I spent yesterday (6th October 2013), following some of the path that my father CQMS Edmund O'Sullivan, who served with the 2nd Battalion London Irish Rifles (2 LIR) journeyed with 38 (Irish) Brigade as they progressed from Termoli, where they landed on the night of 5/6 October to the time they were withdrawn from the line on 5th December near to San Vito just to the south of the Moro River. Two hundred men of the Irish Brigade are listed as being killed during those two months days of autumnal campaign. I attach a couple of random photographs..I shall add some more at a later time (the photos are from Termoli, San Giacomo Ridge, Trigno River, Sangro River valley, Sangro River CWGC, and Moro River CWGC respectively). This is a war dairy transcript describing the Irish Brigade's part in the Battle of Termoli. http://www.irishbrigade.co.uk/pages/eyewitness-accounts/irish-brigade-at-termoli-transcribed..php Quis Separabit. Nec Aspera Terrent. Faugh a Ballagh.
Richard The 12th CTR was of course the Trois Rivieres regiment of Quebec of the Canadian 1st Armoured bde which also comprised of the Ontario and Calgary Tanks notta lotta people know that... Cheers
thanks. Tom, 12 CTR are remembered fondly by those of an Irish persuasion..although I can only claim 4th generation rights. Quote: "The battle, and the danger from 16th Panzer, was over. Much credit was given to the Canadian tankies whose motto, recalled Major Bala Bredin, second-in-command of the Faughs, was ‘Have a Go, Joe’. They had knocked out four panzers in quick succession and, although comparatively raw, had shown themselves excellent fighters. Bala Bredin thought that part of their success was because they ‘hadn’t got too careful’." (from R Doherty, Clear the Way !) Bala Bredin was also CO of both the Irish Rifles and Skins and awarded DSO (with bar) during the campaign in Italy...so not a bad citation source. I'm actually writing this note from a hotel next to the basilica and right "underneath" pt 1009 at Castel di Sangro, the scene of another Canadian success during late November 1943. best