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.
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.
The four men killed were:
Pte. J.W. Barlow 1 York & Lancs. Killed in Orchard minefield.
Sgt. J. Glover 1 York & Lancs. Killed in Orchard minefield.
L/Cpl. C.E. Nugent 1 York & Lancs. Killed in Orchard minefield.
Pte. G.W.Thompson 1 York & Lancs. Killed in Orchard minefield.
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’.
1 Green Howards War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 1050
Leading elements of ‘C’ Company entering town [Minturno] followed shortly by ‘A’ Company. ‘B’ Company passed through to Point 141. Meet opposition, eventually getting one Platoon onto the feature. Remainder of Company held up by machine gun and mortar fire. Battalion HQ and ‘D’ Company to area 789960 [just North of Minturno] ‘A’ Company sent Platoon to assist Platoon of ‘D’ Company on Point 141 and get established.
"Mark Howard, historian researching the
98 Field Regiment Royal Artillery”
Lt. Col TB Davis Regimental
History of the 98 Field Regiment Royal Artillery
19 Jan 44
“15 Brigade attacked the
ridge, with Major Payne and the 471 Battery Observation Posts in support, and
after a hard struggle the Green Howards fought their way into Minturno during
the afternoon.”
15 Infantry Brigade
1 Green Howards forward troops were on the outskirts of Minturno town encountering only slight opposition and taking 11 Prisoners of War. Their own casualties had been light.
Sir David Cole, 2 Inniskillings, Rough Road To Rome
19 Jan 44 – 1100
‘After half an hour’s shell fire from our guns “D” Company dashed off along the ridge towards the Germans. This was a route that had already been used twice for attack and counterattack and it was, in a way strange that the Germans were taken by surprise, but they were. “D” Company overran many of the German defences and took a number of prisoners without a shot being fired. There was some bitter fighting along the crest of the ridge where the enemy blazed away with their machine guns, before jumping out of their trenches and trying to escape through the trees, a gamble against our Brens in which some of them were lucky and others not.’ Several “B” Company men, who had been captured or isolated during the enemy attack the previous night found their way back to our lines. In particular a man who had been wounded on the track between the two forward companies and had lain there all night was brought in by the stretcher bearers. He described how the German officer with the Iron Cross who had led the counterattack against “C” Company had, on the way, stopped beside him and spoken to him in perfect English. He had told him not to worry and that, when the attack was over, he would arrange personally for him to be carried to safety."
2 Royal Inniskillings Fusiliers Citation: Military Medal for Lance Corporal Harry Langford Bell 19 Jan 44
‘D’ Company, 2 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers was ordered to recapture 809966 [East end of Minturno-Tufo ridge]. L/Cpl Bell was commanding a Section in ‘D’ Company. During the attack his Platoon was held up by a German machine gun post to their right f lank. L/Cpl. Bell at once dashed forward, though his rifle was hit by a burst of fire from the machine gun, he killed two of the crew with a grenade and took three others prisoner.
But for the immediate bravery of L/Cpl. Bell his Platoon would have lost the benefit of the artillery fire, and other German posts which were captured would have been allowed time to come to life and defeat the attack.
19 Jan 44
(Photo Capt. R.F.
Gade, IWM TR
1528)
Ernest Shaw, 1 York & Lancs.
19 Jan 44 – 1100
‘We were in the lee of this hill. Half-way up this hill. We stayed there until 10.30am to
11am (late morning 19 January) when advance was put on again. In the meantime, the
Major re-joined us, but we had lost Captain Ramsay of course.’
6 Seaforths War Diary 19 Jan 44 – 1100
Battalion informed by Brigade HQ that 12 Platoon ‘B’ Company had been landed at
Naples. Their craft had caught fire, but personnel had been picked up by a destroyer and
conveyed to Naples. They were now on their way to join the Battalion.
19 Jan 44
These men belong to a Bofors gun crew in the Garigliano area. They are doing some sewing and one is observing the sky for enemy planes. In the background transport on the Via Appia can be seen.
The crewmembers' names are also known: Sergeant T.R. Young of Barrhead near Glasgow; Bombardier N. McLean of Staffen, Isle of Skye; Lance Bombardier R. Ruddernam of Walsham-le-Willows, Suffolk; Gunner W. Elliot of Mile End, Glasgow; Gunner J. Prendergast of Bootle, Liverpool and the Padre is Captain Ritchie of Dunfermline.
"A Royal Artillery Bofors gun crew making repairs to their uniforms during operations to cross the Garigliano river in Italy, 19 January 1944. doing some sewing. Transport on the Via Appia can be seen in the background. (Photo Captain Richard Gade: IWM TR 1527) -
158 Field Ambulance
19 Jan 44 – 1200
Two Ambulance cars crossed River Garigliano about mid-day. Great delay owing to
pontoon bridges breaking down. Commanding Officer went up to Advanced Dressing
Station. Contacted 201 Guards Brigade regarding requirement of Stretcher Bearers.
News received of deaths in minefield of Privates Dando, Ward, West, and wounding of
Private Johnson. Officer Commanding ‘A’ Company sustained a traumatic amputation
of foot during the crossing of the River Garigliano.
17 Infantry Brigade HQ War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 1200
2 Northants report pay books of eight 6 Seaforths found in house 804928.
2 Northants War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 1245
‘A’ Company established Platoon at Route 7 over river and standing patrol at railway
bridge 300 yards North of road bridge. Commanding Officer ordered contact patrol
West along Route 7 to meet 6 Seaforths.
Contact patrol for 6 Seaforths out for one hour. Made no contact. Enemy equipment
found at Road Bridge 807934 [1,500m South of Lateral Road]. Some six Seaforth
bodies lying in area. ‘A’ Company now in position at road crossing and railway crossing.
X (BR) Corps History
19 Jan 44 – 1300
1 Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in the lead recaptured Tufo village and took Colle
Casale, Point 201. A small hill overlooking the village to the North-West of Minturno.
1 KOYLI ‘A’ & ‘C’ Cos. on Point 201. ‘B’ Co. and HQ in Tufo. All 1 York & Lancs.
Cos. in Tufo. 1 Green Howards ‘A’ and ‘B’ Cos. at Point 141 Monte Del Duca. ‘C’ and
‘D’ Cos. and HQ in Minturno. The main road going to the right is the Lateral Road
which links up with Castelforte in the East.
1 KOYLI War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 1300
Two Companies were established on their objectives having suffered themselves few
casualties and taking 3 prisoners and probably inflicting many casualties on the enemy.
After a stiff little battle Point 201 was ours and a Forward Observation Post established on it. Shortly after Point 201 was occupied, a sharp, but not very heavy counterattack
was put in from the East of the village of Tufo and was directed mainly against ‘B’
Company and Battalion Headquarters. An interesting point of this counterattack was
that the enemy artillery support was given from guns due West of Tufo whilst the attack
came in from the East. During this attack several men were killed in Battalion HQ.
and it was decided to move immediately. Battalion HQ accordingly moved nearer the
village in the hope of getting out of enemy shelling. These hopes were not successful as
the Battalion HQ was shelled heavily during their stay in this area.
No heavy counterattack was put in by the enemy against the Battalion HQ in this
new area, although on more than one occasion small groups of enemy which were
forming up on the Northern slopes of Point 201 were broken up by artillery fire and
small arms fire. The night was uneventful – local activity only between patrols.
Accordingly, by the night 19-20 January the Battalion was firmly established on the
Tufo – Point 201 ridge. No rations or supplies of any kind could reach us and by that night we
had been 24 hours on one haversack ration and had only what we carried with us for the night.
13 Infantry Brigade
19 Jan 44 – 1324
2 Inniskillings re-occupied far end of ridge east of Tufo.
Royal Inniskillings Fusiliers Regimental Museum
By the afternoon, the assault phase of the battle was over for 2 Royal Inniskilling
Fusiliers. During a forward patrol, Lance Corporal John Doherty‘s gallantry was
awarded the Military Medal. The Battalion had been in almost 40 hours of continuous
combat. For two further arduous weeks, before being relieved, the Battalion, much
depleted in officers and men, clung to the positions it had gained.
This was the Battalion’s most bloody single battle of the war. 53 killed and hundreds
wounded.
2 Royal Inniskillings Fusiliers Citation: Military Medal for Lance Corporal John
James Doherty
19 Jan 44
Lance Corporal John James Doherty‘s Platoon was under command of ‘C’ Coy. 2 Royal
Inniskilling Fusiliers and was holding the area 814964 [500m downhill East of the end
of the Minturno-Tufo ridge].
The Germans discovered a covered line of approach on the flank of L/Cpl.
Doherty’s Section from the cover of a terraced wall. On no less than three occasions
L/Cpl. Doherty left his trench and went forward with his Bren gun to this wall. L/Cpl.
Doherty succeeded each time in driving the enemy back, though in order to engage
them he had to stand fully exposed on the top of the wall. The outstanding courage and
skill displayed by this NCO was responsible for maintaining his Section in position and
defeating the German attack.
2 Royal Inniskillings Fusiliers Citation: Bar to Distinguished Service Order for
Lieut. Col. J.P. O’Brien-Twohig
‘On the night of 17-18 Jan 44, the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers,
commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel J. P. O’Brien-Twohig, were ordered to force a crossing of the River Garigliano and to capture the East end of the Minturno ridge.
The operation involved crossing the river in assault boats, traversing a broad expanse
of plain held by German machine-gun posts and finally taking the ridge itself, which
was very steep and woody, protected by deeply dug entrenchments and covered by
extensive minefields.
When the first company of the Inniskillings was crossing the river an unlucky burst
of shellfire holed all the boats except one, which later sank, and caused numerous
casualties. Almost at the same time another salvo fell in the Battalion Assembly Area,
while a third destroyed the reserve boats. Undismayed by these set-backs Lieutenant
Colonel O’Brien-Twohig led his Battalion to another crossing a mile lower down
the river, getting them across in the boats of another Battalion and having his two
leading Companies on the start line in time to advance behind the barrage. In spite
of heavy casualties, the Inniskillings stormed the ridge and captured their objectives.
A counterattack drove them off one of them, but Lieutenant-Colonel O’Brien-Twohig
personally re-organised them on the remaining high ground which he held firmly until
he was able to organise a further attack which finally routed the enemy.
Throughout this long and difficult action Lieutenant-Colonel O’Brien-Twohig gave
an inspiring example of gallantry and leadership. With complete disregard of danger,
he personally organised and encouraged his men and produced a complete recovery
from a succession of setbacks which might well have proved fatal to the success of the
operation.
During the advance, a shell fell beside him, killing two officers and four signallers.
Although painfully wounded and considerably shaken, he refused all offers of assistance
and evacuation and insisted on continuing to command and lead his men.
The successful completion of the task was very largely due to his personal example
and encouragement, and he gave an outstanding example of courage and leadership at
a time when such qualities were most urgently required.
2 Northants War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 1325
Ten 6 Seaforths wounded in ‘A’ Company area were brought in by stretcher bearers to
Regional Aid Post. One of the wounded had interesting information which could not be
passed by wireless.
17 Infantry Brigade HQ War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 1349
2 Northants report enemy equipment and 6 Seaforth bodies found at 807934.
15 Infantry Brigade
19 Jan 44 – 1400
1 Green Howards reported Minturno clear and their forward Company in contact with
the enemy on Point 141. Total prisoners of war were at least 36. During afternoon
Brigadier J.Y. Whitfield (Commander 15 Infantry Brigade), and Lieutenant Colonel
Kirwan, (Officer Commanding 92 Field Regiment) made a Fire Plan to launch 1 York
& Lancs. onto (a) Point 172 (b) Cemetery (c) Point 156 (Monte Natale), whilst 1 Green
Howards were to attack and hold Tremensuoli ridge. 1 KOYLI meantime remained
secure on Point 201.
[A Fire Plan sets out the plan for the artillery, showing the times of fire, objectives,
and length in time the bombardment will last, together with the calibre of rounds used.
With a rolling bombardment this is essential.]
Roger Chapman, 1 Green Howards History
‘All went according to plan, except capturing Point 141, which was vital to the
consolidation of the main position covering the town. “B” Company ran into strong
opposition. The leading Platoon Commander was killed, and the Platoon faltered,
Captain E.S. Roberts, the second in command, ran forward and took over.’
1 Green Howards Citation: Military Cross for Capt. E.S. Roberts
On 19 Jan 44 1 Battalion Green Howards were ordered to capture Minturno (787956).
Captain Roberts was Second in Command of ‘B’ Company whose objective was Point
141, Monte del Duca, 785957, which was vital to the consolidation of the main position.
The leading Platoon came under heavy fire, and it appeared the objective would not
be taken. Captain Roberts immediately took command of the Platoon and by his own
energy and example he urged the Platoon across about 350 yards of open ground, under
heavy machine gun and mortar fire, finally reaching the objective with 14 men.
For four hours Captain Roberts held this position under continuous fire, driving
off two enemy attacks, until reinforced under cover of darkness. His initiative,
determination and outstanding courage were directly responsible for the success of the
operation and were an inspiration to his men.
1 Green Howards Citation: Military Medal for Lance Sergeant J.R. Maddox
Throughout the attack and capture of Minturno on 19 Jan 44, L/Sgt Maddox showed
outstanding courage and initiative. Early in the advance the leading Company came
under accurate machine gun fire from the flank. L/Sgt. Maddox, realising that any delay
would deprive the Company of the vital close support of the barrage, immediately
detached his Section and with great dash and utter fearlessness led it into the assault.
In this action L/Sgt. Maddox personally accounted for two machine gun posts, killing
or wounding twelve enemy with grenades and TSMG (Tactical Support Machine Gun).
Later in the same operation his Platoon came under heavy and accurate machine
gun fire. L/Sgt. Maddox was wounded in the leg, his Platoon Commander was killed,
and the remainder of the Platoon were pinned to the ground. Despite his wound, L/Sgt.
Maddox immediately took over his Section Light Machine Gun and by his accurate
f
ire enabled the remainder of his Platoon to extricate themselves in the daylight,
subsequently bringing his own Section out about two hours later in the dusk. His
courage, leadership and fearlessness were of the highest order and had a marked effect
on all who saw him.
1 York & Lancs. War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 1500
Officers went to Tufo to see ground for tomorrow’s operation. No adequate viewpoint of
even the first objective. Battalion spent uneventful day in slit trenches in a concentrated
area South-East of Tufo. The weather was fine and warm during the day, but dry and
cold at night. No hot meal, blankets and greatcoats left South of the river.
HQ 17 Infantry Brigade War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 1710
2 Northants patrol contacted 1 York & Lancs. at 810953 [just South of Tufo].
2 Scots Guards War Diary
19 Jan 44
The Commanding Officer crossed the river to join the Brigadier of 15 Infantry Brigade
at Minturno, with the intention of doing a recce at last light, but this proved impossible,
because the town had not been cleared of the enemy. The Commanding Officer spent the
night at TAC Brigade HQ, which was installed in a quarry, about a mile back from Minturno.
1 Green Howards War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 1800
Situation: ‘C’ Company 790956 [600m North-East of Point 141, Monte del Duca],
‘D’ Company 789960 [just North of Minturno]. Two Platoons ‘A’ Company and one
Platoon ‘B’ Company on Point 141. Remaining Platoon of ‘A’ Company on North edge
of town. Two Platoons ‘B’ Company at Battalion HQ as mobile reserve. Approx. 40 –
50 Prisoners of War taken.
15 Infantry Brigade War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 1900
Lt. Col. Kirwan returned to Main Brigade and gave the timings on the operations for
20 Jan 44 which were: 0700; 1 York & Lancs. to attack their three objectives in turn
supported by a barrage. 1100; 1 Green Howards from West end of Point 141 to go for
the Tremensuoli ridge. This operation would also be supported by a barrage.
7 Cheshires War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 2000
Adjutant went up to contact ‘B’ Company’s rear HQ. and saw Company Second in
Command, little news from forward HQ but understood that there were approximately
twenty-three casualties.
1 Green Howards War Diary
19 Jan 44 – 2100
Patrol under Sergeant Coleflax leave for Point 172 to check if occupied or not.
19 Jan 44 – 2250
Patrol returned. Intermittent shelling and mortar fire during night
19 Jan 44,
German view of the day: Private Wilhelm Prinz, 274 Grenadier
Regiment
19 Jan 44
‘Wednesday – The British continued their offensive with their main effort on Minturno, Tufo, after which the whole sector became foggy with phosphorus smoke grenades. 274
Grenadier Regiment had an entire anti-tank Platoon for Minturno in position: several
light Italian anti-tank guns, 47 mm calibre, served as flank protection.
During a lull in the barrage, I went with the Technical Sergeant Hemm to have a look
at a captured gun and to consider its operational readiness. Thank goodness, there had
been no losses so far. Once again there was shelling, which forced us to move double
quick in the direction of the Company Command post. Almost simultaneously, we met
our Company Officer, Lieutenant Kensy, without his motorbike, again. He had gone
late on foot to Minturno and in the direction of the anti-tank Platoon to get an overview
of the battle situation. His driver, Private Vache, had arranged to wait for him. As Lt.
Kensy started on the way back towards our artillery, machine guns fired on him from
the English attackers, who had gone around behind our anti-tank platoon. He could only
avoid impending capture through a rapid escape. He had been taken by surprise.
Totally by surprise, a runner arrived from a trapped anti-tank Platoon with a cry for
help. It was Private Pielok, a slender youngster, who with his child’s face did not look
like a nineteen-year-old. With much skill he had previously escaped encirclement and
been awarded a distinguished honour [Iron Cross Second Class]. He had escaped from
being a prisoner of war.
Now Private Pielok went rather dramatically along the Santa Maria Infante –
Minturno road, on the route to the Regimental HQ. I came to the dugout shelter of
the Command Post. At this entrance a comrade lay, just fallen. It was Private Gerhard
Glausch, from the Signal Platoon of 274 Grenadier Regiment who straight after going
to the telephone maintenance man, a shell exploded nearby. In my time in the Battalion
as a runner I came to know comrade Glausch as a signalman. He ate quietly at the
time and was very easy going, His messmate Bernard Pytel reported that among others
things Glausch often did not have any rations in his bread bag, though the books written
by the poet Friedrich Holderlin were always at hand. His early death shook all who
knew him. However there was no time for long and profound contemplation, the action
demanded our total attention.
Meanwhile Minturno, despite all our efforts was just hardly held. At one point our
energetic Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Reich, carbine rifle in hand, gathered every
soldier along the track and with this small group led a counterattack on the enemy
occupied high ground by Tufo town.
Tufo and Minturno involved heavy losses in fighting over the course of 19 Jan
44 and were finally lost. The material and personnel superiority of the attackers was
simply too much. The English succeeded in advancing as far as the Parish Cemetery of
Minturno, so that even our Regimental Cemetery lying opposite became inaccessible.
The support, one armoured unit, with some Panzer IV tanks intervened and contributed
significantly to the stabilisation of the position. We, part of 274 Grenadier Regiment,
were a complete anti-tank Platoon, with all enlisted personnel, three artillery guns,
vehicles etc. We had 14 casualties. We could never make up the losses. We were standing
in front of our dugout, when a fighter bomber dropped its bomb on us, and it went off.
With a quick reaction we leapt into the dugout and were under the structural supports
when a heavy blast made the earth shake. Suddenly we saw daylight, the shaking made
the wall on the side of the valley hill subside and that made our shelter tumbledown and
become unusable. Then we half spilled out. Once freed we saw the mess: the fighter
bomber attack had aimed for the stationery Panzer IV tank in our proximity, however
it remained undamaged. Instead, the heavy bomb had made a large crater, half a street
and half of our houses. Even so, we remained uninjured.
5 Infantry Division History
By the end of 19 January, the Minturno-Tufo ridge was secure against anything but
the most formidable counterattack from a reinforced enemy. The casualties sustained
by the Division in getting so far were however, by no means light, and even with the
assistance of 201 Guards Brigade, as yet uncommitted, there appeared to be little
possibility of achieving the planned exploitation up the Ausente valley. By dusk, 15
Infantry Brigade had not met all its original objectives but did have a foothold on Point
141. The intention for 20 Jan 44 was to pass 1 York & Lancs. through 1 KOYLI to Point
172 to the Cemetery and to Point 156. The night of 19 January was spent in planning
and preparing for the further attack by 15 Infantry Brigade on the following day, and in
active patrolling to gain information for that attack.
Major General P.G.S. Gregson Ellis OBE and his Aide-de-Camp, Lieutenant Sir
Peter Wills Bt. Grenadier Guards arrived at 5 Division. He is to take over Command
of the Division.
D. Woolard, attached to 2 Wiltshires, My Day,
19 January
‘Very little out of the ordinary happened. Just the usual intermittent shelling, mortaring,
and a little small arms fire from time to time. That night we decided to sleep in an old
out house. Enemy shells came over for a while in the evening, but by stand down it
was quieter. As soon as the first two lads were on guard, we flung our gas capes and
greatcoats, which came up that day, onto the floor which was littered with dry maize
straw and tried to sleep. Some of the lads were soon asleep as I could hear their heavy
breathing and most unmelodious snoring, but as tired as I was, I could not sleep. I
felt itchy and thought the straw was lousy with fleas. I lit several matches to see if I
could see anything and smoked no end of fags. I caught and killed dozens of the little
blighters, but I found out later they were not fleas or bugs but were a kind of maize
weevil, which did not bite and were quite harmless. I was extremely glad to get on
guard that night, the shelling had almost ceased, when I went out, but our own Royal
Artillery were still sending a few shells over on enemy targets. When I finished my turn
on guard I went in and lay down again and pulled the greatcoat over my head and fell
fast asleep.’
1 York & Lancs. Missing Person’s Report by Corporal Waddington
‘On 19 January 1944 during the action at Minturno my Platoon had reached their
objective about 600 yards North-East of Minturno. I saw Private Stanley Holland
wounded, about half an hour later whilst laying in the open he was fired on by a German
Machine Gun and killed. During the afternoon of the same day, I personally assisted to
remove Private Holland’s body to the rear of my Platoon’s position. I cannot say where
he was buried but it would be in the area occupied by my Company on that date.’
German views of the day: Lt. Wolfras Gieseler, III Battalion 274 Grenadier
Regiment
19 Jan 44
‘Private Glausch is killed on the morning of 19 Jan 44 right next to the bunker, when he
has just stepped outside the door. He had already witnessed the fighting in Stalingrad.
He wanted to become a journalist when he was only 21 years old. As a last legacy he left us with an evocative account about his “experiences and thoughts in France and
Italy”. The death of Glausch shakes us who must hold out in the bunker very much.
The third morning of the attack arrives after more strong shellfire in the night, our
small bunker crew sits in foxholes on the small hill just ahead of us, waiting for the
Allies early attack. The machine gun operated by Sergeant Selle is ancient. Lt. Colonel
Reich and the rest of us have our rifles at the ready. Artillery fire is silent at dawn. And
then they come slowly towards us at a distance of about 200 metres in several rows of
gunners, about 40 men each in a row. It looks as if large caterpillars or the legendary
worms are moving through the rubble. The effect of our suddenly starting defensive
fire is astonishing. The English throw themselves to the ground and crawl back quickly,
leaving dead and wounded behind. It is probably assumed that our height is occupied
by stronger German forces. In any case, the attack has been defeated and will not be
repeated this day or in the following days, despite further heavy artillery fire.’
Lt. Wolfgang Wiedemann, II Battalion, 267 Panzer Grenadier Regiment
‘At noon I received the order to gather the Company together. A convoy of trucks was to
pick us up around 3 p.m. There was no relief and the coastal section remained without
security. We informed the groups which had the longest way to go to get to us as soon
as possible. There were special problems only with one group that held their positions
on a rocky outcrop. It could only be reached by boat. We did not have any means of
communication. Little by little the NCOs and their groups met in the vineyards, near
the Company Command Post. The Platoon and Section leaders checked the weapons,
ammunition, and hand grenades.
Because of the acute danger of aircraft, the trucks kept large distances between
each other. The transport column provided the “Hermann Göering” Panzer Division. A
Sergeant commanded the Unit. He had the order to take my Company immediately –
without any loss of time – to Transport Regiment 274. The Command Post of this
Regiment was at Santa Maria Infante. It was the first time I heard that name. If heavy
artillery fire made it impossible to continue, we would have to fight our way through
on foot.
When the Company was complete, I gave the order to mount. I put two men on
each truck as aerial observers. We drove at full speed towards Gaeta Formia. We kept to
the timetable. The cloudless sky worried us. Still, we did not see any bomber aircraft.
When we saw the Gulf of Gaeta in front of us, we immediately noticed several Allied
warships. They lay peacefully in the gulf and stopped firing.
I did not have a map of that battle zone. That was usually the case when spontaneous
action was ordered. The Sergeant who led the convoy of trucks knew where we were
going. He had also informed me that we would take the coastal road for about 12
kilometres and then turn inland. Soon we reached Formia. On the Via Appia we went
East. With serious faces, the men stared at the sea. What would the warships do? They
had to see us. The road was often damaged by artillery and bombs. Our driver could
not drive very fast. Well-placed volleys of these heavy ship’s guns had left us in great
distress. Everyone felt it like a miracle, no aircraft in the sky and the flashing of the
ship’s artillery did not happen.
The fleet that kept the Battalions of our Division under heavy fire for days were
2 Cruisers [HMS Orion and HMS Spartan] and five Destroyers. We knew almost nothing about the enemy. We heard from the Hermann Goering people that they were
‘Tommies’. Our enemies were British units.
The Allies had two armies in Italy, which were part of the 15th Army Group under
General Alexander. The British 8th Army fought in the Northern part of the front,
towards the Adriatic Sea under Lieut. General Oliver Leese.
The Southern part of the front towards the Tyrrhenian Sea was occupied by the
American 5th Army under Lieut. General Mark Clark. On the left side of this Army
was British X (BR) Corps under Lieut. Gen. Richard McCreery and they were directly
in front of 94 Infantry Division. The area around Minturno was attacked by the British
5 Infantry Division, and the area around Castelforte/Sujo by the British 56 Infantry
Division. The British 46 Infantry Division was further North.
The tension was enormous. Kilometre by kilometre we went South – without enemy
action. At the fork in the road at San Croce, a road sign pointed to the left – “Cassino”
was written on it. With full speed we turned off. The Via Appia led straight ahead to
Scauri and on to the River Garigliano. Our soldiers soon called this fork in the road
“death crossroads”: it was a very special attraction for ship and land artillery as well
as for the bomber aircraft, who, however, did not manage to close the railway bridge
until the end or block the supply road at San Croce. When we passed that critical point,
I took a breath. Now in the hills further East we heard the sounds of battle and dying
Grenadiers. After a noticeably short time we saw individual houses next to the road. It
was a small town or district – Penitro.
Now it started. Shells howled and detonated right and left of the road, which led
further, past Santa Maria Infante, to Cassino. The enemy had certainly already occupied
a few hills and could see the terrain. I gave the order: “Dismount and take full cover.”
Santa Maria Infante was about 5 km ahead of us on a bigger hill.
In a few seconds, my men had jumped off and disappeared into cover. The able
Hermann Goering men had already turned around and were quickly heading towards
Formia. These drivers did not have an easy life. The fire attack by the enemy artillery
continued for some time. For many of the men it was the first close encounter with
death. With my three Platoon Commanders, I discussed the next steps. The Company
had to follow me at a long distance. I searched for the Regimental Command Post. We
made slow progress, but the artillery kept forcing us to take cover.
We met several times with fellow countrymen bringing captured Englishmen into
the rear area. The Englishmen, with their typical flat helmets, looked exhausted and
made sad faces. I think they were glad to have escaped death. When we climbed up the
road to Santa Maria Infante, the sun had already disappeared. An Observer from 274
Grenadier Regiment drove us the last distance to the Command Post just as the heavy
shells of the two Cruisers made the earth tremble. When we arrived at the Command
Post it was pitch dark. In the shelter were only a few men. Candles were burning,
the mood I could hardly judge. I reported to Lt. Colonel. Reich. Without a word the
Regimental Commander shook my hand, he looked grey and exhausted.
Lt. Colonel Reich had to answer the phone again. Lieutenant Wolfras Gieseler, his
Adjutant, was in charge. He was extremely cooperative. The first thing he did was
print a map for me. Gieseler informed me about the situation as far as possible. He
explained the streets, the terrain, and a few places in the Minturno area. Flickering
candlelight, sometimes went out when the impacts of the bombs were very close, he showed me what was assumed to be enemy positions and the main battle line on the
map in the evening of 19 Jan 44. I could register only all place names and designations
with difficulty. My receptiveness was limited in this tension-loaded hour. Still two or
three men were in the shelter. There was chaos – it could not be any different from the
days of rough camping. The Commander made one phone call after the other.
Nigel Nicolson, The Grenadier Guards
19 Jan 44
‘At the beginning of an offensive the British soldier understood well enough what was
the immediate objective for he could see with his own eyes the shell bursts and the
clouds of dust which marked the furthest points reached by the converging pincers.
But when the battle developed, and the Allied advance poured along a dozen separate
channels, the soldier’s horizon was apt to be confined by the mountains bordering
his own particular valley. More often the men and junior officers were engaged in
battles of which they did not know the full significance in relation to the strategic
plan. For hours and sometimes days, they would wait patiently in dusty fields while
others broke fresh ground ahead of them. Ordered suddenly to put on their equipment
and climb back into their lorries, they would be driven off to unknown destinations,
lurching along hot by-roads all through the day or night, delayed at intervals by blown
bridges, long enough to brew a can of tea by the wayside, then on again, down the steep
diversions, which the bulldozers had carved out of the stream-banks, or rattling across
the loose boards of a Bailey bridge. So, they came once more to their Division, past the
tanks, within the range of gun fire, and then heard a shot or the rattle of a machine gun.
Where were they? There was no time and no real need to explain the wider situation.
Out came the maps, a small isolated, square of Italian soil, a hurried identification of
features on map and ground. “The Germans are here and there, perhaps here there
too. The bridge is blown, the tanks held up. We must have this ridge by nightfall.”
Then the Battalion, Company and Platoon plans in increasing detail: “That hedge . . .
will be the 2-inch mortar reach? . . . Get them under cover of this farm . . . and No. 3
Platoon on your right . . . in half an hour from now.” So, the battle started; a few more
fields, another village, abandoned by the Germans, entered by our own men, and so
“captured”. And this minor skirmish would make its mark upon the great operation
maps of rear headquarters and even affect the bulge of the broad, black line published
the next day in the newspapers of the world. The exact position of the front line, the
line joining the points reached by the leading tanks or sections of a hundred different
columns, was always of great importance. Beyond it lay country which looked no
different from the country already in our hands but somewhere across that broken
stretch of fields lay a curtain dividing friend from foe, guns that would shoot to defend
you from guns that would shoot to kill."
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