Try searching with it's correct (German) spelling ("Bataillon" instead of "Battalion" , "Pionier" instead of "Pioneer" for example) and (in the case of German units) drop the initials (such as "Geb.", "Aufk." ,"Nachr.", etc), replacing them with the complete words ("Gebirgs", "Aufklarungs", "Nachrichten", etc)... Now that's good advice. In a similar vein, I found a while back that using 'танках' when looking for stuff on Russian tanks turns up many more interesting pages. Google translator coming in handy for the results. Maybe we do need a 'how to use google' thread?
It would be a great idea VP!. Well done to Dave for opening up the web for us when searching for German Formations. Great to see all Vets pics up here that you met guys, well done on that.
Just looking at Paul and Owen's post about Otmar Heres a webpage that confirms the 361st Pzgdr regiment as part of 90 leichte Basic Organization of Panzergrenadier-Regiment in 1942 Heres a divisional History of 90th Leichte Afirka Division Feldgrau :: 90.leichte-Afrika-Division It was destroyed in Tunisia in 1943. Did he say guys, which formation he was attached to during the Cassino campaign?
It was reformed Ger, as 90 Panzer Grenadier Division 361 Pz Gr Regt was at Cassino. I: Plans and Dispositions | NZETC Opposite the New Zealanders, Cassino station and town were manned by 211 Regiment (Major F. W. Knuth), with two battalions of its own and a third from 361 Panzer Grenadier Regiment, Otmar told us he was wounded at Aquino up the Liri Valley.
Cheers for the info mate! According to Wiki the remnants of the 90th Panzergrenadier division surrendered to the Brazilian Expeditionary force on April 28th 1945
Looking at the picture of John Dudley, I see he has two Gold Wound Stripes on his lower left sleeve. I know in the Great War British soldiers wore wound stripes, ( I think 6 is the most I've seen.) Were they also issued and worn in WW2? Are they still worn in the modern British Army ? There's a few serving soldiers who'd be entitled to them .
He's in Italy at the moment , Gurdijeff sent me this pic of him he took the other day in Sant'Angelo in Theodice, he's on the left (wearing Royal Fusiliers beret) in this group photo with some German paras
Funny to think this was two years ago - well done Andy for the citation and well done for the updated photo. Wonder what vets I will meet on the next trip?
I've just Translated those Co-ords, using grid square wQ. Just south of Florence. 819559 gives, 43° 39' 33'' N 11° 17' 41'' E Which is in Strada in Chianti , must be the Strada mentioned in the citation. 817569 gives 43° 40' 05'' N 11° 17' 30'' E a point just north of Strada. I hope that is correct.
Extract from regimental history: The Royal Fusiliers: History of the 2nd Battalion in North Africa, Italy & Greece 1943-45, Anon, (Gale & Polden, Aldershot, 1946)
I had the privilege of joining a group of Canadian veterans, and their families for the day in May 2009 - the Mignano municipality had a short ceremony of recognition. Unfortunately, I didn't note names. The two gentlemen on the left are John Dudley, who is already mentioned in this thread, and James Hall, ex RTR, who were both with our party. Richard
Owen - two things - 1) the Gold wound stripe was in use in WW2 - about two inches long - eigth of an inch wide - worn on lower left cuff. 2) - the German chap with the PG's at the Cassino station was against the 28th (Maori) bde of the Kiwi's who were supported by the 16/5th lancers of 26th bde - 6th Armoured Div. Cheers
Otmar; Panzer Grenadier. What an amazing thing it would be if he was the soldier who fired the rifle grenade into my father's trench and took off his arm and leg!! That was late March 1944. How and how badly wounded was he in May?
Great thread, how have I missed it? I will post details of the Veterans I met during my recent trip to Italy when I have sorted photos out. Lesley
Our group had the pleasure of meeting Jack Robertson aged 94, a Veteran of the Royal Engineers of Dufftown, Scotland, who was on our Leger coach for the Italian trip. He was one of the engineers who built the longest Bailey bridge over the Sangro River at night under heavy fire in October 1943. He had never seen a picture of the bridge he built until Owen found it and sent it to Paul (well done Owen). It was wonderful to see Jack's face when Paul showed him the picture. See here http://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2011/11/uk-military-bridging-world-war-ii-italy/ Paul took us back to the spot where the bridge was built and I took this wonderful photo of Jack.
