Just wondering if anyone has any leads on any books or other resources written about or by members of the 1st Battalion Koyli. I'm particularly interested in anything during the Sicily and Italian campaigns. I already have the book my grandfather wrote and also the British 5th Division by George Aris. Thanks in adv
welcome A number of threads on here re your particular search area a couple below 1st Bn Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 1st Bn K.O.Y.L.I. on abe books History of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, Vol . VI, 1939-1948 regards Clive
I've just completed a biography of my father (just for the family but quite detailed) who transferred from the Rifle Brigade to 1Koyli in January '44 and served with them as a private and then NCO at the Garigliano and Anzio, and in all other places until mid'46 when he transferred to the Control Commission. In researching the work, I went through most of the available sources including of course the War Diaries. You'd be very welcome to a soft copy if you're still interested in the subject.
Hello Frank, yes you're welcome. I'm new to this site so don't know the protocol for communicating individually - can you advise? Robert
Robert. Click on Minden1759 and you will see an option to Start a Conversation. Click that. Regards Frank
View attachment 331251 I believe my grandfather would likely have supported your father in action - he was a Gunner in 368 Bty, 92nd Field Regiment RA, part of 15th Brigade along with 1 KOYLI, of course.
Thanks for this - I hadn't researched artillery support, so this is interesting. My father used to quote the joke about artillery in Italy ("When the British fired, the Germans ducked; when the Germans fired, the British and Yanks ducked; and when the Americans fired, everyone ducked!") Though much joked about, apparently American artillery fire was sometimes notoriously inaccurate, and I read somewhere that historians have put this down to the different command and control system used by the Americans, which allowed fire decisions to be taken at a lower level of command. I've no idea how true this is, though it sounds plausible.