British 156 Parachute Battalion, Operation Slapstick, Taranto 1943

Please could someone help to identify the source of the following battlefield sketch?

The sketch shows a battlefield in Italy on 11th September 1943 from the perspective of 156 Parachute Battalion (4th Parachute Brigade, 1st Airborne Division) at a crossroad on the road between San Basilio and Castellaneta on the advance inland from Taranto during Operation Slapstick.

The sketch was reproduced in a wargames guide from an online military genealogy website that now appears to be defunct.

I am guessing that the original published source was a unit history by a veteran.

 

Hi,

Sorry can't help with the source. Apparently it is "from" a sketch by the I.O. on the spot. One for the Airborne Art thread methinks ...



Regards ...

Second thoughts: Most likely an artist's interpretation of the IO's rough sketch ...?

 

Yes, well spotted. Presumably, I.O. = Intelligence Officer. Right?

 

Yes, I would agree - Intelligence Officer. Not sure who that would be at the time.

Regards ...

 

Oops mistaken post - sorry

 

Never mind, there were lots of goods links on other interesting topics: e.g. Para dogs...!

Also, before anyone gives me a link to Para Data, I should make it clear that I spent a lot of time searching the Para Data website, before posting my query here on WW2Talk:

A living history of The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces | ParaData

 

Ho,

I'm sure you've already considered "Salute to the Steadfast". Thought it the most likely possibility in this 156 Para Battalion book list:

Publications | The 151-156 Parachute Battalion Association



Regards ...

 

I was thinking that some of the Notes from Overseas and other training publications had some illustrations somewhat like that. Maybe something to consider?

Regards

Tom

 

I think the drawing may be the work of Lieutenant The Honourable Oliver Piers St. Aubyn.

Before joining KRRC he was studying architecture, and there is artwork/drawing skill (technical drawing skill no less) historically within the family.

He was with 156 in Italy, and was certainly Intelligence Officer by Arnhem, so a possibility, and it may be a drawing of observations made on 15th September 1943 (see war diary extract below).



The "O" group as listed (including IO) "moved down east of road to our OP, 1/4 mile short of GOIJA. Country studied". Is the drawing featured in the thread of the "Country studied"?

A maybe, maybe.

Kind regards, always,

Jim.

EDIT: "GIOJA", Gioia (del Colle) is in the right area.