Does anyone else know about an incident concerning REME landing at Sicily before everyone else? From what I have read since hearing about this a storm at sea on the 9th initially caused problems with timing of the landings, but I just wondered if anyone knew specifically about REME. Thanks Jules.
Jules, can you recall where you read it? It's not as daft as it sounds as I believe that, by this time, REME would have had a role in the beach groups to recover drowned vehicles to keep the beaches clear.
Hi Idler - sorry about the delay in replying. Initially the story came from my Grandfather who said that they had had to keep their heads down because, instead of following the infantry, the infantry followed them later onto the beach. After a bit of googling I have found that the weather caused a bit of a disruption - "...The arrangements were considerably disrupted by the swell; some units were landed late, and some in the wrong places; but there were no grave consequences..." from The Canadian Army 1939 -1945 And this "The book is by Major J.M.A.Lumsden, 24th Field Regiment R.A. 1939-1945 (James Galt & Co 1947). THE SICILIAN CAMPAIGN The first landings on the Sicilian coast took place shortly before dawn on 10th July 1943. The regiment was to land during the morning on the beaches near Cassibile, some fifteen miles south-west of Syracuse, in support of the Fifth Division, whose plan was to capture Syracuse and then push forward to Augusta and Catania as quickly as possible. 22 Bty was in support of 17 Bde, and 50 Bty of 15 Bde, with the duty of providing artillery support until the arrival of the normal divisional artillery. There had been a fairly heavy storm at sea on 9th July, and this disorganised the timing of the landings, but by mid-day most of the guns were ashore and in action. The Regiment suffered a sad loss when, immediately after landing, Captain W.Curry, REME, was killed on the beaches during an air attack. Very little opposition was met from the Italian coastal defence troops in the early stages and the regiment passed through Syracuse on the morning of 11th July." My Grandfather survived the war but died years ago so there is no way of getting any more information from him about it. I was curious as to whether anyone else knew about it.
There was nothing specific in the 5 Div history or the REME history about it. However, 5 Div's 1 York & Lancs are recorded as having landed late, so it is possible that units due to land after them could have beaten them to the beach. Do you know what your grandfather's unit was at that time?
Thanks for checking that about 5th Div & REME. I have a red book that shows where he was from 1929 up to his first promotion. It only states RAOC and REME nothing specific about his unit. I know that after his promotion he was 20 workshop REME - whether he was there before I don't know. Perhaps if there were landings happening out of sequence it would not have been thought of as exceptional? Must have been a bit tense for them! Thanks again for checking. I've scanned the page incase you would like to take a look Jules