Chaps, Does anybody have any War diaries relating to April 1945 for either the 78th division or the 56th Division? Bexley's truly excellent website has yielded some for the 38th Brigade (Cheers Bexley - very useful), but are there any other that people would be willing to share? A bit cheeky I know but still... I'm planning on going to Padua later in the year with my other half and would like to plot some points for me to see around Argenta whilst there. Any help gratefully received.
C, Many thanks for the kind comments. I suppose you would want a number of them. Hope you get the links (and I don't think cheeky at all..) You might well have seen this overview narrative, which I'll need to transcribe and sort out properly before April 2015. http://www.irishbrigade.co.uk/pages/eyewitness-accounts/78th-division---final-offensive-in-northern-italy.php I stayed in Padua a couple of years ago - superb history and cultural links. Scrovegni Chapel is excellent. best
Combover You might also try the diaries of the 16/5th Lancers - 17th /21st Lancers - Lothian and Border Horse - who had something to do with the Argenta Gap as I recall - with the 16/5th ending up at place called FINALLE….which was most apt... When in Padua do have a look at St Anthony's Cathedral - as you go in you will be stunned - as I was by the mural of the Saint from Poland who volunteered to give his life for that of a married man with children - took him ten days to die then he was injected for taking too long… Cheers PS - the priest's name is Maximillian Kolbe
Thank you all so much for the information and suggestions. I'll look up the 56th Recce diary Mitch. and Tom, thanks for the 16/5th suggestion, I'll see what I can find on them. And Bexley, your website deserves the praise. It's very good indeed. I just need the 56th Div information now! Best wishes, Tom