Help with Cassino photo

Discussion in 'Italy' started by Charley Fortnum, Jan 2, 2016.

  1. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    A complete stab in the dark, but does anybody have a better (and hopefully unwatermarked) copy of this photograph:

    be139a45-6d76-4fdf-8cf6-9255d451c4d6.PNG

    The caption is generic, but I believe it to be B-Coy 1/4th Essex at Cassino on point 175.

    It may or may not be an IWM-held image; I'm not yet sure.
     
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2017
  2. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    One forlorn bump to the thread and then I'll leave you all alone.

    Any photo hoarders got this in their treasure house?
     
  3. idler

    idler GeneralList

    It might be worth reposting it on the Italian forum so it's not dodged by the experts.
     
  4. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    No need I've split posts from IWM thread to make a new one & moved to Italy section of forum
     
  5. idler

    idler GeneralList

    Or that! Obviously too early in the morning to notice it was already in the Italy forum...
     
  6. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    It wasn't I just moved it as I said.
    Also too early to read my posts correctly. :p
     
  7. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    I doubt that it is 1/4 Essex.

    This is, I believe, a posed photo and one for the magazines.

    Regards

    Frank
     
  8. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    Frank is absolutely right about this rather stagey image. It's from the 'Illustrated London News' - Copies are available via the Mary Evans Archive website. Costs of copies are not published, which is ominous !

    http://www.maryevans.com/search.php


    Picture No 10218081 Date 1944 Description British Soldiers near Monte Cassino, 1944. Details
    Photograph showing a group of British soldiers dug in to a position near Monte Cassino, Italy, in 1944. Between January and May 1944 the Benedictine monastery of Monte Cassino and the nearby town were completely destroyed as the Allied Fifth Army attempted to push the occupying Nazi troops out of their strong defensive position, in the monastery.
    Source Illustrated London News. 1944. bottom right of page 377. Credit © Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
     
    Charley Fortnum and Owen like this.
  9. idler

    idler GeneralList

    I think there's a similar sangar scene in 'The Way Ahead', isn't there?
     
  10. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    Compare with the image attached here.

    As a regimental publication, I feel fairly confident the caption is accurate. The author was an officer in the battalion and is likely to recognise one or more of the men depicted.

    It does look awfully staged, doesn't it? Not least because if those chaps really are expecting action, the photographer is standing at silly mid-on.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Feb 24, 2019
  11. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Thought I'd see what Google Images would have to offer on the subject and keyed in " Montecassino IWM"

    Excellent results much appreciated by someone who was there !

    Ron
     
    gpo son likes this.
  12. Maureene

    Maureene Well-Known Member

    The Illustrated London News database may be available through your local/State/Provincial/National Library, or a University near you.
    http://gale.cengage.co.uk/product-highlights/history/illustrated-london-news.aspx

    Cheers
    Maureen
     
  13. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    Attached Files:

  14. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Terrific photo. I have not seen that one before.

    Frank
     
  15. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    Cheers for the link Charley, top chap if you ask me.

    Stu.
     
  16. ropey

    ropey Member

    The photo was taken in the quarry at the foot of Pt 175. Given that it was out of sight of Cassino (just) these guys are about to cause fratricide. ;)
    The quarry was used as HQ for many units, a supply dump, RAP, holding area, etc. It is extremely likely that 1/4 Essex used it for one or more of those purposes too.

    Perry
     
  17. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    You clearly have sharp eyes. Thank you for the details.
     
  18. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    Here's another picture that I've not seen before. Any opinions on who or where?

    _57-3_1.JPG

    Caption gives: "British Fifth Army Fighters in Italy - 13/3/44"

    (I'm not claiming that it's in the vicinity of Cassino, but it could be.)
     
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2017
  19. ropey

    ropey Member

    Hmm. Brits on top of a mountain. The ridgeline at rear will be the key to finding this, along with the date. Mid-March makes it possibly Monte Ornito area, or the other side of Cassino in the Belvedere area. Further into the Appenine would not have many long vistas like this one. They appear pretty relaxed and are in full view of ridge at rear so it may be looking back to Allied lines. Those troops at the back look to be relieving the ones at front, but that's surmising. Doesn't really help does it. I would think a good hunt on GE for that ridgeline would be the only way forward without more info on the photo.
     
  20. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    Will investigate your suggestions - many thanks for the input.
    I bought your Cassino book a few weeks ago, incidentally, and it's superb.
     

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