hi all, my dad was injured during operation husky, but would like to confirm in which battle ( if possible) I think it was during the battle of lemon bridge. an elderly aunt has recollections of him travelling up a river/canal on a barge ( of which there were many). she states that the germans were hiding amongst haystacks, etc, and that most of the barges were destroyed and many soldiers killed/injured. does this ring a bell with anyone?he was in the 2nd cameronians. he was discovered amid the dead a few days later and eventually transported to a military hospital in italy. is there any way of confirming this? steve
Hello Steven, For the last four years I have been researching Operation Husky and have made 4 research trips to Sicily. The best book on Husky is: Bitter Victory. by Carlo D'Este and is available from most UK libraries. Page 404 for Lemon Bridge. Colin.
hi colin, thanks for the reply, i have, in fact just bought this book, just need the time to read it. but at least i can go straight to the relevant page. thanks again steve
Stephen, I've posted some info on BrianC's thread about the Lemon Bridge action. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-italy/7024-sicily-43-a.html I'll look up the 2 Cameronians part soon for you.
Been looking through 5th Div History making rough notes that mention 2 Cameronians and 13 Inf Bde. Stephen , you say Dad joined Jan 1940 but doesn't mention the France 1940 campaign or Dunkirk, I'll start with reforming in UK, June 1940. 5th Div reformed Inverurie, Aberdeenshire. 13 Bde assembled in the Huntley-Turriff area, end of June moved to Crieff. Busy with anti-invasion duties and excercises. End of October 1940 5 Div moved to Lancashire/Cheshire. 13 Bde in Liverpool-Ormskirk-Southport area. 1941 Mid January Infantry battalion pair off with Divisional Artillery Batteries. 2 Cameronians afflialte with 361 Battery of 91 Fld Regt. Worries of a German Invasion of Eire prompt move of Div to northern Ireland around easter 1941. 13 Bde in Armargh-Cookstown-Portadown area. Great opportunities for effective training in Northern Ireland. 1942 Moved back to England mid/late January '42. 1st Feb all units recieved mobilization instructions. Vehicle parties left 2nd March. 4th March issue of tropical khaki drill uniforms. Rumours of move to India & Burma. 23rd March. Whole of 13 Bde on FRANCONIA sailed in huge convoy from the Cylde. 5th April Sailed into Freetown. Croosed Equator 13th April, massive celebrations. Rounded Cape 21st April. 13 Bde arrived Durban then ordered to take part in Operation "Ironclad" the Invasion of Madagascar. 13 Bde not trained in seabourne landings so were the follow up troops. They actually had no part in the battle and only spent a week on the island before sailing onto Bombay back on the Franconia, 19th May. Not before picking up many cases of malaria and sandfly fever. Once in India 13 Bde concentrated around Ahmednagar. Later in the year in August '42 5th Div moved from India to Persia (via Basra, Iraq.) They had a long stay in Persia spending along time around Qum. 1943 15 & 17 Bde train for beach landings whilst 13 Bde go to the Middle East School of Mountain Warfare to recieve specialised trainng there. They are to be follow up troops for the invasion of Sciliy. The Div reconcentrates near Damascus, Syria and rehearses the landings. They move down to Eygpt and embark for "Husky" at Port Said on 5th July '43. Time for tea-break. I'll come back with info on Operation Husky soon. I've War Diary for 2 Wilts, 13 Bde so any queries on dates and places just ask as they will be similar. It says the MWTC was at Tripoli, Syria. It has this regards Op Ironclad. 6/5/42. 12.30 13 Bde lands on Blue Beach by A.L.C. in order 2 Cams , 13 Inf Bde HQ and 2 Wilts (from 14.30) 30/5/42. SS Franconia goes alongside Ballard Pier. Sick evacuated, including 3 Officers and 11 ORs from 2 Wilts. 2 Cams & 2 Wilts disembark and proceed to Colaba Camp. SS Franconia here. The Great Ocean Liners For the remaining years of the war, the Franconia continued as a troop ship, going to India and the Middle East via Cape Town and taking part of the invasions in Madagascar, North Africa and Italy.
Owen You could do worse than give this link for Husky: Husky and the Frankonia was the ship that took me to Algiers in April '43 Ron
What was life onboard the Franconia like? My own diaries for1942-1943 having been lost, I rely largely on those of an old friend of mine who served with me. His entry for the day that we boarded records that there were over 4,000 men & women aboard....the pre-war passengers totalled about 1,800...... say no more ! 10 th April LEW FOX: After travelling all night we finally arrived at Liverpool. We finally discovered it was the S.S.Frankonia with about 4100 men aboard. We arrived on board about 10 am, it was quite a nice ship, we were put in E6 deck,15 A Mess. Hammocks were distributed too and they were very comfortable.
hi all, owen thanks for the info, most interesting, just what i am looking for, cant wait for the rest.ron , thanks for the links will check them out when i have more spare time. thanks again stephen 7
Stephen Glad it was of interest. I was working on the Sciliy campaign from Div History for you with my digital camera, I haven't got a scanner. Just deleted it all as it was all blurred. Will do it again tomorrow when light is better.
the two single pics are of my dad and the other is myself, dad and grandad ( who also served in the cameronians, 5/6 th battalions steve
Glad to help steve. I see Grandad has what looks like a Sussex Regiment badge. On your Dad's I can just make out the Y on top of his sleeve. As for you Steve,you look like a chap I wouldn't want to get the wrong side of.
Glad to help steve. I see Grandad has what looks like a Sussex Regiment badge. On your Dad's I can just make out the Y on top of his sleeve. As for you Steve,you look like a chap I wouldn't want to get the wrong side of. hi owen, yes, that photo of grandad was when he was in the sussex regt.( he was originally from cambridge ) i have yet to find out why he transferred to the cameronians. i am afraid i don't know the significance of the Y. ( maybe you could let me know) the one of me was on one of my good days!
steve, In Grandad would have been transfered to any unit that was short of men, no reason, just GO! Any idea if he was wounded? Quite often awhen returning to duty men were sent to a new Regiment, not always back to their own. The Y is 5th Div Insignia. See http://www.petergh.f2s.com/flashes.html#corps
