Monte Cassino/ Anzio

Kai, re desertion in that area, a very good insight remains the book "Naples '44" by Norman Lewis. Lewis was a British Intelligence officer assigned to Naples and describes his experiences with the military, civil authorities, unofficial authorities and the locals. Other than desertion there were high instances of venereal disease, corruption and black-market.

Re Cassino, for the visitor the new museum is of some interest though I found it disappointing insofar as it is about the history of the region and only part covers WWII.

No.9

 

Norman Lewis' book is indeed a classic and well worth reading.

And where the h*ll have you been, No. 9 ?

 

”where the h*ll have you been, No.9 ?”

Ah yes, hello Martin. Been cruising the net with my trusty sidekick, Wilkinson, trying to spread a little peace and understanding among fans of the Third Reich. Sometimes I achieved ’peace on’, and sometimes……
click the pic for sound

Seems relatively quiet these days, regarding WWII history - proper history that is, the ‘gamers’ seem as active as ever. Perhaps popular interest peaked a bit last year being the 60th anniversary of the end of the war, certainly the MOD have formally drawn a line.

I’ve been over to Italy with Veterans a number of times, and am considerably further forward with unravelling more facts of events. Will be back again in a couple of months, but it becomes increasingly hard for the originals. BTW, Gerry Chester, (North Irish Horse), is still on the web from time to time. He’s currently visiting his daughter in Bali where he says net access is “slow”.

Expect you’re still busy with two engined Merlin’s, which I’m sure you are. In the course of your travels, would appreciate any tips on the whereabouts of a couple of H/B remainders – well, two are, one may not be yet. The positive remainders are ’Commando Dispatch Rider’ and ’From Omaha to the Scheldt’, and the maybe not yet is ’Attain by Surprise’. The first two turn-up on eBay, new, starting at £7 - £9, which means somewhere they are selling for £3 - £4, but where?

Regards to all.
No.9

 

Thanks for the update, No.9...don't lose touch !

I do indeed still haunt London's remaindered bookstores, so I'll keep my eyes peeled.

 

From Kesselring´s memoirs...

Quite apart from the fact that the Army Group was not in possesion of data on which to make far-reaching decision on 14 or 15 May, unexpected difficulties arose in bringing up the 26th panzers and sending them into action. When on top of this the 94th Infantry division , in disobediance to my express orders, assembled its reserves in the coastal sector instead of the Petrella massif the gaps created in the front on the massif could not be closed. This meant the Alpine troops of the French Expeditionary Force had a clear pitch.

On the battle a site telling facts in short

Fourth Battle at Cassino

 

Also from Kesselring´s memoirs on Rome...

" If on 4 June he ( Clark ) had immediately pushed forward on a wide front, sending his tank divisions on ahead along the roads , our Army Group west of Tiber would have been placed in almost irrepairable jeopardy, and I might have been induced precipitately to rush back the Tenth Army´s motorised divisions across the Tiber to build up a new front south or north of Trasimeno."