I'd be grateful to anyone who can identify the attached location at the Battle of Wadi Akarit, Tunisia, 6 April 1943. I'm keen to know exactly where is is amongst the Jebels in this area and whether that is the infamous point 85 in the background. I don't realistically expect anyone to trot this off the top of their head but maybe someone recognises photograph or maybe they have even visited the Battle zone in the past. If so, I would love to hear from you! My dad was in this battle and I'm researching his memoirs for publication. Many thanks in anticipation Paul
I'd be grateful to anyone who can identify the attached location at the Battle of Wadi Akarit, Tunisia, 6 April 1943. I'm keen to know exactly where is is amongst the Jebels in this area and whether that is the infamous point 85 in the background. I don't realistically expect anyone to trot this off the top of their head but maybe someone recognises photograph or maybe they have even visited the Battle zone in the past. If so, I would love to hear from you! My dad was in this battle and I'm researching his memoirs for publication. Many thanks in anticipation Paul Hello, I don't know much about this battle at all. You don't have any war diaries with coordinates on it do you? If it is near Akarit, there's a great big gourge at 34.098444,9.859886 that would probably be worthy of a photo. Your best bet to find it is the road/trail that appears to run through the photograph, you're lucky in that google relief shows that there aren't many hills in that area, and the lack of roads suggest that any trail then would still be in use today.
Hello, I don't know much about this battle at all. You don't have any war diaries with coordinates on it do you? If it is near Akarit, there's a great big gourge at 34.098444,9.859886 that would probably be worthy of a photo. Your best bet to find it is the road/trail that appears to run through the photograph, you're lucky in that google relief shows that there aren't many hills in that area, and the lack of roads suggest that any trail then would still be in use today. Thanks for the quick response. I don't have any co-ordinates although I've mapped out Dad's war at WW2 map, War Diary of Bill Cheall - Google Maps and have spent hours crawling over the Akarit section. Fair point about trying to identify the trail and I will have another look. This is probably the main trail to the left of Jebel Romana which I have marked on the map which is best viewed via Google Earth. But it's deceptive terrain and the historical descriptions of this battle suggest it was quite a hilly area in fact? Paul
For what it's worth, I think your identification of Pt 85 on your GoogleMap is right. It's amazing that you can still make out most of the anti-tank ditches on GoogleEarth that are shown on the map in Operation Scipio. There even seem to be a few fire trenches visible.
For what it's worth, I think your identification of Pt 85 on your GoogleMap is right. It's amazing that you can still make out most of the anti-tank ditches on GoogleEarth that are shown on the map in Operation Scipio. There even seem to be a few fire trenches visible. Thanks - it's nice to get confirmation of that as I can't tell you how much time I've spent pouring over those maps. Trouble is very few points are marked, though if you happen to know Tunisian for Jebel Romana, Google does pan down to the right spot, hence how I located the two jebels! I hadn't noticed the trenches etc -assumed we were too high up as it were. Trouble is when you get really close you tend to lose context of what you are looking at. Where are you focused on in particular? Paul
I've pinned the Google map where I think the photo is taken. Seems to be the only spot where the track comes close to the edge of a hill on its right hand side. Paul
Just to help anyone who may have missed the URL - it's at: WW2 map, War Diary of Bill Cheall - Google Maps
These might be of interest to you. a sketch map of the battle area and a photo of Djebel Roumana taken in 1950, plus relevant pages mentioning the 50th Div.
I can't tell you how grateful I am for this, especially the map. I have access to at least two war maps of this battle and none of them do justice to the simple but key details you have helped me clarify. I've worked for hours and maybe days on this Google map and for the first time I feel I can have some confidence in the places I've marked. Thanks once again!! Dad was in C Company of 6 Green Howards, 69th Brigade, 50 Div so he was one of the 50 Div soldiers mentioned in your extract. If you'd care to read the chapter from the book let me have your email address and I'll let you have it - it's remarkable how all these bits and pieces fit together. Regards Paul These might be of interest to you. a sketch map of the battle area and a photo of Djebel Roumana taken in 1950, plus relevant pages mentioning the 50th Div.
I know what a pain it can be panning down to that Google Map so here is a screen snatch suitably edited with the latest findings following the help I've been given. If anyone wants to nit pick on the detail please do so - I'd much rather get it dead right with your help than live in ignorance! The start line referred to is of course Dad's start line with 50 Div. When I get a mo I will get the other divisions marked on it as I do have the info. Paul
A fascinating thread to read. Comparing the sketch and the Google map, the latter really shows the contours and the terrain problems for attackers and defenders. Regards Tom
A fascinating thread to read. Comparing the sketch and the Google map, the latter really shows the contours and the terrain problems for attackers and defenders. Regards Tom It has been fascinating Tom - and yes the terrain must have been a b**ch! Paul
Here's a quick composite of the map from Operation Scipio on GoogleEarth. The left hand end is slightly out but the rest seems to match fairly well:
Here's a quick composite of the map from Operation Scipio on GoogleEarth. The left hand end is slightly out but the rest seems to match fairly well: Thanks - interesting - someone must have worked hard on that! I'm havig some difficulty locating that map online -is there a URL for it?
It's exclusive to here! It's the map on page viii of the book Operation Scipio by Barnes (that I've assumed you've got) photoshopped onto GoogleEarth. I will try to do the 50 Div sector on a higher res background if that will help.
It's exclusive to here! It's the map on page viii of the book Operation Scipio by Barnes (that I've assumed you've got) photoshopped onto GoogleEarth. I will try to do the 50 Div sector on a higher res background if that will help. Ah yes I do have Barnes - v good book. Your pic expands perfectly in Windows pic viewer thanks so no need to do again. Paul
Now you tell me! At least you can make out the anti-tank ditch on this version: Yes I had it all along but found it confusing - too much detail for my purpose but when you overlaid it onto Google, what a transformation! Clever geezer!
