2 Royal Fusiliers: at Monte Cassino

Hi,
My step-father fought at Monte Cassino, and was wounded on May 14, 1944. He is unable/unwilling to talk about the event or his injuries - and I respect that. I know he spent some eight months in hospital. Every year he returns to visit the battlefield, and tells me there are fewer and fewer other old-soldiers now.
Does anyone have any access to the regimental history of The Royal Fusiliers? I would appreciate understanding what was happening to his battalion on that day.
Thanks.

 

There are some maps on the first page of the Amazon Bridge thread that indicate 2 RF's advance and further on some links to the area on GoogleEarth.

From Always a Fusilier:
By 14th May the battalion was in a stronger position, despite these losses, for its supporting weapons were now over the river, more especially the anti-tank platoon. On that morning, "W" Company, moved to the left flank, captured a further enemy position 600 yards away. Later, however, the enemy counter-attacked in strength, being beaten off by "Y" Company. An unhappy sequel to this attack was the death of Major Bailey, who, with his orderly, was killed by a shell.
...
The loss of this brave and capable officer was keenly felt in the battalion. But many other officers and N.C.O.s had fallen and Lieutenant-Colonel Evans decided to reorganise the battalion in two companies, "WX" under Major Thomas and "YZ" under Major Howes. Even when reinforced by another twenty or so from "B" Echelon, the battalion's two companies numbered only about eighty men in each.

The battalion's war diaries may go into greater detail. Do you know which company your step-father was in?

 

Littleoprme -
the 2nd fusiliers on 14th May'44 were in 12th bde of 4th British Division and were on the right of the advance over the Rapido to assist the Poles who were coming down from the Monastery - they took a beating as everyone did but by the 4th June Rome was in our hands.
Cheers

 

Thanks everyone. Just today got hold of a copy of "Always a Fusilier" - a rare book indeed. Bless the library service in Wales. Have also read the relevent War Diary, courtesy of National Archives. Also had the opportunity to speak to my step-father again, who told me how he was injured.
Thanks again.

 

A point of information, please. Is "the Regimental History" different from "the War Diary" written following a regiment's actions?. Who would write "the History"?
Thanks

 

Littleorme -
Who would write the History ? - anyone who needed the money- whereas the Diary was written by an exhausted Captain after a days fighting - so inaccuracies on both ....
Cheers

 

Thanks Tom,
Would you class "Always a Fusilier" by C Northcote Parkinson, as the regimental history?

 

Yes, it is the 'regimental' history. However, there is also a battalion history for 2 RF:

The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment): History of the 2nd Battalion in North Africa, Italy and Greece, March 1943 - May 1945.

It is a 90 page book published in 1946 so ought to have been a source for Always a Fusilier, so not sure if it would add anything significant.

The information in war diaries and histories is very much down to the authors and what they've been asked to do. Generally, war diaries will have more operational detail but histories may have more narrative accounts from participants. Both will always leave you wanting more, though.

 

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I'm currently copying files at the National Archives this week and next. Drop me a PM if you would like me to copy the file(s) for you.

Regards
Andy

 

Thanks both.
I already have copies of the relevant War Diaries for the period involving the regiment. I expect I have as much as is available - unless anyone has a copy of the history referred to by Idler !

 

Hi,
My step-father fought at Monte Cassino, and was wounded on May 14, 1944. He is unable/unwilling to talk about the event or his injuries - and I respect that. I know he spent some eight months in hospital. Every year he returns to visit the battlefield, and tells me there are fewer and fewer other old-soldiers now.
Does anyone have any access to the regimental history of The Royal Fusiliers? I would appreciate understanding what was happening to his battalion on that day.
Thanks.

Check out 'My War' by Tom Howes MC Imperial war museum no. 13169 or contact me on j.a.howes@talk21.com for diaries of Cassino

 

Littleorme.

I have read The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment): History of the 2nd Battalion in North Africa, Italy and Greece, March 1943 - May 1945 and it is much more detailed than Always a Fusilier which tried to cover all the Battalions. Worth reading if you can get a copy.

regards

FdeP