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)

Start Line - Stone Wall at Tufo 20 Jan 44

 A Soldier from ‘B’ Coy. 1 York & Lancs.: 

20 Jan 44 

‘We left the long stone wall at Tufo and advanced in open order as best we could for some 500 yards of grape vine wires behind a creeping barrage from our 25 pounders. We came to a clearing where a ginger haired Gerry was draped over his mortar and must have been caught by the barrage. All the rest of his crew were in an adjacent deep bunker screaming “Kamerad”. We fetched them out just as we were strafed by Yank aircraft, so they dived back down the dugout. We left one bloke to take them back to Tufo and carried on.’

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

More Information

 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