Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 2nd Bn. 21st April, 1945

Do any forum members know what action the 2nd Bn., Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers where involved in on the 21st April, 1945. One of my local lads lost his life with them this day, please see CWGC link below. I do know that the Battalion was in Italy at this time, but that's about it. I am rather new to WW2 research, so any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
John.

CWGC :: Casualty Details

 

Hi JohnB & Owen

re: Do any forum members know what action the 2nd Bn., Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers where involved in on the 21st April, 1945.

Purely by coincidence, I have recently been sent a review by my old friend Tom Canning of Richard Doherty's "Eighth Army in Italy- The Long Hard Slog" .

There is quite a bit in the book about the 38th Irish Brigade's part in the Battle for the Argenta Gap and the Kangaroo Force (in which my old unit the 4th QOH were involved)

If you finally settle whether or not the Iniskillings was the correct unit please come back to me for more on this action.

Ron

 

Ron, it is the correct unit, Fus Emmerson was a Yorshire lad & looks like he joined Green Howards and later posted to RIF.
What confused me at first if 2RIF spend most of the war with 5th Div before transfering to 38th Bde , 78th Div.
Please tell us more.

Owen

It's 12:20 am here in the UK, just off to bed, will get back to this "Domani "

Ron

 

Blimey is that the time, I must be off too, Goodnight.

Owen & JohnB

A new day and back to the chase !

I attach one of the pages of Tom Doherty's excellent book that Tom Canning had previously sent me, plus the front cover in case John wants to pursue the matter further.

The Iniskillings are mentioned in the first para of page 211.

If you need any further background on the Kangaroo Army episode I have excerpts from the Regimental Diaries of the 4th QOH plus ditto from my own diaries that cover the specific dates that JohnB mentions.

I have also been re-looking at my copy of Eric Linklater's "The Campaign in Italy" and see he says on Page 460:
"On the 78 Division's front the Irish Brigade rushed the enemy off the Saint Nicolo canal and before dawn on April 21st had reached the village of Montesanto half a mile beyond it. The Divisional Commander decided to use the 36th Brigade and his Kangaroo Force to achieve results"

 

Owen/Ron
What can I say....brilliant results, thank you both so much for your help. As you can probably tell I am new to WW2 research, I have spent the last few years researching my local WW1 lads. What I am finding absolutely fascinating since I have started to look into my lads from WW2 is actually talking to veterans who served during this war, I have even been fortunate enough to have the honour to talk to an old gent who was present (in the same aircraft) when one of my local boys lost his life. I needed I stiff brandy after that...real heart rendering stuff.
Ron it would be a pleasure and a honour to see your own diaries that cover the specific dates.
Once again gentlemen thank you so much for taking the time for me...it is very much appreciated.

All the best
John

PS...I guarantee, I will be back to pick your brains (and other forum members) who will hopefully point me in the right directions with my WW2 lads research.

 

Hi JohnB

Glad to have been of some help..... as Owen says "we like this sort of thing !"

Some local background follows:

Excerpts from the 4th Queen’s Own Hussars Regimental Diaries plus Ron’s Personal Diaries (shown in black) for the period April 1st 1945 until May 8th 1945.

April 1945 CO: Lt Col AM Barne


April 1 - 4Tp A Sqn carried 43rd RM Commando in Op ROAST and were extremely successful, 43rd Commando being responsible for 420 of the 1000 PoW taken by the Commando Bde. One Kangaroo was hit by 50mm but was recovered. No casualties. B Sqn, HQ and 2Tp in support of 38 Infantry Bde. 105's successfully engaged enemy spandau positions on COTIGNOLA railway embankment.
April 2 A Sqn carried 2nd LIR on 2nd Armd Bde exercise, Armd protection by Queens Bays. B Sqn 2Tp engaged enemy position and tunnel openings on SENIO bank and CASA MANZON. 3Tp shot up bastion and blow in river bank on 6th RWK front.
April 3rd - A Sqn carried 5th Buffs on 2nd Armd Bde exercise, Armd protection provided by 9th Lancers. B Sqn 3Tp shot up with considerable success enemy positions opposite 6th RWK.
April 4th - B Sqn returned under command Regt and moved to Regtl area. Regt, less C Sqn came under command 2nd New Zealand Div.
April 5th - A & B Sqns moved to GODO area.
Mar 6th - Preparation for Op BUCKLAND.
April 7th - Nothing to report.
Sunday 8th. April 1945
Colonel gave A & B squadrons griff talk for this 'final' campaign. Packed tank sheet and covered my bed with Honey canopy.

Mar 8th - Tac and HQ Sqn moved to GODO area.

Monday 9th April 1945
Moved to other side of Traversare. Dug in & have bivvie to myself.. D day & H hour have started. One rocket landed fairly near. Leaflets dropped.

April 9th - A SHQ moved to area 420385. 1Tp and 3Tp to area South of BAGNACAVALLO to operate under command 21st Tank Bde. 2Tp and 4Tp to area North of BAGNACAVALLO to operate under command 19th Infantry Bde. B Sqn moved to concentration area at BAGNACAVALLO. 1300 - C Sqn moved to assembly area to tie up with 27th New Zealand Btn of 9 Bde. 1700 - Tac HQ moved to 414411. 1920 - Op BUCKLAND commenced. 1930 - HQ Tp A Sqn carried the bridges to span the river SENIO. One OR wounded.
Tuesday 10th. April 1945
Spent in anticipation of a move. About 5 oclock the Honey went out with rations for 4th Troop but returned without finding them. Fried chops!.

April 10th - A & B Sqns crossed the SENIO. C Sqn with 27th New Zealand Btn crossed the SENIO and leaguered NW of COTIGNOLA.
Wednesday 11th. April 1945
Woken at 4 am to go into Lugo area with Recce party. Stood at X roads for a couple of hours. Area lousy with mines. Late breakfast when tanks arrived.

April 11th - 0600 - B Sqn joined North Irish Horse in sweep northwards to area 3345, during which 30 PoW were taken. Own casualties 2 ORs killed and 1 wounded. 1400 - Tac HQ and A Sqn moved to outskirts of LUGO. 1630 - A Sqn 2Tp and 4Tp carried Gurkha Rifles, 1Tp and 3Tp carried RFF Rifles in an advance to the banks of the river SANTERNO. 2Tp and 4Tp went extremely well, unfortunately after 1Tp and 3Tp dropped their Infantry and were turning around they encountered A/Tk mines. Six carriers of 1Tp were damaged and one of 3Tp. No personnel casualties. C Sqn still in reserve.
Thursday 12th. April 1945
Bit of stonking last night. Moved into area South side of Santerno river & waited for bridge to be slung across. After supper lined up with 2nd. Armoured Brigade column.

April 12th - 0800 - Capt AP Ridley-Thompson in command RHQ Tp of 6 Priests reinforced A Sqn. B Sqn joined Regt near LUGO. Regt, less C Sqn came under command 78th Infantry Div. 1500 - A Sqn married up with the LIR whom they are to carry tomorrow in 2nd Armd Bde Grp breakthrough from bridgehead across SANTERNO. B Sqn married up with 9th Lancers Sqn to provide additional Armd protection for Kangaroos. Both Sqns concentrated in area 352400.
Friday 13th. April 1945
Moved over Santerno. Some M.G. nuisance & one H.E. about twenty yards away.
Bags of prisoners, Kiss from signora. "Liberatoris !". Chasing after tedeschis with 30 browning blazing!

April 13th - A & B Sqns moved off with 2nd Armd Bde and passed through the bridgehead. Advance went very well as far as the canal crossing 315535 where the bridge was blown causing the advance to be held up. Considerable mopping-up was done on the way by the Priest borne Infantry. C Sqn moved North of the SANTERNO to pick up Infantry. 1Tp, 3Tp and half of HQ Tp formed TONIGROUP. 2Tp, 4Tp and the other half of HQ Tp formed STRAWGROUP. 9 Bde advanced parallel to Route 9 in a NW direction beyond MASSA LIMBARDA. The advance was made by Div cavalry on the left carried by STRAWGROUP and the 22nd Btn on the right carried by TONIGROUP. At first the advance was rapid but later Kangaroos met many ditches which slowed them down considerably. A number of PoW were taken. Own casualties one NCO killed and 2 wounded. The Sqn was subjected to very heavy shell and mortar fire during the whole of the day.
Saturday 14th. April 1945
Stayed at rear of 2nd.Armd.Bde. column. L.I 's meeting resistance on Reno bridgehead. Pulled into village the village in the evening then out to avoid stonking.

April 14th - 2nd Armd Bde advance. A Sqn entered LAVEZZOLA to advance North to RENO bridge which on arrival was found to be partially blown. Considerable mopping-up was done by all troops during the day. Strong opposition was encountered from the North bank of the river RENO. B Sqn advanced through CAVAMENTO across Route 16 to river RENO.
Sunday 15th. April 1945
Couple of miles back, cleaning guns, airing blankets & tidying up in general. Put the old camp bed up & spent a very good night.

April 15th - All Sqns spent the day reorganising and doing maintenance.
Monday 16th. April 1945
Early morning move. Watched eytie squad burying some tedeschi dead. Found Jerry rifle & ammo in the wood. Cpl.Boreman fixing the charging engine.

April 16th - 1100 - CSqn moved across the SILLARO. STRAWGROUP picked up 27th Btn, TONIGROUP 22nd Btn. Limited objectives were planned but on arrival it was found that our own Infantry were in possession. Kangaroos took advantage of this and pushed on without difficulty, putting heavy pressure on enemy rearguard. 1200 - A Sqn moved across river RENO to area 331581 and contacted 11th Infantry Bde - awaited instructions. 1900 - B Sqn moved across RENO to area 331581.
Tuesday 17th. April 1945
Reveille at 4'ish & then hung around all day doing nothing. Our new Colemans Cooker arrived. S.Ps (self propelled guns) in next field pretty noisy but moved before night.

April 17th - A & B Sqns married up with LIR and 9th Lancers and concentrated in area 331581. Intention, immediately the ARGENTA Gap was broken the Grp would advance North. Waited all day while others battled to break through ARGENTA Gap. C Sqn with same Infantry pushed on to within 1000 yards of T. GAIANA. From there to the bank was a flat bare expanse of ground very suitable for defence against Tanks. Intelligence reported there would be no opposition South of the EDICE. Kangaroos were ordered to speed to the bank by sections, the Infantry to dismount and Kangaroos to withdraw. These orders were carried out, only to find the bank was strongly held by paratroops. STRAWGROUP has one Kangaroo bazookad and one ditched which had to be abandoned under very heavy shellfire. TONIGROUP was more fortunate although they came under intense fire from all kinds of weapons. They suffered no losses. Own casualties 2 ORs killed and 1 wounded.
Wednesday 18th. April 1945
Stonked near wood for solid hour. Corporal Todd wounded badly in head when airburst caught their Honey. Farmhouses burning, stuck in ditch.

April 18th - A & B Sqns forming part of 2nd Armd Bde Grp advanced to form bridgehead across FOSSA SABBASOLA at 240665. B Sqn in reserve. A Sqn worked hard all day to be rewarded with excellent results. RHQ Tp on the CL did bulk of the work but suffered 2 Kangaroo casualties. Air bursts over the 2i/c's Honey badly wounded 2 of the crew. In general the enemy were taken by surprise. Many SPs and Mark IVs were encountered but in conjunction with excellent fighter-bomber support throughout the day the majority were destroyed. Bag estimated to be 5 SPs, 8 Mark IV and five 88's. towards evening the Grp captured artillery personnel with their 105's intact. Sqn leaguered in area 252668. Major Ogier, OC B Sqn was wounded and evacuated. One OR killed and three wounded.C Sqn Kangaroos were used to ferry supplies to troops on the bank of the GAIANA and to bring back the wounded.
Thursday 19th. April 1945
Reveille at 4 am but move was cancelled. Put in some work on auxiliary engine. Swam in the stream at the side of the tank. Wrote letter. Some minor loot off prisoners.

April 19th - At first light C Sqn picked up same Infantry, crossed the GAIANA and advanced to deposit them on the bank of the OUADERNA at dusk. 9th NZ Bde went into reserve. Kangaroos came back to leaguer in area 1 mile East of MEDICINA. B Sqn relieved by 56th Recce Regt on canal diversiva and returned to leaguer in area 238678. A Sqn less 2Tp resting. 2Tp had exciting day at PORTO MAGGIORE and had a Priest struck which had to be abandoned owing to very heavy shelling. 4Tp heavily shelled in rest area. Tp Ldrs Priest hit and was evacuated. One OR wounded.
Friday 20th. April 1945
Moved into next field. Tidied up turret & turned co-drivers seat around. Made flapjacks for dinner. 25 lb smoke shell landed in next field. Lumbered for 2nd. relief guard.

April 20th - During the night three HQ Tps Kangaroos loaded and conveyed KAPOK bridging. One OR wounded. C Sqn resting. 0900 - BARNEFORCE created consisting of B Sqn 4th Hussars, B Battery RHA, B Sqn 56th Recce Regt and D coy 5th Northants and commanded by Lt Col AM Barne. Intention to pass through PORTO MAGGIORE and create bridgehead around river crossing at 259703 to enable engineers to erect a bridge. B Sqn were to go forward in 3 bounds and as they passed each bound they would call forward Infantry to consolidate. Before B Sqn could reach second bound they were very heavily shelled and were completely pinned down by fire from high velocity guns. The Infantry receiving support from the Tanks were able to consolidate on bound number 2. Any movement of the Tanks brought down very heavy fire. When dusk came there were still some enemy dug-in on the river bank. A very successful day. Total bag of PoW was 176. Casualties: Major Archer was wounded, 1 OR killed and 3 wounded.
Saturday 21st. April 1945
In the column again. M.O's Kangaroo operator caught it right next to me. As night came on we were left with no flank troops & didn't feel to hot. In bed by 4 am.

April 21st - 0300 - On information from 2nd Armd Bde that enemy was pulling out, BARNEFORCE advanced to MOTTA. 1100 - B Sqn returned under command 2nd Armd Bde. 1300 - B Sqn moved to 209733 and advanced North with the Grp as reserve Sqn. 1300 - B Sqn still carrying LIR passed through bridgehead made by the Bays Grp to 190730 and made very rapid advance to 189821. An excellent run, and though the enemy were completely disorganised, there were isolated pockets of resistance. Casualties generally were very light and the run did not end until 0200 hours. Casualties: 1 Officer and 1 OR wounded.
Sunday 22nd. April 1945
Woke to find mortar crew right at my head in yard right in front of casa. Rations came up with T.R's kit (?). More prisoners. Slung my 'spare' rifle. Moved into fields.

April 22nd - 0050 - Echelon, who had been brought well forward to replenish Tanks after this long run leaguered in GUALDO area. Shortly after arrival the area was heavilly shelled, which continued for 5 hours. At dawn a civilian reported a German Officer and 2 NCOs had a field telephone 500 yards from leaguer. They were duly collected by the Recce Regt. 0600 - C Sqn carrying 9th New Zealand Bde advanced to VILLA BEATRICE, more than halfway to the RENO. A & B Sqns resting in area CONA.

Monday 23rd. April 1945
Late reveille & after usual packing found no move on. Repaired camp bed. Cooking all day. 'Unknown' firing small arms over our heads. Plane down.

April 23rd - 0600 - C Sqn continued to advance and by 1400 hours had crossed the RENO having met little or no opposition. They leaguered in area NE of CENTO. A & B Sqns resting.

Tuesday 24th.
Flap in the night & we moved off at 2 am. xxxxxxxx was blotto & consequently net was lively. Made sweep of Ferrara suburbs. Busty smashes door in.

April 24th - 0500 - A & B Sqns moved to concentration area 239868 to tie up with 2nd Armd Bde Group. 1300 - A & B advanced with the Grp, 3 Armd Sqns up. Object to clear all enemy resistance East of a line drawn North to South from river PO to FERRARA. Exciting mop-up, 8 Mark IVs and 2 SPs knocked out and 160 PoW taken. 2300 - B Sqn withdrawn to CROSSARI DOPPIA and standing by to take part in a new plan. A Sqn continued mopping-up.Casualties: 4 ORs wounded.

Wednesday 25th. April 1945
Moved off at first light. Stopped at casa where Busty fitted out old people with suit. Pulled into new H.Q. area then out again. Finally stopped at factory.

April 25th - 0200 - B Sqn moved NE through LA PAVONARA turning right at 174923. Object to reach river PO. Advance with Infantry support went well. 1Tp reached river PO at BORGO at approx 0800 hours. Sqn consolidated and was relieved by C Sqn 9th Lancers at 1300 hours. PoW 20.
April 26th - All Sqns resting.
April 27th - A, B & HQ Sqns at 24 hours notice to cross river PO.
April 28th - Nothing to report.

Sunday 29th. April 1945 *
Move off due to ops going so well up North. Musso has been bumped off. Received some mags. Captain Walmsley reckons the Regiment has 'had it'.

April 29th - C Sqn crossed the PO and Adige.

Monday 30th. April 1945
Still in same field. Small parcel arrives from home containing 'Dr.Goldstein's Medicine'. Strawberries & Cream for dinner. Film show in barn was George Raft's "Follow the boy".


April 30th - C Sqn moved to PADUA.A, B & HQ Sqns still in area 155904 awaiting to cross the river PO.

May 1945 CO: Lt Col AM Barne

MAY 1945

May 1945
Tuesday 1st. May 1945
Last day of tank cooking. Played cards in bivvie with Vic & Hewie. Taught them 'Oh Hell'

May 2nd - C Sqn moving to PADUA.

Wednesday 2nd. May 1945
Jerry threw his hand in in Italy & Austria. Fired all our 2" mortars,
phosphorous bombs & verey lights & had bonfires all over the shop.
Cease fire about 11 pm.

May 3rd - C Sqn arrived ALBANO near PADUA.

Sunday 6th. May 1945
Moved off at 8 am with Lt.Harris in my Honey. Was held up at the bridge till after 11 am. Trucks were getting ditched all night but not ours T.W.

May 6th - 1700 - HQ, A & B Sqn wheeled vehicles moved to PADUA, arriving 2359 hours. 1800 - A & B Sqn tracked vehicles left for PADUA.

Monday 7th. May 1945
No sleep but straight on to leave in Venice. Tour of the Grand Canal on gondola. St.Marco, Ponte Rialto & the whole works. With Derek & Pat (Eddie Patman)

May 7th - 0900 - Tracked vehicles arrived PADUA.

Tuesday 8th. May 1945
Filling up with petrol while Hewie has day in Venice. Packed most of the tanks. Dinner was just for Bill & I. Boys came back from leave 'dry'.

 

Ron, thanks for this info, absolutely fascinating reading, am I right in saying a Kangaroo was a armoured personnel carrier.

John

 

John

It was actually an old Sherman Mk4 with the turret removed and the sides built up to give protection to the occupants. Rungs were welded on to the sides to enable the infantry we carried to mount and dismount rapidly.

Ron

ps
The image shown below originally came from Wikipedia but I can't find the original entry

 

Ron, thanks mate... talk about improvisation, that’s something else I have just learned today....brilliant

John

 

John

I went back to my records for more on the Kangaroos and found this article:
BBC - WW2 People's War - Charlie 4 Is Not Answering My Signals

I also found this link on a New Zealand site:
Waiting in Kangaroos before crossing the Senio River | NZETC

Ron

 

Owen
Far be it for me to query your last piece but on paying a visit to Wikipedia and looking at "Sherman Variants" I spotted the following:
Turning earlier variants of the Sherman into Armored Personnel Carriers or "Kangaroos" was also common, as was turning them into recovery vehicles.
Any comment?
Ron

see also:
Kangaroo (armoured personnel carrier) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

The Canadians also used some Sextons with the 25-ponder taken out for the later operations in Normandy. I was hoping to find some photos of them in the NA site, but can't at present. I did, however, find some of the RAM Kangaroos the Canadians used.