21 Jan 44
Crossing the Garigliano – South West of Minturno
The slow but strong tank-raft is putting the Sherman Tanks on the North bank.
On its retreat towards ROME the German Army is leaving not one of the many road and rail bridges intact. The railway spanning the main road and RIVER GARIGLIANO completely demolished by Sappers of 572 Field Company Royal Engineers to free a passage for heavy traffic. An oxyacetylene cutter breaks up the fallen bridge structure, Sappers remove the rails suspended in air, while behind them runs the river and a thick smoke screen to hide the bridging operations from German observers in the hills beyond. The rubble is loaded into trucks and tipped into nearby shell craters which are further blocking the main road, and one of many Bofors Guns guards these operations, and the newly won town of Minturno is in the background.
With the taking by British forces on January 20th of MINTURNO, hundreds of civilians began pouring home again. Most of them were ill clothed and on foot, little children and the aged, all in a long almost unbroken line from dawn until dusk. They are passing a Sherman tank on its way forward, the demolished bridge, and the ever alert Bofors gun crew.
Army 5 Division
21 Jan 44
Video 643 1-4
Cameraman: Sgt. Weber
Copyright Imperial War Museum
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