Crossing the Garigliano. Near Minturno (Italy) 19 Jan 44

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Book: Battle For Monte Natale Page  

19 Jan 44

Crossing the Garigliano. Near Minturno (Italy)
During the Allied offensive by the 5^th Army, troops have successfully established a bridgehead over the Garigliano River at various points.   The Germans, however are still within Artillery range of the river, and in consequence, movement is likely to bring down shell-fire.   The early crossings were by boat with considerable casualties. The pontoon bridges were under constant fire and needed rebuilding. There were early casualties and prisoners of war who needed repatriating.

First light on the river sees casualties being carried up. On the narrow bridgehead on the other side the Infantry are held up by mines, and a Company of Sappers file onto a pontoon raft with detecting apparatus, cast off, and slowly cross the river under mortar fire.

Sappers board a Mark II Pontoon Raft, start its outboard motor and cross the river.   This action was quite heavily mortared, but owing to the haze and smoke the bursts hardly registered.

While Sappers of the 252 Bridging Company Royal Engineers constructed a pontoon bridge and tank raft for the vehicles to follow.   The tank raft is seen in operation carrying a tank, ambulance and Jeeps.   A Bulldozer widens the approaches  and an assortment of vehicles line the road waiting for dark to cross by the reconstructed Pontoon Bridge.

The stretcher bearers bring the wounded up from the GARIGLIANO RIVER.   Then board a Mark II Pontoon Raft, start its outboard motor and cross the river.   The enemy is only 200 yards away on the opposite bank.   This action was quite heavily mortared, but owing to the haze of smoke, the bursts will probably not register.

The Pontoon Bridge further downstream has been badly damaged by German mortar fire.   Here Sappers are seen examining and reconstructing the bridge so that it can be used without delay as a jetty in conjunction with a light tank raft seen crossing beside the bridge

On the 56^th Division front a pontoon bridge was hit and partially sunk.   Some men preferred to run across the bridge and wade through the sunken portion – deeming it wiser to get wet feet.   Others preferred to remain dry and crossed in assault boats.   On the 5^th Division front at the mouth of the river, troops were ferried across on rafts – this movement obviously noticed by th enemy, as a considerable number of shells came over

Army 5 Division

No.2 Army Film and Photo Section

Cameramen:   Sgt Hopkinson

                              Sgt Weber

                              Sgt. J.R.Herbert

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