Salerno Maps

Discussion in 'Italy' started by Packhow75, Jan 7, 2013.

  1. ClankyPencil

    ClankyPencil Senior Member

    Tom

    I've got a fair few of the War Diaries for the 138th & 139th Brigades (& the Beach Group units) for Salerno. If you want any of them give me a nudge.
     
  2. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    Hi Clanky, would that be Beach Groups: 3, 4, & 21?.. Talking of miscellaneous units, do you happen to have the war diary of the "Q"
    Air Liaison Section (Photo Reconnaissance Unit?). I'm just wondering if they have any aerial photos? I've asked Andy to have a look at a different diary has to if there was any photos - but no joy. I would have to look back has to what the WO file number was! It may be the same one? Another question, was all of the above Beach Groups attached to 46 Division for there time at Salerno? Sorry for all of the questions..

    Regards,
    Stu.
     
  3. Gary Tankard

    Gary Tankard Well-Known Member

    Stu, there's an AIR file with lots of aerial photos of Salerno and the surrounding area. Or are you referring to a specific diary?
     
  4. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    Hi Gary,

    That sounds interesting, do you know the file reference?

    Regards

    Tom
     
  5. Gary Tankard

    Gary Tankard Well-Known Member

    Hi Tom,

    I think it was this one http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C754868.

    I didn't have time to copy all the photos last time but I can do so next time I'm down in a few weeks. The photos weren't captioned from what I remember so it takes a bit of knowledge to determine what part of the bay and interior they are from.

    Edit - it might have been have been this one (although I'm sure it was an AIR file) Italy: air photographs of Salerno 1943 Apr.26. Includes 149 photographs depicting: Air... | The National Archives

    Regards,
    Gary.
     
  6. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    At fifteen sheets, it will probably be the bargIn of the year. Lets hope they are all of top quality?

    Lets hope they bothered to take as many at Anzio & Cassino? Even more of a find of the Century.

    Thank-you
    Gary. Edit - you have also helped me out with them Cab No's!
     
    Last edited: Oct 23, 2018
  7. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    Gary,

    Great, thanks. They do look interesting.

    Stu,

    Anzio would be v interesting as well for me.

    Regards

    Tom
     
  8. ClankyPencil

    ClankyPencil Senior Member

    Yes. I have 3, 4 & 21 Beach Groups, but i don't have any Air Liaison ones.

    From memory No.3 & 21 were allocated to the 56th Division area & No.4 to the 46th Division (along with a Beach 'Brick' - maybe No.35), but units within them interchanged areas & Divisions as the Landings proceeded and the need arose. When i get time i'll check through them again & confirm.
     
  9. Gary Tankard

    Gary Tankard Well-Known Member

  10. Gary Tankard

    Gary Tankard Well-Known Member

    Some of the aerial photo collections can turn out to be a tad disappointing especially if not in context; although interesting to see the terrain and extent of the towns and villages. Some of the more interesting ones randomly turn up in the unit WDs. Everyone concentrates on the infantry battalion WDs for obvious reasons but for example I came across some great ones showing the bridges and routes across the Volturno at Capua in October 1943 in one the 56 CRE WD.
     
  11. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    What a shocking attempt to stitch two sections of a photo that is missing the middle one.Having said that, this must be early 44..

    Gary, do you have anymore more info on it? I can see your point on being a tad disappointing.

    Stu.
     
  12. Gary Tankard

    Gary Tankard Well-Known Member

    Hi Stu,

    That is one of a number that covers the entire British and US landing beaches at Anzio. I actually think the one above is quite good. It was certainly good enough to be used for the planning of the operation. The photos I referred to as sometime being disappointing are those that are of the Italian countryside with no annotations or analysis.

    Cheers,
    Gary.
     
  13. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Gary.

    Would you mind emailing me a high resolution copy of the Anzio harbour aerial photo?

    Regards

    Frank
     
  14. Gary Tankard

    Gary Tankard Well-Known Member

    Frank,

    Sure I'll send a full size phot of this over...

    anzio_harbour.jpg
     
    stolpi likes this.
  15. ropey

    ropey Member

    Tim, do the maps show the German strongpoints - eg, Moltke? I can see defenses marked but can't make them out in the shots above.
     
  16. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    Hi Gary,

    I'm not questioning has to if the above map was not good enough for the entire British & US landings at the different beaches at Anzio.
    I've highlighted in red in which the aerial photo has been stitched together ( in a shocking way!) I do think the above one could have been better. If you do don't mind, I'd like to see any more that you have of the all Anzio campaign? We are getting away from the thread of Salerno Maps.

    Cheers,
    Stu. P.S. You do know how to work a camera. Not being sarcastic here..o_O

    anzio_harbour.jpg
     
  17. Stuart Avery

    Stuart Avery In my wagon & not a muleteer.

    Hi ropey, i think it may be wise to contact Frank de Planta regarding these maps? Tim was last seen in Jan-2018. I'll be getting on his case to pass them on. He ordered a set of 10 a while back.

    Stu.
     
  18. Gary Tankard

    Gary Tankard Well-Known Member

    Yes, the photo montage has been created out of multiple photos. This is from, I would guess, a Spitfire PR flying at low level. This montage was produced by MAPRW and officially used for planning of Operation Shingle - so I don't think we should be criticising their photographic abilities 70+ on..
     
    Owen likes this.
  19. Crosbygirl

    Crosbygirl Junior Member

    Hi my name is Ann and I haven't been on the Forum for quite some while, too busy transcribing Memoirs of Italy Campaign Veterans for a book that I hope will be published asap, so I apologise for getting in touch this late in the day. I am desperately looking for WW2 Maps of Italy in order for me to trace my late father's journey from Taranto to Austria with the 39/LAA Royal Artillery. I have tried both the IWM and Kew but each say their maps are in storage and unavailable. Any further ideas would be greatly appreciated.
    Kind regards
    Ann
     
    Paul Nield likes this.
  20. BFBSM

    BFBSM Very Senior Member

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