My great uncle was wounded on 29.7.1944, and passed away 22.10.1944, and was buried in the Arezzo Cemetary. It seems he was either part of 12th or 6th South African Motorized Brigade. I was thinking perhaps he fought in the battle of the Paula Line? If someone knows, the probable battle? Where the hospital was for Commonwealth troops in this case, and possibly why they would discharge someone who dies 2.5 months later. His name is Pvt Benjamin Shain no. 235944V Thanks Evan seligs@mweb.co.za
Seligs After ROME was"liberated" in June '44 - the 6th South African Division joined X111 corps attached to the US 5th Army and did indeed fight at the Paula Line along with the 6th British Armoured Div and 4th Inf Div...the hospital was probably at either Perugia or Orvieto at that time.......and it should be recalled that......the fighting was on going at around Florence by October and it is probable that he was hit once more and dies - to be buried at the newly opened Arezzo Cemetery - possibly his service records or the War Diary of his unit would be able to expand on my thinking Cheers
Pvt is an American abbreviation . British & Commonwealth way of shortening it is Pte. (I know I sound like a stuck record about this.)
Florence was entered on August 4th, though the northern part of the city was not cleared until the 11th. On the 29th July the Witwatersrand Rifles/Regiment de la Rey, S.A. Forces were indeed fighting on the Paula Line, in the vicinity of Santa Lucia, in the Greve valley. On the 26th July my grandfather was seriously wounded not far from there at San Casciano. See After the Battle No. 129 The Battle for Florence by Jeff Plowman (with help from me).
