6th armoured division

Why was/is the 6th armoured division not mentioned much during the fighting in north Africa and Italy? Specifically 17/21 and 16/5L. I believe the 17/21 & 16/5 played a big part in taking of the liri valley?

 

Histories are around:
'Death or Glory'- a new history of the 17th/21st Lancers
Scarlet Lancers: The story of the 16th/5th The Queen's Royal Lancers 1689-1992 - James Lunt - Google Books

 

Thank you.

I've read plenty about 6th Armoured Division's exploits in Tunisia and Italy so keep searching - and as noted by Tony.

I'm sure that you have a copy of "Mailed Fist", the history of the 6th Armoured Division... covering the division's time with 1st Army on the Tunisian battlefields of Nov 1942 to May 1943 and with 8th Army on the Italian peninsular from January 1944 to May 1945... and don't forget the P.B.I. elements of the Division during both campaigns.

In terms of the Liri, my Dad and his mates in 38 (Irish) Brigade were truly thankful for the close and most vital support of 16/5 Lancers during the battle-period south and west of Cassino over the 15-17 May 1944 period... the Lancers' CO, John Loveday. being killed along with Ion Goff, while attending a 2 LIR 'O' Group on 15 May 1944, my father helping to bury them during those desperate few hours.

A photo here of some of the lads from 2 LIR with their armoured support on 17 May 1944.
(Image: IWM (NA 15075) - Captain Richard Gade.

Thanks again and good luck.

 

Thanks everyone, yeah I have most of the books. Can I ask what might seem a really stupid question. I have watched various YouTube vids and documentaries on the battles of cassino/liri valley and most never mention the 6th armoured division, they only mention the 8th army. Was the 6th armoured division part of the 8th army? And this is why they only talk about the 8th rather than mention divisions within? As a whole like, I'm not military and still get confused with some bits.

 

What is your particular interest in 17/21L and 16/5L?

Frank

 

My grandad was in the 16/5L

 

You need to come on my battlefield study to Cassino on 13-17 May 26 and you will see 26 Armoured Brigade in action in the Fourth Battle of Cassino.

26 Armoured Brigade - part of 6 Armoured Division, was made up of 16/5L, 17/21L and 2 LOTHIANS. All equipped with Shermans.

Regards

Frank

 

Sounds cool but I have a full time job and family commitments.
Maybe one day I will walk in his footsteps

 

Andy,

In answer to your specific question, the 6th Armoured Division did not operate together under their own divisional umbrella in early 1944 in Italy - their infantry and armoured units being attached to other divisions for specific periods at Anzio, the Garigliano river and near Cassino. Thus, for the final assaults on the Gustav line in May 1944, the three armoured regiments were operating close together but under the direction of other divisional units within the 8th Army. As a further hint, a clip of the war diary pages for 16/5 Lancers for those final battles in the Liri Valley is attached below when they were supporting 78th Infantry Division

And as a backtrack into Tunisia, they operated together as a divisional force there with 1st Army.

So continue your reading... I've very "un-military" and all will become clear when you read closely through the various accounts/histories... and walking the ground can greatly incite poignant thoughts about your granddad and what he and his mates faced...

good luck.

 

I see, that's made things much clearer thanks.

 

At the Fourth Battle of Cassino, 26 Armd Bde was working with 4 Inf Div. 12 Inf Bde were the exploitation force once the other two Bdes - 28 Inf Bde and 10 Inf Bde, had got across the River Rapido and established bridgeheads on the far bank.

10 Inf Bde got their bridge in on 13 May 44 so 12 Inf Bde crossed that same day. For the 12 Inf Bde advance, 2 LOTHIANS provided a Sqn of Shermans to each of the advancing Bde’s infantry battalions.

17/21L worked with 10 Inf Bde and 16/5L with 28 Inf Bde.

Regards

Frank

PS. The only way to get your head around the enormity of all this is to walk the ground.