what to do with the images below? By the way, a cap badge has been purchased!


I was wondering if i should try & source a similar kind of cloth of the above for the cap badge to be placed on. Or, do i just get a crop the photo? The problem with the photo is, how do i attach the cap badge with-out spoiling the photo? No-No in my opinion.

Its taken me a while to source the above two. (Glasgow 1944.)

This one is not cheap to be done on a sewing machine (the nice lady that normally does anything that i need embroidering wants
£40.00). She is good at her job, but I'm not paying that much. I could draw it of which I've mentioned, but i may struggle to get a khaki mount in cardboard. I could of course get a photo done. In my opinion, it would not look right. Not like me to be in pickle.

Regards
Stu.

 

After many drafts & much scratching of ones head- I have decided to take the frame below to Cassino.



At last..

Stu.

 

Hi to all that are following this thread. I finally got the painting of the above to the hotel in Cassino. I must say that when i started this thread, i would never have expected the outcome of it. So, its a thanks again to everyone that has helped me out. After a rather long day of the 13th June, the frame was presented to Madame Maria Rocca- the lovely proprietor of the hotel. Ignore the chap to the left.



I was going to take the frame below as well, but i changed my mind at the last minute. Cheers Frank for taking the above picture. In time, it will probably end up in a hotel in Anzio.


Stu. Edit, to add the name of Maria.