Thanks for the images, Stu. I don't have a scanned/photographed version, I'm afraid, but the text might well be online--a lot of NZ material is.
Charley, thank-you for the heads up. Lets hope some one comes up with a sharp & complete copy. It would be use-full to have. Regards
Here's one to ponder. There was speculation that the soldiers depicted are Poles, and the label was 'Cassino', but I can't judge whether either is true. Can anybody identify the location--just curious--no prizes!
Whats the building in the top right hand corner? If it is the poles, they do look happy for a change. Charley, how did you come across the pic? A pint of ale should be given to anybody who comes up with the correct answer.. Stu.
Photo was on eBay with minimal description some time ago--I didn't buy it as it was slightly expensive. Must say, there seem to be far more photos of New Zealanders and Poles than Brits at Cassino--and you can't say either nation was slouching with regard to the actual fight. Did they bring official photographers or were the shots needed for 'coalition propaganda'?
I've seen that photo somewhere before. That chap stood up on the right hand side, been trying to make out the unit on his right arm.
I've just found that I downloaded the back of the photograph, too. Kompania is Polish, but is any of the rest a location?
Yep, we (the Kiwis) had our own and I imagine the Poles did too. The Brits often had one following (now 'embedded' with) a div but not always.
Charley, I've had a thought. Two Polish people work at my place (who's English is rather good!) They are a bundle of Fun & have gained a wicked sense of humour. I can see a No 21 on the back of the photo? If you can e-mail me a decent copy of the handwriting, then I'll take it on my travels & see if i can come up with a answer? If you ask me, it looks as if its all underlined? You will owe me a pint of ale if i get it translated?.. The handwriting looks rather tidy. Regards Stu.
Ale if we end up in the same continent! Meanwhile, referring back to the first photograph in this thread, I've found another IWM image of the reverse angle of the 'bunker' in the quarry behind Pt. 175 (ish). This version is censored and doesn't mention the unit, but we know from annotations on the uncensored version that they're 6RWK. The reason it is interesting is that this version names the men depicted: Uncensored Caption: Second Phase 15 February - 10 May 1944: Signallers of the 6th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment using a radio in a dugout on Monastery Hill. Uncensored Image: THE BATTLE OF CASSINO, JANUARY-MAY 1944 Censored Image & Caption:
He was unfortunate. That was the same day that the battalion was withdrawn from their positions on and around the Castle and left Cassino for Mignano. The unit lost ten officers and over one hundred ORs during just eight days in Cassino.
BINGO! (See first post of this thread). Click and zoom for clear faces of all six men. And once I identify the sergeant in the rear sangar I can probably ID the company (edit: don't need to: it's B-Coy according to a regimental history--will work on names). Much gratitude to the good people here. Their photo gallery is simply enormous. https://www.facebook.com/pg/battagliadicassino/photos/?ref=page_internal
I'm not sure what the C means in the above link? In Chaplin's book on the Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment it does mention on page 21 - Roll of Honour; Ould, A.T., 6347793, L / Cpl. He his also shown in a illustration on page 312. Italy: Signallers Of The 6 Battalion on Castle Hill. Its the same pic has the one in Charley's post 71. Stu.
Charley, been on my travels again and came across these photos. Not the easiest photos to take due to the glass that is in the frame & the lights. Not the usual Hotel that we stop in. Frank will remember its name. 1923-1943. If you would like the originals, then i will send on. Not sure if these are old postcards or not? I've been trying to take decent photos of the two frames for the last few years. Getting them slowly but surely. I'll have to get them to turn off the lights, or take the frames off the wall. Will send you some more has & when. Edit, if anyone can translate the text on the last four images, then that would be appreciated? Regards Stu.
A few of those, I think, feature in the Cassino: Then & Now book. That map looks interesting. You should have taken it down and out of the frame though, mate. I'm sure nobody would have minded. Still searching in vain for 1943-44 photos from inside the castle. Surely the Germans or a man from the Essex, Raj Riffs, Royal West Kents, A&SH or Welsh Guards would have taken a shot given how much blood was spilled there?
The lady who runs the Hotels is known has (Machine gun!) I'm taking a framed photo out to the hotel in June & I will ask nicely if she can get me a copy of the map? Forum member ropey is the author of the above book if my memory is correct? Not yet got round to buying it. Stu.
Charley, I think i may have found the original full caption at the bottom of the image on your post 51? The image is the same, but its that small i can't read it. I will need to get it blown-up. Lets hope we get some joy? I've tried every option on my laptop when it came to zooming in. Useless. Stu.