Samuel Wilson Smith 2nd Bn Royal Scots Fusiliers May 1944

Hello all,

My grandfathers brother Samuel Wilson Smith died in Anzio on 29 May 1944. He was in 2nd Bn Royal Scots Fusilier and was buried in Beachhead Cemetery, Italy. His service number was 14283227.

On 29 May 1944 he died along with 15 other men in Anzio. I was wondering whether anyone may have a copy for the war diaries for the Royal Scots Fusiliers 29/5/44 so I can find out what happened to him and the 15 other men?

CWGC:

Lance Corporal Samuel Wilson Smith | War Casualty Details | CWGC

Milngavie war memorial with Sams name on:

The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project :: View topic - Milngavie

 

Thank you very much for this.

So it states:

“2 RSF who were caught by their own box barage just as they were on the enemy wire”

Does this mean 2 RSF were laying down artillery fire but came up short and shelled their own men?

 

Thank you for clearing that up, I appreciate it.

 

The massive breakout from Anzio started on 23 May 44 and the thrust - which was exclusively American because of where they were located in the right hand part of the beachhead, was towards the Velletri Gap and the town of Valmontone. The role of the two British Divisions, who were in the left hand part of the beachhead was to launch Chinese attacks - lots of firepower but very little else, in order to give the Germans the strong impression that that was the axis of the advance on Rome.

It worked a treat and it took the Germans a few days to realise that they had been duped and that they had held their reserves in the wrong place.

The order then came for the two British Divs to advance - 5 Inf Div left and 1 Inf Div right. 5 Inf Div had 17 Infantry Brigade in it and one of the three infantry battalions in that Brigade was 2 RSF. 5 Inf Div headed up the coast towards the mouth of the River Tiber at Ostia. Sadly, this is the approach that the Germans always believed that the Allies would use so that is where most of the fixed defences - minefield, barbed wire, dug in machine gun positions, were located. And the defence was very deep so that it could take the energy out of any advance.

When an infantry battalion advances, it is supported by lots of artillery fire. That fire is supposed to destroy anything in its path.

It was often the case that infantry commanders were encouraged to get as close as possible to any artillery barrage so that when it lifted the Germans did not have enough time to get out of their deep bunkers and shoot at the advancing soldiers. It may have been that 2 RSF got too close and artillery rounds landed short.

Alternatively, the artillery just fired their box barrage into the wrong place. With such worn out equipment, this was not uncommon.

Regards

Frank

 

Wow thank you Frank, that is a great help!

 

I am a battlefield guide and will be in the Beach Head Cemetery in May 22. I will make a point of tipping my hat to Fus Samuel Smith.

Regards

Frank

 

I have a lot of information on the 2 RSF operation to cross the Garigliano on 17-18 Jan 44 - an operation that Fus Smith would have been involved in.

Start a Conversation with me and I will happily send it to you.

Regards

Frank

 

That would mean a lot to me and the family. Thank you!

 

Wow, thank you so much!

Very kind of you to find that!

 

That would be great!

 

Owen, I do like that Cemetery in your post 11. I've more of a interest in the other one that is stuffed to the gunnels with 1 British Infantry Division. My next job is to spend a good day & a bit taking a photo of each headstone. I will need a few sandwiches, piece & quite, & a pub/ restaurant near by.
Frank. Any ideas?
Will have a look at the weekend has what you have asked me to do. Owen that is.
Regards
Stu.

 

Stu.

We can sort that when we are in Anzio in May.

Just down from Beach Head Cemetery is a quiet trattoria when you can plonk yourself.

Frank

 

Post deleted.

Shown twice.

 

A bit late to the thread, sorry. My grandad was shot and captured that day with 2 RSF. He spent the rest of the war as a POW.

Kemp’s History of the Royal Scots Fusiliers 1919 - 1959 gives some details. I’ll try to find it a post.

Roxy