Roma

It was 71 years to-day that I was in my Churchill Tank at a place called Agnani about 20 miles SE of Roma - wondering if the

Americans would really shoot at us if we tried to enter the Eternal City - they didn't and so after handing over to the 6th South African

Armoured Division - we went off for a rest in the Alban Hills - entering Rome a few days later to assist at Mass in St Peter's…. a

fantastic day meeting Pope Pius Xii….(see "an Audience with the Pope " -below in BBC series )

Cheers

 

I hope you enjoyed your few days' rest Tom. Did you really think that the Yanks would shoot you?

Vitellino

 

Tom, my father's mementos from his Audience, perhaps even the same day:

 

Vitalino
The American said they would shoot anyone who entered Rome without their permission - they were serious and were sorted out by Alexander as they

had missed their chance at Naples when the British X corps captured the City- and they blew it again at Florence….

Cheers

 

Tony56

Couldn't resist adding to the line-up of Div signs !

Ron ( who was also at Rome shortly after the Yanks)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/83/a1941383.shtml