Family members in 132 Fd Regt RA & 5th Buffs

Discussion in 'Italy' started by Peter Hayes, May 5, 2021.

  1. Peter Hayes

    Peter Hayes Member

    These pictures are of my great-grand Uncle George Thomas Smith. The one of him and his crew was taken somewhere in North Africa (he is the second from the left). He was part of the 132nd Field Regiment Royal Artillery when this was took but initially enlisted into the Cheshire Regiment when called up along with my Great-Grandad (Not at the same time).


    Unfortunately he was killed in action on the 26th March 1944 in Italy and is buried at the Cassino war cemetery.


    Hopefully someone can recognise the other men and bring some comfort in doing so.


    I am just starting my venture into tracing his and my Great-Grandads footsteps throughout the war.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Peter.

    132 Fd Regt RA was one of the three Fd Regts that supported 78 Infantry Division. In other words, these three Artillery Regiments went wherever the Division went. For most of the war, 78 Infantry Division was made up of 11 Infantry Brigade, 36 Infantry Brigade and 38 Infantry Brigade.

    132 Fd Regt RA directly supported 11 Infantry Brigade who were made up of 2 Lancs Fusiliers, 1 East Surreys and 5 Northants.

    For a really good account, I recommend Fred Majdalany’s Cassino - Portrait of a Battle. Fred was an officer in 2 Lancs Fusiliers and so would have been working closely with 132 Fd Regt RA. It is a grim but fascinating read.

    Your great great uncle was killed right at the end of the Third Battle when 78 Infantry Division moved into the hills behind Cassino and took charge of the dreaded Snakeshead Ridge and the Castle. It looks like he worked on the Gun Line rather than up with the infantry controlling fire. He was firing the 25 pounder.

    I am a battlefield guide for Cassino so if you ever want to go and understand what happened, and to see this iconic place, get in touch with me through my website at www.Cassinobattlefields.co.uk. Covid willing, the next event is 12-15 May 22.

    I will tip my hat to Gunner GT Smith when I am next in the cemetery at Cassino in Sep.

    Regards

    Frank
     
    Last edited: May 5, 2021
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  3. Peter Hayes

    Peter Hayes Member

    Hi Frank,

    Thank you so much for that already vast information, I am blown away!

    I’m waiting for the return of my Great-Grandads records as he also fought in Italy and was was wounded but survived, he was with the buffs at that point which I believe was also part of the 78th Infantry Division.

    I have been wanting to go and see my Great-Grand Uncles grave for such a long time so you will absolutely see me in the future, once the world gets back to normal somewhat.

    Thank you for your kind gesture,

    Peter
     
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  4. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

  5. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Peter

    The Buffs had two Battalions in Italy.

    1 Buffs served in 18 Infantry Brigade initially and were then switched to 24 Guards Brigade towards the very end of the war.

    5 Buffs served in 36 Infantry Brigade which was indeed in 78 Infantry Division.

    Once his Service Record has established exactly which Battalion he served in, I will happily give you more information.

    1 Buffs were at Anzio and 5 Buffs were at Cassino.

    Regards

    Frank
     
  6. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    A few relevant bits

    What was your Great Grandads name/number and we should be able to find his Casualty returns showing details of when he was wounded

    GBM_ROYALART_1139000_00044.jpg GBM_WO417_074_0149.jpg GBM_RAM_DEATHS_S_01139.jpg
     
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  7. Peter Hayes

    Peter Hayes Member

    Frank,

    He was part of the 5 Buffs as so stated in this record I managed to find,

    Many thanks

    Peter
     

    Attached Files:

  8. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    GBM_WO417_085_0303.jpg
     
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  9. Peter Hayes

    Peter Hayes Member

    Hi there,

    Wow, once again you have blown me away, thank you so much!

    My Great Grandads Name was James William Smith and his service number was 4129848.

    Many thanks

    Peter
     
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  10. Peter Hayes

    Peter Hayes Member

    You beat me to it!. I am genuinely amazed. Any chance you know what the 767 means??.

    Thanks

    Peter
     
  11. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    Its been talked about a lot on here but no clear answers what the handwritten numbers are, I'm sure someone will be able to tell you what the 5th Buffs were doing at that point.

    Sorry I've taken this a bit away from George to William, maybe an admin can split it so each has their own thread
     
  12. Peter Hayes

    Peter Hayes Member

    Please don’t be sorry, it’s much appreciated. I would like to think they would have been somewhat near each other, hopefully have seen each other even for a short time.

    Once again, many thanks!

    Peter
     
  13. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    Harry Secombe of The Goons was with 132 Field Regiment so I was just checking his autobiography "Arias and Raspberries" but he left sick in January 1944 so it doesn't cover the relevant date but if you are looking for a book covering the 132nd it may be worth a look.
     
  14. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

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  15. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Peter.

    In Nov 44, when your great grandfather was wounded, 78 Infantry Division were in the Apennines to the north of Florence. They were in XIII (British) Corps who were attached to the US Fifth Army at the time. The Sep 44 assault on the massive Gothic Line between Pisa and Rimini had stalled by the end of the month and both sides were stalemated for the Winter.

    That period in the Apennines was ghastly and the men endured appalling weather in very challenging positions on the ground. Too much ground to cover and just not enough men. Whilst the Germans had insufficient power for any strategic counter attack, they were constantly nibbling at the Allied lines and battering the troops.

    Regards

    Frank
     
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  16. Peter Hayes

    Peter Hayes Member

    Frank,

    I cannot express my thanks enough, you guys have blown me away already with your facts and thorough, amazing details.

    I can not wait to show my Grandmother all of the above information.

    Once again, thank you so much!.

    Peter
     
  17. Gary Tankard

    Gary Tankard Well-Known Member

    5 Buffs WD for 7th November 1944.

    5_Buffs_Nov_44_0003.jpg
     
  18. Gary Tankard

    Gary Tankard Well-Known Member

    casetta_di_sotto.jpg

    The patrol objective mentioned in the WD is marked above. The map can be found and downloaded here Fontanelice | Digital Archive @ McMaster University Library

    I'm not sure the patrol casualties were the only wounded that day as it mentions one WIA whereas the casualty sheet shows two alone on this page. The officer was a Lt. Copland, an ex-Royal Artillery officer. Pte. Packard couldn't have been seriously wounded as he was wounded again on 14th December 1944.

    The only 5 Buffs personnel recorded as killed that day was L/Cpl. E.J. Paine. He was initially reported as missing on 7th November and was not officially confirmed as KIA until February 1945.
     
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  19. Peter Hayes

    Peter Hayes Member

    Hi Gary

    Thank you very much for the detailed information.

    Do you think that the wounded mentioned could have been my great-grandfather?.

    I really struggled to read the writing in the WD.

    Many thanks

    Peter
     
  20. minden1759

    minden1759 Senior Member

    Gary.

    I see that Lt Col Odling-Smee pops up as the new Commanding Officer of 5 Buffs on 7 Nov 44. He was Bn 2IC of 2 KINGS at the Fourth Battle of Cassino on 11-12 May 44. He was cap badged Royal Sussex.

    Regards

    Frank
     

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