Amazon Bridge Monte Cassino

Discussion in 'Italy' started by tkwillett, Mar 20, 2009.

  1. tkwillett

    tkwillett Junior Member

    :unsure: If any body can help I am trying to locate the grid ref or as near as dam it location of the Amazon Bridge at Monte Cassino I know it was built 12/13May 1944 under enemy fire but cant find its exact location.

    Any help in this matter would be greatly [FONT=&quot]appreciated :D.
    [/FONT]
     
  2. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    tkwillett,

    Hello and welcome to the forum.

    • 'Amazon' Bridge
    • Construction dates: 12/13 May 1944 (Operation Diadem)
    • Details: 80 ft Class 30 Bailey bridge built over Rapido river under constant fire. The bridge was built as part of the Allies break-out of the Gustav Line. Work started at 5.45pm (12 May) and completed at 5.30am (13 May). The human cost was high; 15 sappers were killed and 57 (including 3 officers) wounded.
    • Constructed by: 7th, 59th, 225th Field Companies (4th Division)
    [​IMG]
    Amazon Bridge over the Rapido - May 1944
    (Painting: Cuneo)
    Whilst I cannot help with the exact coordinates, there are several members of this forum that are experts on Google earth and I am sure that they will be able to provide you with the exact co-ordinates.

    I bought a large print for my Uncles 70th Birthday of Amazon Bridge as he was in the Royal Engineers, but not serving in Italy.

    Regards
    Tom
     
  3. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    I think there is a map in the 4th Division history. I will check later, unless Owen beats me to it.
     
  4. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    I'm off to plant trees at school.
    Over to you Paul.
     
  5. Macca

    Macca Member

    I believe the bridge was located very near where the Commonwealth cemetery is today. There is a small bend in the river and today a modern road bridge crosses the river at that spot. It can be seen quite clearly on Google Earth.
     
  6. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Was out this morning, but will post something this afternoon. Macca's post seems to ring a bell.
     
  7. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    As promised:

    [​IMG]
     
  8. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Both are from the History of the 4th Division:

    [​IMG]
     
  9. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    By my reckoning this is the location on Google Earth.
     

    Attached Files:

  10. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    When myself and Owen were in Italy last year, we stopped very close to here to see the new memorial to the Beds & Herts. The site of Amazon Bridge is over to the right in the photo below.

    [​IMG]
     
  11. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Paul

    I think you may very well be right with your GOOGLE EARTH pic.

    While you are on a winning streak perhaps you can find another spot for me ?

    During my month or so at Cassino I remember being held up by the MPs at a spot that was well known as "Speedy Express". We had to wait at this spot until the MPs were satisfied and then, in our vehicles, dash across this gap of exposed territory until we reached another spot in the valley where we were no longer so exposed.

    If I remember rightly there were warning boards telling you to wait until permission to "cross" was allowed.

    Is there stuff written about this area and do you have GOOGLE Grid references ?

    Many thanks

    Ron
     
  12. Macca

    Macca Member

    Hi Ron,

    Speedy Express was the name of the railway embankment used as a road between Mignano and Cassino. It is easily viewable on Google Earth and you may recognise the 2 rocky outcrops the most significant called Porchio. The link below is to the NZ electronic text centre battle write up and describes the 'road' that 2NZDiv used and then when 78th relieved them you Battleaxes also used it as you remember. I'm not sure how to get the google grid ref but I found it by finding Cassino and Mignano and the track is still visible. Hope this helps.
    CHAPTER 30 — East of Cassino | NZETC
     
  13. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Macca

    Many thanks for the info and the link which in turn has given me all that I could have hoped for.
    I went back to the 49th LAA Rgt.War Diaries and found this piece about the Mignano road:

    On 21 Mar the regt was ordered to take over the task of providing a smoke screen at Speedy Express Highway and Highway 6 Bridges over R Rapido. 84 Bty took on this task. Between 1250 and 1310 hrs on 25 Mar 430 to 40 enemy aircraft in three main waves approached Cassino from the south, flying up Speedy Express and Route 6. They were engaged first by 18 guns of 84 Bty concentrated at Mignano. 90 and 280 Btys and all other local LAA engaged. Seven aircraft were destroyed in all and 84 and 280 btys claimed one each.


    Regards

    Ron
     
  14. PsyWar.Org

    PsyWar.Org Archive monkey

    By my reckoning this is the location on Google Earth.

    Thanks for that Paul. My grandfather was with the 225 Fld Coy RE. Amazon was originally their bridge.

    It's great to see the exact spot on Google Earth and your photo.

    Lee
     
  15. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Ron, I hadn't looked for this on Google Earth before, will report back if no-one else does in the meantime.
     
  16. tkwillett

    tkwillett Junior Member

    Thank you all for your assitance this is great.

    Tony
     
  17. Driftwood1954

    Driftwood1954 Junior Member

    My late father Albert Hobson was in the 7th Company Royal Engineers and was awarded the Military Cross for building Amazon across the River Rapido . At present his report of the bridge building , aerial photograph etc are with my sister who is having them copied , but when they are returned to me I will willingly supply copies if anyone requires them .
     
  18. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Driftwood,

    Welcome to the forum and I'd like to see them, as I'm sure many others will on here. Can I suggest you post the information on this thread?

    Regards
    Andy
     
  19. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Just incase you hadn't seen the original citation :)
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  20. Driftwood1954

    Driftwood1954 Junior Member

    Thanks , I believe that we still have his citation with his paperwork .

    He refused to collect his medal from Buckingham Palace and said that if they wanted to give it him they could post it to his family home in Blackpool . His mother was not very happy as she had bought a new dress , coat and hat to wear when she went to London .
     

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