Bridge Attack at Colle Di Tora March 1944?

Discussion in 'Italy' started by Ryan Davies, Aug 11, 2020.

  1. Ryan Davies

    Ryan Davies Member

    Hi,
    I've just been looking through notes my grandfather made for a speaking engagement regarding his time as an escapee from PG54 and in these notes he makes reference to being involved in a "bridge attack" in March 1944, possibly with Italian Rebels. In his cursive handwriting it looks like the place is called Belle di Torre, but I think it actually reads Colle Di Tora which makes sense as he was in that area being a "nuisance to withdrawing troops". Does anyone have any knowledge on this attack? He told me so many of his stories of his time in Italy but he never mentioned this particular event and I'd be curious to know more.

    Thanks in advance

    Ryan
     
  2. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    A possible reference?
    Metamorphoses in the Turano Valley

    "The river above the dam became a lake and a long road bridge was built over its upper stretches to link the villages of Castel di Tora and Antuni to Colle di Tora, Rocca Sinibalda and the lower river valley."

    "As part of this operation, bombs were aimed at the recently-built bridge crossing the upper part of Lake Turano but, as with many high-altitude raids, the bombs failed to hit their intended target, instead completely destroying the church and damaging the Drago castle and many houses in the hamlet of Antuni, perched on a dome-shaped promontory overlooking the lake. Later, in their retreat from Cassino, Panzer Corps units of the German 10th Army were able to use the still intact bridge to reach Rocca Sinibalda in early June 1944 on their way north towards Perugia, Lake Trasimeno and the Gothic line north of Florence."
     
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  3. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Ryan.

    I have been to PG 54 and taken some photos.

    I am happy to post them on here if you would like them.

    Regards

    Frank
     
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  4. Ryan Davies

    Ryan Davies Member

    Thank you, that's brilliant. That runs in tandem with what I have in the notes. He mentions running into (presumably German) armoured cars at Rocco Sinibalda on June 14th. He also mentions that US forces that he'd been assisting in the months previous, disappear from the area around the same time. Thanks a lot Tony, really appreciate it.
     
  5. Ryan Davies

    Ryan Davies Member

    Thank you, that's brilliant. That runs in tandem with what I have in the notes. He mentions running into (presumably German) armoured cars at Rocco Sinibalda on June 14th. He also mentions that US forces that he'd been assisting in the months previous, disappear from the area around the same time. Thanks a lot Tony, really appreciate it.
     
  6. Ryan Davies

    Ryan Davies Member

    I'd love to see those photos Frank, Thank you. My Grandfather kept a photo of the camp from the time and a photo of a guard he learnt Italian from. My grandfather returned there in 1980 but wasn't allowed on the site itself as it was being used as some sort of facility, but I would to see how it looks today.
     
  7. vitellino

    vitellino Senior Member

    Ryan,

    Was your grandfather Cyril Morris by any chance? Your Atavar is the same as a photo I have of him.

    If so, you can see a photo of one of your relatives at the 2014 commemoration of the bombing of the bridge at ALLERONA, 28 January 1944.

    Afterwards she went to visit the Italian family at Vivaro Romano who hid him when he was on the run.

    Unfortunately your grandfather was taken to the wrong place in 1980 - I have read the article about his visit in the electricity board magazine - he was taken to Poggio Mirteto, which during the war was an internment camp for civilians, not a prisoner of war camp.

    The ex-prisoner of war camp was turned into a village after the war - Borgo Santa Maria. On 28 January 2019, 75 years after the bombing of the train, I took a group of relatives there as guests of the village community centre. They put on a fine spread for them and there was a ceremony at the monument, erected in memory of all the prisoners who had been held there. As result of my numerous visits with relatves since 2012 I now have several friends there.

    As to the partisans, I will get back to you shortly.

    PS. Moderators - please put this in the POW section - I only picked up on it by chance.

    PPS A quick search has not turned up anything regarding a partisan attack in March '44 at the place referred to.

    Vitellino (Janet Kinrade Dethick)
     
    Last edited: Aug 24, 2020
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  8. Ryan Davies

    Ryan Davies Member

    Hello Janet,

    Yes, my grandfather is Cyril Morris. My mother is Gina Cameron who attended the commemoration in 2014. I think you and I had a brief correspondence many years ago through your The Bridge at Allerona website, where I put you in touch with my mother with regards to the book you were writing at the time. We all thought the book was excellent. I plan on being present for the 80th anniversary, but my mother and I hope to take a pilgrimage to the memorial sooner than that.

    Thank you for the clarification regarding Poggio Mirteto. As I read your response it reminded me that the priest who was his guide took him to the wrong place.

    And thank you in advance with regards to the partisans. We recently uncovered notes for a speaking engagement my grandfather participated in for the Women's Institute. Within these notes there's several instances of information, at least to my mother and I, one of which is this attack.The note reads: "Rebels came to area - some hand grenades and sten guns. Bridge attack at Colle Di Tora. Taking food as required". If light can be shed on this event, hopefully I crack a few of the other mysteries in these notes.

    Ryan
     
  9. vitellino

    vitellino Senior Member

    Hello Ryan,

    I wish I could be of more help regarding the partisans. There were quite a few bands operating in the area but I can't find any reference to them being involved in an attack on the bridge.

    Keep in touch,

    Janet
     
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  10. Ryan Davies

    Ryan Davies Member

    Thanks again, Janet. Really appreciate it.
     
  11. Gianluca Misso

    Gianluca Misso New Member

    Hi Ryan,

    Found this after trying to find information related to Castel di Tora. My grandad is from the small village, he was born in 1940. He has told me some stories from when the Germans occupied the village. I'd be really interested in seeing some of the notes/photographs that your grandfather had from his time in Italy and particularly this region. My grandad who now lives in the UK told me he had a friend called Cyril Anderson who fought at Cassino and a few years back he took him back to revisit. If anyone has any information about a Cyril Anderson that would be interesting. I believe he has now died (2016 aged 92), he died in Leicester where he spent most of his life but I think he was originally from London.

    Thanks,

    Gianluca
     
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