On This Day 20 January 1944 - Italy

 

X (BR) Corps History 20 Jan 44

1 York & Lancs. were ordered to pass through and capture Monte Natale. The situation at dawn on this day was that the Germans were known to be holding in strength the high ground North of Minturno and the Minturno town Cemetery, as well as Monte Natale which was another 800 yards further on to the West of the Cemetery. The plan for the attack consisted of two phases. In Phase 1, 1 York & Lancs. ‘A’ Company under Major A. Wilson on the right and ‘D’ Company under Major D. Young on the left were to advance behind a barrage along the ridge leading West from Tufo and capture the enemy positions North of Minturno, at Point 172.

In Phase 2 ‘D’ Company was to hold the position captured in Phase I while ‘B’ Company under Major D. Webster on the right and ‘C’ Company on the left were to follow another barrage and capture the Cemetery and Monte Natale, Point 156. ‘A’ Company was to follow ‘B’ and ‘C’ Companies and occupy the area of the Cemetery.

                 Battle of Minturno 1944. 1 York & Lancs. Plan of attack. (Map John Strafford)