Hallo everybody! I live in Italy, just on the Gustav Line, I like to search militaria using the metal detector and I'm very interested to the local history of the WWII. I've found some different objects, If you do not get bored, the next days I'll post you some photos. See you!
Hello Tooth, Where do you live exactly? I live in Italy too, though not on the Gustav Line. Looking forward to seeing what you have found, Vitellino
I live in Lanciano (CH), near the Sangro river and Ortona (useful reference for not italian members).
T, Good to hear from you and look forward to seeing the photos. My father and his pals were in "your area" 75 years ago this week. On 4th Dec 1943: "The Sappers sweated and bulldozed hard all night to get our tanks over the Feltrino. Rather necessary as the rate of advance was leaving our left flank a bit exposed. The Faughs and the London Irish set about the Bosche at first light on 4th December and, at first, three tanks, then eight, then twenty and finally about forty waddled over a very difficult crossing. This was a very hard day’s fighting. We had lately been meeting quite a few of the enemy 90th Light Division – after the liquidation of the 65th Division on the Winter Line – but now we bumped into them in considerable numbers; and they fought stubbornly all day. It was difficult going in the thick, broken country and there were a lot of MG and sniper posts to be tracked down and eliminated. Moreover, our left flank, though not causing much trouble, was a source of anxiety, as we had rather left the rest of the Army behind – I suppose the nearest troops on this flank were some ten miles away. So the Skins were stepped up to watch this left flank. By nightfall, however, the Faughs and the London Irish were firm on the River Moro – the anti tank guns were in position and two Battalions of Tanks were close at hand. The Faughs had the stiffest fighting near the coast and had a fair amount of casualties – amongst them, most unfortunately Tommy Wood, who was a veteran from the very first days in North Africa – a fine leader and a most gallant chap. His death was a sad blow to everyone. The situation was now tidy – and we were ready to hand over the running to the Canadian, fresh, fit and rested and now about to take over.” My Dad would remember those days of bitter fighting north of the Sangro river: Closely following E Company, I travelled along the road from Mozzagrogna soon after the attack had been completed. I saw the preparation of funeral ghats for the many Indian dead, casualties in the attack. I continued into Fossacesia and arrived just as the company moved a piano into the street. One of the lads was playing it. Surprise had been complete. The battalion had completed its task with few casualties. We advanced to Rocca. It was about 4th/5th December when the Canadians of The Three Rivers Regiment caught up with us. We had a celebration and one of them played a guitar.” best wishes attached: See DSO citation for Captain Wilkin of the Faughs, but who would die of his wounds in January 1944 and the final resting place for Major Tommy Wood at the Sangro River CWGC Cemetery.
