I've had these pictures on my laptop for a little while. They must have come out of one of the Canadian Anti-Tank Regiment war diaries, since I was using my laptop to view those files online. It's a terrible shame these aren't high enough resolution to read the text. I suppose if I went through the WDs again, I might be able to find the original location, and scan the microfilm myself in greater detail. Liri Valley 1 by Seroster posted Dec 29, 2017 at 11:58 AM Liri Valley 2 by Seroster posted Dec 29, 2017 at 11:59 AM
Thanks for those, Seroster. Yes, I'd like to see the notes clearly, too. Did you see my recent post here: Family Soldiers [1/4th Essex & 25 Field Regiment R.A.] Think that also shows some of the terrain in the first of your images.
Hi Charley, I did not see that post, I'm afraid! That is quite the painting... and I'm interested to watch the video later on. Now that I think about it, it might not be too hard to find the location of the images, by limiting my search based on the dates involved (when were Canadian units in the valley?) and which AT Regiments were in Italy (only a few).
Chris. I think that the sketch was drawn from Monte Trocchio. It was very common for Forward Observation Officers controlling guns to do such sketches. It helped them to identify the fall of shot and adjust by comparing with a map. Regards Frank
Do you think the terrain type woukd affect choices for ammunition type and concentration of fire? The artist has quite assiduously noted ground and vegetation density.
Chris. I have had a rethink on this sketch. I now do not think that it was drawn from Monte Trocchio - San Angelo en Theodice is too far to the right. I now think that it is more likely to have been drawn from the castle at Rocca d'Evandro. It was a superb vantage point over the valley. Could you post it in jpg rather than png. I cannot open png. Regards Frank
I get a quite good match for the second image in Google Earth when in the vicinity of these coordinates and looking NW. 13°54'59.02"E 41°24'38.50"N
Wow, that's exciting Hutt, just going to post the JPGs here and then take a look. Liri Valley 1 JPG version by Seroster posted Dec 30, 2017 at 9:05 PM Liri Valley 2 JPG Version by Seroster posted Dec 30, 2017 at 9:05 PM
Apologies but I get a better match on this small wooded hill at these coordinates or possibly on the west slope of a larger (grey rocky) hill slightly to the north east 41°26'2.74"N 13°52'54.71"E
I've sent the panorama to one of our members who lives there but doesn't visit the forum so much now. Hope he can locate spot it was drawn from.
Hutt. I think that you may well have the spot. It would certainly fit with where the forward elements of 1 (Cdn) Corps would have been waiting as the Eighth Army reserve. They were neatly tucked in behind XIII (BR) Corps. Regards Frank
Frank I think all credit should go to the officer who made the original sketch. His attention to detail and accuracy of perspective is remarkable! Interesting that nobody has answered Charley Fortnums query as I would be interested too, I can understand a reason for annotating ridges for lobbing shells high and over them onto concealed positions as it may influence choice of charge but would the ground conditions, marsh, woodland etc also dictate choice of shell? I am sure some of the artillery experts could chip in here. Do you think the terrain type would affect choices for ammunition type and concentration of fire? The artist has quite assiduously noted ground and vegetation density.
