Hi Tom Looks like you had a one hell of a bad time. Sorry that you had lost so many of your friends in Italy. It must have been hard to lose friends like the ones you have grown to respect and work beside. Even if you try and imagine I would be way of the mark. Darren
Darren - many were lost - so all we could do was bury them - remember them - and say hello to their replacements and hope they had better luck - I have been back to see many of their graves particularly at Coriano Ridge and I can honestly say that they are in a most beautiful and well kept cemetery which was donated - with thanks by the Italian people - and kept immaculate by the efforts of the local schoolchildren of Coriano - who are - as most children - vicious, especially towards weeds and the like. Von Poop I note that your photo of the "B" line magazine was the September 1944 issue- which doesn't surprise me that they had the time to compile and print this in the midst of the Coriano Ridge battles - as they had TWO weeks rest(sic) in Cattolica at that time - WE - 145th RAC - had TWO whole DAYS - before it was back to work at San Martino to lose some more Tanks and Crews.....their nickname of "Golden Tracks" was well merited ! Cheers
Hello, just joined the forum. I am trying to trace details on my Dad who served in North Africa and Italy during WW2. I have emailed Bovington Tank Museum but unfortunately do not have his service number. Dad served in the 48 Royal Tank Regiment. Just wondered if anyone might be able to advise where to look for information on him and if there are any publications on the 48 RTR in WW2 in general as interested in the history. Dad told me quite a few stories though mainly about Italy but would be interested to know more. Dad was injured whilst shot by a sniper in March 1945. There was a reference i noticed as to 48 RTR may have had some Sherman's in Italy late in the war, Dad said he was in a Sherman in Italy for some of the war. Thanks James
James - 1962 You are quite right as I have an extract from the Gothic Line Battles by the 48th RTR- and it is quite clear that a composite squadron was made up on the 5th September - and "B" Squadron now consisted of SdnHQ = 2 Churchills;1st troop Lt Rainey "A" Sqdn =3 Churchills ;3 troop Capt Harvey "A" Sqdn =3 Churchills; 5 Troop Lt Buckley "C" sqdn=3 Churchills;2 Troop Lt Rowell"A"sqdn = 3 Shermans;4Troop Lt Gorringe "A"Sqdn = 3 Shermans.... The 48th had taken bit of a beating and the FDS was running out of replacements - so they send in the Shermans- the 12th Also had some but I cannot recall having any in the 145th RAC although we lost more Churchills than the others Cheers
james1962 my grandfather also served in the 48th RTR both in north africa and italy. My I ask, what squadron was he in? I might be able to put you on to someone who can help you a bit more. Cheers Darren
Hello Ollie My Uncle was with the 48th but sadly is no longer with us. However I am in touch with an old veteran (a Tank Commander) of the 48th. He is in his 90s and in a Care Home at present. I plan to telephone him this week and will ask if he has any knowledge of the magazine. If you wish I will also ask if he would be willing for me to pass on his details to you. Barb
Hello Darren (Lennysden) Can I ask a big favour as you have the book With Churchills to War. Can you please see if my uncle's name is mentioned - Bertram (Bert or Andy) Andrews Army No.7902671 Many thanks for your time. Barb 20
Can anyone help please. My Uncle was with the 48th during early 1941 and attended an Emergency Cook's Course. After qualifying his records show that he used his skills from June 1941 to December 1941 before embarking with the 48th to Sierra Leone. In September 1941 onwards his records show that he was receiving Cooks Pay and the name Abelrose is mentioned. Was this a camp or a ship? Has anyone heard this before? I am not sure how his services as a cook would have been used whilst with the 48th RTR.
Barb 20 easy one - ALL tank regiments had cooks - and cook houses- they came up frequently very close to the fighting at times - and some were wounded like our own Sgt Cook at the Gothic Line.....and some were shot by friendly fire from their colleagues if they didn't like what was offered - I recall having a very small sheep's heart in a strange liquid for breakfast one day- which warranted a mass shooting of so called cooks - but we had a 6'4 "Orderly"Officer who advised against such actions See my account of Cook houses in Tunisia 1943 in my signature below Cheers
Thanks for the intro to your stories Tom. I will enjoy these when I get the time. Thanks also for clarifying the situation with regard to cooks. Do you know how I can find out whether Abelrose was a ship or a camp? I was very amused about your cook's story.
Barb20 Abelrose sounds more like a ship than a camp which were always a bit more prosaic such as IRTD #1 CHEERS
My father served as a driver in the 48th A Tank regiment. He was captured in Italy when his tank was blown up. Only him and his co driver survived and the Italians passed them to the Germans. This happened in September of 1944. He was given out on loan for the day to another unit. My brother and myself are trying to find out more. We think he was helping with the Canadians at the time. Would you be able to tell us what was happening in Italy in September 1944. Thank you.
Ginney Hello and welcome to the forum. Perhaps you could tell us your fathers name? If you have any photos of him would you mind posting them here? Lesley
Ginney You are quite right - the 48th RTR were "helping" the Canadians at that time as a member of 21st Tank Bde attached to the 1st Canadian Division in the Battles at the Gothic Line in August/ September of 1944- so if you can give me some more details I might be able to pin point where he was actually knocked out - OK Cheers
Hello Tom and Ginney, drop me an personal message Ginney, I am writing something about what the 21st Tank brigade was up to in Aug-Sept 1944, and I have got the 48th RTR war diary for those 2 months from the National Archives. Merlin PS Would anyone have a copy of the war diary for either of the following RE and RA units for August or September 1944? 3rd Field Sqn RE and B Sqn 1st Assault Regiment RE 24th Field Regiment (SP) Royal Artillery 56th Anti Tank Regiment RA Thanks in advance Merlin
Merlin recently found my copy of the "Gothic Line Battle" as well as "Churchills in the Mediterranean" - which might help your study - and Ginney so e-mail me with your address and I can ship them to you - AS LONG AS I GET THEM BACK- or else ! Cheers
I have just come back from a weekend away with my brother in law and his 97 year old father, Fred Abbott, who we found out was with the 48th Royal Tank Regiment and served in North Africa and Italy. I am trying to find out what battles he may have been involved in and the conditions under which he lived during the War. Wonder if someone can point me in the right direction ? Are the war diaries in the National Archives available online ?
Pondfield your best bet is to get a copy of the 48th War diaries then his service record - which takes a few months from Glasgow but some posters can copy the diaries from kew for a small fee Cheers
Welcome pondfield. WW2 war diaries are not available to view online, but as Tom says there are a couple of members on here who can copy them for you at a very reasonable cost. I am sure they will be along soon to help you. Lesley
Thanks to both of you. My brother in law has never been able to get his father to talk much about his war experiences, which isn't unusual. In fact up until a couple of days ago all he knew was that his father fought in Italy at some point. I know a little about the war from my research into my own relatives, so was able to broach the subject with Fred and he slowly began to give us snippets of information. In fact at lunch today he told us that he trained with the 48th Tank Regiment at Wickham Market (not far from where we were staying) and then went on to Africa and Italy. We really want to obtain more background on what he might have experienced so that we can broach the subject again and find out more about his war. He is a remarkably healthy 97 years old but you never know how many opportunities you will get. Grateful for any help. Simon