Hello Cassino experts, Does anyone know in what circumstance Private Harston, 6 York and Lancaster Regiment, was captured along the Garigliano on 22/01/44? Thank you in anticipation, Vitellino
Hello Vitellino, I believe the date of capture given 22/01/1944 was given on this document;- On this document the date was given not of his capture but of his death and was then corrected in this document;- Kyle
UK, Army Roll of Honour, 1939-1945 Name: Francis Harston Given Initials: F H Rank: Private Death Date: 28 Jan 1944 Number: 4744156 Birth Place: Worcestershire Residence: Sheffield Regiment at Enlistment: York and Lancaster Regiment Branch at Enlistment: Infantry Theatre of War: Italy Regiment at Death: York and Lancaster Regiment Branch at Death: Infantry TD
At a quick glance he isn't mentioned in the missing personnel file WO 361/854 for the 6th Y & L in Italy, plus he isn't listed as a casualty in the 6th Y & L Diary of Events 43-45 (although there are quite a few omissions in the casualty lists)
Thanks a lot. The war diary has answered my question. I know exactly what happened to him after having been captured. He was taken to POW camp P.G. 54 Fara in Sabina and loaded onto a POW train on 26 January. He was mortally wounded when this train was bombed by the Germans (WRONG SEE BELOW) AMERICANS at Allerona Italy two days later. He died that same day 28 January - in Orvieto hospital and was buried in Orvieto Civil Cemetery before being transferred to Bolsena. Edited to say that the other three men captured with Pte. Harston on 22 January were also on the train, were wounded, hospitalised and then sent on to Germany: 5735434 Private Joseph Minchella, Scalp wound, Stalag IVA 7677972 Private Clifford Ogden, Wound to left ear and wound to left hand, Stalag 344 6211898 Private Frederick J. Ellis, Bruising and multiple abrasions, Stalag 344 SOURCE WO 361/668
Why did the Germans bomb their own train ? Wouldn't it have been the Allied airforces if it was behind the German lines ?
I must be half asleep/ It was the AMERICANS who BOMBED THE TRAIN!! See my website bombedpowtrain.weebly.com I am now going to edit the other post.