Cemetery & Memorial On Vis, Croatia

Discussion in 'Special Forces' started by burlington, Sep 10, 2005.

  1. burlington

    burlington Member

    I came across this cemetery last year. It is not accessible by members of the public, is locked with heavy iron gates and has a stone wall around it.

    In the cemetery is a wall plaque remembering the dead seamen from the Napoleonic Wars, as well as a number of unmarked 'humps', and a wall plaque, photo below remembering the dead of the British Forces operating out of Vis (Tito's HQ for a time) during WW2.

    As I understand it, the reason why no names were shown was for security reasons. This is the second plaque on the site. The first one, erected shortly after the war, being destroyed in past troubles in the region, and also the dead met their fate in clandestine operations from which, I assume, the survivors may not have brought back their dead for burial.

    The picture was taken after much clambering about. I could not get a picture of the Napoleonic plaque.

    I would be keen to learn of any other information about this site.

    Regards

    Martin

    View attachment 1046
     
  2. No.9

    No.9 Senior Member

    burlington - Sorry to reply late, owing to absence abroad, and sorry to hear the Vis Military Cemetery is now under lock and key. However, it's not under the auspices of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and our war dead have been moved to the Belgrade War Cemetery which became an agreed consolidation cemetery for much of the region.

    It may be the case that unnamed 'humps' are for security reasons, if there are burials there from the recent conflicts, else the unnaming may well be to deter desecration by irreverent morons with pagan mentalities.

    After the 1943 change of Italy and Allied invasion, the Germans increased their efforts in Yugoslavia, among which was progressively clearing the many islands of partisans. The island of Vis was of particularly interest to the Allies as it sits about 10 miles off the Yugoslav mainland and 130 miles off Italy, and has two small harbours which are suitable for light to moderate Naval forces. The island (approx. 18 miles by 8 miles and reaching 1900 feet), provides a good base for supply and to raid other islands and the mainland. There was also a requirement to physically show Tito he was being supported and persuade him to defend Vis. The dilemma was that the Germans were capable and practised in invading islands quite thoroughly, while Gen. Alexander could not spare sizeable forces from the hard pushed Italian theatre engaged on the Gustav line.

    Instead of thousands, if anyone was to be found it was only in the order of hundreds despite the enormous task, hence they looked to Special Forces as every man sent had to be versatile and adaptable and able to punch well above his weight. 2 Commando Brigade (No.2 , No.9 Commandos and the Belgium and Polish Troops of No.10 Inter Allied Commando [Army], and No.40 and No.43 Commandos [Royal Marines]) were already heavily committed in Italy. Of all these the only prospect was if No.2 Commando - recuperating and being made back up to strength after Salerno - could manage say a 100 men. This their CO, 'Mad' Jack Churchill, provided and they became part of a small task force designated Force 133 of the Special Operations Executive, headed by Brig. H. Miles.

    The original garrison comprised 100 men of No.2, one battery of light AA guns, a small element of the Raiding Support Regiment (25 pounders), an RAMC medical team, Naval personnel with six or so MTB's (Naval Commandos/SBS), two American OSS groups and SOE personnel. Partisan forces comprised about 950 men which rose to 3000 and included two Howitzer batteries and four 105's.

    Over the coming months, all Commandos of 2 Commando Brigade (except the Belgium and Polish Troops) spent various time on Vis and other points east - e.g. Albania, Corfu, Greece - though not together as a Brigade. Eventually they all returned to Italy from their various locations, between November 1944 to March 1945, when for the first time they fought as a Brigade on 1st April at Comacchio.

    It would be a great shame if the original plaque has been destroyed.
    The inscription upon it read:

    AFTER MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED YEARS
    BRITISH SOLDIERS AND SAILORS
    WHO FOUGHT AND DIED FOR THEIR COUNTRY'S HONOUR
    ON THE SEAS AND ISLANDS OF DALMATIA
    HAVE AGAIN BEEN LAID TO REST
    IN THIS ISLAND CEMETERY
    1944
    HERE DEAD LIE WE BECAUSE WE DID NOT CHOOSE
    TO LIVE AND SHAME THE LAND FROM WHICH WE SPRUNG
    LIFE TO BE SURE IS NOTHING MUCH TO LOSE
    BUT YOUNG MEN THINK IT IS AND WE WERE YOUNG

    No.9
     
  3. s dawkins

    s dawkins Junior Member

    In reply to the earlier posting the Raiding Support Regiment(Special Forces) had some 150 men manning 3" mortars,.50 heavy browning machine guns,47mm Italian anti-tank guns and 75mm howitzers.The 25 pounders referred to belonged to 111th Field Regiment,RA.
     
    Patricia Stapleton likes this.
  4. s dawkins

    s dawkins Junior Member

    I meant to say that these men were on Vis.Also,the first group from the RSR were the browning teams.
     

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