Information on "The Fortress" at Anzio

The Fortress was a forward Position on the Anzio Beachhead that became well known after Raleigh Trevelyan who lead a Rifle Platoon at Anzio published his memoir "The Fortress: Diary of Anzio and after". He fought on the Beachhead from Early March until May 23rd when he got wounded. He was originally in the Rifle Brigade but was attached to the Green Howard's 1st Battalion, I think D Company. I was wondering If I could get more information about where exactly it was located on the beachhead and if there's any photos or maps of the position.

 

There is a lot of information here - 167 Brigade at Anzio | Page 6 | WW2Talk

 

Thankyou.

 

Kallo,

Welcome aboard. If you search online with: "Raleigh Trevelyan" site:ww2talk.com that will identify approx. x15 threads that include him, at a quick glance some are reviews of his book.

 

From the history of 5th Division:

 

Excellent Martin!

Kind regards, keep at it, always,

Jim.

 

These are difficult battlefields for the casual visitor to access. The image is an extract from Google maps satellite view. You can see the "wadis " that are tributaries to the river Moletta. The vegetarion is the tops of trees that may be 20 to 30 ft high of which only maybe 5-10 ft is above the level of the edge of the wadi.

Local land-owners make it very difficult to access these. I managed to take a party into the wadi complex about twenty years ago, where a footpath that had not been closed off with barbed wire. A year later, the entrance had been soundly wired off. I mean an impassable barrier, not a strand or two.

If you visit, you can see the reason. Everywhere the wadis are close to a road, the wadi has been used for fly tipping. The wadi may be 20 feet deep in old fridges and bin liners. That's what happens when the Mafia get to run waste disposal..

 

In November 2022 the Government took away the political power of the mayor and local council of Anzio as he/they were accused of involvement with the mafia. A commissioner was appointed to run the town and I met him at the dedication ceremony for Corporal Owens last October.

 

Kailo.

Could I ask what you interest is in the Fortress?

Regards

Frank

 

Shame I missed that. Surprising who one comes across on one's travels.

Drat. Interesting chat no doubt.

Regards,
Stu.

Hope you are both keeping well?

Keep at it.

 

We are both well thanks, Stu. I must check up on what's happening to the former mayor.

Janet

 

Sorry for taking so long to reply back Frank.

After reading Raleigh's memoir I wanted to know more about where exactly on the beachhead "The Fortress" was located since I read that it became somewhat famous after his book was published. Since I made this most I found articles that make slight references to the position. I also read a poem about Anzio that mentions "The Fortress", although it could be be referencing something totally different. I can post it if you want. I'm American and don't know any relatives living or dead in the United Kingdom so I don't have any personal connection like other people on this forum. I've been reading books like these for awhile and this is my personal favorite by a soldier in the Italian campaign.

 

By the way, the Green Howard's did a fine Regimental History. Can't recall the full title, nor the authour. All I know is: its a door wedge of a book, it cost some money, its got some good details.

A rare book to get in good condition.

Edit: THE STORY OF THE GREEN HOWARDS 39-1945 by Capt. W. A. T. Synge. 1952 ...
Only 428 pages.

Will come back & give the full title etc unless someone do's before.
Regard's
Stu.

 

Is that the lady who went on about x,y & z @ our last meeting with the kids at the school.

Gosh, a brick in her mouth would not shut her up. She high-jacked it, which was a shame for all and was not needed for the length she jogged on.

Even the school cat must of been bored s...less.

Nice you are both doing ok.

Sorry for going off the thread to all.

R,
Stu.

 

Hello, if you need visits to the battlefield, I live there and I own land where the wadis are located. There is also a museum to visit on the estate which is located in the fortress area.