The Battle for Monte Ornito: 2nd Coldstream Guards War Diary

Discussion in 'The Brigade of Guards' started by Phaethon, Mar 13, 2009.

  1. Phaethon

    Phaethon Historian

    I've included this here as I think its a fascinating account of what life was like for a british infantry battallion during combat in the mountains of italy.

    This account specifically follows the men of the 2nd Coldstream Guards during the battle for Mounte Ornito, 7th-20th feb 1944: a time when the winter conditions were particularally harsh and when the allies were still facing a pre DIADEM stalemate. It starts when the Bn were still in Tunisia and had just recieved orders to move.

    For those interested: Mount Ornito is located Here. To the south east is San Martino where the Bn first arrived on the 7th.

    I've attached some (but not all) of the releveant appendicies into the text and put the appendix summarizing the operation first, the actual war diary follows.

    Mods feel free to move this as appropriate.


    The Battle for Mount Ornito
    Feb 8th – 20th

    Ten days before climbing up to Mount ORNITO. 1 gds Bde was training as lorried infantry to the 6th Armd Div. To be suddenly thrown into some of the hardest hill fighting yet encountered in world war II as an ordinary infantry brigade meant that there was a great many alterations to our way of thinking that could only be learnt the hard way.

    The conditions were far tougher then anything we had known. The marching and climbing up the Italian hills was something a battalion used to TCV found hard to accustom itself. The bitter cold at the top, with snow, sleet and rain, and only one blanket, later two, caused many frost bite and exposure casualties.

    The type of fighting in the mountains was something quite new to us. To build a ‘Sangar’ of stones, rather than dig our traditional slit trenches came as a surprise, and I think the lack of knowledge in this kind of self defence cost us considerable casualties. Neither had we ever encountered the enemy at such close range. In the forward company locations, the enemy were always close enough to snipe at our O.P. men, and often within the grenade throwing range. Therefore during the hours of daylight the two companies on Pts 711 and 759 could only sit on their own sides of their respective hills with very little observation of the enemy side. At night standing patrols were sent out on the forward slopes. This situation meant that an enemy force could get right to within grenade throwing range of our FDL’s without being detected. After this initial phase of an attack, a ‘stalemate’ was reached, during which grenades were thrown over the top of the hill, but any combatant showing himself over the crest would immediately be shot. In such cases we were always at a great advantage, with our fragmentation grenades, which proved far superior to the German blast grenades. These ‘Stalemates’ were always terminated by a bayonet charge over the top, after a preliminary smoke screen, resulting in large ‘scoops’ of prisoners.

    Our casualties were heavy – over 200 in 12 days. A considerable number of them were due to physical exhaustion and exposure, some due to ‘bomb happiness’, quite a lot due to small arms fire, but by far the most of out casualties were due to mortar and shellfire which caused a continual drain on our ranks.

    The ammunition expenditure was interesting. Our 2” and 3” mortars fired more bombs during the 12 days we were on ORNITO then they had fired during the whole of the north African campaign. Verey light and 2” Illuminating flares were used to a large extent at night. 90 boxes of ‘mills’ grenades were used up by the Bn. To thrown 1080 grenades at the enemy in less then a fortnight is a terrific figure.

    Supplying troops on the top of a mountain is an immense undertaking and 46 division ‘Q’ organisation was first class. No supply vehicles except Jeeps were allowed across the Garigliano’s Pontoon bridges, which periodically got swept away when the germans opened the sluice gates farther up. At the foot of the mountains the Jeeps unload, and mules carry the supplies up narrow mountain paths to the ‘Mule Head’. From there Indian porters continue the train to the Bn Dumps. Bn porters drawn from the support coy distribute to companies. In spite of the tremendous difficulties everything that could be brought was brought up – two man bivvy’s – gloves – socks – rubber soled patrol boots – NAAFI over and above the daily ammunition and rations. Down the same rout all casualties were evacuated. Every few hundred yards are stretcher bearer posts, and stretcher cases are handed on down this line from post to post. This is the only possible system, and it is well organized. But it means that a man however badly wounded, has to wait 14-20 hrs before he can get proper treatment.

    The enemy troops opposite us, were, for the most part II Bn 104 Panzer Grenadier Regiment, from 15 Panzer Division. They had sufficient artillery and mortars to give ORNITO a continuous ‘stonk’ far heavier then anything we had previously encountered, and which will be long remembered. They attacked the ORNITO positions four times, once with two Bns, and three times with a single company 50-50 strong. All these attacks were put in with badly timed artillery support, and were pressed home with little vigour. This latter reason was one of the main factors for the enemy’s continued failure, for these particular hills favoured the attacker, and were comparatively difficult to defend. After every single attack the enemy used men waving red cross flags to try and extricate their surviving soldiers. The other noticeable tactic employed by the enemy was that of working small parties forward of his own FDLs to observe and snipe. Verey light were used to call for and to call of artillery support. The prisoners were of a quite reasonable size and age, and all except the officer showed definite pleasure at being made a prisoner and complete willingness to talk.



    WAR DIARIES
    2nd Bn Cldm Gds
    Commanding officer: Lt Col H.R. Norman
    Feb 1944

    1st Feb:
    Day of frantic organisation, making up and issuing of G. 1098.
    Handing back of 19 Sets, wireless P.U’P, and other purely armoured divisional equipment.

    Officers promotions. Capt R.C. Alderson is promoted Major.
    Lieuts D.A.M. Toler and T.R.E. Jackson to Capt.

    2nd Feb:
    1000: Advance party, consisting of Maj R.C. Alderson, Capt J.D.G. Fortescue, Capt T.R.E. Jackson, Capt D.A.H. Toler, Lieut A.F.V. Fernell Watson, I.C. and 132 Other range sets off.

    1700: Advance party leaves Phillipeville in French cruiser ‘Fantastique’

    3rd Feb:
    0915: Main body leaves Constantine for Phillipeville in TCVs.

    1015: All Commanding Officers leave by plane for Italy, where they are to meet the new Brigadier. (Brig. J.C. Hayden. G.B.E. D.S.C)

    1115: Advance party disembarks at Naples harbour and marches to Transit Camp three miles north of the town.

    1400: Main body embarks at Phillipeville in the Ville d’Oran.

    It is made known that 1 Gds Bde is u/c 16 Corps, but is still part of 6 Armd Div.

    4th Feb:

    0700: Main body sets sail from Phillipeville.
    1000: Advance marty move in TCVs to SESSA AURUNCA, M.9472, where the Bn is to be billeted when it arrives/

    Extra transport is drawn up.


    APPENDIX:
    (Researchers note: the following appendix is repeated here in its entirety)

    “Thirty 3 ton Lorries for TP carrying are being provided when required under arrangement 10 corps. Vehs will form up in the CORSA LUCILLO (Main street of SESSA) facing north with their head short of the cinema car park and their tail near the main arch. APM 10 corps is arranging to clear the main street in SESSA.

    Lorries are allotted SIX per rifle Coy and Sp Coy, 5 HQ coy and 1 spare. MTO will arrange for these to be marked accordingly on arrival.”

    5th Feb:

    1000: Main body disembarks at Naples harbour and moved to SESSA AURUNCA by TCV and railway, arriving at 0045 hrs 5 Feb. ’44.

    1700: Commanding Officer rejoins Bn at SESSA after recce with Brigadier
    1900: Conference at Bde HQ for Commanding Officers. Plan is divulged. App ‘A’

    6th Feb:
    Conference for Coy Commanders.

    0930-1600: Commanding officer and ‘C’ group recce ground for projected attack.

    2000: Conference at Bde HQ for Commanding Officers.

    During the day the Bn is issued with a completely new G.1098 from Corps and Div pools, as all ours had been left behind with the Tpt.

    7th Feb:

    0900: Transport and rear party leaves Constantine for BONE.

    1200: All I.C’s leave to go on Recce Patrol night 7/8 of projected route the Bde is to follow in the forthcoming attack.

    1600: The Bn leaves SESSA AURUNCA in TCVs and is carried to S.MARTINO 9497, and marched from there to re-entrant 8802, where they spent the remainder of the night.

    8th Feb:

    Owing to the 138 Bde failing to capture Mount FAITO, 8504 the original project is abandoned.

    1300: The commanding officer is ordered to recce for an attack on FAITO that night.

    1500: The order is countermanded. The Bn is to take over the Mont ORNITO possns from 2/4/ KOYLI.

    Everest Carriers and Rucksacks are issued to the Bn.

    1600: The Bn moved up to the Cheshire dump 872024

    1830: The Bn relives 2/4 KOYLI under fire.
    Coy posns are as follows:
    No 1 Coy 860033
    No 2 Coy 969034
    No 3 Coy 862035
    Bn HQ 868032

    We suffer casualties during the take over, and afterwards have a quiet night.

    0600: No 2 Coy finds Germans lying up close to their forward posns, and send out patrols to try and bring them it, but the enemy fire on the party as it returns wounding the prisoners who have to be abandoned.

    9th Feb:
    1000: Bn HQ and No 1 Coy move forward to the reverse slopes of mount ORNITO

    1100: The Bn is ordered to prepare to attack mount FAIT that night.

    1500: Commanding officers O group assembles at Bn HQ to learn the orders for the attack.

    1530: The order is countermanded by telephone.

    A night of continuous rain and bitter cold. These conditions and the physical exertions of the past three days taxed the Bn’s endurance to the limit.



    Casualties. Officers Killed 1 (Lieut F.M. Milton Green)
    Wounded 1 (Lieut R.E. Hyde)
    Missing NIL

    Other ranks Killed 3
    Wounded 9
    Missing NIL

    Feb 10th:

    1100: Enemy movement observed in front of out FDL’s
    Some of our own shells fall short in Coy Areas.

    1130: Air bursts over fwd coy areas and Bn Hq.

    1235: Intensified shelling by the enemy. Snow and sleet. Visibility bad. No 3 Coy is subjected to intense mortar and shell fire.

    1400: 50 men from III/71 Panzer Grenadier Regt attack No 2 and 3 Coys.
    Shells from our own arty continue to fall short.

    3 Coy ask for reinforcements. No 7 Pl, under Capt T.R.K Jackson is send round No 3 Coys left flank.

    1600: The attack is successfully beaten off. The enemy withdraws. 7 P.O.W. taken.

    Soon after Dusk. No 1 Coy relieved 2 Coy.
    2 Coy relieved 3 Coy on Pt 711.

    On our left 3 gren Gds take over the posns on Mount TUGA.
    On our right 3 W.C. take over the posns on CERASOLA.

    Casualties. Officers Killed 1 (Capr. T.R.E. Jackson)
    Wounded 2 (Lieut A Pemberton)
    (Lieut A.F.V. Farnell Watson)
    Missing NIL


    Other ranks Killed 6
    Wounded 43
    Missing NIL

    11th Feb:
    0600: 6 Germans who were observed at first light close to No 1 Coys FDLs were taken P.O.W. They came from I/71 Pz Gren Regt, and gave valuable information about the defences on FAITO.

    0915: No 1 Coy reports Germans with red cross flags behaving suspiciously in front of them. They try and pin them down with fire but they get away.

    1100: 2 German stretcher bearers and one infantryman give themselves up to No 4 coy.

    Germans continue to move around in front of no 1 coy under the cover of Red Cross flags.

    1430: 10 corps Commander visits the Bn.

    1600: Enemy shell our 3” Mortar posns.

    2030: A patrol sent out from No 1 Coy encountered an MG post. Lieut W. Birkbeok and 1 O.R. wounded.

    Casualties: Officers Killed Nil
    Wounded 1 (Lieut W. Birkbeck)
    Missing NIL

    Other Ranks Killed 1
    Wounded 3
    Missing NIL

    12th Feb:

    Major Eales, (artillery officer with Bn HQ) is relieved by Capt Johnson (71 Fd Regt)

    2 man Bivvy tents, leather gloves, new boots and some rubber soled patrol boots are issued.

    A day of intermittent shell and mortar fire.

    Casualties. Officers killed NIL
    Wounded NIL
    Missing NIL

    Other ranks Killed 1
    Wounded 4
    Missing NIL

    13th Feb:

    0800: Two enemy reconnaissance planes fly over the Bn Area.

    A comparatively quiet day, mortaring and shelling was considerably reduced.

    Casualties: Officers Killed NIL
    Wounded NIL
    Missing NIL

    Other Ranks Killed 2
    Wounded 3
    Missing NIL

    14th Feb:
    Our fighting patrols confirm enemy in posn very close to our own FDLs at night

    1250: 4th Div Commander visits the Bn.

    A German pillbox on the top of FAITO received a direct hit, but remained undemolished. However after the bombardment had ceased 9 German stretcher cases were seen being carried down the German RAP behind FAITO.

    1700-1800: Enemy bring down heavy shell and mortar fire on No 1 Coy, causing a few casualties.

    Casualties: Officers NIL
    O.R.’s Killed 1
    Wounded 4
    Missing NIL.

    After staying for 7 days in a transit camp near Bone the transport and rear part sailed for Italy in the ‘George Leonard’

    15th Feb:

    1115: The Bde Commander visits the Bn.

    1300-1500: Enemy Shell No 3 Coy posns.

    2100: Night fighting patrols

    Casualties NIL.

    16th Feb:

    0100: No 1 Coy sends out two more fighting patrols

    1100: Bde Commander visits the Bn,

    1300: Commanding officer and I.O. go to the top of mount TUGA to observe the Bn posns from there.

    1800: No 2 Coy relieves No 1 Coy.

    Casualties: Officers NIL.

    Other Ranks: Killed NIL
    Wounded NIL
    Missing 1

    17th Feb:

    0500: No 2 Coy observe Germans on the forward slopes of Pt 711 (No 4 Coy’s hill). A brisk fire and grenade fight developed.

    0630: A Pl from No 1 Coy went forward in a left hook and cut off 6 germans who were made P.O.W. The Pl was pinned down by fire.
    No 4 Coy inflict a large number of casualties on the enemy by sniping and grenade throwing.

    0800: Stalemate is reached.

    0930: A few shells from our own guns fall short into the Bn HQ area.

    0932: Smoke screen is laid, through which No 4 Coy charge and clear fwd slopes of hill, with complete success. 26 P.O.W. are taken, II/104 Pz Gren Regt

    4 Coy return to their original posns.

    Enemy try to withdraw to their original posns under cover of a Red Cross. Fls g, this move is terminated by a few rounds of gun fire.

    1200: Visit from 10 corps commanders, who congratulates the Bn on it’s performance.

    1730: Enemy reopen their attack. Small parties crawl up to within grenade throwing range of Pt 711. Grenade and small arms fire are interchanged up till 2030 hrs.

    1800: No 2 and 4 cots ask for reinforcements. Pls from 1 and 3 Coys are sent to reinforce No 4 Coy.

    1900: Both Pls suffer considerable casualties from mortar fire on their way to pt 711.

    2330: ‘D’ Coy ¼ Hamps takes over 3 Coy posns on the reverse slopes of Ornito. 3 Coy moves across to join No 1 Coy

    No 4 Coy report enemy are still on the fwd slopes of Pt 711 but have not renewed their attacks.

    The attack on No 2 Coy appears only to have been diversionary, and the enemy have withdrawn,

    4 germans from III/129 Pz Gren Regt, who have lost their way, walk into our lines and give themselves up.

    2345: 2 Coy 3 Gren Gds comes into reserve behind No 1 Coy. They are told that they may have to do a dawn counter attack on Pt 711.

    Casualties. Officers Killed NIL
    Wounded 2 (Lieut J.B. Faller)
    (Lieut R.J. Sheridan)
    Missing NIL

    Other Ranks Killed 6
    Wounded NIL
    Missing 3

    18th Feb:

    0600: No 4 Coy reports that they are still holding their original posns and that the enemy are on the other side of pt 711, but not showing themselves much.
    The Bn Comd decide not to use 2 Coy 3 Gren gds in a counter attack, but adopt the same tactics as the previous morning. A large scale smoke and HE barrage is prepaed.

    0920-0945: 4 Fd Regts, 1 Med Regt, 2” and 3 Mortars lat smoke and HE on all likely targets.

    0945: 4 Coy make frontal assault., and cleat the fwd slopes of Pt 711. 10 P.O.W. taken, these are from the pioneer coy of 104 Pz Gren Regt.

    1100: 1 & 3 Cots form a composite Coy under Maj H.J.L Green.
    1200: Comd 46 Div visits the Bn.
    1300: C.C. and I.O 2 Hamps make preliminary recce for their relief
    1500: 2 coy 3 Gren Gds relieve 4 coy on Pt 711. 4 Coy go into reserve.
    1800: 48 reinforcements arrive from ‘B’ Ech.

    Casualties: Officers NIL
    Other Ranks Killed 2
    Wounded 29
    Missing 1

    19th Feb:

    0500: Heavy artillery and mortar fire on our own and 3. W.G. posns.

    0515: Large force of enemy, est 400-500 men, III/129, I/104, Pl II/129 attacked our right flank in an attempt to cutt off CERASOLA. The attack was held by 2 coy and ‘D’ Coy ¼ Hamps.

    Some very severe fighting on top of ORNITO.

    1000: Situation cleared up. 65 P.O.W. taken. (110 between coldm Gds and 3 W.G.)

    0900-1845: Enemy arty and mortar fire keep the whole of the Bn area under heavy fire, which causes casualties in all locations.

    1000: Major Wilson (71 Fd Regt) is killed by a direct hit on his sangar which causes difficulties in counter battery fire, as all his comns were destroyed at the same time.

    1545: Capt. Singelton (71 Fd Regt) arrived to take Maj. Wilson’s place.

    The Bn rear party arrive in Naples Harbour and moved to a transit camp three miles North of the town.

    Casualties. Officers. Wounded 1 (Lieut A.C.G Ponsonby)
    Other Ranks Killed 6
    Wounded 30
    Missing 1

    20th Feb:

    1000: Advance party from 2 Hamps arrive in Bn Area.

    1300: No 1,3, and 4 Coys are relieved by ‘Y’ Coy 2 Hamps.

    1450: Bn HQ, Sp Coy, and ‘D’ Coy ¼ are relieved, the latter by ‘Z’ Coy.

    1650: 2 Coy relieved by ‘W’ Coy

    1700: 7 German stretcher bearers approach Pt 711 and ask for an Armistice until 1900 hrs to bury their dead. The Bde comd of 128 Bde, who was at Bn HQ asked advice from G.O.C 46 Div.

    1 S.B. is to be sent back and 6 are to the blindfolded and led back through our lines for interrogation.

    1730: The order is countermanded, all stretcher bearers are to be sent back to their own lines with a note from the G.O.C. 46 Div, to the effect that the truce has been refused, and that all future emissaries will be taken P.O.W.

    1930: 2 Coy 3 Gren Gds are relieved by ‘X’ Coy 2 Hamps. C.O. and I.O. now that the take over is complete, start down the hill.

    2330: All the Bn are in their billets at CASALE. 0090.

    Casualties. Officers. NIL
    Other Ranks Killed 2
    Wounded 7
    Missing NIL

    Consolidates statement of casualties.

    Officers: Killed 2
    Wounded 7
    Missing 0
    Total 9

    Other Ranks: Killed 31
    Wounded 145
    Missing 5 (2 Believed Killed)
    Total 181

    21st Feb:

    a.m. Rest
    p.m. Baths and Cinema

    22nd Feb:

    1100: 46 Div commander talks to the whole Bn, congratulating them on their excellent performance under such severe conditions. He said that the comd 128 Bde, a veteran fighter, carried out a personal recce of Pt 711 and stated that he had never, in all his long experience, seen so many German dead in one place as there was in front of Pt 711/

    p.m. Kit inspections, NAAFI ration, Pay, Cinema.

    1700: Regimental Lieutenant Colonel visits all Coys.
    Commanding officers conference for all Coy comds.

    p.m. 4 officers and 123 O.R’s arrive from the I.R.T.D.
    Transport and rear party left Naples and arrived p.m. at the Bn ‘B’ Ech, PETRULO 1391.

    24th Feb:

    a.m. Coy Comds conference. Reinforcements allotted to Coys. Coy reorganization.

    25th Feb:

    1100: Bde Commander visits the Bn. And talks to the men; congratulating them on their excellent performance under such gruelling conditions.

    Sickness in the Bn very high, mainly sore feet. (Appendix ‘C’)

    APPENDIX
    Appendix ‘C’ to war Diary – Feb ‘44
    (Researchers note: the following appendix is repeated here in its entirety)

    “Sudden transfer from a reserve area in North Africa to a mountainous part of the Italian front reacted strongly to the health of the battalion. In addition to the fortnights 200 casualties, about 60- men were evacuated through sickness and on coming out of the line there were around 75 cases of trench foot, a number of which had to go to hospital. The battalion was particularly unfortunate in taking over its mountain positions in a particularly wet and cold period. There were a number of exposure cases and about two men per day were evacuated suffering from sheer physical exhaustion and exposure. Under such conditions nervous strain is of course greatly enhanced, and one man was evacuated with nervous breakdown. Hardly a man came down to the rest area without some ache, or pain, or sore.

    26th Feb:

    1600: Regimental Lieutenant Colonel laves to visit the 3rd Coldm Gds.

    27th Feb:

    0900: Drill Parade.

    p.m. Baths, ENSA Concert.
    Bn will take over 46 Div right hand Bn area 8804. from 6 Lincs night ½ Mar.

    28th Feb:
    0930: C.O. and I.O. make recce of new Bn area.
    1530: Bde Hq informs the Bn Commanderthat only one Coy (4 Coy) will be required. They will take over right hand Coy posn, the remainded will be the responsibility of 3 W.G. 4 Coy will be relieved on ¾ Mar ’44.

    29th Feb:

    0900-1300: C.O. and O.C. 4 Coy make recce.

    1630: New orders received from Bde HQ. The Bn will not take over any posns. 2 dets of Mortars will come u/C 3 W.G. in this area. The Bn is to be in Corps Reserve. It will be billeted at SESSA ARUNCA (9593) from where it must be prepared to make a counter attack on 5 Div front. Appendix ‘D’
     
    von Poop and dbf like this.
  2. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    Good stuff Phaethon, moved to 'Unit Documents' and clarified the heading slightly.
    ~A
     
  3. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    You just can't beat moving from Algeria to the Mountains of Italy when the snow was still on the ground - the 6th Armoured div does not get very good coverage for their actions in Italy but they did a tremendous job when they landed in the mountains with the 1st guards who had just joined them in North Africa when the 38th Bde went over to the 78th Div - the guards were shuttled around quite a bit - in and out of 6th Armoured like fiddlers elbows....

    We were lucky to land in spring weather and have a few weeks to train with the Canadians before Diadem..... then I spent the next nasty winter in a very cosy bed in Catania....

    Cheers
     
  4. Damiano

    Damiano In the shadow of Monte Cassino

    A story about the Ornito Battle:

    Ornito - Italy

    All the best, Gurdjieff
     
  5. quiet mike

    quiet mike Junior Member

    Just found this thread on a google search, many thanks for posting, it will help me put some meat on the bones of my uncles diary. He died several years ago now, but in 2000 I transcribed the diary and printed off a few copies for him to give to family and friends. I am now in the process of re-scanning it and sharing it online.

    Diary of a D-Day Dodger - a set on Flickr

    The Diary of Guardsman R. J. Bailey 2659931
    2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards
     
  6. Phaethon

    Phaethon Historian

    Hi Mike, always great to hear from another 2nd Bn family, especially one from the support company.

    Im currently in the phase of re-organizing the war diaries for this site into one collection... something I've had to put off for a while due to my studies (which I just found I passed on friday). I am on the case however!

    A PM has been sent!
     
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