Came across this in some old folders I found lurking on my HDD. It is from the War Diary of the London Scottish from the period they were at Anzio. I am pretty sure it shows part of the Lateral Road and the Wadis. Owen - it looks like the area we went through in May last year?
Hi Paul. I found the location on Google Earth. Search for Pontoni. The point marked 'Shepherd's Bush' is just to the south and is labelled 'Eucalyptus Golf Club'. Tom.
If this was a photo from the old Western Front of WW1 we'd have masses of info regarding what, when, how, etc etc As the old Western Front is so easy to get to from the to the UK it has masses of visitors compared the old Anzio Beach-head which is an area that reminds me so much of a WW1 battlefield. Such a shame really.
Owen, I think it shows what relatively early days we are in with the detailed study of British Army operations in WW2.
A subject Paul & I have discussed before. Seems rather odd that the research into the British Army in WW2 seems to be 20 years behind the levels of research into the British Army of WW1, when WW2 had more photos taken, movie footage & radio coverage than WW1 . We've even got Veterans of WW2 on the internet which when we wanted to contact Great War Veterans it was by post, phone or in person. The amount of queries about family members service in WW2 on this forum shows there is an interest out there . It just seems the amount of information in the public domain hasn't caught up with the Great War yet.
http://i575.photobucket.com/albums/ss193/benadams/bitofbombflat.jpg http://i575.photobucket.com/albums/ss193/benadams/bitofbombflat.jpg Paul I have just got back from my Anzio holiday, and i had a good chance to have a look around, where my grandfather was fighting. It just turns out he was captured that less than a mile from the top edge of your arial photo from 2nd Jan 1944. I turned up at of the lateral road at shepherds bush, the house marked crocus is still there, but cricket has gone. Just off the top of your map it becomes steep slops, where the river moletta runs through, also the Buonriposo Ridge is just there. can i ask you paul what your connection to this arial photo? cheers adam PS I found a massive piece of bomb in the bottom of the valley
This is fun, look on GoogleMaps, choose satellite view then use the StreetView icon . Great way to visit the old battlefileds. Good views down into the wadis too.
Gents, I have just come across this post and am keen to understand the reference to Shepherds Bush on this map. What was/is it & I assume it is not still named as such? I ask as my dad was in Anzio between March/May 1944 in 248 Fd Coy RE, supporting 1st British Infantry Division. He was born in Shepherds Bush, so I am very keen to uncover more about this quirk of his history. Many thanks.
It was customary for British units to overlay existing maps or aerial photos wth their own names. At Anzio, the Final Defensive Line in the 1 LOYALS area of the Flyover was known as Wigan Street. Shepherds Bush was a T junction just to the west of the Flyover and was so named by 56 Inf Div troops who were responsible for that part of the beachhead. I am taking a civilian group to Anzio 4-7 May 17 if you want to see these places on the ground but, more importantly, understand what sappers like your father endured as part of 1 Inf Div. Regards Frank
Thanks Frank, very enlightening. I would love to come on your trip, but sadly it won't be this year! Out of interest, what's the cost?
£380 for a single B&B for three nights. You sort your flight so that you can fly into Rome from any airport. I provide transport and guiding. All very easy. More info at www.cassinobattlefields.co.uk. Anzio is quite a battle. Regards Frank
Ro55box, its a must in my eyes. Its something you will not regret ( I'm more than pleased that I took up the opportunity). A most hair raising experience, & cheap as chips to boot. Regards Stu. An original of the Flyover. A picture of the rebuilt flyover ( not sure which year it was rebuilt ? ). Its heading north out of Anzio. The next four photos where taken from the east side. Clock the obelisk, its not been there that long ( 2013 / 2014 I think?)
Hello, I can confirm you that the picture was taken on the "Wadi" area. The countryside is a little bit changed today, but Many of the streams and farm in the pictures are still there and you can visit it. Our association usually take Veterans or their Families there on the battlefield. You could find us at: il Casale di Giulia | B&B - Agriturismo - il Casale di Giulia
aprilia 1944, welcome to the forum. If you dont mind me asking, do you happen to have any original photos like the one that you have used in your avatar? It looks like a reprint that l've i seen in a book.If you have a load of different ones, then i would love to see them? I so a photo of the cinema in aprilia on the last study i was on. Taken in 44 if i'm correct? Regards, Stu.
For anyone who is interested in Anzio, I will be guiding a group there on 13-16 Jun 19. The event starts by looking at the crossing of the Garigliano on 17 Jan 44 and then moves up to Anzio itself. This is because two Divisions involved in the Garigliano operation - 5 Infantry Division and 56 Infantry Division, pull the short straws and end up being committed to a failing Anzio beachhead in Feb 44. They effectively go from one nightmare to another. For more information, please get me through www.cassinobattlefields.co.uk Regards Frank
