Can't seem to find where the 6th Queen's Own were on January 7th 1945, other than in Italy. Can someone please help? Tony
From 78th Div history page 188 & 189 36 Brigade rest was short lived ; on December 27 they were sent to relieve 2 Infantry Brigade on Monte Grande and remained under command of 1 Division until January 9 when they were relieved by 85 (US) Division and reverted to the command of 78 Division . The sector they were to take over included Monte Calderaro, which projected 1500 yards north of the main mass of Monte Grande - a conical hill 1875 feet high surmounted by a battered church and a few houses, and linked to the main Monte Grande position by a ridge, shorter but more dangerous than the causeway at Aqua Salata. There was also a spur to the north-east running down to the ruins of Vezzolo.... ...On being relieved , 36 Brigade, less one battalion which was placed under command of 11 Brigade , went into the divisional rest area near Florence for a week's shelter and rest , but on January 18 they were back again and from then until February 6 there were two full brigades in the line.
The battalion was on Monte Calderaro, north of Monte Grande until the 11th January according to Chaplin's history on the regiment.
Sorry for the lack of thank you post.. Bit of IT trouble, now fixed and then I remembered this post a tad late. Sorry, berlatedThanks anyway Have another Queen's Own query though, a bit earlier the 6th Queen's Own RWK lost two men on 15th November 1944, and I cannot find where they were. They rest in Faenza now.
According to Chaplin's regimental history, the Battalion moved back to positions at Aqua Salata on the night of October 31st, 1944. The history states that this period in the line was uneventful and six days rest followed.
Hi, The 'War Diary' of the 6th Bn RWK identfies CARRE Pt 428040246 as their position on 15th November 1944. The 'Diary' of the 15th November states "Patrols reported no enemy contact or movement seen. Dull morning, and very cold. Z Coy fired on by 75mm gun on CAMMAGGIO feature 047259 and 8.1cm mortar. One Bosche seen moving on same feature. 2 O.R.s killed by direct hit from mortar. Our 4.2” mortars replied. Enemy “stonk” on Z Coy and Bn HQ. Very heavy mortar and arty fire. Retaliated on to known enemy posns. Enemy “stonk” area Bn HQ. Our heavy mortars replied. Hope this helps. Ticker
I have just noticed that your initial query ref: Where was the 6th RWK on 7th January 1945. War Diary report as follows: 7th January 1945 Very heavy fall of snow during the night 03.05 Inter-coy change over completed 05.00 Still snowing hard. Visibility poor. 07.50 3" Mortars "warmed up" 998344 in retaliation to enemy rifle grenading of D Coy. 10.15 C.O. visited all Coys. Vis 75 yds. 15.30 Enemy mortars at 003336 silenced by 3" mortar fire. 17.10 3 Bosche seen by Tank 002344 engaged by 25 pdrs. 18.00 Shells during past 24 hrs. Nil; Bombs 98 [mostly 5cms] 18.45 Enemy patrol 30 strong, wearing white, moving EAST along gulley 990239 towards point 508, Bn. Stood to. 20.30 Small Bosche patrol came within 80yds of D Coy area but withdrew after short exchange of S.A. fire. 3" Mortar fired on likely line of retreat. 21.00 Noises heard at LOOP HOUSE. Area engaged by 3" Mortars. Bosche patrol in Gulley 990329 reported to be dispersed by Mortar fire. 20.50 Occasional bursts of enemy MG fire engaged by 3" mortars. 21.25 Local standing patrols only. Vis. 2 yds: driving snow.
