Hi all Would anyone be able to tell me what happened in Castrocielo, near Cassino, in May 1944 (particularly on or around 25 May). My Grandfather was in the 8th Indian Division Provost Unit, and their War Diairies (extract attached) state that "Lt Baines and Sgt Bishop to Castrocielo, apparently first troops in town. Captain De Burgh OC Ind. Wing CMP School visited Company HQ. Castrocielo bombed during night, no casualties." I believe that my Grandfather (Cpl Condron) entered the town with Baines and Bishop, possibly with the 19th Indian Infantry Brigade. I'd be so grateful for any further information though as I'm taking my father to Italy in October and we are staying in Castrocielo. Would the bombing have been by Allied or Axis planes? Was Castrocielo occupied by the Axis troops and taken by force? Thanks James
James, It is always worth reading the war diaries of other units as they can also provide valuable information. As an example the 56 Recce diaries describe their advance at 0800hrs on 25th from Aquino to Castrocielo, Castello and Roccasecca. Plans had changed due to the withdrawal of the enemy from the area of Aquino during the night of 24/25. “1500 hrs 15 troop entered Castrocielo on foot and found it unoccupied. Afterwards the BW took over the area, later encountered enemy on hills behind the town” “1800 hrs the Regt was relieved by 6 Lancers of 8th Ind Div” Recce_Mitch has put the diaries on here. http://ww2talk.com/index.php?media/albums/56th-recce-war-diary-may-1944.192/ You may find some information there for you. Worth looking at the appendices as these contain situation reports of Divisional orders.
Hello James, Here's the answer to your question about the bombings at Castrocielo during the night 24/25 May: USAAF Chronology, Mediterranean : 1944, Part 1 WEDNESDAY, 24 MAY 1944 TACTICAL OPERATIONS (USAAF Twelfth Air Force) In Italy, medium, light and fighter-bombers fly numerous sorties in support of the rapidly advancing ground forces and in attacks against rail lines, bridges and roads in NC Italy; medium bombers hit at least 5 bridges, create several road blocks and cause havoc in communications to the N of the battle area; light bombers blast a bivouac area; fighter-bombers have great success in attacks on motor transports, mainly in the battle area, and in conjunction with RAF aircraft destroy 300+ and damage as many more. Have a good trip, Vitellino
James. Vitellino's note refers to Op STRANGLE I think - the Air Forces' attempt to stop the Germans bringing force to bear against the advancing Allies by bombing bridges and railway lines well to the north of Rome. On 24 May 44, the breakout from Anzio had just started and was going very well. I suspect that the Germans were bombing the Eighth Army's advance up from Cassino because they were keen to avoid having to fight both VI (US) Corps and a mobile Eighth Army at the same time. A static Eighth Army would mean that Kesselring could focus his limited reserves on a single point - stopping the VI (US) Corps from reaching Valmontone. Regards Frank
Thank you both - extremely helpful. So is it more likely that the bombing of Castrocielo was by the Germans or the Americans (or other Allies?) In all my research I haven't read of the Germans having any air dominance during the Battles of Cassino. All bombing seems to have been done by the Allies. Thanks again. James
The German Air Force had run out of steam by this time. My quote above indicates that the medium bombers of the United States Army Air Force were responsible for 'causing havoc in communications to the N of the battle area' - in other words, probably at Castrocielo amongst other places - on 24 May. Vitellino
The Germans had about 350 airworthy aircraft at the start of the Fourth Battle of Cassino against 4,500 Allied aircraft. The German aircraft were spread all over Italy and were very short of aviation fuel. That does not mean that they were not able to put aircraft up - they most certainly could and mostly at night where they were much less vulnerable to Allied air supremacy. Regards Frank
Apropos of Frank's comments about the Luftwaffe's activities in that area during May 1944.. My Dad and his mates were camped to the south of Piedimonte San Germano (about 12km from Castrocielo) from 21st to 26th May 1944 and during that period they were paid a visit. His CO, Lt-Col John Horsfall, later recalled: "... at midnight, we had a surprise visit from the Luftwaffe. They sent in a good many aircraft and they droned all over us for a space, putting down parachute flares and other devices, which lit up most of the valley. Having done that to their satisfaction, they then started to rain down AP bombs on us, flying in single aircraft one at a time at very low attitudes. Of course, they could see our vehicles dotted about in the olive trees as if it had been daylight. They kept up for at least half an hour, showering their unpleasant missiles down on us – and others of their friends kept joining in to relays, no doubt attracted by the glare whenever their predecessors hit anything. By the time, they had finished several of our men had been hit by splinters and we lost quite a number of vehicles. Some of the latter were still burning when the sun rose and the sparkling mist of the morning was altogether ruined by the eddying smoke and the pungent scent of scorching..." best wishes