Gents Floridia was occupied by 6th DLI on the 12th. I think the town was occupied by the 2nd Cammeronians the day before. Can anyone confirm this please? Thanks Bob
My understanding is that the 151st Infantry Brigade - 6th, 8th & 9th Bns Durham Light Infantry - moved across from their landing area around Avola/Noto, being relieved by a brigade of the 51st (Highland) Division and taking over positions of 13th Infantry Brigade - 2nd Cameronians, 2nd Bn Royal Inniskillings, 2nd Bn Wiltshire Regiment. At 1.15 pm on 11 July 1943 the 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry marched off through Avola northwards along the main Syracuse road as far as Cassibile and then westwards, to take up positions in the high ground near Canicattini Bagni. On the morning of the 12th July moved out in the direction of Solarino where it was to relieve the 2nd Bn Wiltshire Regiment. It did pass through Floridia and got into a scrap with some Italian tanks at around 2.40 pm, but had got back on its way and had relieved the 2nd Bn Wiltshire Regiment by 5.30 pm. 'The Faithful Sixth' (Moses). No evidence in my relevant 50 Div books that the 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry relieved the 2nd Bn Cameronians in Floridia. I'll have a look at the 8th and 9th Battalion histories for you in the morning for you! Best, Steve.
2 Wilts war diary online for dates regarding Floridia can be looked up here http://www.thewardrobe.org.uk/research/war-diaries/search http://www.thewardrobe.org.uk/research/war-diaries/detail/17948 says .. 2 CAMERONIANS move fwd to occupy FLORIDIA. 6 DLI mentioned here. http://www.thewardrobe.org.uk/research/war-diaries/detail/17950 Tanks in FLORIDIA after inflicting casualties on men and vehs of 6 D.L.I. 1430hrs. RIO 6 D.L.I., 151 Bde, 50 Div arrives with Advance Party and at 1700 hrs take over by 6 D.L.I. is complete. .
The 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry reached Floridia at 5 pm on 12 July 1943 and was deployed outside the town. They stayed there until the morning of the 14th. 'Gateshead Gurkhas' (Moses). The 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry left its assembly area at 5 am on 12 July, passing through Cassibile, Floridia and Solarino, where it took over from the 2nd Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. The 6th Bn Durham light Infantry was on its left (at Solarino). '8th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry 1939-1945' (Majors PJ Lewis MC and IR English MC). The 151st Infantry Brigade were tasked with taking over the positions of the 13th Infantry Brigade, so it would be logical that one of the Durhams battalions did. None of the Durhams battalion histories mention taking over from the 2nd Bn Cameronians in Floridia, but if one of the battalions did it would likely have been the 6th or 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry. Next step is probably to look at the 6th Bn's applicable War Diary. I will see if I have this and revert. Best, Steve.
