Oranges are Sweet

 Updated with further information

If only this had been in place before Ernest Shaw went there!

Cassino and its surroundings were a no-go area for a long time after the fighting was over, with uncleared minefields being a particular hazard. This sign was near the River Garigliano. All the orchards on the northern side of the Garigliano have been thickly sown with mines-hence the notice. The man in the pictiure is L/Cpl. Babb of Heath End, Great Kingshill High Wycombe, Bucks. Photo 10 Feb 44 NA11582

17 Jan 44 Crews prepare for river crossing

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 Crews of some Priests self-propelled guns at work preparing them for the river crossing. 17 Brigade, Garigliano area.   Photo 17 Jan 44 2 APFU Sgt. Johnson. NA 10922.

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.

NEW INFORMATION RECEIVED SINCE BOOK PUBLISHED: 

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

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

                                   Priest F1 Sgt. Gerry Tonkin on right Winter 1944

1 York & Lancs. actual route of attack on Monte Natale 20 Jan 44.

 

1 York & Lancs. actual route of attack on Monte Natale 20 Jan 44. ‘A’ Co. on reaching the road turned right in front of the Cemetery and went around the corner to the left. (Map Frank de Planta)

Ernest Shaw of 1 York & Lancs reported:

We were going down the side of a road, perhaps 50 yards off the road on the right of the road (just before the Gerry Aid Post.   The Gerry Aid Post was just on the corner of the road which ran in front of the Cemetery as you approached it from Minturno). One of our platoons rounded the bend on the road itself and there must have been a German tank with this corner under observation and he let fly at them. There were a couple of casualties before they got off the road. While Ted and I were still behind this corner and still 30 to 40 yards short of the corner but off the road, “A” Company came marching down, a full platoon, not marching but walking in single file. Their Company Commander, I believe his name was Wilson, Major A. Wilson, was not far from the front, perhaps a couple of Sections in front of him and I shouted to him ‘Excuse me Sir watch it on the corner, you are under observation, you are better off the road’. But whether he did not hear me properly, he glared and carried on. Next thing the Gerry tank sees these guys going around the corner and lets go again and they scatter. There were a few casualties. I cursed the officer. “Daft Bugger”.

Road: Cemetery–Tufo. Point 172 at top.

              Road: Cemetery–Tufo. Point 172 at top. Ernest Strafford's grave is 55 yards from where this photo was taken on the right behind the hedge. (Photo John Strafford)

22 Jan 44 Track - Minturno Cemetery corner to Point 172.

 

 1 KOYLI War Diary 

19 Jan 44 – 1000 

Our initial task was to clear the village of Tufo, standing high on a ridge above the assembly area and then to push on to Point 201 to the North of Tufo. A large barrage of all the Corps Artillery plus a Medium Regiment had been laid on to support the attack. Unfortunately, this barrage had been decided upon before the infantry plan had been fixed and it did not in fact quite fit the ground as seen from the ground and not from a map. The attack as it was put in had the barrage on the left flank to start with, gradually moving away as the attack progressed. Not only this but the attack had to go in at 1000 hours to fit the barrage which did not in fact give the Battalion enough time for preparation, recce and forming up. Whilst directing the barrage Captain K. Ashdown, 92 Field Regiment Royal Artillery, who was the Forward Observation Officer was hit by one of his own shells and subsequently died of his wounds.

 Route of 1 York & Lancs. 14 - 18 Jan 44