New Information Re 98 Field Regiment Royal Artillery

 

NEW INFORMATION RECEIVED SINCE BOOK PUBLISHED.

Book: Battle For Monte Natale Page  39

NEW INFORMATION

17 Infantry Brigade HQ War Diary

18 Jan 44 – 1630

Monte Argento shelled by Navy. Position has been twice attacked by 2 Royal Scots Fusiliers.; is heavily mined and booby trapped.

T. B. Davis The Surrey & Sussex Yeomanry (98 Field Regiment) 1980

“Monte Argento was supported by a fire- plan from the Regiment.   Not until midday was the little hill finally taken.   The Royal Scots Fusiliers had suffered nearly two hundred casualties in a total advance of two miles and the Seaforth Highlanders had lost two hundred and forty.   To the right of 17 Brigade the picture was less gloomy, for 13 Brigade had gained all its objectives, and Major Peile and Capt Stride were across the river with 6 Northants.   The Minturno Ridge was still in enemy hands but the Royal Pioneer Corps were maintaining a constant smokescreen along the line of the river and under cover of this were swiftly constructing a tank ferry.”

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Book: Battle For Monte Natale Page 19 

17 January 1944 is the eve of the launching of the first stage of the battle for Rome.

Armour moves up for the battle, and mobile “PRIEST” Guns and their crews prepare.   Last minute adjustments and repairs are carried out on the guns, and the gunners eat their eve of battle meal.   Gunners of the 471 Battery, Surrey and Sussex Yeomanry prepare themselves and their mobile PRIEST Guns for the battle.

17 Jan 44

Video 643 5-7

No.2 Army Film and Photo Section

Cameraman: Sgt Hopkinson

Copyright: Imperial War Museum

NEW INFORMATION 98 Field Regiment R.A. 18 Jan 44

 

NEW INFORMATION RECEIVED SINCE BOOK PUBLISHED.

Book: Battle For Monte Natale Page 31

52 Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery War Diary

18 Jan 44 - 0600

“206” Battery:   Section of 17 pounders from Landing Craft Tanks landed South of river in error.   Landing lights were placed on wrong side of river which resulted in complete disorganisation of landing party.  Lieutenant Allen and Troop Sergeant landed successfully near Monte d’Argento.

NEW INFORMATION

Major G. H. Peile Adventures of “392 Battery”, 98^th Field Regiment 1945 IWM

The “A” Troop boating part proved something of a flop.   Led by their Troop Commander in his new Sherman they made a dashing assault-landing only to find that the only opposition came from “B” Troop, since their Landing Craft Tank had landed on the south side of the river instead of the north.

Navy lends A Hand ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Book: “Battle For Monte Natale” Page 7 Frank de Planta ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Frank De Planta

“94 Infantry Division were supported by two cruisers and five destroyers firing from offshore.  17 Infantry Brigade were accompanied by a Naval Gunfire Control Officer who was able to direct the fire of one of the cruisers.”

No.2 Army Film and Photo Section

Cameraman Sgt Hopkinson

Copyright: Imperial War Museum (Video IWM 643/ 5-7)

18 January 1944

5 Division, 17 Brigade

Meanwhile the Navy lends a hand.   Lying off shore destroyers give support fire to the Brigade, orders being transmitted by a Brigade Artillery officer to sailors at Brigade HQ, who  retransmit the orders to the ships by wireless.

The Brigade Artillery Officer, Captain H. W. Hill of Scotland calls out “fire” orders from his wireless truck to the sailors crouched beside it over their wireless sets, with which they transmit his orders to the destroyers off shore.  Finally another Officer is seen pointing out targets to a sailor holding the firing-map. 

New Information 17 Jan 44 Book page 19

 "Mark Howard, historian researching the 98 Field Regiment Royal Artillery”

It is believed that the Sergeant working on the gun in the opening sequence is Sgt. Gerry Tonkin.

See Video below 643 5/7

Priest F1 Sgt. Gerry Tonkin on right Winter 1944

Lieutenant Geoffrey Winter 1 York & Lancs.

Additional Information: 

Book: Battle For Monte Natale Introduction Page xix

From left to right: Fleur Winter (wife of Geoffrey), Eileen Norton (wife of Colonel Geoffrey Norton), Colonel Geoffrey Norton – Former Colonel of the York & Lancaster Regiment, John Strafford, Lieutenant Geoffrey Winter - Platoon Commander 1 York & Lancs., Caroline Strafford (wife of John).   John Strafford was presented by Colonel Norton with the tie of the York & Lancaster Regiment in honour of his father Ernest Strafford.   Colonel Norton and Lieutenant Winter are wearing the regimental tie.   (Photo 2014)

Seaforth Highlanders of Canada at Ortona Jan 44

 When researching my book "Battle For Monte Natale" I came across this film at The archives of the Imperial War Museum which I thought might be of interest in particular to the Canadians. The film starts with a shot of the town of Ortona, Italy and then the Padre (Major Roy C.H.Dunford of Price Regent, Canada) leading the men in prayer and then singing the hymn "Lead Kindly Light". Then the Pipe Major (Pipe Major Esson of Vancouver( slow marches in front of the graves playing "Flowers of the Forest". I Battalion York & Lancs. fought near Ortona at the end of December 1943. My father Ernest Strafford, was there!