Kings Royal Rifle Corps (Italy 1944)

Ok, tell me off if I'm in the wrong place, I have spent all morning searching this site and reading some great stuff, BUT, am struggling to find anything on the Kings Royal Rifle Corp. My wife's, father was killed on the 26th October 1944 at the River Ronco. I have read elsewhere some accounts of what I would call a disaster at the river, with several killed and most taken as prisoners. I believe in the region of 100 taken.

Can anyone guide me to information?

Wife and I hope to visit Forli and Cassino this year, I have the details of those killed and in the war cemetery and will pay our respects to those there. Wife's father was never found.

Sergeant Austin Reginald Turner 6845174 and is commemorated at Cassino.

Peter (slinger_wood)

 

Hello Peter and welcome to the forum.

There's a basic history of KRRC in Italy at The King's Royal Rifle Assocition site.

Regards,

Richard

 

Thanks for that Richard. I had actually found that, It formed part of my understanding of what happened and was a surprise to us, (Me and she who must be obeyed). My mother in law was adamant that he, Austin Turner, her husband, was lost at the river Po. It was only after she had died that we found a letter from the regiment which gave an insight to the actual loss being at the river Ronco.

I guess, I will have to get the war diary, if there is one for the period.

Thanks again for responding.

Peter

 

Hello Peter,

I have the book "Swift and Bold" published by Gale and Polden in 1949 which is the history of the KRCC during the 2nd World War. Only 3 pages are given over to the action at Ronco River and some Officers mentioned and a Roll of Honour in which Sergt A.R Turner is mentioned but he is not mentioned in the text or the list of awards.
If you need a synopsis of what happened please let me know. Essentially the Germans counter-attacked whilst the crossings were under way.

Kind regards,

Will.

 

Thank you to both , Owen & Wessex_Warrior. (Shouldn't he be saluting with the other hand?)

I guess I have committed myself now to a trip to London and the Achieves.

Yes please to you W_Warrior, Is it possible to scan the tree pages and post. Being new I don't know the procedures!!

Peter

 

Good morning Owen...Thanks for that, But how do I go about contacting them?

 

Hello Peter,

I have done some scans for you and have sent you a message.

Regards,

Will

 

Peter.

I am out in Cassino all the time throughout the Summer so you are welcome to latch on to one of my events if your dates match when I am there.

www.cassinobattlefields.co.uk

FdeP

 

Morning All

Another stupid question from the new Chap

Is it possible to identify all the men in a Coy to a specific date, and if it is, where di I start?

Taking it further, to a specific platoon?

All to do with my original 'Ronco River' event and the 1st Bat. KRRC

I'm good at daft questions...that bit doesn't require a response!!!!

 

Hello Peter,

There may be nominal rolls as appendices attached to the War diaries, but, apart from lists of Officers, they don't seem to appear much.

Might be worth contacting the KRRC Association.

Regards,

Richard.

 

Peter

It might be that the 2nd - 7th and 10th KINGs were in 6th Armoured Div about that time as they came back to 8th Army for the

spring push they had been with 6th prior to that also…

Cheers

 

Thanks for the update Richard And Tom.

Fairly obvious place to start with the KRRC assoc, why didn't I think of that...

Peter

 

Hello All.

Well Drew got me the KRRC diary, Some great info on the Ronco River crossing. But the maps seem to be missing. I have found via other means a low quality map, 'The Advance across the Ronco 28 Oct - 2 Nov. 1944'. This is a good map in that it shows the grid references as used, and are mentioned in the first attack across the Ronco on the 26 Oct 44.

But does anyone know of a large map that is 'IN FOCAS'

With a good map I will be able to pinpoint accurately the Bn movements.




Sliger_wood

 

Do you have grid ref's?

I can't remember how to do it but there is a website that converts WW2 grids to current day google maps. I used it 4 years ago on a BEF thread and it is remarkably accurate.

Regards
Andy

 

Peter.

You can get pre-war Italian Army maps from the Italian Army in Florence via the net. http://www.igmi.org/

They are only about €6 each although the postage is steep cause it is recorded.

From there, you can use www.echodelta.net to translate the Italian Army grid reference system to the UK one and the site will plot the point on a Google map for you.

Try it.

Regards

FdeP

 

Hello Peter,

For the GSGS 4164 1:100,000 Italy maps have a look at McMaster University’s site. The index map for this series is here. You need sheet number 100 for Forlì.

Maps issued by the Italian Military Geographical Institute did not use the same system for grid references as the GSGS maps used by Allied forces.

Regards,

Richard

 

Thank you all. Had a quick look at the 'echodelta' site. and will have to spend some time there to fathom it out.

Thanks again

Slinger