56 Infantry Division on Garigliano January 1944

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Lupo Solitario
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56 Infantry Division on Garigliano January 1944

#1

Post by Lupo Solitario » 08 Jun 2020, 22:17

Hi

I'm looking for some source describing the attack of 56 (UK) Infantry Division thru Garigliano River in January 1944.

Any suggestion is welcome

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Sheldrake
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Re: 56 Infantry Division on Garigliano January 1944

#2

Post by Sheldrake » 08 Jun 2020, 22:37

The American version of the story is online in the History of the Fifth Army http://cgsc.cdmhost.com/cdm/ref/collect ... l8/id/1516

For the British story try MEDITERRANEAN AND MIDDLE EAST VOLUME V: THE CAMPAIGN IN SICILY 1943 AND THE CAMPAIGN IN ITALY 3rd Sepember 1943 TO 31st March 1944: OFFICIAL CAMPAIGN HISTORY HISTORY OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR: UNITED KINGDOM MILITARY SERIES:

Or John Ellis's Cassino, the Hollow Victory: The Battle for Rome, January-June 1944


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Andy H
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Re: 56 Infantry Division on Garigliano January 1944

#3

Post by Andy H » 11 Jun 2020, 20:33

Hi Lupo

This is from Sheldrakes first recommendation, the official history (Pg 606-619:-
The 56th Division on the right was to seize Mt.Valle Martina, Siola, Ceschito and also the Damiano feature. Exploitation was to follow to Mt.Rotondo West and Mt.Cerri. Also, like 5th Division it chose to cross the Garigiano on a front of 2 brigade: 169th on the right, 167th on the left. The 169th had one crossing place near Petronio and two near Tibaldi. The 167th had one crossing place near Maiano di Sotto and two in the river bend opposite Scafa Orve. Unlike 5th Division, the 56th were to have strong artillery support in terms of barrages, concentrations and a counter battery programme. In addition to the inherent divisional artillery it could draw upon the support of 6 other regiments in the form of the 2nd AGRA, composed of 78th Field Regt, 69th, 74th Medium Regiments and 56th Heavy Regiment, plus 146th Army Field Regiment from 10 Corps. The Division was allocated 72 assault boats, 500ft of Kapok footbridge and all necessary rafts. In addition each Division was allocated 4 Pioneer companies as porters with requisite mules, the 56th starting out with 569.
The assault started at 9pm on the night of 17/18th January and was more successful than many had hoped and by daylight the assault Bns of the 56th had crossed the river and were attacking. The advance of the 167th Bde went well over difficult terrain but they fell short of capturing Mt.Rotondo West and Mt Cerri. The 169th Bde also advanced and had a solid foothold in many areas but they to came up short, some 3000yds from the Siola and Ceschito hills. It goes on to briefly mention that the infantry losses in particular had been high but actual stats are scarce.
Regards

Andy H

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