Just received a map ref regarding a Recce casualty nr Gemmano and was wondering if anyone can help me pin point it Map Reference:- 869808, Sheet 109/IV, Coriano, Italy, 1/100,000 Cheers Paul
Hello mate, the coords are these: Latitude : 43° 54' 28'' N Longitude : 12° 35' 28'' E Look this. Please, let me know if this is enough, otherwise I'll send you a detailed map. Good lucky! Cheers. G.
G, Thanks for the map ref, I put them into Google Earth but it only zoomed in so far so I don't think that they have done this area yet. But it was close enough to see the lie of the land. I will pass this information on. This is where Donald Batchelor 44 Recce died. Trooper DONALD BENJAMIN BATCHELOR 14316933 Who died age 20 on 06 September 1944 Son of Mr. and Mrs. B. G. Batchelor, of Worstead, Norfolk. CASSINO MEMORIAL Panel 1. Cheers Paul
Gemmano area - Topographic map 1:25k Gemmano area - OrthoPhoto View Gemmano area - Topographic Map + OrthoPhoto View Gemmano area - Topographic map 1:25k - Close View Gemmano area - OrthoPhoto View - Close View Gemmano area - Topographic Map + OrthoPhoto View - Close View Cheers. G.
Hi Paul, don't worry, I'm very glad to help you. Still some surprise from the Liri Valley...I'm back few hours ago from the CMW Cemetery of Cassino, and I took some pictures from it. The cemetery viewed from the entry The Panel 1 and the Abbey The inscription of the Trooper Donald Benjamin Batchelor's name The Panel 1 viewed from the rear ..from the far I've seen a red flower, a Poppy at the foot of the Panel 3 but when I was close the Poppy, I've seen a sheet " 5/1/11 "Final Cut" For Roger WATERS'S FATHER PINK FLOYD FROM LONDON WE CAME TO pay Respect " ...a rainy day, today in Cassino. Cheers. G.
Gurdjieff Well done with those photo's as Paul says - and I totally disagree - to see Cassino in winter recalling that most of the fighting was done in the winter which was another facet of Kesslrings defences - to keep the lads in the mountains in the winter to make them suffer... Cheers
Hi mates, I'm really glad that you like the pictures; few minutes in the cemetery, helped me to remember again the sacrifice of hundred of youngs dead for the freedom. This's very important for the next generations and is necessary don't forget, never. Paul, the winter in the Liri valley, this year is not so cold, but I can to understand the words of Tom, very evocative, about the fights of the 1944. Thanks Tom. The german defense, with the snow, the rain and the cold, was certainly most strong from to break, in the valley as in the mountain sector. Unfortunately the Trooper Donald Benjamin Batchelor, wasn't lucky enough. Rest in peace. Cheers. G.
Why is he listed under the West Kents on that panel? Should he be under the Recce Corps? EDIT: Ok I understand now. 44th (7th Bn. The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regt.) Regt.
I've been corresponding with Paul reference Donald Batchelor and for those who are interested this is Don. In a letter from a chaplin to his mum, the chaplin stated: 'Poor Don was apparently killed by machine gun fire on the Gemmano feature on 6th September last.' What's amazing about the documents I hold that relate to Don is that they were found in a drawer of a sideboard that was being sold at auction. Had it not been found it would have almost certainly been destroyed or thrown away. A friend of mine who has an interest in the Recce Corps found it and saved it before this could happen. This stroke of luck has now enabled me to detail fully his service career and this is the final part of the puzzle surrounding his death. The documents include letters from Don, his mum a girlfriend and a number of other friends that he either served with or wrote to including other letters from the chaplin as well as postcards and other cards and military documents. The most important for me was the inclusion of the letter detailing his death and where he was buried. So thanks to Paul and Damiano for taking the time to locate the position. Steve
As a point if interest the Roger Waters picture is great as I'm off to see him at the O2 in May and one of my favourite songs from the file The Wall is 'When the Tigers Broke Free which is the one written about his father's death. It's now been re-mastered and put onto the last album he did with PF which is entitled 'The Final Cut' hence the mention of it on the piece of paper. Steve
Paul, If you like I will try and get some photos of the exact spot as referenced. Let me know. Also, you might find this website of use as it converts military coordinates to civvy latitude and longitude: Translator: The "Coordinates Translator" Italian sub divisions(WR in this case i.e. wr869808): The grids used on the European Theatre of Operations Regards, Tom.