Sicily, An Area Of Interest To Me

Discussion in 'Italy' started by Gebirgsjaeger, Apr 4, 2013.

  1. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    The "Soldiers guide to Italy" appears to have been strictly for distribution to the US Forces as I can't remember having seen one before.

    Perhaps someone will tell me otherwise ?

    Ron
     
  2. arnhem44

    arnhem44 Member

  3. Uncle Jack

    Uncle Jack Member

    The Nominal Roll prepared in May 1946 for the 4th Durham Survey Regiment RA contains a group of four men killed in Sicily on the same day –27 July 1943.

    They were all KIA
    L/Bdr Brougham R. E.
    Gnr Cairns J.
    Gnr Dunn A. R.
    Gnr Mort L.

    We have the following from Paul Wood .. writing about his father Robert Leslie Wood who was a Driver i/c in the regiment
    ***** Uncle Jimmy proved invaluable as his memory was clear and he was able to provide the level of personal detail which makes a story come alive. For example, we were enthralled as he described how dad was wounded and nearly died.

    Dad was either driving or front passenger in one of the big 15 cwt army trucks when it was hit by an 88 German shell. The six Gateshead lads in the back were immediately killed; two further were injured. Shrapnel from the shell then came through into the cab and thence into our dad’s back. He was knocked unconscious and dragged clear of the now burning wreck by another Gateshead lad following in the truck behind. He was carted off to a field hospital and then on to Cairo for recuperation. A few inches to one side and I would not be sat here typing.******

    We have a copy of the war diary for July 1943 for the Regiment and the individual batteries/light scale parties who took part in the invasion but have found no mention of this loss of men in one incident. Although the 4th Survey were often close to the front line they suffered few casualties (except for the sinking of the Italian POW ship after the fall of Tobruk in1942).

    So we continue to search for more details of this incident.

    Robin

    PS

    There were two more deaths in the regiment in Sicily
    Gnr Howes T.H. was KIA on 23 July 1943
    L/Bdr Backhouse Died B.C. on 15 August 1943
     
  4. Thank you for the information you are giving me. is certainly very useful material for the celebrations that we will from 28 July to 6 August to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Allied landings in Sicily
     
  5. Thank you for the information you are giving me. is certainly very useful material for the celebrations that we will from 28 July to 6 August to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Allied landings in Sicily
     
  6. Uncle Jack

    Uncle Jack Member

    Our four are buried together

    BROUGHAM, ROBERT EDWIN

    Lance Bombardier

    946550

    27/07/1943

    24

    Royal Artillery

    United Kingdom

    Coll. grave III. G. 39-42.

    CATANIA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY

    CAIRNS, JACK

    Gunner

    916154

    27/07/1943

    23

    Royal Artillery

    United Kingdom

    Coll. grave III. G. 39-42.

    CATANIA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY

    DUNN, ROBERT

    Gunner

    904238

    27/07/1943

    23

    Royal Artillery

    United Kingdom

    Coll. grave III. G. 39-42.

    CATANIA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY

    MORT, LLEWELLYN

    Gunner

    884269

    27/07/1943

    32

    Royal Artillery

    United Kingdom

    Coll. grave III. G. 39-42.

    CATANIA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY

    From CWGC
     
  7. Uncle Jack

    Uncle Jack Member

    Father in Law was BQMS of 'B' Battery 4th Durham Survey Regiment. He was in Zafaria see his personal 1943 diary extract
     

    Attached Files:

  8. probably the small village not called Zafaria but Zafferana. you can search on google maps. is a small village on Etna where they produce excellent honey today
     
  9. Uncle Jack

    Uncle Jack Member

    Think it is 98127 Zafferia, Province of Messina, Sicilia, Italy

    see War diary image

    Robin
     

    Attached Files:

  10. Uncle Jack

    Uncle Jack Member

    I've now found the war diary entry for 27 July .. Capt Balfour writes of this loss
     

    Attached Files:

  11. Dear Ron Goldstain

    next Monday I'll do a television interview on the battle of Adrano. I shall quote as a liberator of our city. I hope to send you the video transmission. with affection and gratitude of the entire city of Adrano. Ron on July 29th the 78th Highlander will make a parade through the streets that you have gone through with your bike. I remember in the celebrations and I hope to get you the thanks of our Mayor. I invite the friends of the forum to signal other comrades who participated in the battle of Adrano
     
  12. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer Pearl Harbor Myth Buster

  13. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Vincenzo

    It is good that you recall the works of the Canadians 1st Division and the 400 + who still lay at Agira

    Good luck with your interview
    Cheers
     
  14. it is a pleasure to honor those who have made a contribution to freedom through the sacrifice of his own life
     
  15. OpanaPointer

    I thank you. a friend who works in London has found a copy of soldier'guide to sicily in one of the markets in Camden Town in London I think. I received it yesterday.
     
  16. Gebirgsjaeger

    Gebirgsjaeger Senior Member

    Wow, i missed a lot the last weeks and iam happy that some fine Gents jumped in here. Many thanks for the additional information and the great pics!
     
  17. dear friends
    This is the diary of a priest of Adrano. describes the day after relentless bombardment British troops entered the city


    August 7 - 1st Saturday of the Month.

    At midnight on Friday infernal fire of artillery, we do not know from where and against whom it is directed, but the house is shaken, I stand but I can not resist to fatigue and I crouch down, I pray the Holy Rosary Having determined not to be of areas bombs, and needing rest, reminding me of the saying of the old infantryman in the trenches: "When the gun is upon us, we do not have the time to hear it because it has already hit, so being the distant bursts, you do not shoot in this direction. 8.30 celebrated S. Mass, St. port 20 Communion in the home, we look in the missions, the most distant, no history, no casket, no body, moving scenes; confessions outdoor Meanwhile, we hear news and the most diverse, authentic read this order of the lieutenant of the police, " NCOs, pinned the police, get off immediately Adrano. August 6, 1943. " It is supposed to accommodate the British and keep order. Other items this morning: "I'm in, you can go into town, only men without women or children."

    The excitement is indescribable, all campaigns are crowded, we camped under the trees. "Pray that this happens in the summer." And this was the mercy of God

    The news spread like lightning, no longer reflects the frenzy is at its peak, many praises to the Lord, a lot of hope emerge. They are now ten o'clock, and the return has begun, leaked the news of the arrival of the British. Some brave go to see and come back with new expectations: "British, Americans came, no fear, welcome good."

    Meanwhile, a car-ambulance arrives to take care of Santuzza and collect the wounded, many go to see. In a moment, a few hours in the woods are empty, most of the people out of his mind, he takes the way back, it is an indescribable spectacle, but you go into the unknown: "I find the house, the household?" . We do not believe in ourselves. It is perhaps lack of prudence because the cannon thundered again towards Bronte, but people are overjoyed and back at the same rate of displacement: not setnte reason. A good young girl, as she rearranges says, "It just returns the first Saturday of Fatima."
     
    4jonboy likes this.
  18. Uncle Jack

    Uncle Jack Member

    Adrano August 1943. Found the war diary entry for 4th Durham Survey Regiment RA in Adrano around 7 August 1943.
    The regiment was split into several detachments attached to RA units including CRA and are often missed in summaries of regiments engaged in battles
     

    Attached Files:

  19. very interesting to know the feelings experienced by reading the diaries of war. thanks
     

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