Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and the 1st Army.

Discussion in 'North Africa & the Med' started by Norrie1956, Nov 4, 2020.

  1. Norrie1956

    Norrie1956 New Member

    Hi guys, I'm trying to research a William Buchanan of the ASH almost certainly 1st Battalion.. The ASH were part of the 1st Army in Tunisia during WW2. No service number , for him and Forces Records aint much help.

    Am wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction on finding out what the 1st Batt did from N.Africa to Italy??

    I'm doing this for his grandson who I work with....his mother is Williams daughter..

    Thanks in advance guys...:)
     
    Chris C likes this.
  2. Chris C

    Chris C Canadian

    Per Wikipedia, 1st Battalion were in 8th Army and before Tunisia too. 8th Battalion was in 1st Army as were 6th (as 93rd Anti Tank Regiment).

    Do you mean your coworker's family has applied for his service records and not gotten anything?
     
  3. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    Norrie,

    Welcome aboard. Others may come along and help. Always apply for his Service Record, even if the turnaround is reported as a year plus now. See: Get a copy of military service records Upload the records here once you've obtained them and then the forum can get to work on them.

    Please do not pay for any site on the internet who promise you his service records they will not have them, and you would have wasted your money.

    Adding what you have already found can help, saves others from duplication. A Date of Birth and a Service Number help, though the experts here can surmount that gap.

    I have noted the 'Other Ranks' rarely feature in Google searches unless they have been awarded gallantry medals or written their memoirs.

    Searching Google will sometimes bring you back here. The site’s search engine is rather simple; two examples 53rd will bring back all mentions of 53rd; an Army unit can have after 53rd an additional official name, in one case 53rd (Bolton). You must be agile and keep going. It can be easier to search using Google, to identify threads here - four I think on the 1st Batt.

    War diaries can contain almost anything. At the very least, they give the daily movements and most important actions of every unit. They may also contain information on casualties, message logs, rolls of officers (but not O.R.'s), maps, orders, and much else. They are available at the PRO to everyone. Drew5233 and some others are willing to scan them for the benefit of those who cannot get to the National Archives at Kew.

    It depends of course how much you want to know, just one battle or campaign for an example.

    Please come back and tell us what you found. Scanning threads it is clear some discover the site years after your posts and add their information or request help. Good luck.
     
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  4. Norrie1956

    Norrie1956 New Member

    Hi Chris and David.......Its me getting mixed up...just finished a doubler at work...:)

    Anyway, all the info I have is from his daughter who lives in Tunisia, He was born 5th or 6th June 1920, was in the 8th Army, at El Alamein, Tobruk,Tunisia ( where the 1st Army bit comes from) Ethiopia and onto Italy at Monte Cassino. No other info, got one pic of the guy, but thats it. They didnt go for his records as they have no service number...the Forces Records thingy, is a website I paid for...mainly to help me research medals in my collection...:)
     

    Attached Files:

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  5. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  6. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Note that you do not need ANY military information to send off to the MOD for his official service records, just name, date of birth and a death certificate unless someone was KIA, in which case details from CWGC will suffice. It is tempting to launch into research on fairly slim information but can be dangerous, you might have the wrong man and also remember that it was not uncommon to transfer between units. The advice posted by davidfpro is really the only way to go unless you have other positive information.
     
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  7. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    Here is the rest of the moves of the 1st Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders from my summary mentioned above by Owen:

    Force 545 – 5 June 1943 to 9 July 1943

    On June 30th, 1943, No. 33 Brick was concentrated in its ships at Port Said, awaiting departure. The convoy sailed for Sicily on July 5th. The battalion’s task was to provide security and logistical support to the 17th Infantry Brigade troops arriving on the beachhead and advancing inland.


    8th Army – 10 July 1943 to November 1943

    The battalion landed in Sicily on July 10th, 1943 near Fontane Bianche on George Beach. Within two hours the three sub-beaches of Amber, Green and Red were in operation. It was relieved by the 1st Welch Regiment on July 23rd and became attached to the 154th Infantry Brigade along with the 7th Royal Marines on the 28th. After operations with the brigade, it withdrew to Mister Bianco and began to reform as No. 33 Beach Brick on August 11th for the crossing of the Straits of Messina. The campaign in Sicily ended on August 17th. On September 3rd, 1943 it crossed the straits and landed at Catania to perform beach duties. It received a draft of 65 men in Catania. By September 16th, it completed its beach duties and remained at Gallico Marino, north of Reggio di Calabria, for the first two weeks of October engaged in training. From there the battalion moved to Taranto, where it was ordered back to Alexandria.


    British Troops in Egypt – November to 4 January 1944

    The battalion arrived at Mena Camp outside of Cairo on November 17th, 1943. It served under ‘G’ (Special) Brigade to guard the Mena House Conference for one month. The conference ended on December 13th, after which the Argylls garrisoned at Bannu Camp.


    28th Infantry Brigade – 5 January 1944 to 2 February 1944

    The battalion moved to Ataqa on January 6th, 1944 and joined the brigade as part of the 4th Infantry Division in Egypt. The first draft of men due for repatriation to Great Britain was detailed to sail on January 18th, 1944 aboard the HMT Dilwara, and they were replaced by newly re-assigned recruits from the Cameron Highlanders. The battalion left the brigade on February 2nd and embarked for Italy on the 8th.


    GHQ Middle East Force – 8 February 1944 to 13 February 1944

    The Argylls moved by sea from Egypt to Italy.


    HQ Allied Armies Italy – 13 February 1944 to 28 February 1944

    The battalion arrived in Taranto and was sent north to Castel Frentano along the German Gustav Line. It joined the 19th Indian Infantry Brigade on February 28th.


    19th Indian Infantry Brigade – 28 February 1944 to 6 June 1945

    On March 8th it took up positions at Poggliofiorito and fought its forst action near ‘D’ Company’s postions at ‘Harrington House’ that night and again five days later. On March 31st, 1944, the 1st Battalion was back in position at Castel Frentano, It participated in an exercise on April 3rd with the 93rd Anti-Tank Regiment, formerly the 6th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Renfrewshire). The battalion returned to the line on April 5th. On April 10th, the battalion was sent to Larino, on the hills above the Biferno River, during which time it practised amphibious assault landings and river crossings. The 1st Battalion moved to the Volturno area, south of Venafro on April 23rd, and five days later returned to the front for the final assault against the Gustav Line, taking over positions at Zupparielli on the evening of April 28th. For the next week, the battalion conducted reconnaissance and traveled down Route 6 for further training. At 2230 hours on May 11th 1944, ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies moved forward while ‘C’ and ‘D’ Companies followed as the battalion crossed the Rapido River on a Bailey Bridge with armored support under heavy German artillery fire. Three days later, the battalion cleared the Liri ‘Appendix’ and was given the task of advancing to and holding the line at Masso-Tiscoe-Conte Murro, which was accomplished by the end of the day. On May 16th, the battalion again traveled Route 6 to a bivouac area for rest and refit and received a draft of 4 officers and 100 other ranks. The 1st Battalion moved out on May 19th, in support of reinforcement operations while the II Polish Corps completed its operations against Cassino and Piedemonte. On May 25th, the battalion again moved up to Castrocielo, reporting enemy activity at Roccasecca the next day.

    On May 28th, 1944, the 1st Battalion approached the Melfa River, with orders to cross the Liri River, and were transported to Arce two days later. By June 1st, the battalion had arrived in Casamari Monastery, where it rested at Veroli and performed flank guard duty in the vicinity of Colleherardi. On June 8th, it successfully seized Arsoli, and advanced through Tivoli to Acquasparta and Massa Martana. On June 16th, the 1st Battalion liberated Assisi and two days later advanced along the east bank of the Chiascio River before being pulled out of the line for a week’s rest and refit on June 27th. The battalion moved its encampment to Spoleto, where it was reinforced with a draft of two officers and 48 other ranks. On July 8th, it took over positions northeast of Castiglione Fiorentino, overlooking the main Arezzo road. After several encounters with the Germans, the battalion withdrew again to Spoleto for continuance of their rest and refit on July 13th, only to be transported to the Siena sector on the 19th. Castel Fiorentino was disputably in French hands, however, the battalion encountered enemy resistance that was not eliminated until it pushed forward on the 26th and 27th of July 1944 approaching the Arno River. Two days later, ‘A’ and ‘C’ Companies were patrolling Empoli, and were the first to reach the river. The 1st Battalion was sent back to a bivouac area at Bonriposo on August 4th, taking up positions at Greve on August 7th. Florence was liberated on August 23rd.

    On August 31st, 1944, the battalion crossed the Arno River, as ‘C’ Company occupied Doccio and San Brigida while ‘D’ and ‘B’ Companies passed through, enroute to Monte Abetino. ‘A’ Company passed though Battalion HQ at Baronici, as the attack on Monte Abetino commenced on September 2nd. A fierce German counterattack stalled the battalion’s advance for five days, as did two days of torrential rain. On September 23rd, having spent some leave time in Florence, the battalion concentrated in San Godenzo, marching over the hills to San Benedetti, establishing picquets along the road to Marradi, known as the ‘Planet Route’. On September 26th, ‘A’ Company occupied Monte Susinelli, ‘B’ Company occupied Monte Bruno, ‘C’ Company occupied Monte del Brecco and ‘D’ Company blocked the exits to the Tramazzo Gorge. Torrential rains began again the next day, as ‘C’ Company attempted to reach Monte Cerro and ‘D’ Company, enroute to Monte Bufalo, stopped at Del Becco. Five days later, the 1st Battalion concentrated in Del Becco, marched down the ‘Planet Route’ to Marradi and stopped in Botteghette, where it rested for three days. On October 7th, the battalion was engaged in fierce close combat at Monte Cavallara before being sent into the reserve. The battalion re-formed on a three-rifle company basis on October 10th, owing to the heavy casualties of the Battle of Monte Cavallara, and it marched back to Botteghette on October 14th. The brigade moved back to a rest area at Cisto.

    On October 25th, 1944, the 1st Battalion became the brigade’s reserve battalion and moved up to Popolano before taking over positions as follows two days later: HQ at Fontecchio, ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies (amalgamated) at Monte Giro, ‘C’ Company at Malanca and ‘D’ Company at Monte Colombo, within sight of enemy forward picquets. The Italian winter set in, pelting the battalion with snow, sleet, rain and freezing winds, although the sector was relatively quiet. On November 15th, the battalion moved back to Popolano for rest and refit, returning to the line on November 25th. HQ Company took up positions at Loiana, ‘A’/’B’ Company at San Cassiano, ‘C’ Company at Boesima and ‘D’ Company at Castelvecchia. ‘D’ Company occupied Tesoto while patrolling Panigheto, and on November 27th, ‘C’ Company occupied Riganzano as HQ Company moved into Boesmia. On November 30th, the 1st Battalion moved into positions along a ridge between Monte Grande and Monte Cerere overlooking Bologna. Enemy patrols probed the battalion’s positions during the first week of December 1944, engaging in frequent skirmishes On December 11th, ‘C’ Company relieved ‘A’/’B’ Company in Frassineto, and the next day, German parachute troops launched an attack into ‘D’ Company's positions along the ridge at Casa Nuova. A counter-attack regained the lost positions that day, and German 88mm gun positions opened up in an attempt to demoralize the battalion, firing for three days. By December 23rd, the battalion had moved to Lucca. A brief fight secured the Serchio Valley on December 29th and two days later the battalion was billeted outside Lucca at Lammari. On January 31st, 1945, one officer and 24 other ranks, who had spent four and a half years overseas, were returned to Great Britain, having been due for repatriation.

    The 1st Battalion was back in the line on February 28th, 1945, occupying Russi. Moving forward on March 3rd, the battalion became brigade reserve a week later and moved out in five more days for the final assault across the Senio River. An improved formation, ‘Z Force’, composed of Punjabis, Rhodesians, parts of ‘A’/’B’ Company, the anti-tank platoon, personnel from the mortar platoon and machine-gunners, was raised to reinforce the battalion’s positions. Returning to its billets at Russi on March 24th, after spending a three weeks patrolling the banks of the Senio River, ‘Z’ Force" or the ‘Zulu Scouts’ as they were called, were disbanded and ‘B’ Company was fully reconstituted. Training was conducted along the Montone River. On April 3rd, the battalion again moved up to the line for the crossing of the Senio River, which commenced six days later at 1920 hours. The next day, after sporadic and intense fighting, the battalion continued to advance to the Canale di Lugo. ‘C’ Company seized a bridge intact at Scolo Arginello while ‘D’ Company occupied Casa Taroni, seizing Visani the next day against light opposition. The 1st Battalion cleared the Scolo Tratturo on April 12th, 1945, and enjoyed a five-day period of rest. On April 21st, 1945, ‘C’ and ‘D’ Companies advanced towards Ferrara, and the battalion consolidated its positions the next day. Ferrara was liberated amidst light opposition and the brigade passed into divisional reserve. The 8th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders took over the garrison at Ferrara on April 27th and both battalions beat Retreat in the medieval town's square. The 1st Battalion crossed the Po River the next day and was ordered to move to Venice. That order was canceled on April 30th, and the general surrender of all German forces in Italy was announced on May 2nd, 1945. On May 8th, 1945, the battalion ended the war in Rovigo, Italy.

    The 1st Battalion moved back to a rest area near Foligno on May 20th, 1945, and orders arrived reassigning the 25 officers and 600 other ranks to the Black Watch, the Cameron Highlanders, the London Scottish, the Highland Light Infantry and the 8th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, which began on June 3rd.
     
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  8. vitellino

    vitellino Senior Member

    8th Battalion, 36 Brigade, fought on the Trasimene Line between 20-30 June 1944. They deserve a mention!

    One of them, buried as an unknown in Bolsena War Cemetery after having been concentrated there from Castiglione del Lago Civil Cemetery, has now been identified by CWGC thanks to my efforts. His case is now with the MOD for confirmation. I won't name him as his family will not have been advised yet.

    Vitellino
     
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  9. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Both 1 A&SH and 8 A&SH fought at Monte Cassino.

    1 A&SH were in at the start of the Fourth Battle of Cassino with an assault river crossing on the River Gari below Sant Angelo as part of an 8 Indian Division operation.

    8 A&SH were in the later stages of the Fourth Battle of Cassino when they took part in the 78 Infantry Division attack on Aquino.

    78 Inf Div were at Cassino but not El Alamein. 8 Indian Division were at Cassino but not El Alamein.

    Maybe he was 6 A&SH who became 93 AT Regt RA although I do not know their exact movements.

    Regards

    Frank
     
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  10. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    Frank, here is my summary for the 6th A & SH. It was a V Corps asset in North Africa and Italy.

    6th (Renfrewshire) Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise’s) (T.A.) M-G



    52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division – Attached – 3 September 1939 to 16 October 1939

    The battalion was raised from ‘B’ Company at Barrhead of the 5th/6th Battalion on May 17th, 1939 and embodied on September 1st, 1939 at Paisley. It was located with ‘A’ Company in the Paisley area, ‘B’ Company at Pollokshaws and Barrhead, ‘C’ Company at Port Glasgow and Gourock, ‘D’ Company at Greenock and HQ Company from each area. Each company remained in its own area until October 16th 1939, when it moved by rail to New Martinique Barracks, Bordon, Hampshire. The 5th Battalion took its place in the 52nd Division.


    WO Control – Aldershot Command - 16 October 1939 to 11 January 1940

    The 6th Battalion moved from Bordon on January 10th, 1940 to Southampton and crossed the Channel to Cherbourg on the night of 10th/11th of January. It then moved to Vire, Champfleur and finally Armentieries.


    GHQ Troops BEF – 5th Infantry Division – Attached - 11 January 1940 to March 1940

    On arrival at Armentieries it became GHQ Troops under the II Corps and was attached to the 5th Infantry Division.


    GHQ Troops BEF – 2nd Infantry Division – Attached – March 1940 to 31 May 1940

    It moved to Auberchicourt in March 1940 and came under the command of I Corps and the 2nd Infantry Division along with the 2nd Manchester Regiment M-G. It moved into Belgium at Mekingen on May 10th and fought with 2nd Infantry Division through Dunkirk on May 31st, 1940.


    WO Control – 1 June 1940 to 2 July 1940

    It returned to England and was reformed at Willsworthy Camp, Lydfield in Devonshire. On June 16th it moved to the Darnell area of Sheffield.


    59th (Staffordshire) Infantry Division – Attached – 2 July 1940 to 23 January 1941

    The battalion moved to Middleborough on July 2nd, 1940, when it came under the command of X Corps and the 59th (Staffordshire) Infantry Division. It remained with the division until January 23rd, 1941. It moved to Hawes on beach defence at the end of October 1940 and then to the coast at Yarm in mid-December 1940.


    50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division – Attached - 23 January 1941 to 31 January 1941

    On January 23rd, 1941 it left for Wincanton, Somerset and came under 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division. Instead of joining the division it was sent from there to Skegness by the end of January to exchange with the 2nd Cheshire Regiment M-G in the 1st Infantry Division.


    1st Infantry Division – Attached - 1 February 1941 to 1 November 1941

    It moved to Wiseton on March 2nd and to the Waithness Lines, Catterick on September 3rd, 1941. It moved to Stamford on September 21st, 1941 with orders to convert to an anti-tank regiment.


    Service as Royal Artillery

    It was converted to the 93rd Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery (‘A’- ‘D’ Btys) on November 1st, 1941. The batteries were renamed ‘Q’ to ‘T’ on March 11th, 1942. ‘S’ Battery left on July 28th, 1942, but returned when ‘R’ Battery left on August 19th, 1942. The batteries were numbered as the 150th to the 152nd on January 1st, 1943 and the 330th Battery was added on July 1st, 1943. The 330th Battery was disbanded and replaced by ‘BB’ Battery on April 30th, 1945. The regiment served under the 48th (South Midland) Infantry Division in the United Kingdom from November 12th, 1941 to August 7th, 1942. It moved to Welbeck in mid-May 1942. It then became the anti-tank regiment of V Corps on August 25th, 1942. It arrived in Algiers under the corps on December 22nd, 1942. It then served with the corps in North Africa from then until May 1943. It left North Africa on December 15th, 1943 to join the V Corps in Italy. It served with the corps in Italy from until March 7th, 1945, when it left Taranto for Port Said. It arrived there on March 14th and moved to Ahmaza Camp, near Cairo at the Royal Artillery Depot. It moved to Palestine and served under 1st Infantry Division in Palestine from April 9th until the end of the war, replacing the 81st Anti-Tank Regiment.
     
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  11. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Thanks Dryan.

    Much appreciated.

    V (BR) Corps were not a Cassino or El Alamein so that eliminates 6 A&SH too.

    F
     
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  12. dryan67

    dryan67 Senior Member

    Here are the 8th Battalion A & SH command and moves:

    8th (Argyllshire) Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise’s) (T.A.)


    154th Infantry Brigade – 3 September 1939 to 5 July 1940

    The battalion was embodied on September 1st, 1939 at Oban. Its companies were located as follows: ‘A’ Company at Luchgilphead, mid-Argyll and Islay; ‘B’ Company at Campbeltown and Kintyre, ‘C’ Company at Oban, Ballachulish, and Mull; and ‘D’ Company at Dunoon. The brigade left for France on February 2nd, 1940 and landed the following day. It served in France through June 15th, when it embarked for Southampton, where it arrived the following day. The battalion was sent to Gailes Camp in Ayrshire. It reformed with ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘X’ and ‘Y’ Companies. On its return from France, the brigade was used during June and July to collect any details of the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division, which had escaped capture on June 12th.


    GHQ Home Forces – 5 July 1940 to 17 July 1940

    It left the brigade on July 5th, 1940 and moved to Dunfermline where it mobilized for tropical conditions.


    101st Royal Marine Brigade – 17 July 1940 to 18 August 1940

    The battalion then joined 101st Royal Marine Brigade at Saltash, Plymouth on July 17th, 1940 with the 1st and 5th Battalions Royal Marines. The battalion moved with the brigade to Liverpool on August 18th, 1940 to embark for Dakar but its ship never arrived.


    GHQ Home Forces – 18 October 1940 to 27 October 1940

    The 8th Argylls remained in Liverpool until mid-October 1940, when it embarked in a new ship. It moved to Hamilton by ship on October 24th, 1940.


    101st Royal Marine Brigade – 27 October 1940 to 4 May 1941

    When 101st Royal Marine Brigade returned on the 27th, the battalion came under command once again. It remained at Hamilton for six months and trained at Loch Fyne during the winter of 1940-41. It once again embarked on ship at Gourock on April 23rd, 1941 and sailed to Loch Fyne to train but returned to Hamilton by the next day.


    102nd Royal Marine Brigade – 4 May 1941 to 4 April 1942

    It was to go to the Azores and transferred to the 102nd Royal Marine Brigade on May 4th, 1941 with the 2nd Battalion Royal Marine. It embarked at Hamilton on May 9th with the 2nd Royal Marines and was to be used in the Canary Islands with the Royal Marine Division and the 29th Infantry Brigade along with ‘E’ Company of the 5th Battalion. It sailed to Loch Fyne for a dress rehersal, but at the start of June 1941 the troops of Force 110 were dispersed and the battalion moved with the 102nd Royal Marine Brigade to Galashiels with both battalions located at Netherdale Mill. Force 110 remained in existence and early in August 1941 it assembled at Gourock. It embarked for the Orkneys for an exercise in preparation for the taking of the Canary Islands. After the exercise it remained at Scapa Flow for several days and visited the 15th Battalion in the Orkney Garrison. It disembarked on August 18th, 1941 and moved by train to St. Boswell and then to Jedburgh. The Battalion HQ moved to a farm called Timpendean near Ancrum and it organised for winter billets. During this time it took part in exercises at Loch Fyne in October 1941 and in February 1942 with the 102nd Royal Marine Brigade. It also planned for an exercise to take Leghorn in Italy for 12 hours to destroy installations and capture a cruiser. In February 1942 one officer and 80 men volunteered for the Royal Marine Commando (later 40th Royal Marine Commando).


    GHQ Home Forces – 4 April 1942 to 11 April 1942

    The battalion left Jedburgh and the Royal Marine Division on April 4th, 1942.


    1st Infantry Brigade (Guards) – 11 April 1942 to 7 August 1942

    The 8th Battalion joined the 1st Infantry Brigade (Guards) at Buddon and Bury Camps in Angus on April 11th, 1942.


    36th Infantry Brigade – 21 August 1942 to 25 December 1942

    The brigade embarked from the United Kingdom for North Africa on October 24th, 1942. It landed in North Africa on November 11th.


    1st Infantry Brigade (Guards) – 25 December 1942 to 16 February 1943

    The battalion served with the brigade in North Africa.


    36th Infantry Brigade – 16 February 1943 to 27 February 1943

    The battalion returned to the brigade in North Africa.


    128th Infantry Brigade – Attached – 27 February 1943 to 24 March 1943

    The battalion was used to reinforce the 128th Brigade in the Hunt’s Gap area.


    36th Infantry Brigade – 24 March 1943 to 31 August 1945

    The brigade remained in North Africa until July 23rd, 1943 and then embarked for Sicily. It arrived there on July 25th, 1943 and served there until September 23rd, 1943. It left Sicily on that date and landed in Italy on the next day. It served in Italy until July 17th, 1944. The battalion embarked for Egypt to rest and refit and arrived there on July 22nd. It remained in Egypt until September 7th, 1944 then sailed for Italy. It arrived on September 15th, 1944. It served in Italy until May 8th, 1945, then in Austria.
     
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