18 January 1944 – Securing the
Bridgehead
X (BR) Corps:
201 Guards Brigade
40 Royal Tank Regiment
46 Infantry Division
56 Infantry Division
In total, about 50,000 men.
Frank de Planta, battlefield expert
‘By first light 2 Northants, less “B” Company, who were running the ferries, were on the
far bank and up with 2 Royal Scots Fusiliers and 6 Seaforths. However, the minefield in
front of 17 Infantry Brigade proved a very extensive obstacle and many 6 Seaforths had
to be retrieved and evacuated which further eroded the Brigade momentum. In addition,
any attempt to bring up stores and vehicles was immediately subject to fire from German
artillery and pockets of infantry on the flat lands. This further slowed momentum.’
As day broke on 18 Jan 44, the bridgehead was subjected to heavy German artillery
fire from Observation Posts in the hills to the North. 17 Infantry Brigade were in the
most exposed position, pinned down by minefields and artillery fire on the flat ground
around Monte d’Argento, and so a smokescreen had to be put down to shield the
position from view. Whilst they were across the River Garigliano, the whole of 17
Infantry Brigade had suffered so many casualties that they were hard pressed to hold
onto the triangle of ground that they had secured around Monte d’Argento.
By first light 2 Wiltshires reached the Minturno-Castelforte road and pushed
on into the foothills heading for Tufo. Throughout 18 Jan 44 the Germans mounted
counterattacks against both 13 Infantry Brigade and 17 Infantry Brigade using some
tanks, but all were repulsed largely using defensive artillery.
What caused delay to further sustained progress was the inability to establish
permanent crossings of the River Garigliano that were out of range of German guns
and observation from German artillery Observation Posts on Monte Scauri.
158 Field Ambulance War Diary
A Medical Station was set up with two Field Surgical Units and one Field Transfusion
Unit, and both ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies were employed for the evacuation of casualties
during the initial stage of the crossing of the River Garigliano. ‘A’ Company provided
two Sections which landed by DUKW and one Section which crossed the river in
assault boats, whereas ‘B’ Company established a Light Advanced Dressing Station
800 yards South of the river with a pool of trucks working forward to the river.
It was originally intended that the two Sections in DUKWs should land North of
the river, clear the casualties, and form a Casualty Embarkation Point and return the
casualties on returning DUKWs and Landing Craft. Unfortunately, the DUKWs carrying
these Sections ran aground on a sandbank in the mouth of the river and all personnel and
equipment had to be taken off by assault boats. After a few days the Advanced Dressing
Station moved across the river and was established in the area South of Minturno.
15 Infantry Brigade War Diary
18 Jan 44
GOC 5 Infantry Division Major-General Philip Gregson Ellis, now decided that he could
do no more until the original objectives of 17 Infantry Brigade around Minturno and
Tremensuoli had been secured. This he could only achieve by using the Reserve Brigade.
Accordingly, he planned that 15 Infantry Brigade should cross the river that night at 2200,
pass through 2 Wiltshire's positions and advance Westwards in the early hours of 19 Jan 44.
The Minturno Sector Dec 43 – Mar 44 showing the three main objectives of 5 Infantry Division:
Minturno, Tremensuoli and Monte Natale. (TNA)
At first light on 18 Jan 44 a Staff Officer from 5 Infantry Division arrived to say
the battle had not gone quite according to plan the previous night and that 15 Infantry
Brigade instead of being held back to pass through 17 Infantry Brigade and directed up
the Ausonia valley, would now be at one hour’s-notice to move up behind 13 Infantry
Brigade, prepared to pass through them probably 18 -19 January and attack Minturno
from the East, thus relieving the pressure on 17 Infantry Brigade who were still pinned
down in a small triangular parcel of land just beyond the river.
15 Infantry Brigade Command went straight to HQ, 5 Infantry Division, to get back 1
York and Lancs., who had been placed under command 17 Infantry Brigade for the first phase
with a view to passing through to secure Monte Bracchi. 1 York & Lancs. had not crossed
the river and were accordingly ordered back to their original area, Pizzone, having marched
about 20 miles and been on their feet all night. They arrived at Pizzone at about 1500.
15 Infantry Brigade Command spoke to the three Commanding Officers of their
Battalions on the telephone from Division about 1300 and ordered all three Battalions
to move forward in troop carrying vehicles to the debussing area immediately after
dark. 15 Infantry Brigade HQ to move, if possible, before Battalions moved. These
moves were carried out without incident.
15 Infantry Brigade now consisted of:
1 Green Howards
1 Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
1 York & Lancs.
The new orders from HQ 5 Infantry Division were:
1 Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry to clear Tufo by 1000 hours 19 Jan 44.
1 Green Howards to advance at 1000 hours on 19 Jan 44 under heavy barrage
directed on Minturno and Point 141. 1 Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry to advance
under same barrage and secure Point 201. Start line to be through West end of Tufo.
1 York & Lancs. to remain in Brigade area of road and track junction as reserve.
From 2200 18 Jan 44 the Battalions were to cross river by ferry; order of march,
1 KOYLI, 1 Green Howards, 1 York & Lancs. Tactical Brigade HQ would also cross
during the night.
Brigade HQ would remain at present location and be mainly responsible for calling
forward unit transport as soon as bridge was open.
All three Battalions crossed the river without incident and reached their concentration
areas, guides being provided by 13 Infantry Brigade. 1 KOYLI were unlucky enough
to encounter ‘S’ mines [Schrapnel mines – when triggered, these mines are launched
into the air and then detonated at about 1 metre from the ground] and suffered some
20 casualties, all from one Company. No vehicles were able to cross the river during the
night owing to bridging difficulties.
15 Infantry Brigade consisted primarily of Yorkshire men, for all three Regiments
were based in Yorkshire. This gave them a County identity as well as a Regimental
identity.
5 Infantry Division Revised Plan of Attack showing 15 Infantry Brigade moving ahead
to take Tufo and Minturno. 13 Infantry Brigade are to the right of them. No area was
safe from mines. 10 Corps War Diary. (TNA)
1 KOYLI War Diary
18 Jan 44
It was difficult and unpleasant. Mines were a very real danger and a single-line track
had been marked across country with tapes by the Royal Engineers. This may well have
been good enough for men in daylight, but for heavily laden men in the dark it was a
nightmare, despite the new moon.
Owing to the slow progress, the sappers [Royal Engineers] were prevented from
bridging by daylight and the move of 201 Guards Brigade was postponed for 24 hours.
56 Infantry Division crossed opposite Castelforte, but 46 Infantry Division failed to get
a bridgehead across the River Garigliano.
2 Cameronians War Diary
The CO. went forward to
2 Inniskillings crossing place and found that all their assault
boats had been either sunk or holed and that only part of the leading Company had
managed to get across the river. Their crossing place had been subject to heavy
mortaring and small arms fire. 2 Wiltshires crossing had been successful, and it was
agreed between the two COs. that 2 Inniskillings would cross at 2 Wiltshires crossing
place, which they did. The CO. was ordered to send only two Companies across the
river following 2 Inniskillings.
Lieutenant D.H. Deane, 2 Scots Guards writes
18 Jan 44 Tuesday
‘Early reveille, move off in trucks with our hearts in our mouths. Along dreary
roads passing very ominous blood wagons coming back the other way. Turn off to debussing area, and wait – wait interminably it seems, no one knows what for. At last,
move off and march for an equally long period – troops absolutely whacked, cross
the River Garigliano in sinister silence. A very pretty American girl lashing up coffee
to the ambulance drivers. I wonder if we look heroic filing away into the darkness.
More marching in all about ten miles and arrive in a field with damn all shelter from
the cold.
Frank de Planta, battlefield expert:
18 Jan 44 – 0100
‘2' Wiltshires crossed one and a half hours late. The remainder of 2 Inniskillings followed
immediately and then 2 Cameronians crossed, still in the boats of 2 Wiltshires.’
2 Wiltshires War Diary
18 Jan 44 – 0115
Leading Companies start their advance.
18 Jan 44 – 0130
Advance is halted at the first objective. This is due to the failure of 2 Inniskillings
crossing and the situation of 17 Brigade on our left.
Sir David Cole, 2 Inniskillings, Rough Road To Rome.
18 Jan 44 – 0200
‘Initially the Wiltshires were still using many of their boats so that only three were
available for us. Now the whole of “B” Company were over the river and had set off
across the plain, now strangely silent, towards the forming-up place for the final assault.
“C” Company and Advanced HQ crossed next.’
Royal Inniskillings Regimental Museum
‘A’ and ‘C’ Companies were reassembling. As Lt. Col. J.P. O’Brien-Twohig said, ‘If
you are lost, make for the sound of firing’. The attacking Companies: ‘B’ and ‘C’,
pushed on towards their objectives protected by creeping artillery fire.
The heavy artillery was on the western slopes of the mountains leading down to the
Garigliano plain.
Spike Milligan, ‘D’ Battery 56 Heavy Regiment Royal Artillery, Mussolini: His
Part in My Downfall 18 Jan 44 – 0220
‘Awakened by someone screaming, coming from the guns, pulled back the
blackout and could see the glare of a large fire, at the same time a voice in pain
was shouting “Command Post, for God’s sake somebody, where is the Command
Post?” It was someone with his hair on fire, coming up the path. He was beating
it out with his hands. I jumped from my bed, sans trousers and ran towards him,
it was Bombardier Begent. I helped beat the flames out. His face and hands were
badly burnt. I helped him up the ladder to the Command Post and I blurted out
to those within: “There’s been a direct hit on the guns.” I realised then that I was
late with the news, wounded gunners were already being attended to. Everybody
looked very tense. Behind me flames were leaping twenty feet in the air. I rushed
back to my dug out and dressed in a flash. Took my blankets back to the Command
Post to help cover the wounded. I then joined the rest of the Battery, who were
all pulling red-hot and burning charge cases away from those not yet affected.
They were too hot to pull by hand, so we used pickaxes wedged in the handles.
Lieutenant Stewart Pride was heaping earth on them with his hands. Gunner
Devine seemed to be enjoying it. He was grinning and shouting. “This is the first
time I’ve been warm today”. It never occurred to me that some of the boxes that
were hot might still contain unexploded cordite charges. Fortunately, they didn’t
go off and that’s why I’m able to write this diary today.
It was a terrible night. Four Gunners die and six were wounded. All suffered burns
in varying degrees. The work of subduing the fire went on until early dawn. It was
terrible to see the burnt corpses. There was little Gunner Musclewhite, he’d been killed
sitting up in bed. He was burnt black, and his teeth showed white through his black
f
leshless head. Sgt Jock Wilson too, Gunner White and Ferrier.
17 Infantry Brigade War Diary
18 Jan 44 – 0245
Brigade Command orders 6 Seaforths to patrol Highway 7 and 2 Royal Scots Fusiliers
to secure left flank by capture of Monte Argente. 2 Northants to attack Minturno in
daylight.
6 Seaforths War Diary
18 Jan 44 – 0300
All approaches and tracks towards the railway were impossible owing to extensive
mine field.
17 Infantry Brigade War Diary
18 Jan 44 – 0330
17 Infantry Brigade to consolidate in present position and 15 Infantry Brigade to take
Minturno Ridge by passing through 17 Infantry Brigade.
6 Seaforths Citation: Bar to Military Cross for Major A.E. Low
Major A.E. Low‘s Company was the leading Company in the assault crossing of the
River Garigliano on the night of 17–18 Jan 44. When moving forward to the riverbank,
two of his subalterns and three of his Platoon Sergeants were seriously wounded by ‘S’
mines. He himself was also wounded, but he carried on and led his Company across
the river under heavy shell fire and machine gun fire. His calm courage and forceful
leadership under most difficult circumstances were a magnificent example to his men
and assured the subsequent success of the whole assault crossing by the Battalion. In
spite of being in great pain from the wound which had affected his sight, Major Low led
his Company, now much depleted by casualties, forward from the river and continued
to engage the enemy until the success of the operation. Throughout the night and until
about mid-day on 18 Jan 44, when he was ordered to hand over his Command and have
his wounds attended to, this officer displayed magnificent courage and devotion to duty.
6 Seaforths Citation: Bar to Military Cross for Captain G.A. Falconer
When the assault crossing of the River Garigliano began on the night 17-18 Jan 44, Capt.
Falconer was Second in Command of ‘C’ Company. His Company Commander was
severely wounded, and Capt. Falconer took command and got his Company across the
river under intense enemy shell fire. By first light 18 Jan 44 his Company had secured
its first objective, and the first enemy counterattack which took place soon after dawn
was successfully repulsed. Shortly afterwards the enemy brought up three tanks and
counterattacked again. In this engagement Capt. Falconer was himself wounded and
his Company suffered many casualties. He continued in action however and conducted
a successful withdrawal to more advantageous positions covering the bridgehead. As
a result of his fine leadership the enemy counterattack was successfully held. Capt.
Falconer’s courageous leadership was a magnificent example to his men and the success
of the assault crossing was in no small measure due to this officer’s skill and courage.
Sir David Cole, 2 Inniskillings, Rough Road To Rome.
18 Jan 44 – 0400
‘Most of us were now across the river and wireless messages told us that “B” Company,
having ejected such German opposition as it had encountered along the way, had
reached its ordained position in front of the Minturno Ridge ready for the final assault.
“C” Company then started to move forward from the river.’
Advanced HQ paused for a moment near the edge of the last orchard. Men ahead of
us were falling, struck by flying shrapnel. Then in a single second everything became instantly silent and dark. I was floating gently in the air. I landed in slow motion, feeling
nothing. I had heard no sound and seen no flash. My eyes seemed loath to open. In the
blackness my first dazed sense was one of disaster. Sprawled on the ground, I slowly
passed a hand over my body. On my haversack and map case I encountered lumps
of what seemed like suet pudding. Below my knees my battledress was soaked with
blood. God, I’ve lost a leg, I thought. I felt on and found my boots. I moved my legs. I
breathed. Acrid fumes entered my throat. Any sounds I could hear seemed to be miles
away. My eyes opened. All this in seconds.
In the dim light I found myself cast like refuse amongst a heap of mangled bodies.
In the eddying smoke of the exploded shell, I saw men reeling away, nursing wounded
arms or legs. In the middle was a pile of shattered corpses. Besides me that heroic and
happy warrior, to whom I had just been talking, lay in pieces. Part of somebody’s brains
was attached to my haversack. Half of another indistinguishable body lay at my feet,
oozing intestines. Its blood had been squirted over my legs. On my left side was a boot
with a foot in it and some other miscellaneous objects. I felt no nausea. I felt nothing
at all. I was in a state of deep shock. Any momentum that I immediately thereafter
developed must have been instinctive or pre-programmed, – the product of training so
often repeated that it could influence me even in my sleep.’
Royal Inniskillings Regimental Museum
‘Then, suddenly the whole nerve centre of the Battalion was practically wiped out when
a shell landed in the middle of Battalion HQ. O’Brien-Twohig himself was wounded.
Strenuous efforts by the wireless Officer, Captain David Cole, quickly restored order
and communications.’
2 Royal Inniskillings Fusiliers Citation: Military Cross for Captain David Lee Cole
17–18 Jan 44
On the night 17-18 Jan 44, 2 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers carried out a crossing of the
River Garigliano and an attack on the high ground, 8196, (Eastern edge of Minturno
Tufo ridge). Enemy Direct Fire killed the Battalion HQ ‘18 Set’ signallers while in the
assembly area. Capt. Cole with great coolness and bravery moved about organising
fresh signallers, under fire. On the other side of the river the HQ ‘18 Set’ signaller
was injured by a shell which also knocked down and severely shook Capt. Cole. He
managed to get the ‘Set’ working again and communication with the forward companies
being absolutely vital, Capt. Cole personally led a line forward to make a connection.
One of his party was wounded crossing an enemy mine field, but in spite of this and
continuous shell fire, Capt. Cole succeeded in getting a line to the forward companies.
This line was of immense value in arranging the Direct Fire.
Throughout the night and next day, Capt. Cole displayed complete disregard for his
personal safety and his constant work on communications had the most direct result on
the success of the attack.
13 Infantry Brigade War Diary
18 Jan 44 – 0430
Owing to the delay in crossing by the Battalions the Divisional Command allowed zero
hour for Phase III to be postponed to 0430 hours.
2 Wiltshires War Diary
18 Jan 44 – 0430
Barrage starts and the Battalion begins to advance. During the advance two of our guns
shoot short and fall amongst our Companies, but casualties are slight.
2 Royal Scots Fusiliers Citation: Military Cross for Major A.F. Whitehead
Major Whitehead‘s Company landed on the beach on 17 Jan 44 about 600 yards South
of Mount d’Argento which was found to be firmly held by enemy mortars and machine
guns strongly dug in, inside caves. Major Whitehead speedily organised two attacks
on this feature, the first immediately on landing, and the second after having arranged
covering fire from
Vickers Machine Guns which landed later. A third attack with artillery
support was launched at 0445 on 18 Jan 44. In the three attacks the open beach was
the only possible line of advance. Major Whitehead exhibited the greatest courage and
leadership throughout the three attacks which he led personally and pressed home with
the utmost determination in the face of enemy fire and the presence of ‘S’ mines. His
energy and fine personal example were an inspiration to all ranks. The attacks by his
Company were undoubtably instrumental in preventing the fire of the enemy on Monte
d’Argento being brought to bear on the rest of the Battalion landing further South.
17 Infantry Brigade War Diary
18 Jan 44 – 0455
Enemy still hold Monte Argente and 2 Royal Scots Fusiliers call for artillery against
them.
6 Seaforths War Diary
18 Jan 44 – 0500
‘C’ Company reach main road and dig in 100 yards from road.
18 Jan 44 – 0530
Owing to congestion at beach head and enemy shelling of area, 12 Platoon, ‘B’ Company
were unable to cross river. Three Sections of ‘A’ Company under Lt. Phillips contact
Major A.J. Low MC with two Sections and proceed to main road. An enemy Scout Car
appeared and halted by this party. On fire being opened up the Scout Car made off.
Sir David Cole, 2 Inniskillings, Rough Road To Rome.
18 Jan 44 – 0530
“B” Company crossed the River Ausente then ran into a deep minefield near the
railway line. The need for them to advance fast across open ground in the brightening
twilight had limited the usefulness of mine-detectors and within a few minutes the
Company had lost 17 men, all dreadfully wounded, on mines. Further progress straight
into the minefield would have been suicidal so they had to find a way round.
“C” Company cleared the mines and cut their way through the barbed wire along
the riverbank of the River Ausente. They swept on across the railway line where the
forward German machine-gun crews, dazed by the bombardment and the steadiness
of the soldiers advancing towards them, climbed out of their trenches and ran. A few
minutes later the leading Platoons of “C” Company were dashing across the Lateral road at the foot of the ridge and into the tangle of barbed wire beyond. In the full light
of day, they could now see how steeply the ground rose up to the German defences.
2 Inniskillings arrive at the forming up place ready for the assault just in time to
catch their own barrage. Determined to keep close to the barrage as it crept forward,
with bayonets fixed, they walked steadily forward out of the trees on to the last stretch
of open grassland at the foot of the Minturno Ridge. “B” Company came out of the
gully in which it had been waiting to join the attack.
2 Cameronians War Diary
18 Jan 44 – 0530
‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies had crossed the river. The remainder of the Battalion was to
remain in the assembly area during daylight and cross at night.
The CO. was ordered by the Brigade Commander to cross with the remainder of
the Battalion as the crossing in the left sector by 17 Infantry Brigade had not gone
according to plan and to send two Companies to the assistance of 2 Wiltshires.
6 Seaforths War Diary
18 Jan 44 – 0540
Major Low and party are shelled by enemy and withdraw to a position 200 yards from
road, leaving Lt. Phillips and six men to watch the road armed with one
P.I.A.T. An
enemy tank approached and halted 20 yards from the position and opened fire. The
P.I.A.T. was fired but the bomb failed to explode, although having made a direct hit on
the tank. The party was then ordered to withdraw through a vineyard where contact was
finally made with Battalion HQ.
2 Cameronians War Diary
18 Jan 44 – 0545
The CO. ordered ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies to move towards the Lateral road at 815958 to
come under the command of 2 Wiltshires. By this time ‘D’ Company started crossing
the river. It had now become light but fortunately there was a ground haze restricting
enemy observation.
52 Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery War Diary
18 Jan 44 – 0600
206 Battery: Section of 17 pounders from Landing Craft Tanks landed South of
river in error. Landing lights were placed on wrong side of river which resulted in
complete disorganisation of landing party. Lieutenant Allen and Troop Sergeant landed
successfully near Monte d’Argento.
Major G. H. Peile Adventures of “392 Battery”, 98th Field Regiment 1945 IWM
"The “A” Troop boating part proved something of a flop. Led by their Troop Commander in his new Sherman they made a dashing assault-landing only to find that the only opposition came from “B” Troop, since their Landing Craft Tank had landed on the south side of the river instead of the north."
17 Infantry Brigade War Diary
18 Jan 44 – 0600
DUKWS party reported stranded on sand bar at river mouth.
2 Cameronians War Diary
18 Jan 44 – 0630
‘D’ Company crossed the river and took over ‘A’ Company’s position. Battalion HQ
then crossed followed by ‘C’ Company and moved forward.
Sgt. Raymond Hawtree, A Company 164 Field Ambulance, Private Papers.
18 Jan 44 – 0600
‘Dawn was about to break, and we had travelled about a mile and a half across the fields
heading towards a railway track, according to our map.
We came across Captain Essex dealing with his 2 Wiltshires men at his Regional
Aid Post and doing a fine job with his treatments. He had found a small house to treat
his wounded, under cover, which was a good thing in my estimation. Here we were
extremely exposed, as it was getting lighter every minute. Evacuation was out of the
question here. Normally, according to all training, we would at this stage be evacuating
our wounded to the Main Dressing Station, operated by our Headquarters Company.
But in this instance we could not go back to cross the river as we had no transport
whatsoever to carry out the job. All we could do was to treat the wounded the best we
could with the materials available and carry them forward to some suitable place to
be picked up at a later stage. This was indeed a hazardous operation for us, now fully
exposed to the enemy, in the light of day.’
2 Wiltshires War Diary
18 Jan 44 – 0700
Forward Companies start to meet opposition and two P.O.W.s are taken.
Sir David Cole, 2 Inniskillings, Rough Road To Rome.
18 Jan 44 – 0730
“B” Company now firmly established on their objective. They occupied the German
trenches to face their front, rear and, not least, left flank, where the Germans held the
ridge which went to the strongly held towns of Tufo and Minturno, still uncaptured by
the British.’
6 Seaforths War Diary
18 Jan 44 – 0730
‘C’ Company report counter attacked by three tanks and infantry with machine guns.
Attack was driven off and casualties sustained on both sides.
92 Field Regiment Royal Artillery War Diary
18 Jan 44 – 0735
Left Observation Post reports Tufo practically obscured by smoke from Direct Fire
Plan, not from generators.
18 Jan 44 – 0740
Smoke clears. 2 Cameronians have been ordered to take Minturno owing to delay by
17 Infantry Brigade. Fire Plan will probably be required in support of 2 Cameronians
and 2 Inniskillings. Batteries warned barrage may have to be shot again and instructed
to keep 200 rounds per gun dumped.
18 Jan 44 – 0750
365 Battery reports heavy anti-aircraft or medium rounds falling short on 2 Wiltshires
and causing casualties. HQ Royal Artillery informed.
HMS Orion Naval Record
18 Jan 44
Repeated bombardment from Gulf of Gaeta by HM Cruiser Spartan and HM Destroyers
Faulknor, Jervis, Janus and Laforey.
18 Jan 44
Bombarded Terracina in support of 5th Army advance across Garigliano River. Enemy
shore gunfire was ineffective.
18 Jan 44
Under air attacks and fire from enemy shore batteries.
5 Division, 17 Brigade
No.2 Army Film and Photo
Section Cameraman Sgt Hopkinson
Copyright: Imperial War Museum
(Video IWM 643/ 5-7)
Meanwhile the Navy lends a
hand. Lying off shore destroyers give
support fire to the Brigade, orders being transmitted by a Brigade Artillery
officer to sailors at Brigade HQ, who
retransmit the orders to the ships by wireless.
The Brigade Artillery Officer,
Captain H. W. Hill of Scotland calls out “fire” orders from his wireless truck
to the sailors crouched beside it over their wireless sets, with which they
transmit his orders to the destroyers off shore. Finally another Officer is seen pointing out
targets to a sailor holding the firing-map.
13 Infantry Brigade War Diary
18 Jan 44 – 0750
By about first light the two forward Battalions were estimated on their objectives. 2 Inniskillings had Battalion HQ and one Company on the contour. 2 Wiltshires had Companies on Point 102, Point 201 and in Tufo. Heavy casualties had been suffered by both Battalions from enemy small arms fire, mines, mortars, and artillery fire. The enemy positions had been overrun but there were sections of infantry and snipers still in the area.
2 Royal Inniskillings Fusiliers Citation: Military Medal for Sergeant Robert Boak
17–18 Jan 44
Sgt. Boak, as Pioneer Sgt. with 2 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, was ordered to move with
a fighting patrol ahead of the Battalion to give warning of mine fields and, if possible,
to clear paths for the Battalion.
Owing to the break-down of the original crossing this party reached the start line
well ahead of the Battalion. Sgt Boak reconnoitred a route forward across the River
Ausente a tributary of the River Garigliano, and, with the greatest personal bravery,
remained in the riverbed during the opening of our barrage, which fell on the river, so
as to clear forward the road, ahead of the attacking troops.
It was due to the outstanding courage and devotion to duty of this NCO that the
right attacking Company got through the enemy mine fields without a single casualty.
The left company suffered a number of casualties in the mine fields and Sgt. Boak at once
moved to their assistance and was of the greatest help to the Company Commander in
getting his Company through the mines. Sgt. Boak’s sang froid had a most tonic effect
on the Company, and but for him it would undoubtably have lost time and dropped
behind the barrage.
The Garigliano. Position at 8am on 18 Jan 44 showing routes taken by 2 Inniskillings,
2 Wiltshires and 2 Cameronians. (Map John Strafford) 5 Infantry Division History
18 Jan 44 – 0800
Supported by the Division Artillery, 2 Wiltshire’s reached the Lateral road from
Castelforte to Minturno by first light and crossed it into the foothills soon afterwards.
No comments:
Post a Comment