On This Day 18 January 1944 - Italy 6 Seaforths

 On This day 18 January 1944 - Italy

6 Seaforths Citation: Bar to Military Cross for Major A.E. Low

Major A.E. Low’s Company was the leading Company in the assault crossing of the River Garigliano on the night of 17-18 Jan 44.   When moving forward to the riverbank, two of his subalterns and three of his Platoon Sergeants were seriously wounded by “S” mines.   He himself was also wounded, but he carried on and led his Company across the river under heavy shell fire and machine gun fire.   His calm courage and forceful leadership under most difficult circumstances were a magnificent example to his men and assured the subsequent success of the whole assault crossing by the Battalion.   In spite of being in great pain from the wound which had affected his sight, Major Low led his Company, now much depleted by casualties, forward from the river and continued to engage the enemy until the success of the operation.   Throughout the night and until about mid-day on 18 Jan 44, when he was ordered to hand over his Command and have his wounds attended to, this officer displayed magnificent courage and devotion to duty.

6 Seaforths Citation: Bar to Military Cross for Captain G.A. Falconer.

When the assault crossing of the River Garigliano began on the night 17-18 Jan 44, Capt. Falconer was Second in Command of “C” Company.   His Company Commander was severely wounded, and Capt. Falconer took command and got his Company across the river under intense enemy shell fire.   By first light 18 Jan 44 his Company had secured its first objective, and the first enemy counterattack which took place soon after dawn was successfully repulsed.   Shortly afterwards the enemy brought up three tanks and counterattacked again.   In this engagement Capt. Falconer was himself wounded and his Company suffered many casualties.   He continued in action however and conducted a successful withdrawal to more advantageous positions covering the bridgehead.   As a result of his fine leadership the enemy counterattack was successfully held.   Capt. Falconer’s courageous leadership was a magnificent example to his men and the success of the assault crossing was in no small measure due to this officer’s skill and courage.

On This Day 17 Jan 1944 Italy Plan for crossing the Garigliano

 

 5 BR Infantry Division plan for crossing the River Garigliano, 17–18 Jan 44. (TNA)

    The Germans held the high ground at Castelforte, Monte Argente and the MinturnoTufo ridge. 2 Royal Scots Fusiliers, ‘B’ Company of 6 Seaforths and ‘A’ Company of 7 Cheshires, part of 17 Infantry Brigade were to land on the beach North-East of  the River Garigliano, and just South of Monte Argente. 2 Cameronians (13 Infantry Brigade) and 2 Northants (17 Infantry Brigade) are to lead the attack on the MinturnoTufo ridge followed by 2 Royal Inniskillings Fusiliers and 2 Wiltshires of 13 Infantry Brigade and 6 Seaforths of 17 Infantry Brigade. In reserve, just across the River Garigliano are 201 Guards Brigade and 15 Infantry Brigade.

On This Day 16 Jan 1944 - Italy

 

On 16–17 Jan 44 Allied aircraft bombed German ‘94’ Infantry Division positions and they were supported by two cruisers and five destroyers firing from offshore. 17 Infantry Brigade were accompanied by a Naval Gunfire Control Officer who was able to direct the fire of one of the cruisers. The Brigade were to have tanks from 40 Royal Tank Regiment in support [about 60 Sherman tanks].

On This Day 15 January 1944 - Italy The Battle begins!

 Air and Naval Support

Air and naval support played a disappointing part in the battle. It had been hoped that naval and air bombardment would have practically isolated the battle area during the first days of the assault but some of these resources were required elsewhere and very bad weather interfered with both sea and air operations, however, with the result that after the enemy had recovered from the initial surprise, he was able to move reserves into the battle area practically unimpeded.

HMS Orion Naval History

15 Jan 44 Bombarded Gaeta by HM Cruiser SPARTAN and HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, JERVIS, JANUS and LAFOREY.

 HMS Orion, a similar ship to the cruiser HMS Spartan. (naval-history.net web site)

On This Day 13 January 1944 Italy

 

Lorenzo Tonioli

"13 January 1944, Garigliano River area, Italy. English doctor of the British X Corps, treating Italian child for wound received from German shelling"

 

On This Day 9th January 1944 Italy

 

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Minturno Town photographed from the Commonwealth War Graves cemetery

  5 Infantry Division of the British Army was withdrawn from the line on 9 Jan 44 and moved in great secrecy across Italy to a concentration area behind the United States 5^th Army’s front near the mouth of the River Garigliano   It arrived there on 15 Jan 44.

1 York & Lancs. was moved with the rest of 5 Infantry Division across Italy away from the Orsogna - Ortona line on the Adriatic coast, arriving at Isernia on 14 Jan 44 in readiness to attack across the River Garigliano and capture the Ausonia valley beyond the town of Minturno.  

The Battle of Monte Natale involved 5 Infantry Division and took place around four small towns/villages.   They were Minturno, Santa Maria Infante, Tufo and Tremensuoli.   All suffered extensive damage.   The people of Minturno suffered greatly, finding themselves under German occupation, and positioned on the very edge of the German Gustav Line.   The population of Minturno had to endure persecution and reprisals by the Germans and also famine.   In addition, the local villages endured heavy land and naval bombardments by the Allied forces which resulted in catastrophic damage, and the deaths and casualties of many innocent civilians.   Many Minturnesi were forced to flee to the mountains and surrounding countryside.

On New Years day Italy 1944 What were 1 Green Howards doing?

 

 1 Green Howards near Lanciano, Italy.   Photo 1 Jan 44 TNA 10626