Let's all remember the brave soldiers that were led to their slaughter by General Mark Clark and his "yesman" Corp Commander General Geoffery Keys. On the evening of January 20, at 7:05pm in a dense fog, the men of the 36th ID 141st and 143rd Regiments began carrying 100 framed rubber pontoon boats and foot bridges over 2 MILES from Mt Trocchio in plain view of the 15th Panzer Genedier Division. The 15th had the area from north of Cassino to south of Sant Ambrogia covered with interlocking fire and pinpoint artillery. Trees were dropped and obsticals cleared to give a perfect line of fire. This done in response to the many patrols ordered by Clark beginning on January 12th, at the crossing point of Sant Angelo. They were tipped off by this activity. At 4:00am January 21st Lt Col Wyatt of the 141st called a withdrawal of the 100 men that were able to swim across the freezing, swift river. Col Martin called his withdrawal of the 143rd shortly after. They had to swim this river as the rubber boats were disabled by enemy fire and artillery and the foot bridges that were to be laid by 36th and 5th Arny enginners were no match for the swift current and deadly fire. Under intense pressure from Clark, Keys ordered another crossing at 10:00am. This was not done untill 4:30-6:00pm on the Jan 21st due to chaos and confusion at Corp HDQ. By 2:00am on Jan 22, 2 battalions were able to cross the swollen river but found no soldiers alive from the previous night crossing. By 6:00pm on the 22nd all but 1 officer of the 141st and 143rd were KIA, wounded, or captured. Another withdrawal was ordered at 9:45pm. Only 40 MEN crossed back over !!! Shortly thereafter the remaining troops pinned down and unable to escape were silenced. INCREDIBLY General Keys ordered the 142nd, being held in reserves, to attempt ANOTHER crossing !!! He was finally convinced by General Walker Commanding General of the 36th to stop the slaughter and convinced Keys and Clark it was futile. 2,128 brave and well trained soldiers of the 141st and 143rd were casualties. One company of the 141st went from 187 men to 17. General Walker of the 36th Division was a 29 year veteran and was an expert in infantry tactics. In his journal on January 20th he wrote " this mission has NO chance of success ". He offered Clark and alternative plan by crossing north of Sant Angelo, but Clark quickly dismissed this idea. A week latter the 34th ID followed his plan and crossed easy. On Match 20, 1944 30 men met in a small farmhouse in Italy, and swore revenge on Clark AFTER the war. In March 1946 the men had their day on Capital Hill. A Conressional Inqury heard testimony from these 30 men. Clark was protected by his friends and cronnies in the War Department and never had to testify. The Congressional Pannel accepted the Army findings as the Rapido being "the most muderous blunder of WW 2, the persons involved had total disregard of their men." The conclussion was to " never allow unexperienced, and untrained officers to allow this to happen again" The pompous and arrogant Clark never publicly discussed the Rapido and never mentioned it in his memoirs " Calculated Risk". May the brave souls of the 36th rest in peace. Steve See also : www.kwanah.com 36th Division web site a recent post shows the crossing area at Sant Angelo
As a Texan ans whose State this great Inf Div came from-I definately agree w/ your fine post. Also, I knew a man who lived in my hometown of Kingsville, Tx, who served in the T-Patchers and was at the Rapido River. This man was a Sergeant by the name of Greg Wiley (sadly now deceased) and after that battle-he wa chose to be one of President Roosevelts personal guards. I wish he were still alive as I would love to ask him many-a-question-about his service. But abour Mark Clark, I remember Mr. Wiley telling me that the men loved the General. I can't remember anything else he said because this was about 20 or so years ago and I only saw him on occasion because his wife Milly, was a real estate agent working in the same office as my Mother did.
Mr Evans, I am very good friends with his dauhter, Patti ! We met last year in San Antonio. She is the moderator of the 36th web site and one great lady!
Hi Steve, I don't know if I ever met his Daughter or not? but please give her my highest regards-and this is certainly great to hear. Also, my memory aint so good these days so, I am hoping I didn't get anything wrong on what I know about Mr. Wiley ;-)) If you get the chance, i'd like to know if her mother is still living. When I visited the real-estate office-I always liked talking with her too. Take care and best regards--Carl. PS, I don't know if it matters but, when I was living in Corpus Christi, I found out that a man who was a Barber there-served in Audie Murphys Platoon. I never got to know what his name was.
Hi, I'm new to the site but am really enjoying myself. I'm researching my G'father's time in the ETO and I believe he began as a foot soldier for the 142nd. Does anyone know of further details about the 142 in this incident? Did they attempt to cross or were they held up?
Does anyone know if there is an index of casualty lists for battles? I have narrowed my search for where my Uncle, Sylvester Rogers down to a couple of major battles, Rapido River Crossing or the The Lost Batallion. If I could find the casualty lists, that would either include/exclude him...thanks.
Renny and Sylvestersboy, Welcome !! Regarding the 142nd at The Rapido, they were held in reserve. Keyes through Clark tried to send these brave soldiers to slaughter too, and a 3rd crossing, but thankfuly they called it off. Both of you guys need to go to www.kwanah.com it's the web site for the 36th ID. The Lost Batallion is another famous battle and they had a reunion this summer with the 442 Neise Soldiers in attendence. My uncle was with the 141st Regiment, Cannon Co, from 1940 untill KIA on 12/12/1944. See you over at the 36th site.... Good Luck in your search.
Some years back, I talked with a vet of the 36th Inf. Div. I had just finished reading the excellent book _Bloody River: The Real Tragedy of the Rapido_ by Martin Blumenson. I casually mentioned the 141st RCT Neise to this vet, and the smile left his face like I had just slapped him. Bitterly he recalled the lack of drinking water, and that members of the 141st RCT had melted snow and was charging GIs of the 36th Div. $5 dollars for a canteen full of water. He said that some guys paid them, but he refused. $5 dollars in 1944 would probably be like $50 dollars today. You should ask any of your 36 ID veteran friends if they recall anything like this story. Greg C.
From my trip to Italy in 2008. Monte Trocchio viewed from Sant’Angelo in Theodice with River Gari flowing in foreground. The Memorial to 36th Texas Division in Sant’Angelo in Theodice .
I just reread this older post I submitted. I wrote "141st RCT" but I surely meant the 442d RCT. I must have had a brain fart, or as sometimes happens, my brain thinks one thing, but my fingers type something totally different. I apologize for the blooper and any confusion it may have caused. Greg C.
Wessex: Outstanding photos. I had never seen what the area looks like today. I assume the pass between the high ground viewable in the first photo was the only avenue of approach available to the 36th Inf. Div. with the enemy in possession of the high ground. Thanks for posting.
Go on GoogleStreet View & have a nose around , it will give you a great idea of the lie of the land. I've set the marker to look north form the little memorial park down my the river near to St Angelo In Theodice. cassino fr - Google Maps If link doesn't work look for Sant'Angelo in Theodice on Googlemaps then zoom in & use the Streetview tool. if you've got a map on the battle use that to compare with the ground as it is. I can't find one at the moment.
I know this is an old forum but I just read several pages about the Rapido River battle in Rick Atkinson's book, "The Day of Battle" The war in Sicily and Italy, 1943-1944. If anyone is interested in learning of the Italian Campaign, I highly recommend this book.My late Grandfather served most of his time in Italy. Furthermore, Mr. Atkinson has written a wonderful trilogy of books called the The Liberation Trilogy. The accounts and descriptions mentioned his book sure showed how disastrous crossing the river was. I will definitely check out the website about the 36th Infantry to learn more.
I just found this forum and picked up the "in memorium" from President Reagen after my dad died. Something had moved in the frame mom put it in and i found the following. JOSEPH H. TAYLOR, (serial number) Sergeant, Company A, 143rd Infantry Regiment, for gallantry in action on 20-21 January 1944 in Italy, Ordered to recross a strategic river in a second attack on strongly defended positions, Sergeant Taylor helped carry rubber boats 600 yards through an intense mortar barrage and furious small arms fire to the river crossing point. On the hostile side of the river, he advanced in the face of heavy fire until stopped by barbed wire entanglements covered by the crossfire of machine guns. Unable to advance further, his group consolidated and held their positions throughout the night until the increased intensity of enemy shelling made the area untenable. By command of Major General Walker We always knew dad had served with honor, but I had never seen this document before. As the memorial day holiday approaches I just wanted a small way to say. "Thanks Dad, good job" and to all the other dads and now I guess grandads who served in all the different theaters "Good job" Bill
You father deserved this honor. He was one of many sacrificed by overrated "leaders" of that Italian campaign. It is a testiment to the spirit of the soldiers that quietly and bravely took this mission knowing they were doomed by idiotic leaders from above. Also be proud he served under General Walker of the 36th ID. A true Infantry Leader hung out to dry by Clark and Keyes.
