Piumarola: a little village between the Gustav Line and the Hitler Line

You could also go to T.N.A. Search Engine and put in PIUMAROLA.

The two Files that come up are HW 1/2800 and WO 204/8201.
The latter is the"official"Narrative of Operations in the area.

 

Many thanks friends for your help! I live in Italy, so I greatly appreciate, if someone could copy these documents for me next time they're at TNA, thanks.

All the best, G.

 

Pages from 6th Inns Fus for 18th May 1944 attached.

 

Dear Paul, many thanks for this important documents and for your courtesy! I am really happy to continue my research on Piumarola! Thanks again, you're a really nice person, I hope that I can reciprocate!

All the best, Gurdjieff

P.S. Thanks also to my friend Owen!

 

I will add the pages for 17th May tomorrow.

 

Thanks a lot!

 

Pages for 17th May, as promised.

 

Many thanks Paul! Wow!

 

Gurdjieff,

Apologies for butting in here. I had the pleasure of visiting Piumerola last July and met with a few villagers who were (as usual) very hospitable.

At the risk of posting further unreadable papers, this is Brigadier Pat Scott's recollection of the days of 16/17/18 May - written in August 1944.

Richard

 

Dear Bexley84, many thanks for this impressive and wonderful contribute, I'm going to print and read it, as soon possible! I see that it's very interesting! The map, shows perfectly the allied's adavance in the middle/end may 1944 and the village of Piumarola. It shows also other interesting places, like Massa Vertechi.
I'm studing all the documents, that I've received (I wish to say again thanks to Paul for his precious help, I've recently met he, here in Italy, it's a wonderful person! ) and I hope to continue soon this 3d with some new historical detail.
Bexely, when you'll back in the Liri Valley, send me a message, I'll be very happy to meet you for a beer!

Best regards, Gurdjieff.

P.S. Where I can to read the complete Brigadier Pat Scott's collection? I'm very interested to this document! In particular for the italian campain, and the Liri Valley.

 

Owen -
probably what the Lothians and the 16/5th lancers were saying on the 18th May '44
as well as the 1st Canadian Division and Gerry's 25th Tank bde -"here we go again" - until the 3rd June at least until we handed over to the 6th South Africans as Rome fell - then it was on to Trasimeno.....
Cheers

 

Dear Gurdjieff,

Thank you for your support.

Brigadier Pat Scott wrote a marvellous narrative of the period March 1944 to May 1945 to Lt-Col Incledon-Webber, Colonel of the Royal Irish Fusiliers. This followed the precedent set by Brigadier Nelson Russell, who wrote narratives of the Irish Brigade's experiences to Lt-Col Webber from November 1942 to March 1944, before he fell ill and was repaced by Pat Scott.

Richard Doherty, in his excellent book "Clear the Way", draws upon some of those recollections.

I have a copy of Pat Scott's narrative, which I copied from the London Irish Rifles archives last year. But when I attach it here, some "quality" is lost. I could send a CD version with the full 100 pages to you directly - let me know what you think. Unfortunately, I haven't got Nelson Russell's section but as I say Richard Doherty's book (which is still available) quotes extensively from it.

I'm off with family members to Italy for two weeks in mid August, basing myself in Umbria. As well as a lot of relaxation, we're intending to meet friends in Sinagoga, and probably visiting Piumarola over that period. Not quite sure of my exact agenda, as yet

Here's a few random shots from my recent visits to Italy for your perusal.

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/album.php?albumid=276

Richard

 

Hi Richard,
wonderful pictures! I see that you know my friend Kay, the new zealand painter that live here. It's a nice person.
About the documents, check the box, I sent you a p.m.
Let me know precisely, when you'll be here, I'll be very happy to meet you and your family.

Best regards, G.

 

Dear Damiano.

It was great to see you yesterday : sorry again for the flying visit - a beer, and a much longer chat definitely next time.

At Casa Sinagoga I was able to pass across a 61 year old battle dress with Shamrock and Battleaxe insignia and ribbon (DSO, MC and Bar, GS Palestine and North Africa Star) as a facsimile of Bala Bredin's uniform. As you know, Bala Bredin commanded the 6th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at the time of the successful assault on Piumarola, and the uniform will soon be displayed at the Winter Line museum in Venafro - albeit this area was not within the Irish Brigade's sphere of operation in 1943 and 1944.

Thank you again,

Richard

 

Dear Richard,
I was very happy to meet you and your brother Edmund, a short meeting but really particular, and nice.
I hope that for the next time you'll stay here for most time!

All the best, G.

 

My brother and I enjoyed a nice visit to Piumerola in August as part of our Irish Brigade in Italy tour. We have made contact with a local 2nd World War expert who knows what happened in the area.
You can find out more about the Irish Brigade in Italy at Irish Brigade - Welcome...

 

Sorry. I see Richard has been in touch.
Eddie

 

A very enjoyable thread to read and re-read.

Regards
Tom