I am reading a book called the war north of Rome 1944-1945, Thomas Brooks. In a section of the books he writes that the attack of the 36 Texas Division over the Radipo in january 1944 reduced the division to the strenght of a regiment. Is that through? Because in Matthew Parkers Monte Cassino the casualty number are lower. I believe about 1400. Wich casualty number is more likely?
Rob,
36 Infantry Division at the Rapido
According to Majdalany, Cassino, p. 63ff the 36th (Texas) division lost 1681 men in the assault across the Rapido Jan. 20th-22nd 1944, of which no less than 875 were MIA - presumably, many men drowned in the Rapido, and other casualties couldn't be recorded because they had to give up their bridgehead again.
Which can be interpreted that the fighting components of the 36th were reduced to regiment strength, but overall losses were lower.As a fighting force the division was temporarily reduced to one regiment (the one that had been in reserve) and the badly-shaken remains of two others
Some further info from Shelford/Bidwell 'Tug of War'. Apparently 36th Division had already lost 1,000 men in the infantry during the December battles, and only received 500 replacements for these. So at the start of the crossing it was 500 understrength. Then you need to add 1,600 casualties during the crossing, and you get very near to half the fighting strength, and probably close to 3/4 of the infantry strength being lost at the end of the crossing.
At least on the Allied side atrocious losses and insufficient replacements were the order of the day throughout the Italian campaign. Particularly after D-Day, it was very much only a secondary theater - even though some of the very best Allied units in all of WWII fought (and died, with alarming regularity) there.
I don't know if the 36th Division was ever built back up to strength?
I don't know if the 36th Division was ever built back up to strength?
Yes it was, and it performed rather well later I believe.
Here is a history of the division that needs to be taken with a grain of salt, I believe
http://www.ghg.net/burtond/36th/36infhist.html
Here is what looks like the official history from the Texas Military Forces Museum website:
http://www.kwanah.com/txmilmus/gallery/36div.htm
Here is a history of the division that needs to be taken with a grain of salt, I believe
http://www.ghg.net/burtond/36th/36infhist.html
Here is what looks like the official history from the Texas Military Forces Museum website:
http://www.kwanah.com/txmilmus/gallery/36div.htm
My uncle fought in the 36th Division
My uncle C.A. Schaeg, 141st Reg. Cannon Co. was KIA on 12/12/44 at the Colmar Pocket. He was an original "T-Patcher" in the Texas National Guard in 1940, but from the state of Missouri.
The 36th was a hard fighting unit but regretfully they were under the worst General the U.S. had to offer, the misserable Gen. Mark Clark.
The Rapido river fiasco was a perfect example of this ..... Clark.
Over 2,100 brave men were casualties in this terrible battle in 2 days( Jan. 20-22 ). During a temporary cease fire on the 22nd, German units met grave litters on the plains of the Rapido, and asked why their leaders sent so many brave soldiers to their death ? It was obivously a slaughter that even the battle hardened Germans did not enjoy. This is only one example of Clark's ineptness.
I am truly glad to see interest on the 36th Div on this forum. Please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding the 36th and my upcoming book about my heroric uncle.
Best Regards,
[email protected]
The 36th was a hard fighting unit but regretfully they were under the worst General the U.S. had to offer, the misserable Gen. Mark Clark.
The Rapido river fiasco was a perfect example of this ..... Clark.
Over 2,100 brave men were casualties in this terrible battle in 2 days( Jan. 20-22 ). During a temporary cease fire on the 22nd, German units met grave litters on the plains of the Rapido, and asked why their leaders sent so many brave soldiers to their death ? It was obivously a slaughter that even the battle hardened Germans did not enjoy. This is only one example of Clark's ineptness.
I am truly glad to see interest on the 36th Div on this forum. Please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding the 36th and my upcoming book about my heroric uncle.
Best Regards,
[email protected]
36th Div.
My father was also an original T-Patcher from N. Africa all the way through Austria.
When I asked him about the Rapidio River he replied his Reg (142nd) was in reserve and was almost ordered to attack after the other 2 Regiments ( 141 & 143rd) were decimated in a wasteful and shameful manner for the glory of Mark Clark. Luckly the attack was called off at the last moment so he was still around to talk about it.
Attacking across a swollen icey river across flat ground with heavily renienforced german emplacements...madness.
My Dad also said that in Texas ,when the public found out what hapened...a call went out to lynch Clark and all of his Generals...I also beleive a Congressional hearing was called for as well which did not favor the high command in a good light.
Sad that the Salarno landing ,dont get as much press as D-Day ..The 1st US Divisions to land on European mainland to start the ball rolling for D-Day.
Wolf1
Son of a T-Patcher
When I asked him about the Rapidio River he replied his Reg (142nd) was in reserve and was almost ordered to attack after the other 2 Regiments ( 141 & 143rd) were decimated in a wasteful and shameful manner for the glory of Mark Clark. Luckly the attack was called off at the last moment so he was still around to talk about it.
Attacking across a swollen icey river across flat ground with heavily renienforced german emplacements...madness.
My Dad also said that in Texas ,when the public found out what hapened...a call went out to lynch Clark and all of his Generals...I also beleive a Congressional hearing was called for as well which did not favor the high command in a good light.
Sad that the Salarno landing ,dont get as much press as D-Day ..The 1st US Divisions to land on European mainland to start the ball rolling for D-Day.
Wolf1
Son of a T-Patcher
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Sidi Rezegh
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Sad they are all going so quick now...soon there will be too few around...here's the MOH write up on Lt. Greg Source: Texas Mitary Forces Museum
Rank and organization:
Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 143d Infantry, 36th Infantry Division.
Place and date:
Near Montelimar, France, 27 August 1944.
Entered service at:
Bayonne, N.J,
Birth:
New York, N.Y.
G.O. No.:
31, 17 April 1945.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 27 August 1944, in the vicinity of Montelimar, France. As his platoon advanced upon the enemy positions , , the leading scout was fired upon and 2d Lt. Gregg (then a Tech. Sgt.) immediately put his machineguns into action to cover the advance of the riflemen. The Germans, who were at close range, threw handgrenades at the riflemen, killing some and wounding 7. Each time a medical aid man attempted to reach the wounded, the Germans fired at him. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, 2d Lt. Gregg took I of the light .30 caliber machineguns, and firing from the hip, started bo Idly up the hill with the medical aid man following him. Although the enemy was throwing handgrenades at him, 2d Lt. Gregg remained and fired into the enemy positions while the medical aid man removed the 7 wounded men to safety. When 2d Lt. Gregg had expended all his ammunition, he was covered by 4 Germans who ordered him to surrender. Since the attention of most of the Germans had been diverted by watching this action, friendly riflemen were able to maneuver into firing positions. One, seeing 2d Lt. Gregg's situation, opened fire on his captors. The 4 Germans hit the ground and thereupon 2d Lt. Gregg recovered a machine pistol from one of the Germans and managed to escape to his other machinegun positions. He manned a gun, firing at his captors, killed I of them and wounded the other. This action so discouraged the Germans that the platoon was able to continue its advance up the hill to achieve its objective. The following morning, just prior to daybreak, the Germans launched a strong attack, supported by tanks, in an attempt to drive Company L from the hill. As these tanks moved along the valley and their foot troops advanced up the hill, 2d Lt. Gregg immediately ordered his mortars into action. During the day, by careful observation, he was able to direct effective fire on the enemy, inflicting heavy casualties. By late afternoon he had directed 600 rounds when his communication to the mortars was knocked out. Without hesitation he started checking his wires, although the area was under heavy enemy small-arms and artillery fire. When he was within 100 yards of his mortar position, I of his men informed him that the section had been captured and the Germans were using the mortars to fire on the company. 2d Lt. Gregg with this man and another nearby rifleman started for the gun position where he could see 5 Germans firing his mortars. He ordered the 2 men to cover him, crawled up, threw a handgrenade into the position, and then charged it. The handgrenade killed 1, injured 2; 2d Lt. Gregg took the other 2 prisoners, and put his mortars back into action.
Rank and organization:
Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 143d Infantry, 36th Infantry Division.
Place and date:
Near Montelimar, France, 27 August 1944.
Entered service at:
Bayonne, N.J,
Birth:
New York, N.Y.
G.O. No.:
31, 17 April 1945.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 27 August 1944, in the vicinity of Montelimar, France. As his platoon advanced upon the enemy positions , , the leading scout was fired upon and 2d Lt. Gregg (then a Tech. Sgt.) immediately put his machineguns into action to cover the advance of the riflemen. The Germans, who were at close range, threw handgrenades at the riflemen, killing some and wounding 7. Each time a medical aid man attempted to reach the wounded, the Germans fired at him. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, 2d Lt. Gregg took I of the light .30 caliber machineguns, and firing from the hip, started bo Idly up the hill with the medical aid man following him. Although the enemy was throwing handgrenades at him, 2d Lt. Gregg remained and fired into the enemy positions while the medical aid man removed the 7 wounded men to safety. When 2d Lt. Gregg had expended all his ammunition, he was covered by 4 Germans who ordered him to surrender. Since the attention of most of the Germans had been diverted by watching this action, friendly riflemen were able to maneuver into firing positions. One, seeing 2d Lt. Gregg's situation, opened fire on his captors. The 4 Germans hit the ground and thereupon 2d Lt. Gregg recovered a machine pistol from one of the Germans and managed to escape to his other machinegun positions. He manned a gun, firing at his captors, killed I of them and wounded the other. This action so discouraged the Germans that the platoon was able to continue its advance up the hill to achieve its objective. The following morning, just prior to daybreak, the Germans launched a strong attack, supported by tanks, in an attempt to drive Company L from the hill. As these tanks moved along the valley and their foot troops advanced up the hill, 2d Lt. Gregg immediately ordered his mortars into action. During the day, by careful observation, he was able to direct effective fire on the enemy, inflicting heavy casualties. By late afternoon he had directed 600 rounds when his communication to the mortars was knocked out. Without hesitation he started checking his wires, although the area was under heavy enemy small-arms and artillery fire. When he was within 100 yards of his mortar position, I of his men informed him that the section had been captured and the Germans were using the mortars to fire on the company. 2d Lt. Gregg with this man and another nearby rifleman started for the gun position where he could see 5 Germans firing his mortars. He ordered the 2 men to cover him, crawled up, threw a handgrenade into the position, and then charged it. The handgrenade killed 1, injured 2; 2d Lt. Gregg took the other 2 prisoners, and put his mortars back into action.
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Delta Tank
- Member
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I was told by a retired LTC that used to work in the US Army Military History Office, that anytime that there is a disaster in the US Army, an Inspector General from outside that organization involved will be sent in to investigate. We discussed the 36th Infantry Division Rapido River assault and he told me to read the IG report of the incident. I have never looked for this report, but if you guys are really interested try to find it. I got the impression from him that this report will shed a different light on this incident that may not have found its way into any popular history books.
Food for Thought
Mike
Food for Thought
Mike