New Information 98 Field Regiment Royal Artillery

 Book: Battle For Monte Natale Page  162

201 Guards Brigade History

NEW INFORMATION RECEIVED SINCE BOOK PUBLISHED.

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

On 22^nd January came the heartening news that 1 Division and 3 U.S. Division had landed sixty miles to the north at Anzio, only 35 miles south of Rome.   If Kesselring would react to this threat to his supply routes  by withdrawing forces from the Garigliano front there might be an end to the present stalemate.   Rome seemed suddenly more attainable.

The Regiment was now placed in support of 201 Guards Brigade and during the ensuing Observation Post reliefs “B” Troop O.P. party was heavily mortared.   With the enemy little more than a quarter of a mile away movement in any of the Regimental O.P.s in daylight was out of the question, and officers and signallers had to wait for nightfall to stretch their cramped limbs and to gain some respite from the cold and insanitary confinement of their slit-trenches on the bleak hillside.

The news from Anzio indicated that the landing had not achieved the quick success that had been hoped for, and all ranks were warned to expect a period of static warfare on the Regimental front.

22 Jan 44 Disposition of 15 Infantry Brigade troops.

 

22 Jan 44 midnight: The dispositions of 15 Infantry Brigade troops. York & Lancs.

“B” “C” “D” Cos. and HQ. East of Minturno, KOYLI and Green Howards North of Minturno and Wiltshires around Tufo. (Photo John Strafford)

2 Royal Inniskillings Fusiliers Citation: Bar to Distinguished Service Order for Lieut. Col. J.P. O’Brien-Twohig

 NEW INFORMATION RECEIVED SINCE BOOK PUBLISHED

Battle For Monte Natale page 68

 2 Royal Inniskillings Fusiliers Citation: Bar to Distinguished Service Order for Lieut. Col. J.P. O’Brien-Twohig

 ‘On the night of 17-18 Jan 44, the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel J. P. O’Brien-Twohig, were ordered to force a crossing of the River Garigliano and to capture the East end of the Minturno ridge. The operation involved crossing the river in assault boats, traversing a broad expanse of plain held by German machine-gun posts and finally taking the ridge itself, which was very steep and woody, protected by deeply dug entrenchments and covered by extensive minefields.

Throughout this long and difficult action Lieutenant-Colonel O’Brien-Twohig gave an inspiring example of gallantry and leadership. With complete disregard of danger, he personally organised and encouraged his men and produced a complete recovery from a succession of setbacks which might well have proved fatal to the success of the operation. During the advance, a shell fell beside him, killing two officers and four signallers. Although painfully wounded and considerably shaken, he refused all offers of assistance and evacuation and insisted on continuing to command and lead his men. The successful completion of the task was very largely due to his personal example and encouragement, and he gave an outstanding example of courage and leadership at a time when such qualities were most urgently required.

General Montgomery pins the ribbon of the DSO on Lieut. Col. J.P. O'Brien-Twohig, Officer Commanding 2nd Inniskillings. The award was won during the Sicilian campaign. Standing a few yards away is Brigadier Campbell, VC., 13th Brigade.

5 BR Infantry Division plan for crossing the River Garigliano, 17–18 Jan 44. (TNA)

 

22 Jan 44 Bombardier Keast was awarded the Military Medal. NEW INFORMATION since book published.

 Book Battle For Monte Natale" Page 154

98 Field Regiment Royal Artillery War Diary

22 Jan 44 – 1430

Air Observation Post on recce but does not see anything. Enemy tanks at 776965, Point 156, Monte Natale.

22 Jan 44 – 1445

471 Battery reports three Sherman tanks previously stuck now OK. Observation Post Officer slight injury. ‘E’ Troop Observation Post Officer resting with 1 York & Lancs. Battery Commanders jeep disabled.

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

‘E’ Troop Observation Post Officer with the York & Lancs is Captain John Jerdein and Bdr. Reg Keast was his signaller

98 Field Regiment Royal Artillery Military Medal Citation for Bombardier J.R. Keast

22 Jan 44

On 22 Jan 44 Bombardier Keast was on duty as Observation Post Signaller on the Monte Natale feature, in support of 1 York & Lancs.

To enable support to be given to the forward troops the O.P had to be maintained all day, in an exposed position.   It was subjected to constant shell, mortar and sniper fire and the least movement brought intense fire down upon it.   A number of casualties were suffered by the infantry close by.   In spite of this Bdr. Keast crawled back on four separate occasions to repair the remote control wires when they were cut by shells or mortars.

His coolness and efficiency under heavy fire and complete disregard for his own safety, kept communications through at a time when they were urgently needed, as the O.P. was the only one in support of the Battalion.

As a direct result two counter-attacks were beaten back, largely by Artillery fire.

Bombardier Keast was awarded the Military Medal.

          

                       Photo Mark Howard 1986: left to right Sgt. Charlie Howard MM, Lance Bmbr. Les Belcher, Capt. John Jerdain MC, Bmbr. Reggie Keast MM.

 In December 44, Sgt. Charlie Howard won his MM near Bologna, having volunteered for an OP duty in an enemy occupied town, with the ulterior motive of trying to find his best mate Reg Keast who had been missing for 24 hours. Keast’s OP had been overrun however, he’d been badly injured by a grenade, & taken prisoner. These four gentlemen were the E Troop, 471 Battery, 98 Field Regt . Royal Artillery Observation Post party. 

Point 172 – Minturno in distance.

 1 KOYLI War Diary 

20 Jan 44 – 1000 

 All went well and Minturno and the Point 172 ridge were in British hands. We were then told we were in Brigade Reserve and were to occupy and hold Minturno, 1 Green Howards having previously passed through this town – but not cleared it, on the night of 19-20 January.

Point 172 – Minturno in distance. (Photo John Strafford)

                   Monte Natale - view from Tufo looking West (Photo John Strafford)