5 Infantry Division Recce Intelligence Report
Enemy Situation
Taken completely by surprise all along the line the enemy has only been saved from complete destruction by the thick maze of mines (mostly wooden box) spread between the River Garigliano and the Minturno Ridge. The coastal belt may almost be described as a mine marsh through which the secure paths can now be traced with the aid of the original plans which we captured. Up to this point the enemy does not seem to have recognised the weight of our attack on his left which has made good progress. With the loss of Tufo he became very conscious of his danger and counter attacked here with three tanks of which one was knocked out with a PIAT during the afternoon 18 Jan 44. All through the late morning and afternoon Minturno had been the scene of much enemy activity and a succession of counter attacks against Tufo appeared to have their source there. Accordingly, our artillery and air force were able to inflict heavy casualties on the enemy preparing for these attacks. The last counterattack from the North and East, on Tufo seems to have been carried out by 194 Field Reinforcement Battalion which consists of a mixed lot of men, as may be expected.
5 Infantry Division War Diary
On 17 Infantry Brigade front Monte d’Argento has been taken during the night by 2 Royal Scots Fusiliers but the mine situation in the Brigade area was still profoundly serious and badly hampering the build-up and push forward.
The plan of 15 Infantry Brigade was to advance through 2 Wiltshires positions with 1 KOYLI on the right and 1 Green Howards on the left, the latter directed on to Minturno itself. 1 York & Lancs. were in reserve and there was an extraordinarily strong artillery barrage moving from East to West, arranged in support from 0956 to 1130. This was to include all the guns of the Corps Artillery that could be brought to bear.
In outline 15 Infantry Brigade’s plan for the day was as follows. Phase I: 1 KOYLI to clear Tufo by 1000. Phase II under cover of a barrage, 1 KOYLI right and 1 Green Howards left from a start line North and South through Tufo onto these objectives: for 1 KOYLI, Point 201, 799967, then the Cemetery exploiting to Point 156, 775967 [Monte Natale]. 1 Green Howards on an axis South of Tufo were directed on to Minturno town and then to Point 141, 781959 [Monte del Duca]. Phase III: 1 York & Lancs. pass through to capture Tremensuoli spur.
After fighting which lasted until last light, we were secure with a foothold on Point 141, Monte del Duca. The intention for 20 Jan 44 is to pass 1 York & Lancs. through Point 172 onto the Cemetery and onto Point 156.
Cemetery, Minturno Santa Maria Infante and Tufo. (Photo US National Archives)
Sir David Cole, 2 Inniskillings, Rough Road To Rome
19 Jan 44 – 0001
‘We first became aware of the military build-up behind us about midnight when five
of our own Bren Carriers, laden with ammunition, weapons, water, telephone cable,
wireless batteries and other essentials suddenly came rattling up the track on our right.
Unfortunately, the Germans hearing the commotion, threw across a bunch of shells that
screeched down amongst our trenches, killing, or wounding several men and setting fire
to one of 2 Cameronians carriers just behind.
Later, as we sat cold and tense in our trenches, watching the frosty dew settle
not only on the grass but on ourselves and waiting for the inevitable to happen, we
were suddenly startled by a symphony of crunches, rumbles, rattles, and squeaks on
a really philharmonic scale. The first of our own tanks were arriving. They had been
rafted across the river by the Sappers and were laagering just behind us.
The Brigadier of our Reserve Brigade. the 15th, emerged out of the night at
Battalion HQ and settled down in a trench for a talk with the CO. It appeared that
15 Infantry Brigade instead of going through the remnants of 17 Infantry Brigade
to attack Minturno frontally, were being ordered to move up through our-selves
and 2 Wiltshires and attack it from the right. This plan would not materialise if,
during the next few hours, “C” Company and the remains of “B” Company were
driven off their lonely position on the ridge. “B” and “C” Companies were on the
edge of the Minturno ridge East of Tufo. The night was turning into a cold and
frosty morning.’
17 Infantry Brigade HQ War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 0001
2 Royal Scots Fusiliers report the capture of Monte Argente. Mine situation serious.
100 have been picked up on road leading to Route 7.
1 York & Lancs
In the early hours of 19 Jan 44, 1 York & Lancs. crossed the river by a bridge and boats,
although there were only 6 boats available, most of the boats having been sunk.
After a stay in Isernia, 1 York & Lancs. had started to move in preparation for the
crossing of the River Garigliano. On 15 Jan 44 they moved to Pizzone. On 17 Jan 44 –
1015 they moved by motor transport the 35 miles from Pizzone to Mondragone, a town
on the coast about ten kilometres from Minturno, arriving there at 1200. At this point in
time 1 York & Lancs. were a reserve Battalion for 17 Infantry Brigade so at 1700 they
had to march to 17 Infantry Brigade’s Harbour assembly area for the attack across the
River Garigliano. After a three-hour march they arrived at their destination at approx.
2000. At 0600 on 18 Jan 44 they were pulled back a mile from the Assembly area and at
1200 marched the further two miles back to Mondragone. All of this was in full battle
kit so would have been quite tiring. From Mondragone 1 York & Lancs. were taken
back to Pizzone by motor transport arriving there at 1530.
Now back with 15 Infantry Brigade, 1 York & Lancs. moved off from Pizzone
at 2000 and arrived at the debussing area at 2100 at 870912 [about 9km South-East
of Minturno]. They marched to the crossing point for the river getting there at 2359. At 0100 19 Jan 44 1 York & Lancs. were ready to cross the River Garigliano having
marched approximately five kilometres from the debussing point. By 0615 the Battalion
was at the assembly area just below the hill to Tufo having crossed the Lateral Road.
Route of 1 York & Lancs. 14–18 Jan 44. (Google)
Ernest Shaw, 1 York & Lancs., Crossing the Garigliano
‘When we got there we found the crossing was established. There was a terrific amount
of firing going on, both directions. We were getting mortar bombs from the Germans
dropping in the river and around the river. The big guns were firing just behind us. Their
shells were coming over us. There were loads of tracer bullets, arcs of tracer fire going
up and they lumped us on these ducks [DUKWs] to take us across the river and I didn’t
like the idea. I reckon it was about 80 yards wide there and it was raging winter water
flowing down. I thought well if this gets a mortar bomb when we were in the middle
we shan’t have much chance as we carried about a hundred weight with your arms and
ammunition and god knows what, but we got across.
It was such a raging torrent, winter storm water sort of thing, black, cold. I imagine
it was cold anyway. I know I was very pleased to get ashore even though it was regarded
as enemy territory. There were mortar bombs in and around the area without being
accurate enough to cause us any casualties. Once ashore on the other side we weren’t
long before they led us walking in single file away from the river. Then it was quiet.
They were shelling and mortaring the river area and we were in front of that underneath
the fire. It was so dark you had your right hand stuck out in front of you in the centre of
the man in front’s back, otherwise you would bump into him. We were walking along
this open road and 10 Platoon who were in front leading, Company HQ were second
and then it was 12 and 11 Platoons at the rear.
We must have walked three quarters of a mile and suddenly the Germans put a load
of parachute flares up over us. 10 Platoon and Company HQ were getting towards the lee
of a hill. These flares were accompanied by mortars and 12 Platoon caught the shelling
and the bombing behind us. We reached the lee of the hill. 12 Platoon took quite a number
of casualties. There are about 30 men in a Platoon. I think they lost about 15, but they
weren’t all killed. 11 Platoon were behind them. They were in the clear.
Frank de Planta, battlefield expert
‘Throughout 18 Jan 44, 2 Royal Scots Fusiliers brought artillery down on Monte
d’Argento and were ordered to attack on the morning of 19 Jan 44. Fortunately for
them, a patrol sent out on the night of 18-19 Jan 44 found that Monte d’Argento [two
miles South of Minturno], had been abandoned and, at 0100, “D” Company and a
Platoon of MMG from “A” company 7 Cheshires, went forward to occupy the feature
and ‘B’ Company moved up to a position between the feature and Route 7.
Roger Chapman, 1 Green Howards History
19 Jan 44 – 0100
‘The Battalion advanced on foot to cross the river. ‘The enemy had a very strong
artillery barrage on the areas he knew we would be using as assembly areas and for
us, laid hugging the wet ground, it was hair raising to hear the shriek of the shells
coming over and to see the flickering flames of the explosions as they landed. The
sound too of flying shrapnel whining in all directions and the soft thuds of great clods of earth thrown up, landing around us. I can remember thinking to myself that someone
is bound to be hit in all this.
Soon the whistle to advance and we got to our feet and moved forward, trying to ignore
the fact that our legs felt like jelly and beating down the almost overwhelming desire to fall
flat at every shell sound heard. We did not notice that, although heavily laden with all kinds
of kit, we covered the mile to the river at a steady sustained trot. At the river it was even
worse. It was like Dante’s Inferno. There was a layer of smoke covering the whole area.
Jerry was plastering the whole scene with shell and mortar fire. On the river were masses
of rubber boats and collapsible boats and even makeshift rafts, all ferrying men and stores
across There were quite a few vehicles shattered and fiercely blazing and there was a strong
smell of cordite. It seemed complete chaos and yet everyone knew what they were doing.’
Royal Engineers in assault boats embark for the opposite bank to repair the last two sections of the pontoon bridge knocked out by enemy fire. (Photo IWM)
River Garigliano.
A signalman
repairs a line on
a recently shelled
pontoon bridge,
19 Jan 44. (Photo
Capt. R.F. Gade,
IWM TR 1530)
Lieutenant D.H Deane, 2 Scots Guards writes
19 Jan 44 – 0100 Wednesday
‘Shells started arriving every minute. No one had dug in owing to tired men, so we all
had to shovel away, flopping down at odd moments from the bursts of heavy explosives. In the morning, go up and recce our attack. I am Reserve Platoon and I feel nervous
but in a funny way. Came across a lot of Grenadier water carriers crawling on their
stomachs, with stuff flying everywhere, tracer, airbursts. Our attack was cancelled,
as we had to form up in a mine field which seemed stupid enough. Came down and
brought up 15 Platoon to a little knoll we are to hold. Everything is very noisy still
and I am quite bewildered. The enemy seem to be all around. Behind are impregnable
mountains obviously with armies of Boche.’
1 KOYLI War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 0200
No guides as promised by the higher staff and the assembly area had to be picked on the
ground, with the result that ‘B’ Company walked straight into a minefield. One Platoon
was practically wiped out with 20 casualties killed and wounded. The Company halted
in the minefield and was extricated by Lieut. T. McCathie and two detachments of
Pioneer Platoon using mine detectors. It took the remainder of the night to extract the
men from the heavily mined area and by next morning ‘B’ Company was in a low state
and was not really fit to go straight into a difficult attack. There was some shelling in
this area at the time.
1 York & Lancs. War Diary
19 Jan 44
Battalion, less platoon, crossed bridge and moved into harbour area. They appeared
to have no cover and to be under enemy fire from area Ceracoli and Tufo so Battalion
moved under hillside. After mortar fire ‘B’ Company had moved forward to lee of hill
819961 [East of Tufo, just across the Lateral Road].
1 York & Lancs.
A soldier in ‘A’ Company described the crossing as follows
‘We crossed the River Garigliano in the early hours in rubber dinghies and could hear
the artillery fire and as it became light, we came across some troops digging themselves
in. The chap who was carrying our food rations for the Section deserted and it was late
evening before we had anything to eat. They told us not to cross into this field as it was
full of mines. However, we were told to keep going and after proceeding about 75 yards
the mines started to go off and half the platoon were casualties. There were only about
twelve of us who escaped, and we were incredibly lucky. We carried on advancing and
prisoners were being taken and we saw enemy transport retreating. We went into a hut
and a German was sitting on a chair looking quite normal except a bayonet was sticking
into him and porridge was spilt on the floor. He must have been taken by surprise. We
then climbed over a wall into another field, about eight of us, and in the corner was a
German with his hands on a machine gun, pointing at us. Luckily for us and for him he
lifted his hands in surrender.’
River
Garigliano.
Royal Engineers
in assault boats
embark for the
opposite bank
to repair the last
two sections
of the pontoon
bridge knocked
out by enemy
f
ire, 19 Jan 44
(Photo Capt.
R.F. Gade. 2
AFPU, TNA
10943)
19 Jan 44
Film: Crossing the Garigliano. Near Minturno (Italy)
During the Allied offensive by the 5th 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 56th
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 5th
Division front at the mouth of the river, troops were ferried across on rafts –
this movement obviously noticed by the 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)
Ernest Shaw, 1 York & Lancs
‘Gone up hill 150 yards and 10 Platoon was out in front and Captain Ramsay shouted
for the runners, that was Ted and me. We went to him, and he said “I want you to
go back to the [Lateral] road and one of you to stay there so that if anyone comes
up the road they don’t go past where we had turned off and the other one to go back, and chivvy them along, 11 and 12 Platoon. Major D. Webster was not here, he had
gone to a battle conference (either at Battalion HQ or Brigade HQ, I believe it was
Brigade HQ.). So, we had to go back. We get down to the [Lateral] road and Ted said
he would stay there. I got the short straw. I had to go back along this section that had
been mortared and I got to the same area and up go these parachute flares again. I
flung myself down. It was a horrible feeling. I felt as though all the German ruddy
army could see me – I lay there a while and gradually the light was dimming as they
were going out and eventually I rolled over and there were two left, and one went out
almost immediately, but the other bloody thing looked as though it was going to burn forever. Course, then I could not see, total blankness. I staggered along until eventually
my eyes did clear enough to make my way, perhaps another couple of hundred yards
and I was challenged in English, thank God. It was 11 Platoon – Lieutenant Corfield
was the Platoon Commander and I told him he had roughly 600 yards to go, and he
would find Private Rimmer waiting at the position to turn off. They went on and I
continued going back to find out what I could of 12 Platoon, not knowing, to find out
how many casualties there were. I got back to the Advance Dressing Station. There
were a crowd of them. 8 were wounded and assisted them and carried them back. The
Platoon Officer and senior NCO Sergeant had been wounded. There were a couple of
Lance Corporals. I do not know whether there were any full Corporals. There were
8 or 9 guys, perhaps 10 or 11, a small group of them and they wondered what to do
where to go and they fastened on to me. I led them back and took them back to the
Captain and he took over. He told them where to go and said to me “you or Rimmer
must stay here at the road-side, there may be stragglers, and the other one come with
me to Company HQ and dig in and be available”.
Well Ted had the entrenchment tool, and he was carrying it, so I went off down to
tell him. I do not mind digging and I knew he did not mind digging. I thought I would
go back and said, “You stop here” but he turned around “No” he says, “you take the
bloody entrenchment tool”. So, I took it from him, and we stood talking a minute or
two and there were shells whistling over the top of us over our heads at the time. Our
artillery was shelling the top of this hill probably a hundred to a hundred and fifty yards
ahead of our chaps and it was a real barrage. You could hardly hear yourselves talk. I
suppose our lads up front would be grovelling; it would be going over their heads.
A guy comes staggering up the road and Ted challenges him. At the time we had two
American Sergeants attached to us, apparently they were supposed to be sorting out the
British way of waging war. They had been attached to us a couple or three days at that
stage, and Hiram arrives and after Ted’s challenge Ted said “150 yards up the hill you
will find the Captain”. He goes to start up the hill and he goes twenty-five, thirty yards
and there was the hell of an explosion. These shells were still flying overhead, and we
thought it was what we called a “fall short”. The older 25 pounder, if the barrel was
worn, occasionally dropped one short. Ted and I thought it was a fall short. Ted shouted
and swore at the artillery, said “Bloody swines”. I shouted to Hiram and asked him if he
was alright? “I’m OK buddy” he said in proper American style.
After a couple of minutes, I followed Hiram and we get back up to Company HQ
and I get digging. I could not get down more than six inches of soil and you are down
onto rock. I thought to hell with it, and I got my head down. I suppose I could have been
charged for disobeying orders. I must have had a couple of hours sleep. When you are
in the front line and you relax, you can drop off to sleep.
Sir David Cole, 2 Inniskillings, Rough Road To Rome
19 Jan 44
‘Very lights speckled the sky above “C” Company angrily ripped by tracer bullets. The
crucial counterattack had begun.
Up on the ridge the moonlight, though interspersed by wood and scrub, had greatly
improved the visibility, and in the shafts of silver light between the trees, the exhausted
survivors of “B” Company, struggling to keep alert in their trenches, suddenly glimpsed large groups of Germans moving quietly towards them. In an instant the rustic moonlit
ridge became an inferno.
Then the German infantry, abandoning any attempt to conceal their approach, came
trampling forward through the trees and grass, shouting and firing.
The Germans were led by an officer of remarkable courage who, ahead of all his men,
dashed straight down the track towards our trenches, firing his Schmeisser and shouting
to his men to kill the “Schweinhunder Englander”. Miraculously he escaped being riddled
by the first of our Vickers machine guns, though he ran right past its muzzle. Yelling and
cursing, he dashed on, shot one of the crew of the second Vickers and, seizing the gun,
dragged it down the track in an effort to position it to fire back at our trenches. But by then
another of the Vicker’s crew had drawn his pistol and, all but placing the muzzle against
the German officer’s head, shot him dead. Most of the Germans were by now lying in
the grass, only thirty yards away, firing their machine guns, throwing stick grenades and
howling intimidatory abuse. 2 Inniskillings gave no ground.
Meanwhile our artillery barrage had started and hundreds of our shells were raining
down on the ridge. The barrage not only killed and wounded many of the German’s
vanguard, as their anguished cries testified, but drove their follow up troops completely
to ground.
After our artillery fire was stopped and, in the drifting smoke and dim light of the
early dawn, 2 Inniskillings could see that the only Germans still in front of them were
dead or wounded. The night was turning into a cold and frosty morning. The cold dawn
rapidly blossomed into a beautiful day with a clear blue sky, a gentle sun and limpid
visibility.’
Roger Chapman, 1 Green Howards History
19 Jan 44 – 0400
‘Now established in the positions from which to launch the attack on Minturno, some
four miles ahead. Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick George Bulfin gave his orders to his
Company Commanders: “C” Company [Major Radcliffe] to lead and capture the
Southern part of the town, “A” Company [Major Gosden] to follow close behind and
capture the North-East portion while “B” Company [Major A.R.M. Tanner] was to pass
through and capture Point 141 [Monte del Duca]. “D” Company [Captain Parkinson]
was to be held in reserve.
Zero hour, 1000.’
17 Infantry Brigade HQ War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 0400
6 Platoon 7 Cheshires remained in their position on the beach, then they moved to
Monte Argente after its capture by 2 Royal Scots Fusiliers and consolidated.
X (BR) Corps History
19 Jan 44 – 0500
Before 15 Infantry Brigade started its attack, 2 Inniskillings [13 Infantry Brigade]
were again counterattacked, but after hand-to-hand fighting, drove the enemy back and
went on to capture Point 136, 805960, [East end of Tufo], which they had yielded the
previous day.
1 KOYLI War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 0500
Battalion received orders to occupy Tufo.
The Hill to Tufo (Photo John Strafford)
1 York & Lancs. Ernest Shaw
19 Jan 44 – 0600
‘I was woken by the sound of troops coming up the hill. It was just breaking dawn.
We were supposed to be going over the top at dawn. It must have been put back. This
turned out to be “C” Company and they were coming to join us for this attack. Their
lead platoon was no more than twenty, twenty-five yards below me and suddenly there
was a helluva explosion two, three, four, one after the other. They were in a mine field.
I was so flabbergasted. I thought “They can’t be”. I had been up and down the ruddy
hill 4-5 times. Their Sergeant-Major took charge and shouted and got them to stand still
rather than running in panic in case they set more off. I twiddled my fingers. I had been
up this hill across this mine field five times.
It was not long before the Royal Engineers came with mine detectors, and they
swept a track to the road and taped it with white tapes. Eventually they got the wounded
away and the dead laid out. I always remember seeing a legless torso, the arms had gone
as well, up in a tree. This chap must have trod on the mine himself. There was a little
stunted tree. He was dragged up there with his shirt wafting in the wind, terrible. I was
talking to the R.E. Sergeant. I said to him “I was so flabbergasted with it all”. He said,
“Have you been hit, you are shaking”. I said “I’ve not been hit. I do not know why I
have not because I have been across it 5 times”. “You can’t have” he repeated. I said
“The Company came up. My mate down on the road has been up it twice. I have been
up and down four times and finished back up here”. He asked me to point out where I
had been. It was right through the ruddy middle, so I must have “fairy feet”. He said,
“Well you are the luckiest devil I have ever met”.
They are Teller mines. These mines (anti-personnel) are wired together. A Teller
mine is dinner plate size, probably an inch and a half thick full of high explosives and
extremely sensitive. The anti-personnel mines are like a big tin of fruit more or less and
they had prongs out, when they were activated they used to jump or leap three or four
feet in the air before they exploded, and they were full of scrap and ball bearings as
such – they could catch someone 30 to 40 yards away. In fact, Captain Ramsay got a
piece of shrapnel from an anti-personnel mine in his ankle, and he was evacuated with
the “C” Company casualties. I could not believe it. They were coming to look at me.
The Sappers could not believe it. One said: “My mate hit one the other day and lost his
foot.” From then on, I started thinking about it. Hiram had set a bloody mine off. He
should have known it was a mine. He must have trodden on a trip wire or activated one
that was not right under him or else he would have gone up. He activated one that was
not wired up. I missed walking on a mine.
Ted and I weren’t entirely blameless because we immediately decided it was a
“fall short” and yet when you hear a shell landing beside you or within twenty or
thirty yards there is a helluva high pitched scream and this was just a dull crump, so
really we ought to have known and should have suspected it was a mine as well as the
American chap. 10 Platoon and Company HQ had gone through it and Ted, and I had
come back through it. I had been up and down through it several times. I suggested to the Sergeant the advance of the Company skirted it and that is when he said, “Well can
you show me the route?” By then it was light enough to see Ted down at the bottom
and I said, “Well my mate is down there, and I have been between here and him six
times.” The Company itself really got away with it. Felt rattled in my head almost like
a bag of peas rattling. I was angry after it at Hiram, and even Ted and myself. I felt it
was our fault to an extent that these lads had been killed and yet all the time Ted and I
were together down there the shells were roaring overhead. We had got a good excuse.
I never saw Hiram again that day to talk about it and I never brought the subject up
with him later."
1 York & Lancs. War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 0615
Move completed just as it was getting light. 4 killed, 6 wounded by mines in orchards.
Captain Hewitt (Officer Commanding ‘C’ Company) and Captain Ramsay (Second in
Command ‘B’ Company) wounded from shelling of road during move of Battalion.
252 Field Company Royal Engineers War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 0630
Lt. Talbot and one Section clearing minefield near road at map reference 811955 (600m
East of Point 102). Unable to finish owing to enemy interference. Sappers Ellender and
Traxler killed in action. Sapper Bacon admitted to hospital wounded. Sappers Noad and
Fleming wounded but remained on duty.
2 Cameronians War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 0630
‘D’ Company carrier was blown up when over several wooden mines and the crew of
two were killed.
19 Jan 44 – 0700
‘C’ and ‘D’ Companies were put at one hours-notice to move forward.
2 Wiltshires War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 0700
‘D’ and ‘B’ Companies dug in East and West of Tufo. A noisy night.
164 Field Ambulance War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 0730
19 Jan 44 – 0730
Message from C.O. 2 Wiltshires via staff Captain that across the river were over 150
wounded awaiting evacuation and that there was urgent need of stretchers and blankets.
All available ambulance cars were sent up to the bridge.
2 Scots Guards War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 0730
Once again, the Battalion has spent the day in a state of readiness and waiting with their
troop-carrying lorries, for the order to move. However, the River Garigliano bridges
were not ready, so there was a further delay of twenty-four hours.
2 Northants War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 0750
Battalion mopping up operations. Some enemy equipment was captured, one 2-inch
Mortar, six rifles, one automatic rifle, also some of 6 Seaforths equipment.
164 Field Ambulance War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 0800
The Advance Dressing Station Commander informed Capt. Guest that in the quarry
south of Tufo there were over 100 cases, approximately half of them lying cases under
the care of Capt. Miller and A Company.
Evacuation being impossible over the bridge owing to mines and shell fire. He
decided to use the ferry at 847937.
19 Jan 44 – 0830
First cases arrived for evacuation in two captured German Ambulance cars.
6 Seaforths War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 0900
Collection of wounded and dead continued and the final concrete information regarding
‘D’ Company was obtained one man having reported seeing many of the Company
being taken prisoner by the enemy.
1 KOYLI War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 0900
At first light ‘D’ Company set off to clear the village of Tufo but owing to the unexpected
difficulty of the ascent did not reach the village until 0900 hours, which they had been
instructed to leave again at 0930 hours owing to the start line of the barrage running
through the village. On the outskirts of the village, we contacted the depleted Battalion
of 2 Wiltshires [13 Infantry Brigade].
19 Jan 44 – 0930
The barrage duly started far too close to our selected start line to be pleasant. Whether
the gunners knew exactly where we were or not, I don’t know, but all we knew was the
line on which the barrage was to start –a grid line on a map – and the time it started.
So, after a long tiring night and early start and a scramble up a steep hillside, the
Battalion was just – but only just, ready to attack Point 201 by 1000 hours as the barrage
moved forward. The plan was simple, it had to be, time did not allow for anything else.
‘C’ Company was to go into the village previously reported clear by ‘D’ Company and
swing right-handed across the ridge to Point 201. ‘A’ Company was to leave the village
of Tufo from the back or East end and on to Point 201 on the right, keeping the ridge
between themselves and ‘C’ Company. ‘D’ Company was then to re-enter the village
and hold the forward edge leaving a somewhat depleted ‘B’ Company in reserve with
Battalion Head Quarters in the rear of the village. ‘C’ Company found some unexpected
enemy machine gun posts in the village which had to be cleared up before attacking
Point 201. This was done successfully. This was preceded by a Corps artillery barrage
and the attack put in with ‘C’ Company on the left and ‘D’ Company on the right.
15 Infantry Brigade War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 0930
1 KOYLI having passed through 2 Wiltshires of 13 Infantry Brigade, succeeded in
clearing the Eastern half of Tufo collecting two Prisoners of War.
91 Field Regiment Royal Artillery War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 0933
Regiment puts supporting fire on Point 201 prior to attack.
Sgt. Raymond Hawtree Hitchcock, ‘A’ Company 164 Field Ambulance
19 Jan 44 – 1000
‘We had at least 100 casualties, all treated and bedded down, but we were requiring
more stretchers, blankets, and medical equipment generally.
At this stage I decided to ask drivers in my Section if they would drive the German
Ambulance with the wounded to try and evacuate them across the river. Pvt. Jack
Halpin said that he would do so if I agreed to go as well. I intended to do so anyhow. In
fact, I drove the Ambulance on its first trip to the river, through the enemy lines under
shot and shell from both sides it seemed.
With my full load, we found our way to the river and by that time the Royal
Engineers had rigged a pontoon to ferry transport across the Garigliano. What a relief.
164 Field Ambulance, Citation: Military Medal for Sgt. Raymond Hawtree
Hitchcock
During the attack by 13 Infantry Brigade on Tufo, Sgt. Hitchcock was the senior N.C.O.
in his Section of the Field Ambulance attached to 2 Wiltshires and was working in his
Collection Post at the Quarry 809953. On the morning of 19 Jan 44 it became obvious
that the evacuation of casualties was in a critical state since it was not possible to
bring Ambulance cars across the river in daylight, the road from the ferry being under
accurate and observed shell and mortar fire.
Sgt. Hitchcock with Pvt. Halpin volunteered to attempt the evacuation of the more
severely wounded in a captured Ambulance car and at 1000 succeeded in driving the
Ambulance car to the ferry point under heavy fire. He then returned and repeated this
journey despite the extremely exposed and dangerous position.
By his cool determination, his complete disregard for his personal safety and his
devotion to duty, he was instrumental in saving many lives, which otherwise would
have been lost, and in restoring his position with regard to evacuation.
19 January 1944
New motorcycles are assembled at a forward REME workshop by the 56
Infantry Troop Recovery Unit, REME, near the Garigliano River in Italy. Photo
1 Green Howards War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 1000
Advance begins.
5th Army
19 Jan 44
Photos show Lieutenant
Olaf Branns, of Hill House, Watlington, Oxon and Lance Corporal A. Durrent, of
Bethnal Green, London with The Fifth Army at Lauro, snatching a few moments of
sleep in a hay barn during a lull in the fighting in the Garigliano River
Valley, Italy.
1 KOYLI War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 1000
Our initial task was to clear the village of Tufo, standing high on a ridge above the
assembly area and then to push on to Point 201 to the North of Tufo. A large barrage of
all the Corps Artillery plus a Medium Regiment had been laid on to support the attack.
Unfortunately, this barrage had been decided upon before the infantry plan had been
fixed and it did not in fact quite fit the ground as seen from the ground and not from a
map. The attack as it was put in had the barrage on the left flank to start with, gradually
moving away as the attack progressed. Not only this but the attack had to go in at
1000 hours to fit the barrage which did not in fact give the Battalion enough time for
preparation, recce and forming up. Whilst directing the barrage Captain K. Ashdown,
92 Field Regiment Royal Artillery, who was the Forward Observation Officer was hit
by one of his own shells and subsequently died of his wounds.
15 Infantry Brigade War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 1000
Both Battalions, 1 KOYLI right and 1 Green Howards left, then advanced behind the
barrage onto their respective objectives. 1 KOYLI secured Point 201 without much
difficulty capturing six prisoners of war, many enemies being seen to retire towards the
North. Two companies were immediately put in to hold the 201 feature, the remainder
of the Battalion being concentrated in and around Tufo itself. Simultaneously 1 Green
Howards advance moved well towards Minturno.
Private Wilhelm Prinz, 274 Grenadier Regiment: My worst days in World War II.
Have there been failures?
‘Height 199 at Tufo [Point 201].
My Company was waiting for me. My first question to the Company Commander
was “Have there been casualties?”. Despite the heavy artillery bombardment, we had no
wounded and no dead. How much longer should we be lucky? I informed the Platoon
Commander about our combat mission – for better security I did not tell everyone.
A messenger from Lieutenant Gieseler had informed me, how to get us into the right
position. After 200 metres we were to take the road that goes to Minturno, veering to the
left and drop into a deep valley. South East was our direction of travel. After crossing
the valley, as Lt, Gieseler had described it, we would reach the North slope of Point 201.
We went into combat with the units at almost full target strength at the beginning
of this First Cassino battle. I guess each unit had about 130-135 men, divided into 3
Grenadier Platoons.
Powerful explosions tore me away from my thoughts. The first ones wounded,
shouted for the medical orderly. I did not want to take my men into this danger zone.
I soon discovered that there were danger zones everywhere. There were no oases of
relative safety.
Point 201 and Tufo from the plain. (Photo John Strafford)
X (BR) Corps History 19 Jan 44 – 1030
The first bridge across the River Garigliano two miles above Route 7 at 13 Infantry Brigade crossing was completed at 0200 on 19 Jan 44, but the first vehicle across exploded a deeply buried mine under the far ramp and temporarily blocked the bridge. The bridge was repaired and reopened just before daylight, but the rate at which vehicles could use it was severely limited by the bad approaches and by extensive mine fields on both sides of the river, then at 1030 the bridge was hit by shell fire and had to be closed once more. Despite these difficulties, 15 Infantry Brigade crossed the river and early on 19 Jan 44 concentrated behind 13 Infantry Brigade ready to attack through it towards Minturno.
Sherman III (M4A2) is hauled across the River Garigliano in Italy on a pontoon raft with a Bailey Bridge section - 19 January 1944 Tyler (Sgt) (Photo IWM NA 10957 WWP-PD)
6 sections of Bailey Bridge, 60 ft. Standard Bailey rafting technique.
5 Division History 19 Jan 44 – 1030
The crossing and advance through 2 Wiltshire’s positions went without incident and 1 Green Howards reported that the forward elements of ‘C’ Company (Major Radcliffe) were entering Minturno against only moderate opposition and that their casualties had been slight. ‘A’ Company (Major Gosden) followed close behind and took over the North-East corner of the town, ‘B’ Company bringing up the rear. At the same time 1 KOYLI had reached Point 201, their objective, and were in the process of completing a ‘job of mopping up’.
The advance continued slowly with 1 Green Howards moving towards Point 141 [Monte del Duca] and 1 KOYLI reporting: Tufo clear after fighting, small counterattack now beaten off, few casualties. Damage to enemy not yet known. Both Battalions were helped or hindered by a heavy mist over the whole front, caused partly by the warmth of the sun over the river, and partly by the haze of cordite from the intensive shell fire of the past few hours. That the latter was effective was confirmed by both Battalions who reported ‘quite a number of enemy dead after barrage’.
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