NEW INFORMATION RECEIVED SINCE BOOK PUBLISHED.
22 Jan 44 Page 128
Official History
Brigadier Molony’s The Mediterranean and Middle East, notes that between 18-22 Jan 44 inclusive, the start of the Garigliano Offensive, casualties in the whole of X Corps (which included 5, 45 & 56 Division) were 1,312.
Just three battalions of 5 Division lost about 565 men that week: The Royal Scots Fusiliers’ casualties were approximately 140, including seven officers, to which a further 53 casualties had to be added on 23 Jan 44 - a total of 193.
Field Returns of Jan 22 44 for 6 Seaforth Highlanders show a complement of 27 officers and 608 ORs, against a War Establishment of 36 officers and 815 ORs. The battalion was forced to reorganise into three Rifle Companies, so it must have lost in the region of 100 men.
1 Bn York & Lancaster lost 256 men during the week ending Jan 22 44.
The Wiltshires, also from 5 Division, lost 195 men during the Garigliano operations (two weeks) .
According to 56 Division ADMS, divisional troop casualties for the week ending 22 Jan 44 were 40 officers and 659 ORs. Eric Morris, in Circles of Hell, gives the figure of 4,000 British casualties in the first battle of Cassino (22 Jan – 13 Feb 44).
56 Division ADMS Medical Diary for Jan 44 records 76 officers and 1311 OR casualties in January - a total of 1387.
5 Infantry Division History
22 Jan 44
The alarums and excursions died down as night fell on 21 Jan 44 but both sides patrolled actively throughout the night. Patrols from 13 Infantry Brigade reported that the enemy was preparing a large-scale attack against the Tufo area and sure enough at first light, preceded by a heavy artillery and mortar bombardment, he launched a sharp attack that overran ‘A’ Company of 2 Wiltshires, forcing them to give up about 200 yards of valuable ground. The Company Commander [Capt. Clarke] together with his Forward Observation Officer [Capt. Plant of 91 Field Regiment RA] and a Platoon, went forward immediately to restore the position, but they were likewise overrun. Capt. Plant called for Direct Fire on to their positions and most of the party were extricated, but the two Captains themselves were shot and taken prisoner. Whilst they were receiving attention from a German medical orderly a heavy concentration from the Divisional Artillery came down onto Point 201. This forced the enemy to withdraw and abandon their two prisoners who managed to struggle back to the main positions. A successful counterattack was made by 2 Cameronians who secured Point 201 for good.
On the extreme left of the sector 2 Northants, then under command of 13 Infantry Brigade, came into Divisional Reserve and moved up into the foothills of the Minturno - Tufo Ridge to reconnoitre a counterattack on to Point 156. This counterattack plan was later cancelled. They remained dug in and suffered only a few casualties from heavy shell fire. In the evening a few lonely enemy bombers added to their temporary discomfort.
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