Hi I am trying to find out the details surrounding my Uncles death in Italy in 1944 he was Private W D Roberts 11406082, and died 28th August whilst serving with 1/4th Battalion Hampshire Regiment, I have been told he lay in the battlefield for many hours, just trying to find out a bit more about the battle on the day he died, and exactly where it was, we know where he is buried.
Peter Finch - When the 46th Div late late on the 25th August '44 advanced - it was quiet alongside the Canadian 1st Div - our supprting tanks for the Canadian advance did not start up until early a.m. on the 26th - there was no great artillery barrage and the surprise effect worked. Some units of the German 71st Div were actually being relieved and so it was a "walk in the park" and we all made great strides forward closing up to the Foglia River which was the main strength - we thought - of the Gothic line. On the 27th - Kesselring woke up and sent the 1st paras - 26th Panzers - and the 29th PG's against us after we had crossed the Foglia and were heading for Tuvallu ( Tombe de Pesaro ) - it was about there that the fun started in earnest and we all took a beating for the next three weeks, as the 1st paras had recovered from Cassino ! The Hampshires were in the hills on our left flank and they would soon be involved in the Croce / Gemmano area of the West flank of Coriano Ridge which held us all up for ten days. It was a very bad battle with very many casualties. I note that your Uncle is buried at Montecchio and that you will try to visit - I trust that you shall as it is a very beautiful area - make your centre at Urbino and then you can visit the whole battlefield from the start at Iesi to the finish at Rimini. It is a very humbling experience as I found on my 2005 visit. If I can help in any way - just yell ! Cheers
As you probably know he is buried at Montecchio War Cemetery. I have attached a Google Earth link for where that cemetery is. Just click on it, and it will open in GE, if you have it. If not, you can download it for free.
Google Earth co-ords for Montegaudio 43°47'56.96"N 12°47'15.56"E GE file attached. Come Owen, I am sure you can post the files after I wrote that blow by blow account of how to do it, and Adam sorted out the permissions!!
Tom and Paul, Thank you so much, I am going to show this material to my last remaining Uncle, on this day of all days it is good to know these heroes are remembered, Tom thank you for your first hand memory and Paul thank you for the link, I hope to take my son on the anniversary of his death.
Peter - I think I would be going over there prior to the 28th August - I went on the 15th September completely forgetting that the monsoons start around the 17th September - EVERY year - I managed just one cemetery then was hotel bound the rest of the week - getting back on the plane at Ancona - the sun broke through. Cheers It just doesn't rain in Italy -it comes down in 10 pound blocks - for days on end !
My Uncle served with the 1/4 Hampshire, and was killed at Monte Gaudio on 28th Aug 1944, I intend to visit his grave and where he died at Monte Gaudio, I have checked the Regimental diaries for maps, grid references and where they were attacking from and trying to get to. Does anybody have this information, as I would like actually walking his footsteps. Thanks in advance
I note that you have previously been given the regimental history and assume that this has given you a lot of information: 1/4th Hampshires August 1944 Bit confused on what you are seeking as you say that you have checked the diaries but then ask if anyone has this information, if the diaries don't contain this information it would be unusual, and you will have to rely on the history. War diaries are available, if you can't get there yourself there are members who will copy at a very reasonable cost: 1/4 Hampshire Regiment | The National Archives
I am after the routes they took on the day and where they attacked from, these do not appear in the copy of the diaries that I have seen
In most cases the actual diaries are, by necessity, a précis of events and more detailed information can be drawn from the appendices that supplement them, these can be Divisional or brigade operational orders, situation reports, message forms, company reports and the like, map traces (rather than maps themselves) are usually with them. Different companies / platoons were often on different routes with different objectives so bear this in mind, it is always a case of piecing together lots of information from various sources.
My suggestion would be to either get to the National Archives to view the diaries yourself or ask for the relevant period to be copied for you. Another advantage is that diary appendices often contain 'regimental orders', these are more on the admin side but sometimes mention individuals and could point you towards what company your uncle was in. Quite a few diaries are on this site so worth looking around to get an idea of what you might get.
Peter. If you have the WDs and the Regimental History then you have to work it out for yourself. The information is all there, often in great detail, but you have to piece it together for the full picture. For Grid References mentioned in the WDs, you should try www.echodelta.net. This site translates the Grid Reference and shows them on a present day Google map. Regards Frank
Peter. You might want to look up Gary Tankard on this site and ask him to get the WDs for you. He charges very, very reasonable rates and, very importantly, knows his way around the Archives which can be daunting for a novice. Regards Frank
As an alternative you might like to download the map in question from https://maps.lib.utexas.edu/maps/ams/italy_100k/txu-pclmaps-oclc-6540635-pesaro-109-1943.jpg. Vitellino
