1st Bn Green Howards war diary July 1943 - look up request

Discussion in 'British Army Units - Others' started by Ravrick, Jun 14, 2012.

  1. Ravrick

    Ravrick Senior Member

    Hi,
    I am researching 4397670 Pte R H Wilson of the 1st Bn Green Howards who is listed in his service papers as being "wounded in Action, Sicily, 12th July 1943", does anybody have access to the 1st bn war diary for this period as i would be interested if he or the event is mentioned?
    Also did the 1GH land on the 9th as part of the assaulting force?
    Any info would be appreicated,
    Cheers,
    Rick
     
  2. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Rick

    1st Green Howerds were part of 15th bde of the 5th (Globetrotters) Division and landed on 10th July 1943 on Sicily - no one landed on the 9th- that was the 5th US army with British X corps landing on Salerno 9th September 1943 whereas 5th Div landed on Italy on the 3rd September '43 from Messina to Reggio
    Cheers
     
  3. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Hope this helps, page 120 of the 5th Div history.

    as for landing in Sicily they were reserve bn for 15th Bde & did not embark their landing craft until 04.00hrs on the day of the landing.
     

    Attached Files:

  4. paulcheall

    paulcheall Son of a Green Howard

    Rick - it's a long shot but check this page on my web site at Fighting Through - From Dunkirk to Hamburg - War Diary and autobiography of Bill Cheall - WW2, Dunkirk, D-Day memoir and war diary - there is a Wilson, Private, Killed Sicily, 25 July 1943 mentioned but I believe he would have been either 6GH or 5EY. My Dad fought in Sicily with 6GH.

    There is another Wilson at Fighting Through - From Dunkirk to Hamburg - War Diary and autobiography of Bill Cheall - WW2, Dunkirk, D-Day memoir and war diary

    I'm including below a brief extract from Dad's memoirs whoch mention both 1GH and a Pte Wilson, though I don't believe it's the same lad.

    Good luck with your research. I hope you are rewarded as much as I have been with Dad's memoirs.

    There is a worthy chapter in Dad's book all about the Sicilian campaign.
    "
    During the period 18-21 July, our brigades were constantly attacking enemy positions in battles which are too numerous for me to detail. At midnight on the
    third day, the 6th Durham Light Infantry relieved us. Then General Montgomery decided that the 5th Division on our left should take up the attack. This division
    included the 1st Battalion Green Howards. In our rest positions, over the next four days, we were continually fired upon, but we were on the coast and were able to
    do a spot of bathing in the sea and generally have a rest. We received fifty new reinforcements.
    On 25 July, we relieved the 8th Durham Light Infantry on the line and our regimental aid post was hit by shellfire. Captain Herbert, the Medical Officer, Captain Wallace, the Padre, and Private Wilson were killed. We were mortared here and Lieutenant Jackson and his batman were killed by a landmine. Starting to advance again, we were continually held up because of mines being laid indiscriminately by
    the enemy.

    Once again, we came up against opposition to our progress. In the distance, Mount Etna looked down upon us, but in front of us was a very determined opposition by the enemy, deciding to make a stand at Catania airfield, which was well-defended and was not going to be subjugated easily. This was the airfield from which so many attacks upon Malta and our Royal Navy took place. During the hours of darkness, we made our advance and proceeded to dig deep slit trenches, since the whole area was in full view of the enemy who were observing from the hills about one mile away. Consequently, we were rather heavily shelled and mortared and suffered casualties. We kept in these positions for two days, and were very uncomfortable."

    Hi,
    I am researching 4397670 Pte R H Wilson of the 1st Bn Green Howards who is listed in his service papers as being "wounded in Action, Sicily, 12th July 1943", does anybody have access to the 1st bn war diary for this period as i would be interested if he or the event is mentioned?
    Also did the 1GH land on the 9th as part of the assaulting force?
    Any info would be appreicated,
    Cheers,
    Rick
     

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