Baronissi - 7th Bn OBLI on 26-28th Sept 1943

Hi

I am trying to make sense of this encounter when ten men of 7th OBLI were killed. This was part of the break-out from Salerno and 201st Guards Brigade and then 167th Infantry Brigade tried to advance along Highway 88 to Sanseverino-rota and on to the plain of Naples.

I have Steve Berridge's excellent account from www.lightbobs.com but am looking for further information and to clarify the dates as it seems a day out. Does anyone have the War Diaries of the two Brigades and 7th OBLI for this? Are there any good accounts of 7th OBLI in the Salerno fighting? Also looking for a map which may help pinpoint where the various units were.

Any help appreciated.

 

Hi,

This is the war diary of 7th OBLI for the period (WO 169/10278):

26 September 1943 685313
0530 Sitrep to Bde – nothing to report.
1350 Bde call Comdg Offr’s conference. Remainder of day quiet – all awaiting movement orders.

27 September 1943 685313
0400 ‘C’ Coy area shelled.
0530 Sitrep to Bde – quiet – still awaiting orders.
0300 Cmdg Offr enters hospital – 2nd i/c takes over command.

28 September 1943
0345 Bn marching to embus in TCLs in Salerno.
0450 Bn embussed.
0700 Advancing along route No. 88 as vanguard to Bde.
0830 2 Recce cars fired on in Baronissi.
‘C’ & ‘B’ Coys debus and deploy on left and right of road to heights commanding road. Casualties caused by enemy shelling. Lt. Tuckey injured, and Lieut. BAXTER.
0845 ‘B’ Coy attack Saya assisted by tanks.
0900 ‘D’ Coy called up to assist and make for feature 658385.
Enemy located 663384 – arty to engage – ‘B’ Coy 656383.
1010 ‘C’ Coy Baronissi 6538 – 1 Pl 644384. ‘D’ Coy ordered to 627387. ‘A’ Coy in reserve.
1030 Tanks fire 663384 – report direct hits and ‘B’ Coy advance on Saya 6638.
1040 4 Pl progressing satisfactorily.
1116 Enemy located by ‘B’ Coy 658385 – arty to engage.
1240 ‘D’ Coy report difficulty in reaching objective – engaged by enemy MG and mortar fire.
1250 ‘D’ Coy give posns at 645370.
1400 RA shoot N. of Baronissi.
1430 Attack on Saya – tanks and arty assisted by ‘B’ Coy.
1700 Intermittent enemy shelling throughout evening.

29 September 1943 [number 29 is circled on original with pencil annotation of 28?]
0300 Naval and arty bombardment of Baronissi.
Enemy withdrew between hours of 0300 and daylight.
0530 8 RF passing through our lines – Regt now in Bde reserve.
0800 8 RF advancing north, meeting no resistance towards Sans Severino. Recce unit advance along road – Baronissi – Penta 6740.
0900 Recce unit held up while REs clear bridge 671404 of mine.
Little enemy resistance. Plan for ‘B’ Coy to move to area Fisciano 6741 supported by part of Regtl A/Tk Pl.
1100 Recce unit in Fisciano.
1200 A/Tk guns (2) in posn beyond bridge 671404.
1300 ‘B’ Coy reach Penta (6740).
1700 ‘B’ Coy at Fisciano and in posn at 671615 with A/Tk support.
1700 Sitrep to Bde – nil report. Regtl HQ at 652402.

30 September 1943
0100 Guide group to area Costa 6142 – Bn to take over from 8 RF.
0645 Bn embussed and moving to area Costa.
0900 Bn debussed Costa area and take over from 8 RF who advance to Castel S. Georgio 5862.
1100 Regtl HQ at 605422. Coys in posn ‘A’ 603423 ‘C’ 618424 ‘D’ 596425 ‘B’ Coy still in area Fisciano.
1700 Sitrep to Bde – nil report.
1900 ‘D’ Coy disbanded leaving Bn. of 3 Coys.

I think the annotation against 29 September 1943 suggests the official historian [?] had doubts about whether the narrative was correctly recorded in terms of what was happening on which day.

Regards

Tom

 

Thanks Tom. This is the same date/action combination as Berridge has in his account. But the CWGC has the ten casualties incurred on 27 Sept - plus three prior on 25th and then one on 29th, then two more on 3 Oct in Catania (!). If you look at the entries for 25th and 26th I think they could be the same day and then the entries for 27th are shown as happening on the 28th etc.

 

Have found the 'Ordnance Survey' type map of the area here: txu-pclmaps-oclc-6540719-salerno-185-2.jpg (4761×4031)

 

I do have the WDs for 167 Brigade as well, but I'm away at the moment.

These are the battalion casualties for the dates you mentioned. All are from 27th September, except one, and he died of his wounds.

 

Hi,

I expect the two CWGC records for Catania are Died of Wounds after evacuation from the beachhead?

This is from 167 Bde war diary (WO 169/8966);

25 September 1943
0012 8 RF patrols to 700317, 695319, 693319 making contact, nothing to report.
1730 5 Italians have just arrived at this HQ from SAN SEVERINO & FISCIANO. Report that the Germans there have taken all men & women as carrying parties. Italians gave information re bridges & rds, etc.
1900 7 O.B.L.I. report enemy M.T. moving north from STELLA after arty concentration on there.
1940 Warning Order. COs may be required to report at short notice from 0800 hrs 26/9/43 with IOs & offr recce patrol. (1 offr 2 N.C.Os 6 men). May be called upon to go out straight away (for full details see next sheet).
2000 Long concentration of arty put on STRELLA to assist 2/5 Queens attack.
1940 Warning Order. COs may be required to report at short notice from 0800 hrs 26/9/43 with IOs & offr recce patrol. Recce patrol not less than 1 good offr, 2 NCOs & 6 good men, they may be called upon to go out straight away. 1 x 15 cwt truck only, must be prepared to remain out for 24 hrs, the operation may call for lightest possible scale of equip. 24 hrs rations taken; 50 Rds per man, max: LMG amn: also PIAT mortar & water. COs to consider problem to operate across country thro’ dense woods & steep hills for approx. 5 – 6 miles, right flank move from MANGO, to NW to SAN SEVERINO. Bns be ready to move night 26th, to lie up Monday 27th, carry out operation night 27/28, to live on grapes & figs for further 24 hrs if called upon. Air photos will be acquired 26th. Alternative; relief of 201 Bde 27/28. [All Bns informed]
167 Admin O. No. 5 issued. Appx G.V


26 September 1943
Recce parties of 1 offr & 4 N.C.Os per Bn will report Bde HQ at 1120 hrs. They will proceed in 1/15 cwt to area SAN CIPRIANO. Lt. Kraay Bde I.O. will co-ord recce (incl MG Coy) which is designed to find an area in which 167 Bde can lie up on Monday, and from which it can advance night Mon. – Tues. to positions overlooking route 88 – probable posns on high ground to SE of PENTA 6740 in squares (9 R.F.) 6737; 7 O.B. (6738); 8 R.F. (6838-9).
Bn. will move out to lie-up areas tonight at dusk, Bn. recce parties will wait there & when Bns arrive, will guide them into posns. Lt. Kraay will contact Recce Regt. patrols (if inform not available before he leaves) to see if tpt can circle the MANGO feature.
A/Sigs Offr & “Q” reps will accompany Lt. Kraay from Bde HQ.
Layout to be as tactical – with a view to bns adv. to above posns – probable sequence of advance -7, 8 – 9.
1400 B Sqn Recce 765340.
1530 Bde Comdrs ‘O’ Gp Plan ‘A’ Concentrate NW MANGO cancelled.
Plan B. At first light 27 SEP 7 OBLI will advance up rd 88. 9 RF – 8 RF, Tac Bde following, in support 64 Fd Regt, with under comd, ‘C’ Coy 6 Cheshires, 302 A-Tk Bty, ‘B’ Sqn 44 Recce & take MALLARD, POCHARD, TEAL & WIDGEON if opposition only slight & establish Bde Defended locality area CASTEL S. GIORGIO & high ground north.
2300 Div. Comdr wanted more mobile striking power in fwd elements.
2305 2 Pennants flown in centre of mast on AFVs on AFVs etc.
2000 167 Bde Op Instruction No. 3 & Appdx issued. Appx D.3
2120 O.O. No. 9 received. Appx E7


27 September 1943
0320 9 RF not yet received Ops Instruction No. 3 (D.R. broke down).
0600 Fwd tps about MALLARD remainder either en-route or waiting to be called fwd.
0720 Coy 7 OBLI deploying.
0720 4 enemy planes flew over this HQ.
0800 7 OBLI report enemy (strength unknown) area 6638.
0820 Move fwd as detailed in ops instruction.
0900 Bde HQ halted 657318.
0900 C.O. 9 RF to report to Bde Comdr.
1000 Bridge at 651413 damaged, take 2 hrs to repair. Recce’ing alternative routes, will use if necessary.
1055 7 OBLI held up be enemy in houses area SAYA 6538. 1 coy held up S. MARIA 6438. D Coy at 637388.
1056 9 RF moving fwd twds high ground 6445.
1100 ‘C’ Coy 6 Chesh going fwd to assist 7 OBLI.
1125 150 Porters (native) to be collected by this Bde.
1129 9 RF move to area 6437 & be prepared to carry out task given (capture high ground area S. EUSTACHIO 5940).
2 Pls. MG will accompany. Have asked for BASUTOS to carry for you & MGs. Pay special attention to concealment. Report when in posn.
1200 9 RF in contact with Gds on left at pt 276. COPERCHIA clear, movement beyond COPERCHIA impossible by MT for 6 hrs. Rd blocked by debris, leading coy patrolling fwd to PELLEZZANO.
1400 Bridge broken down again 2 hrs delay.
1430 7 OBLI told to get a Coy to ANTESSANO, there is a Coy (Queens) at AIELLA & MGs on STRELLA.
1435 9 RF told to push on as fast as possible & threaten & seize high ground WEST of BARONISSI with a view to forcing enemy to withdraw.
1500 BM gone on recce for site for this HQ.
1530 8 RF warned they will be advance gd tomorrow 28 SEP, to send fwd rece to contact 7 OBLI. 8 RF to concentrate in area 6534.
1545 9 RF at 640362.
1550 8 RF concentrating 6533.
1330 2 Casualties (1 killed, 1 wounded) in Tac Bde HQ.
1600 BM returned from recce (area west of rd 655355).
1606 Bridge repaired & in use again.
1609 AP closes 731287 opens 702336 1800 hrs.
1640 9 RF asked how rd clearance going. 15 cwts can now get thro area COPERCHIA.
1715 Main Bde to move (on Bde Comdr’s orders).
1749 9 RF HQ 642364.
1759 SITREP. 8 RF moving concentration area, will take over adv gd tomorrow. 7 O.B.L.I. held up South of SAYA. Coy at 645383, Coy south pt 576 (637387) any movement there brings hy enemy fire.
1805 9 RF now at 642372.
1835 Bde HQ moved.
1900 Arrival new location 655355.
2000 O.O. No 10 received. Appx E.8
2030 7 OBLI report they have laid mines across 3 approaches and will pick them up at first light.
2040 Codewords for 7 OBLI. PISWHISTLE (OBLI not on hills). PIGSTROTTER (OBLI on hills). CRACKLING (OBLI on both).
2045 7 OBLI report CRACKLING.
2045 Arty concentration on SAYA lasted until 2100 hrs.
2120 7 OBLI asked for information re the effectiveness of concentration.

28 September 1943 655355
0135 Fwd coys at foot of hills, will go up at first light.
0415 7 OXF BUCKS complain concentration on SAYA not sufficient, has been no fire since 2100 hrs/27. CRA contacted & is to give more. 7 O.B.L.I. confirm that there is no danger to own tps.
0335 8 RF moving fwd at 0415 hrs.
0510 Arty fire Task A (659384 Meds & Hy 6 R.P.G. 113 Fd Regt. 10 RPG). Task B. 641428 (Meds & Hy) ready for call.
0515 CRA informed. NO arty on SAYA after 0545 hrs.
0630 9 R.F. pushing fwd strong patrols to high ground 6540.
0655 O.I. issued.
0705 Coy 9 R.F. now in area C sq 6438.
0830 8 R.F. approaching TEAL. C.O. forming screen NORTH until relieved. Bridge at 651413 blown.
0920 Bridges at 651413, 663407, 670403 mined & blown, fit for Inf & Carriers, but NOT tks.
0945 Br at 651413 NOT passable for carriers now.
1 Coy 8 R.F. reached 651414.
0952 5 Germans gave themselves up to 9 R.F. WEST of B. of BARONISSI, dispatched to Div.
1005 Civilian report: Germans left guns back on rd 88 as far as AVELLINO. All bridges blown to North & west. Germans withdrawn to BRACIGLIANO, main body to NOLA.
0845 Bombline 0900 hrs 380388 – 485457 – 525453 – 600417.
0910 Amded Bombline 3838 – 4543 – 4845 – 5245 – 5844 – 6544.
1116 9 R.F. location 642365.
1131 9 R.F. sent Italian to this HQ, passed on to DIV.
1210 9 R.F. ordered to move tactfully [tactically?] WEST.
1235 8 R.F. moving fwd on diversion at br. 651413.
1250 PINTAIL (flank gd) to be called forward shortly.
1300 8 RF report sound of Mortar & M/G fire from WEST of SAN SEVERINO. Large explosion same area 1315 hrs.
1400 Fwd coys at TEAL (8 RF).
1410 Elements 8 RF in first village, Recce proceeding to 2nd village.
1420 7 O.B.L.I. ordered to relieve Recce as soon as possible.
1420 7 O.B.L.I. location 652393, also report more tps moving to 2nd village.
1440 Locations 9 R.F. ‘A’ Coy 634388. ‘B’ Coy 634394. ‘D’ Coy 632392. Tac HQ 638387.
1450 Rd to EAST of route 88 is clear (7 OBLI report).
1500 Italian reports people killed by mines GARANO 6939 this morning. Mines cleared at br 670404.
1500 9 RF require definite situation re opposition etc. Any further orders for them. NO! be prepared to spend night where you are.
1505 8 RF report they are 1 mile beyond TEAL, with elements on high ground North of main rd, NO enemy seen.
1510 Main Div now at 656354, Rear same place.
1535 Bde Comdr wants 8 RF to establish strong posn at 609431 tonight if possible. 7 OBLI in support area 625424. This is high ground 641410, & support behind your left flank.
1600 7 OBLI report E/Gun posn: 676411 (10.5). Church filled with amn in FISCIANO. Civilians say mines twds CALVANICO & CARPIRET 681422.
1610 Rum ration authorised.
1740 7 OBLI Right Hand coy in posn. 2 Coys ready to move to new posns.
1930 OPS Instruction given verbally by phone to Bde Gp, later (2045 hrs) sent in writing.
1950 All TCLs with 8 RF & 9 RF ordered to report back to RASC coy location.
2230 Div Main HQ 657334.
OP. O. No. 11 received (56 Div) Appx E.9

I'm not sure if that helps clarify at all but it does show them attacking on 27th September which doesn't match up with the battalion war diary. I think you're correct in suggesting that 25 and 26 Sep are the same day, which makes the entry against 28th Sept actually what happened on 27th. Does that sound right?

Regards

Tom