Has anyone got the unit history of 6th Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers war diary for 29 November 1943, they where involved in trying to move through a mine field to reach and cross the river, my father was one of the unit in the mine field they took casualties that day.
I've just looked it up in the Divisional history & also in Ken Ford's book. A few paragraphs about it there. Can't post it now off to work. Not got War diary , sorry.
From Algiers To Austria by Cyril Ray. The Divisional history of 78th Division. From Battleaxe Division by Ken Ford.
Owen That clears a lot questions I have, also I think the purchase of the books is required may I thank you for your assistance.
No problem. I also suggest Richard Doherty's book Clear The Way! The 38th (Irish) Brigade 1941-1947. doherty - clear the way - AbeBooks I must get it myself oneday.
The Sangro was a particularly nasty river crossing and even the Germans recognised this, as shown in one of their propaganda leaflets that they once shelled over to us. BBC - WW2 People's War - More on German Propaganda leaflets
Hi Oldman, thanks for starting this thread. I have a relative who was killed on this day serving with the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Hi Owen, thanks for the book(s) excerpts, very interesting. The Doherty book is good. I've 'used' it in the local library a few times. The Irish Fusilier casualties that Ray speaks of, iirc, were caused by a couple of 88s. Hi Ron, thanks for that piece of history, fascinating.
I'm just going to nick Paul's photo from this thread of the view looking north across the Sangro Valley from the CWGC Cemetery to give you some idea of the terrain. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-cemeteries-war-memorial-research/14322-sangro-river-war-cemetery.html
No problem. I also suggest Richard Doherty's book Clear The Way! The 38th (Irish) Brigade 1941-1947. doherty - clear the way - AbeBooks I must get it myself oneday. I have it in my local library. Owen has advised and I shall respond!! Will sort this out on Monday oor Tuesday if I can!
RJL my fathers mate is also buried there and from Owen's posting of Paul's photo's ( there are more in his trip to Italy thread) it looks really peacful, it was this action he refered to as his days became numbered with illness. Ron als always thanks for your input the knowledge and minor details that shed more light on larger events is always well received, he was at the Po as well, but the officer stopped the photo of them having pee as per song and made them move off. Owen what can I say it was a chance that I found one piece of info you have really putthe flesh on the bones, the domestic authority complained again just because I have ordered the books you recommended
Here's the relevant excerpt from "Clear the Way". I hope it helps and apologies for the delay in posting this (Owen!!)
Just been using GoogleStreet view to get an idea of the terrain . Well worth a look. I've found places mentioned in the text such as Mozzagroga, Santa Maria & a sign for via Colli with a wheelie bin behind it.
