38th (Irish) Brigade from Algiers to Austria, a film series.

Discussion in 'North Africa & the Med' started by bexley84, Jun 11, 2018.

  1. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    Pleasingly, we were able to premiere Part 6 of our film series on Zoom last night .. this one covers the fighting advance from the Liri Valley to Trasimeno during May and June 1944 and thence the Irish Brigade heading off for some "rest and relaxation" in Egypt.

    We were delighted to be joined again by special guest, Ron Goldstein....and also more than half a dozen children of men who served with the Irish Brigade in Italy and a number of experts on the campaign, including Richard Doherty and forum member Janet vitellino. It was quite a party.

    Enjoy the film.

     
    Last edited: Mar 23, 2021
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  2. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Once again Richard my congratulations.
     
  3. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    Thanks Tony.. so much to include.. so much to leave out...
     
  4. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Well done again !

    Best regards to all

    Ron
     
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  5. Wobbler

    Wobbler Well-Known Member

    I’ve just come across this thread and watched Part 3. I started with this one, rather than Parts 1 and 2, because of, I am unashamed to admit, family reasons, my grandad having fought across Sicily with 5th Division.

    I was totally absorbed “sharing” the journey with you. The now and then shot of Centuripe was a great touch and very effective, and it was most moving to see the CWG Cemetery in Catania, in which I know men of his Regiment also lie.

    Although Gramps did not fight with the Irish Brigade, for the first time I got a very real feel for the terrain, scenery and climate that he would have experienced, especially the Simeto River at which I know he saw action and the hazy view across to Reggio Calabria which he would have looked at with, perhaps, some trepidation. Perhaps he even stood on the exact same spot for that view as you...

    It was interesting to hear that your father had been hospitalised with malaria in Augusta, captured by 5th Div, and I wonder if that was at nearby Melilli, which was later, according to George Aris’s book, made good use of by the RAMC as a hospital centre.

    Great stuff, Richard, I now look forward to watching the others and, indeed, reading the book.
     
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  6. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    Martin,

    Excellent indeed and thanks for the kind words... Sicily in August was pretty unforgiving for all the men - the 5th Div in the vanguard of the advance up the east coast of course.

    If you, or anyone else, have any appetite, we've been hosting regular monthly Zoom sessions to cover different campaign periods. This Monday, for instance, we're re-looking at Part 2 of our film series - to mark the 78th anniversary of the 78th Division's fighting north of Medjez-el-Bab in Tunisia...we shall be joined by Ian Mitchell, author of the very excellent 'Battle of the Peaks and Longstop Hill'.

    When: Apr 19, 2021 18:00 London
    Register in advance for this meeting:
    Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Battle of the Peaks, April 1943. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

    After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

    best wishes
     
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  7. Wobbler

    Wobbler Well-Known Member

    Thanks for that. Mind you, I confess to not yet having joined the Zoom ranks!
     
  8. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    The wonders of YouTube delivered just 'The Irish Brigade in Tunisia - December 1942 to May 1943' which was added a few hours ago and appears to be from a different maker from the clips shown earlier. The script refers to:
    The clip is 77 mins long and I have not listened to much, so cannot attest to the quality.

    Link:
     
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  9. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    Edmund is my brother.

    Paul does hosts some excellent shows.... this week is North Africa week:

    Tuesday was Torch:


    Monday was The Desert Air Force:
     
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  10. Mick Stewart

    Mick Stewart Faugh a Ballagh

    Phenom series.
     
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  11. bexley84

    bexley84 Well-Known Member

    Thank you.

    We are still hoping to film Parts 7/8 in May (2022?).. north of Florence to the Po and into Austria.

    best wishes
     
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  12. Mick Stewart

    Mick Stewart Faugh a Ballagh

    Richard, many thanks and good luck in with parts 7 & 8.

    Mick
     
  13. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    Any chance of watching part 7 over Christmas that would really make it special.
    It's the closest that I and my colleagues will get to San Clemente and Monte Grande.
    One of the few areas where the 78th Div and the 1st Infantry Div were neighbours.

    An absolutely terrific story so far and we are aware of some of the photos that you have of the area.

    Cant wait to see them and more!


    Upper Register Christmas 1944.jpg
    F Troop 446 Bty 67th Field Regt San Clemente
    Christmas 1944
    (Mennell Family Collection)

    266 Bty San Clemente Christmas 1944.jpg
    266 Bty San Clemente Christmas 1944
    (Mennell Family Collection)
     
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2023
  14. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    Christmas 2024 will be the 80th Anniversary of the death of Major DCL Shepherd MC who disappeared on the 10th December 1944 from Monte Calderaro.
    He was walking alone from 266 Bty Op in Rovine to Callanco a few hundred yards away.
    He left his Battery HQ in San Clemente Valley to visit the OP with an escort including the 2 i/c 6th Gordons
    but decided to leave without an escort, walking alone back to their TAC HQ at Callanco a few hundred yards away.
    His grave was found in Ferrara at the end of hostilities having died of wounds.
    His story appears in "Some Corner of a Foreign Field" by Janet Kinrade Dethick.

    Monte Grande.jpg
     
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2023

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