Castel di Sangro area, Nov 1943 to Jan 1944,

In the spirit of a continuing search of what my dear father got up to during his 3 1/2 years in Algeria, Tunisia and Italy (and Egypt) from Nov 1942 to Mar 1946, I spent the day in Castel di Sangro today - it was beautifully sunny and warm (for me anyway).

As the specialists amongst you will know, the town was "liberated" at the end of November 1943 by Canadian forces who successfully assaulted pt 1009, which overhangs the town.

My father and his comrades from 38 (Irish) Brigade took over the area soon afer the Canadians had gone off to the Adriatic coast for an extremely difficult few weeks. The Skins were based in Capracotta and faced there six foot snow drifts at the end of the year, the Faughs were in Castel di Sangro taking over the "running" of the town and my Dad and his Irish Rifles' mates were in the Montenero area just to the south of the Bifurcation road/rail junction.

I was able to get up to Montenero (population 575) today and see the exact ground my father would have trod each day in the snow drifts to feed and supply E Company on Il Calvario a hill top which overlooks the village - not surprisingly the slopes are full of grave stones from previous centuries (apparently "most" towns have a Monte Calvario). Il Calvario was where one of E Coy's subalterns 2/Lt Mosley (now Sir Nicholas) escaped capture by raiding German snow troops (on 19th Jan 1944) by feigning death and rolling down the hill - 5 men were killed and 40 were captured during the action.

With the help of a few villagers, I was able to ascertain where my Dad's Bttn HQ and supply base was situated (the Duke's Palace). The library near there even held a book written about the experiences of Belgian commandos who were in the village with the Irish Rifles during Dec 1943/Jan 1944, and by the wonders of the internet was able to link the Irish Brigade's war diaries into our conversation..

All in all a very good day - beautiful country side, extremely friendly people but of course some quite difficult memories to share.

This is some of what my Dad remembered of that time:

“Snow descended in blizzard strength. Conditions in the line were appalling. Winter clothing was distributed on an equal basis that did not reflect needs. Even those in billets were given a share. E Company, freezing on a mountain, received its strict ration: one jerkin between six men; one duffel coat between eight; one string vest between two; one pair of boucheron boots for 10 men and white smocks for about half. In the town, there were officers, sergeants and cooks wearing jerkins or duffel coats and sometimes both. I believe the same distribution prevailed even in distant rear areas. The men in the mountains got rest on a strict rotational rest of about three days in the town. During one of E Company’s rests, we acquired a whole sheep. It was roasted in roughly hewn joints over the open fire in the billet and washed down with hot rum toddy. I remember (Sgt) Eddie Mayo sitting on his blankets and gnawing at a leg of lamb with blood running down his chest.
Conditions for the company were bad, but mine were often worse. At least once a day, I would go with mules to the forward platoons with extra clothing and other comforts. At first, I would go with just the mules and drivers. But one supply party was taken prisoner by a German patrol and it became customary to take an escort of about four men. The commanding officer and adjutant inspected the forward companies on skis. Sergeant Brown, the cook sergeant at headquarters, found that an enormous store of flour was piling up because the companies had no way of using it. He took over the local bakery and cooked bread, savouries and fruit pies. These were taken up into the mountains and distributed among the men. They were a great success.”
some random pictures (the 1944 picture of Castel di Sangro is courtesy of my friend and tour guide Alessandro Teti).

best

 

Richard

Italy doesn't change that much- just renews itself

Cheers

 

thanks Owen and Tom - time to head for the hills..

 

Lovely photos Richard. Thanks for posting

Lesley