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- Italian Campaign during the Second World War -


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World War 2 Two II WW2 WWII 1939 1945

Italian Campaign



   The British 8th Army landed in Italy on the 3rd September 1943 followed by the US 5th Army on the 9th September. Mussolini had been deposed and arrested on 25th July The new government signed an armistice with the Allies on 3rd September 1943 which was to come into effect on the 8th, but did not oppose the invasion when it was launched 5 days earlier. German troops were pushed slowly northwards in a series of hard fought battles.

On the 26th September 1943 some Italian Troops formed a patriot army under General Vincenzo Dapino which fought alongside the Allies in the Battle of San Pietro Infine in December. At the beginning of 1944 this force became the Italian Liberation Corps, and then in July 1944 it was completely re-equipped by the Allies as the Italian Co-belligerent Army, alongside an Italian Co-belligerent Navy and Air Force.

The combined Allied Force of British, American, Italian, Polish and Brazillian units, drove the German Army north until the last forces were cornered and defeated in the Battle of Collecchio-Fornovo near Parma. General Heinrich von Vietinghoff then in command of the German Army in Italy, signed the instrument of surrender on behalf of the German armies in Italy on 29th April 1945.



 

11th Nov 1940 Attack Made

July 1943 Shipping

25th July 1943 Mussolini dismissed

27th July 1943 Orders

19th of August 1943 Plans

September 1943 To Sicily

Sept 1943 Relocation

September 1943 Another Move

1st September 1943 Embarkation

1st Sep 1943 On the Move

1st Sep 1943 Orders

2nd Sep 1943 Planning

2nd Sep 1943 On the Move

3rd September 1943 Invasion of Italy

3rd September 1943 Armistice with Italy signed

3rd Sep 1943 Anti Aircraft Artillery Support

3rd Sep 1943 Advance

4th Sep 1943 Advance

4th September 1943 Halifax lost over Italy

4th Sep 1943 On the Move

5th Sep 1943 Deserters

5th Sep 1943 On the Move

6th September 1943 Squadron moves on Sicily

6th Sep 1943 Withdrawal

7th September 1943 Preparation for invasion

7th Sep 1943 Move

8th September 1943 Move to Italy

8th September 1943 Italian Armistice announced

8th Sep 1943 Surrender

9th Sep 1943 Landing

9th Sep 1943 Observation  


THE ALLIED LANDINGS IN ITALY, SEPTEMBER 1943: REGGIO, TARANTO AND SALERNO

Men of the 9th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers at an observation post at the window of a ruined house, Salerno, 9th of September 1943 © IWM (NA 6836)



9th Sep 1943 Observation

9th Sep 1943 Assault

9th Sep 1943 Explosion

9th September 1943 Landing at Salerno

9th September 1943 Landing

9th Sep 1943 On the Move

9th Sep 1943 Advance

9th Sep 1943  On the Move

9th Sep 1943 Stiff Opposition

9th Sep 1943 In Action

10th September 1943 Advance

10th Sep 1943 On the Move

10th Sep 1943 In Action

10th Sep 1943  In Action

10th Sep 1943 In Action

11th September 1943 In Action

11th September 1943 Attack

11th Sep 1943 On the March

11th Sep 1943 Shelling

11th Sep 1943  In Action

11th Sep 1943 Counter Attack

12th of September 1943 Attack Made

12th September 1943 Orders

12th Sep 1943 Parade

12th Sep 1943 Line Reinforced

12th Sep 1943  At Rest

12th Sep 1943 Orders

13th Sep 1943 Attack

13th of September 1943 Shelling

13th Sep 1943 Awards

13th Sep 1943 Stand to

13th Sep 1943  Reorganisation

13th Sep 1943 Positions Strengthened

14th Sep 1943 In Action

14th September 1943 In Action

14th September 1943 Orders Reconsidered

14th Sep 1943 Conference

14th Sep 1943 Stand to

14th Sep 1943  Enemy Flushed

14th Sep 1943 Orders Issued

15th September 1943 Into Italy

15th Sep 1943 Attack

15th September 1943 Move to the Italian mainland

15th September 1943 Attacks Made

15th September 1943 Operation Avalanche

15th Sep 1943 Preparations

15th Sep 1943 Mortars

15th Sep 1943  Shelling

15th Sep 1943 Patrols

16th September 1943 Move to Italy

16th Sep 1943 On the Move

16th Sep 1943 Enemy Attack

16th Sep 1943  Recce

16th Sep 1943 Enemy Active

17th Sep 1943 Reliefs

17th Sep 1943 Orders

17th Sep 1943 Reliefs

17th Sep 1943  Shelling

17th Sep 1943 Air Raid

18th Sep 1943 On the Move

18th Sep 1943 At Rest

18th Sep 1943  Advance

19th Sep 1943 Orders

19th Sep 1943 Landings

19th September 1943 Move to Italy

19th September 1943 Airfield under fire

19th September 1943 Orders

19th Sep 1943 Contact

19th Sep 1943 Reorganisation

19th Sep 1943  Move

18th Sep 1943 Advance

19th Sep 1943 Orders

20th September 1943 Enemy Active

20th Sep 1943 Positions

20th Sep 1943 Reliefs

20th Sep 1943  Shelling

20th Sep 1943 Reliefs

21st Sep 1943 Patrols

21st Sep 1943 Shelling

21st Sep 1943  Patrol

21st Sep 1943 Shelling

22nd Sep 1943 On the Move

22nd Sep 1943 Patrol

22nd Sep 1943  Night Attack

23rd Sep 1943 Working Parties

23rd September 1943 Move to Italy

23rd Sep 1943 On the Move

23rd Sep 1943 Situation

23rd Sep 1943 Enemy Artillery

23rd Sep 1943  Advance

24th Sep 1943 Maintenance

24th Sep 1943 Lecture

24th Sep 1943 Preparations

24th Sep 1943  Standing by

24th Sep 1943 On the Move

24th Sep 1943 Arrival

25th September 1943 Into Italy

25th Sep 1943 On the Move

25th September 1943 Relocated

25th Sep 1943 Quiet

25th Sep 1943  Attack Launched

26th September 1943  Move to Italy

26th Sep 1943 Advance

26th Sep 1943 Address

26th Sep 1943 Quiet

26th Sep 1943  Heavy Rain

27th Sep 1943 Advance

27th Sep 1943 On the Move

27th Sep 1943 On the Move

27th Sep 1943  On the Move

28th Sep 1943 Landings

28th Sep 1943 Maintenance

28th Sep 1943 Visit

28th Sep 1943 Instructions

28th Sep 1943 Hospitality

28th Sep 1943  Refitting

29th Sep 1943 Maintenance

29th Sep 1943 Training

29th Sep 1943 On the Move

30th Sep 1943 On the Move

30th Sep 1943 Attachment

30th Sep 1943 On the Move

30th Sep 1943 Standing by

30th Sep 1943  Parade

October 1943 Into Italy

October 1943 Move to Italy

October 1943 Little action over Italy

1st Oct 1943 Invasion of Italy

1st Oct 1943 In Action

1st Oct 1943 Ready to Move

1st Oct 1943 Moves

2nd October 1943 Move into Italy

2nd Oct 1943 Heavy Rain

2nd Oct 1943 Ready to Move

2nd Oct 1943 HQ Established

3rd Oct 1943 Enemy Aircraft

3rd Oct 1943 Ready to Move

3rd Oct 1943 Hospital Attacked

4th Oct 1943 Enemy Aircraft

4th Oct 1943 On the Move

4th Oct 1943 Move

5th Oct 1943 In Action

5th Oct 1943 In Action

5th Oct 1943 Training

5th Oct 1943 Road Cleared

6th Oct 1943 In Action

6th Oct 1943 Attack Made

6th Oct 1943 Orders

6th Oct 1943 Orders

7th October 1943 Move to Italy

7th Oct 1943 Enemy Retires

7th Oct 1943 On the Move

7th Oct 1943 New Positions

8th October 1943 Civilians

8th Oct 1943 Training

8th Oct 1943 Patrols

9th Oct 1943 Training

9th Oct 1943 Crossing Points

10th September 1943 Enemy Pushed Back

10th Oct 1943 Shelling

10th Oct 1943 Enemy Active

11th Oct 1943 On the March

11th Oct 1943 Recce Patrol

12th Oct 1943 Crossing Attempted

12th Oct 1943 Crossing

13th October 1943 Fighter base established in Naples

13th Oct 1943 Quiet

13th Oct 1943 Assault Made

14th Oct 1943 Attack Made

14th Oct 1943 Recce Patrol

14th Oct 1943 River Crossed

15th Oct 1943 Patrol

15th Oct 1943 Smoke Screen

16th Oct 1943 River Crossing

16th Oct 1943 Patrol

17th Oct 1943 Advance

17th Oct 1943 Prisoners Taken

18th October 1943 Moved forward

18th Oct 1943 In Action

19th October 1943 Reliefs

19th Oct 1943 Advance

20th Oct 1943 Bodies Found

20th Oct 1943 In Action

21st October 1943 River Crossed

21st Oct 1943 Preparations

22nd Oct 1943 Advance

22nd Oct 1943 Assault Made

23rd Oct 1943 On the Move

23rd Oct 1943 Recce

24th Oct 1943 Attack Made

24th Oct 1943 Advance

26th Oct 1943 Reliefs

27th Oct 1943 Patrols

28th Oct 1943 Supplies

28th Oct 1943 New Positions

29th Oct 1943 On the Move

29th Oct 1943 Advance

30th Oct 1943 Advance

30th Oct 1943 Progress Made

31st of October 1943 Mov & Tn Embarkation Instruction No 2 Appendix E1

31st Oct 1943 Advance

31st Oct 1943 Mines

1st November 1943 Move to India

1st Nov 1943 New Positions

2nd Nov 1943 New Positions

2nd Nov 1943 Advance

3rd November 1943 Leaving Italy for India

3rd Nov 1943 Advance

4th Nov 1943 Quiet

5th Nov 1943 On the Move

5th Nov 1943 Advance

6th Nov 1943 Patrols

7th Nov 1943 Minefield

7th Nov 1943 Advance

8th Nov 1943 Advance

Nov 1943 In Action

10th Nov 1943 Enemy Observed

12th Nov 1943 Shelling

13th Nov 1943 Orders Cancelled

14th Nov 1943 On the Move

15th Nov 1943 In Billets

18th Nov 1943 On the Move

18th Nov 1943 Advance

20th November 1943 Back to Algeria

20th Nov 1943 Heavy Rain

20th Nov 1943 Attack Made

21st Nov 1943 Mines

22nd November 1943 Move to the front line

22nd Nov 1943 Mines

23rd Nov 1943 Orders

23rd Nov 1943 Crossings

24th Nov 1943 On the Move

25th Nov 1943 Preparations

25th Nov 1943 River Rising

26th Nov 1943 Preparations

27th Nov 1943 Preparations

28th Nov 1943 Preparations

29th Nov 1943 Preparations

29th Nov 1943 Town Captured

30th Nov 1943 On the Move

30th Nov 1943 Hard Fighting

December 1943 Relocated to Italy

1st Dec 1943 Hard Fighting

2nd Dec 1943 In Action

2nd Dec 1943 Advance

3rd December 1943 German flight encountered

5th of December 1943 Mid-air collision

6th Dec 1943 Reliefs

7th Dec 1943 Bad Weather

8th Dec 1943 Attack Made

9th December 1943 Move to Syria

9th Dec 1943 Hard Fighting

10th Dec 1943 Attack Made

12th Dec 1943 Bridgehead

13th Dec 1943 Recce

14th December 1943 Move to Italy

14th Dec 1943 Reliefs

14th Dec 1943 Ground Gained

15th Dec 1943 Recce

16th Dec 1943 Move

16th December 1943 Killed in air combat

16th Dec 1943 Reliefs Complete

16th Dec 1943 Advance

17th Dec 1943 Patrols

18th Dec 1943 Patrols

18th Dec 1943 Hard Fighting

19th Dec 1943 Aircraft shot down

20th Dec 1943 Shelling

21st Dec 1943 Reliefs

21st Dec 1943 Preparations

22nd Dec 1943 Preparations

22nd Dec 1943 Attack Made

23rd Dec 1943 Defence

23rd Dec 1943 Preparations

23rd Dec 1943 In Action

24th Dec 1943 Preparations

24th Dec 1943 Heavy Fighting

25th Dec 1943 Festivities

25th Dec 1943 Bombardment

26th Dec 1943 Recce

26th Dec 1943 Village Taken

27th Dec 1943 Preparations

28th Dec 1943 Preparations

29th Dec 1943 Night Raids

29th Dec 1943 Preparations

30th Dec 1943 Fighting Patrols

31st December 1943 Press release

31st Dec 1943 No Contact

31st Dec 1943 Blizzard

January 1944 On the move

January 1944 To Italy

1st Jan 1944 Quiet

1st Jan 1944 Move

3rd January 1944 Move north

5th Jan 1944 On the Move

6th Jan 1944 Training

7th Jan 1944 Training

8th Jan 1944 Training

9th Jan 1944 Reliefs

9th Jan 1944 Training

Jan 1944 In Action

10th Jan 1944 Heavy Shelling

10th Jan 1944 Conference

11th Jan 1944 Air Raid

12th Jan 1944 Some Shelling

13th Jan 1944 Town Shelled

14th January 1944 Fuel problems

14th Jan 1944 Patrols

16th January, 1944 Preparations for beach landings

17th January 1944  Moved airbase

18th Jan 1944 River Crossed

19th Jan 1944 Attack Made

20th Jan 1944 Recce

22nd January 1944 Battle of Anzio

22nd January 1944 Air cover over battle area

22nd Jan 1944 Bridging

22nd January 1944 Battle of Anzio

23rd January 1944 Battle of Anzio

23rd January 1944 Crash on take-off

24th January 1944 Battle of Anzio

25th January 1944 Battle of Anzio

26th Jan 1944 Ready to Move

27th Jan 1944 Shelling

28th Jan 1944 Aircraft Active

29th Jan 1944 Recce

30th Jan 1944 Attack Made

30th January 1944 Battle of Anzio

30th January 1944 Fighter bomber Wing assembled on the Adriatic

31st January 1944 Moved to Italy

February 1944 Army support and anti-shipping sorties

February 1944 Move to Italy

2nd Feb 1944 Positions Occupied

3rd February 1944 Battle of Anzio

3rd Feb 1944 In Action

4th Feb 1944 Heavy Shelling

5th Feb 1944 Heavy Shelling

7th February 1944 Battle of Anzio

7th Feb 1944 Heavy Shelling

8th Feb 1944 Enemy Active

9th Feb 1944 Break Through

10th February 1944 Lost in combat

16th February 1944 Battle of Anzio

18th February 1944 Battle of Anzio

18th February 1944 Battle of Anzio

18th February 1944 Address

20th February 1944 Attacks

21st Feb 1944 Padre  

THE BRITISH ARMY IN ITALY 1944

Reverend G B Fairhurst, Padre of the 2/5th Queen's Regiment, talking to two of the men in his battalion and an American soldier in the Anzio bridgehead, 20-21 February 1944. © IWM (NA 12082)



21st Feb 1944 Padre

22nd February 1944 Change of Command

24th February 1944 Into Italy

29th February 1944 Battle of Anzio

March 1944 Close support

1st March 1944 Wet

2nd March 1944 Recce Patrol

2nd March 1944 Attack Made

3rd March 1944 Flares

3rd March 1944 Ops

4th March 1944 Patrol

5th March 1944 Patrol

6th March 1944 Quiet

7th March 1944 Reliefs

7th March 1944 Ops

8th March 1944 In Billets

9th March 1944 Orders

11th March 1944 Conference

11th March 1944 Supply Route

15th March 1944 Air Raid

18th March 1944 Airfield Attacked

19th March 1944 Airfield Attacked

21st March 1944 Into Italy

22nd March 1944 Supply Route

23rd March 1944 Dug in

23rd Mar 1944 Award

24th March 1944 Supply Route

26th March 1944 Attack Made

28th March 1944 Railways

31st March 1944 Bomber lost at sea

April 1944 New role

April 1944 Move to Britain

1st April 1944 Move

4th April 1944 On the move

10th May 1944 Preparations

11th May 1944 Under Fire

12th April 1944 Back onto operations

14th April 1944 Endless patrols

14th April 1944 Viterbo aerodrome attacked

15th April 1944 Bomber Missing at Sea

16th April 1944 114 Squadron Airman killed

19th April 1944 Dog-fight over Anzio

19th April 1944 Short move

20th April 1944 Abortive mission

22nd April 1944 Bomber raid delayed by rain

23rd April 1944 Move to Monte Cassino

23rd April 1944 Motor traffic attacked

24th April 1944 Fighters intercepted on dawn patrol

25th April 1944 German fighter aircraft scarce

28th April 1944 Bomber escort sorties

29th April 1944 Airfield straffed by friendly fire

29th April 1944 Escort failed to rendezvous

30th April 1944 Escort under fire

1st May 1944 Move North

1st May 1944 Bomber escort

2nd May 1944 Beautiful dawn

3rd May 1944 No opposition

4th May 1944 Bridge damaged

5th May 1944 Photo reconaissance

May 1944 Signallers  

THE BATTLE OF CASSINO, JANUARY-MAY 1944

Signallers of the 6th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment using a radio in a dugout on Monastery Hill. IWM (NA 13363)



May 1944 Signallers

11th May 1944 In Action

11th May 1944 Address

11th May 1944 In Action

11th May 1944 Preparations

11th May 1944 Replacement aircraft

11th May 1944 Equipment

11th May 1944 Orders

12th May 1944 Attack Made

12th May 1944 Bombers hit troop position

12th May 1944 Difficult Obstacle

12th May 1944 Offensive Begins

12th May 1944 Aerodrome bombed

12th May 1944 Move Forward

12th May 1944 Briefing

12th May 1944 On the Move

13th May 1944 Orders

13th May 1944 Attack Made

13th May 1944 Orders

13th May 1944 Spitfire Squadron decimated

13th May 1944 Orders

13th May 1944 River Crossed

13th May 1944 Orders

14th May 1944 On the Move

14th May 1944 Advance

14th May 1944 On the Move

14th May 1944 Bombed out squadron recovered

14th May 1944 On the Move

14th May 1944 In Action

14th May 1944 Reliefs

15th May 1944 Recce

15th May 1944 Battle of Anzio

15th May 1944 Attack Made

15th May 1944 Two enemy aircraft shot down

15th May 1944 In Action

15th May 1944 Advance

15th May 1944 Reliefs

16th May 1944 Into Position

16th May 1944 In Action

16th May 1944 In Action

16th May 1944 Attack Made

16th May 1944 Sweep

16th May 1944 In Action

16th May 1944 In Action

16th May 1944 In Action

17th May 1944 In Action

17th May 1944 Attack Made

17th May 1944 In Action

17th May 1944 Advance

17th May 1944 Air Raid

17th May 1944 Replacement aircraft

17th May 1944 In Action

17th May 1944 Attack Made

18th May 1944 Orders

18th May 1944 On the Move

18th May 1944 Advance

18th May 1944 Attack on Monte Cassino

18th May 1944 Routine

18th May 1944 Advance

18th May 1944 Advance

19th May 1944 Long-range tanks fitted

21st May 1944 Move to the west

21st May 1944 Poor weather for flying

22nd May 1944 Holding the Line  

THE BRITISH ARMY IN ITALY 1944

D Company, 1st Battalion,Green Howards occupy a captured German communications trench during the offensive at Anzio, Italy, 22nd May 1944. IWM (NA 15297)



22nd May 1944 Holding the Line

22nd May 1944 Thunderstorm

22nd May 1944 German airfields deserted

23rd May 1944 Breakout from Anzio

23rd May 1944 Better accommodation on Corsica

24th May 1944 Bridges targetted

25th May 1944 Breakout from Anzio

25th May 1944 

26th May 1944 Breakout from Anzio

26th May 1944 Language problem

27th May 1944 Uneventful

28th May 1944 Bomber escort

29th May 1944 Summer arrives

30th May 1944 Breakout from Anzio

30th May 1944 Me109 shot down

31st May 1944 Satisfactory report

4th June 1944 Entry into Rome

4th June 1944 Shot down over Anzio

5th June 1944 Move north

12th June 1944 Move to Rome

13th June 1944 Move to Rome

16th June 1944 New aircraft

19th Jun 1944 On the Move

19th Jun 1944 In Action

21st Jun 1944 In Action

24th June 1944 Move north

24th June 1944 Advance

24th June 1944 Hard Fighting

25th June 1944 Italian airfield occupied

25th June 1944 On the Move

27th June 1944 Royal visit

July 1944 Occupation of Corsica

July 1944 In Support

11th Jul 1944 Bridge Work

5th July 1944 Moved again

9th July 1944 Move forward

11th July 1944 New role

13th Jul 1944 Mobile Cinema

14th Jul 1944 Exercise

July 1944 Strategic move

18th July 1944 Detachment

20th July 1944 Move to Corsica

25th July 1944 Move to Italy

26th July 1944 Squadron on the move

29th July 1944 Party at sea

1st Aug 1944 On the Move

1st August 1944 Squadron divided

2nd Aug 1944 On the Move

3rd Aug 1944 Mobile Cinema

3rd August 1944 New operational base

7th August 1944 In Action

7th August 1944 Operational from Perugia

10th August 1944 Stores arrive in Italy

12th August 1944 Operation Dragoon

13th August 1944 Shot down

13th August 1944 On the move

16th August 1944 Squadron reunited

20th August 1944 Precision bombing

23rd August 1944. Pilot killed in accident

24th August 1944. Bomber escort duty

25th August 1944. Escort provided for Winston Churchill

26th August 1944 Sea rescue

28th August 1944 Move east

September 1944 Detachment

1st Sep 1944 Orders

1st Sep 1944 At Rest

1st September 1944. Five sorties - one pilot missing

2nd Sep 1944 Reliefs

2nd Sep 1944 On the Move

3rd Sep 1944 Patrols

3rd Sep 1944 In Action

4th September 1944 On the move

4th Sep 1944 Enemy Engaged

4th Sep 1944 In Action

4th September 1944. Bridges bombed

5th Sep 1944 Reliefs

5th Sep 1944 Attacks Made

6th September 1944 Battle of Rimini Ridge

6th Sep 1944 New Area

6th Sep 1944 Heavy Shelling

6th Sep 1944 Reliefs

7th Sep 1944 Lecture

8th Sep 1944 Lecture

10th Sep 1944 Church Parade

11th Sep 1944 Orders

12th Sep 1944 On the Move

12th September 1944. Spitfire disintegrated - pilot killed

13th Sep 1944 Attack

13th September 1944 Close support operations

14th Sep 1944 Defence

14th September 1944 Railway targets

15th Sep 1944 Patrols

16th Sep 1944 Under Fire

17th Sep 1944 In Action

17th September 1944 Change of command

18th Sep 1944 Advance

18th September 1944 South African Spitfire pilot killed

19th Sep 1944 Attack Made

20th Sep 1944 In Action

21st Sep 1944 On the March

22nd Sep 1944 Advance

22nd September 1944 C.O. posted

23rd Sep 1944 In Action

24th Sep 1944 On the Move

25th Sep 1944 At Rest

25th September 1944 Cab-rank operations in Italy

26th Sep 1944 Orders

27th Sep 1944 Orders

28th Sep 1944 Heavy Rain

29th Sep 1944 Advance

30th Sep 1944 Orders

October 1944 Back to Italy

October 1944 In Support

October 1944 In Support

October 1944 Re-Equipping

1st Oct 1944 Quiet

Oct 1944 Defensive Positions

2nd Oct 1944 Quiet

2nd October 1944 Operations stopped by bad weather

4th Oct 1944 Congratulations

7th October 1944  Glider tow to Italy cancelled

9th October 1944 Stirlings leave for Italy

10th October 1944 Evaded capture

10th October 1944  Gliders released over Italy

11th Oct 1944 Orders

12th Oct 1944 On the March

12th October 1944 Transport back to England

13th Oct 1944 Patrols

14th October 1944 R & R

14th Oct 1944 Patrols

15th Oct 1944 Patrols

16th Oct 1944 Patrols

17th Oct 1944 Shelling

18th October 1944 Moved north

18th Oct 1944 Misty

19th Oct 1944 Patrols

20th Oct 1944 Patrols

21st October 1944 Moving on

21st Oct 1944 Patrols

22nd Oct 1944 Patrols

23rd Oct 1944 Advance

24th Oct 1944 Patrols

24th October 1944. Bombing and leaflet dropping sorties

25th Oct 1944 Enemy Positions

26th Oct 1944 Bad Weather

27th Oct 1944 Reliefs

28th Oct 1944 Some Shelling

29th Oct 1944 Reliefs

30th Oct 1944 On the March

November 1944 Move to Rimini

1st November 1944. Sickness

2nd Nov 1944 Orders

3rd November 1944 Move postponed

4th Nov 1944 Press Photographer

4th November 1944 Bombs dropped at third attempt

5th Nov 1944 Orders

5th November 1944 Very busy day

6th Nov 1944 Orders

8th Nov 1944 Reliefs

9th Nov 1944 Reliefs

10th Nov 1944 Aircraft Lost

10th Nov 1944 Enemy Active

11th Nov 1944 Explosions

11th November 1944 Tiger Tanks bombed

12th Nov 1944 Enemy Active

12th November 1944 Air sea rescue duties

13th Nov 1944 Artillery Active

13th November 1944 Villas in Florence requisitioned

14th Nov 1944 Artillery Active

15th Nov 1944 Shelling

16th November 1944 Fighter Bomber role

16th Nov 1944 Shelling

16th November 1944. 36 sorties despite shortage of ground crew

17th Nov 1944 Fire Fight

17th November 1944 Squadron moves to Florence

18th November 1944 On the move

18th Nov 1944 Reliefs

19th Nov 1944 Rest Area

19th November 1944 New operating area

21st Nov 1944 Orders

22nd Nov 1944 Orders

23rd Nov 1944 Advance Party

24th Nov 1944 Reliefs

25th Nov 1944 Shelling

26th Nov 1944 Shelling

27th Nov 1944 Shelling

28th Nov 1944 Enemy Active

29th Nov 1944 In Action

30th Nov 1944 Heavy Shelling

December 1944 Dive-bombing

1st Dec 1944 Difficult Conditions

2nd Dec 1944 Relief

2nd December 1944. Operations in support of 5th Army

3rd Dec 1944 Recce

4th December 1944 Moving on

4th Dec 1944 Move

5th Dec 1944 On the Move

8th Dec 1944 Orders

9th Dec 1944 Orders

10th Dec 1944 On the Move

10th Dec 1944 Mortars

11th May 1944 Pinned Down

11th May 1944 In Action

11th Dec 1944 Orders

11th December 1944. Operational tours completed

12th Dec 1944 Defence

13th Dec 1944 Training

15th December 1944 Ground level attack

15th Dec 1944 Attack Postponed

16th Dec 1944 Mines

18th Dec 1944 Mortars

19th Dec 1944 Mortars

22nd December 1944 Pilot killed

25th Dec 1944 Orders

25th December 1944. Dinner in the mess

26th Dec 1944 Orders

27th Dec 1944 Orders

28th Dec 1944 Orders

29th Dec 1944 Orders

30th Dec 1944 Advance Party

30th December 1944 Various targets attacked

31st Dec 1944 Reliefs

1st Jan 1945 Patrols

1st January 1945 New operating base

2nd of January 1945 Communications

2nd Jan 1945 Patrols

3rd Jan 1945 Orders

4th Jan 1945 Patrols

5th Jan 1945 Alert

6th Jan 1945 Heavy Snow

7th of January 1945 Orders

7th Jan 1945 Deep Snow

8th Jan 1945 Reliefs

9th Jan 1945 Advance Party

10th of January 1945 Shelling

10th Jan 1945 On the Move

12th Jan 1945 On the Move

13th Jan 1945 Orders

14th Jan 1945 Church Parade

15th Jan 1945 Instructions

16th Jan 1945 Advance Party

17th January 1945 Attack on oil refinery

18th January 1945 Explosion

19th January 1945 Married men stood down

20th of January 1945 Appendix F

20th of January 1945 Evacuation Notice

20th of January 1945 Civilians

20th Jan 1945 On the Move

20th January 1945 Gun positions attacked

21st of January 1945 Reliefs

21st Jan 1945 On the Move

22nd of January 1945 Orders

22nd Jan 1945 On the Move

23rd of January 1945 Patrol

23rd of January 1945 Orders

23rd Jan 1945 On the Move

24th of January 1945 Shelling

24th Jan 1945 In Camp

25th January 1945 Reliefs

25th Jan 1945 Orders

26th of January 1945 Orders

26th Jan 1945 Preparations

27th Jan 1945 On the Move

27th January 1945 Food and equipment dump bombed

29th January 1945 Four missions

31st January 1945 Busy month for Spitfire Squadron

4th February 1945 Mixed missions for Spitfires

8th February 1945 Maritime patrols again

8th February 1945 Spitfires escape ack-ack

10th February 1945 Cab-rank duties

11th February 1945 Storage depot bombed

13th February 1945 Ammo dump and tank repair depot bombed

15th February 1945 Tank depot attacked

16th February 1945 Defensive fighter ops

18th February 1945 Killed in action

19th February 1945 Armed recces

21st February 1945 Variety of targets bombed

22nd of February 1945 Command

22nd February 1945 Hay carts bombed

23rd February 1945 Orders

23rd February 1945 Spitfire pilot baled out

24th February 1945 Cab-rank duties

25th February 1945 On the move

26th February 1945 Italian towns bombed

27th February 1945 Flak

28th February 1945 Considerable effort by Spitfire Squadron

7th March 1945 Move to the north

8th March 1945 Inaccurate bombing

9th March 1945 Mixed results from bombing

Mar 1945 On the Move

12th Mar 1945 On the Move

21st March 1945 Enemy positions deserted

22nd March 1945 Spitfire pilot missing

28th March Squadron disbanded in Italy

Mar 1945 Transfer

28th Mar 1945 Accident

29th March 1945. Bombing targets

31st March 1945 Oilfield attacked

April 1945 Into Yugoslavia

April 1945 Reorganisation

2nd April 1945. German jet fighters escape pursuit

4th April 1945. Pilot lost on test flight

4th April 1945. German HQ Bombed

8th April 1945 Baled out

9th April 1945 Move to Croatia

9th April 1945 River Senio

9th April 1945 Final push

12th April 1945. Pilot killed attacking coastal guns

13th April 1945 Spitfire shot down

15th April 1945. 185 Squadron record 11 missions in one day.

16th April 1945 Australian pilot shot down

19th Apr 1945 In Action

22nd April 1945. Busy but unsuccessful day

23rd April 1945. 185 Squadron new record of 15 missions in one day

25th April 1945. Little enemy action. Move to new bnase

26th April 1945. No enemy movement

30th April 1945 Crash landing

30th April 1945. Spitfire Squadron in Italy relocated

3rd May 1945. Free drinks

4th May 1945. Recce over Austria

19th May 1945 Army of occupation


If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.





Those known to have fought in

Italian Campaign

during the Second World War 1939-1945.

The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List



The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website.

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Want to know more about Italian Campaign?


There are:840 items tagged Italian Campaign available in our Library

  These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War.


Ronald Sydney Turner 2nd Btn. North Satffordshire Regiment (d.8th Feb 1944)

Ronald Turner served with the British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch.

Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project has lost touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.

Dan



Cpl. Peter Charles Williams 10th Btn. Parachute Regiment

My Grandfather Peter Williams was born 25th January 1915, we believe at New Tyle, Scotland. He originally joined the Welsh Guards but transferred to the Parachute Regiment. He unfortunately died at only 32 years old from tuberculosis on the 15th January 1948. My Mum Diann and her sister Joy know very little about him. He died when my Mum was only 7 years old. My Nan (now 93 years old with severe dementia) was not married to him and due to this fact has refused to tell us anything about him. This is very distressing for my Mum (now 73) who has spent her whole life wondering about him and her heritage and also for myself and my own daughter knowing nothing of the life of my Grandfather. We do know he was married to a Margaret Lewis briefly prior to my Mum being born. If anyone could help me with the smallest of information it would be very kind. I just want to help my Mum find some information regarding her Dad.

2733995 Corporal Peter Charles Williams served with the 10th Battalion, the Parachute Regiment during WW2. He died after war death records ceased from Tuberculosis which means he would not appear on the Commonwealth war Graves Records.

Sharon Barnes



Pte. Frederick Frances Hynes 2nd Parachute Battalion Air Corp

My late father, Frank Hynes, was in the 2nd Parachute Battalion of the Army Air Corps. He came from a long line of professional army men, enlisting in the 4/7 Royal Dragoon Guards as a boy aged 14.

He served in North Africa and Italy and was captured at Arnhem where he received a gunshot wound to his left forearm. He was transferred Prisoner of War to Fallingbostel, Stalag 11B on 25th September, 1944 and was released on 23 April 1945.

He went home to Brighton, UK and worked in the Special Constabulary, a bar manager at the British Legion Club at Shoreham-by-Sea and as a diamond polisher in Brighton and London. He emigrated to Sydney, Australia at the age of 30 where he met and married my mother. He worked as a Plant Controller at the Shell Oil Refinery for many years, then as a Clerk of the Court. He died in 1978 of a stroke at the age of 56. I was 23 when he died, and had not talked to him in detail about his war service or time as a POW, I had no idea really until recently when I began to look at my family history and obtained his military records. I would love to know more if anyone has more information regarding his service.

Anne Barker



Ldg.Sea. Peter Collier HM LCI Royal Scotsman (d.17th Jun 1944)

Peter Collier, (b.1920) of 111 Cartmel Road, Huyton, Liverpool. Leading Seaman DSSX 25666 onboard the landing craft Royal Scotsman died on the 17th June 1944 at the Invasion of Elba, in Italy. He was listed as Missing presumed killed. Peter is Commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial in Plymouth and is possibly buried at Bolsena War Cemetery, Italy in an unnamed grave.

S Flynn



Fus. Arthur Edward Cox MM. 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers (d.24th Oct 1943)

Arthur Cox

Citation for The Military Medal, Fusilier Arthur Cox, 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers.

On the 26th of February 1943, Fusilier Cox was in a leading section of his company which was carrying out a counter-attack against the enemy penetration South East of Mendjez Bab. Fusilier Cox was wounded in the early stages of the engagement, but remained with his section, and continued to fight. During the attack on the enemy's main position this fusilier advanced alone and on the flank and, in spite of heavy machine gun and mortar fire to which he was exposed, took up a position from which he could fire on the enemy, thus, in no small degree, contributing to the success of the operation. Though wounded, he showed complete disregard for his personal safety, and his conduct, besides being of material assistance, was an inspiration and example to his comrades.

Aged 30, Arthur died of Wounds in Italy on 24th of October 1943.

Steven Fishwick



2nd Lt. George Barton Maxwell MC. Royal Army Service Corps

George Maxwell

George Maxwell was awarded the Military Cross on 1st of October 1918 after action at Sequehart, a small village between the St Quentin Canal and the Hindenberg Line. He was later a chemist, and served as Lt Col in the RASC responsible for fuel quality during the invasion of Italy in WW2.

Ben Maxwell



Pte. Cyril Neesom 5th Btn. Manchester Regiment

Cyril Neesom was my dad. He served in the 5th Manchester Regiment He worked in the stores and, according to him, he was a regimental sign writer. He served in Italy through Florence and Naples. His best friend was a man called Baxter. He was a steady and calm man however when he was asked to be part of a firing squad he refused.




Peter Miller 1st Btn. Cameron Highlanders

My dad, Peter Miller was in the 1st Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders and the King's Own Scottish Borderers. He was born on in April 1927. He mentioned PG82 in Italy and someone called Vic Watling. He will be 93 this year and now lives in Ingatestone, Essex.

Brenda Bensley



Gnr. Harry Lloyd Higlett 70th Field Regiment Royal Artillery (d.22nd September 1943)

Harry Higlett is buried in the Salerno War Cemetery.




Pte. William George Gamman Raiding Support Regiment

I have my dad's AB64 book. William Gamman was in the Royal West Kent Regiment. He then volunteered for the Raiding Support Regiment in 1944, but I can't find any info. He was issued the Italy Star.

Albert Gamman







Recomended Reading.

Available at discounted prices.



One Man's War

Joe Nethercott


This book is the story of a country boy from west Somerset who joined the RAF as soon as war was declared in September 1939, when he was 18 and an apprentice motor mechanic. Within months he was driving big lorries and cranes in the Battle of Britain, recovering crashed planes. He went on to the North African Western Desert, Egypt, Libya, Tunis and El Alamein. From there to Italy: Naples, Monte Cassino, invasion of Sicily. Then Corsica followed by France, landing near St Tropez in the D-Day of the South. Finally after four years abroad, back to the UK, a wedding and release from the RAF. Along the way he was blown up, bombed, burnt, and ill. He was not one of the commanders, or the shooting and bombing action heroes. He was responsible for the transport that contributed to everything else being possible. He tells of the problems in organising vehicles, keeping them on the road, repairing, bodging, cannibalising, improvising and inventing. This is the not often heard voice of an ordin
More information on:

One Man's War








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