Battles of WW2 Index

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Italian Campaign    The British 8th Army landed in Italy on the 3rd September 1943 followed by the US 5th Army on the 9th September. Mussolini had been deposed and arrested on 25th July The new government signed an armistice with the Allies on 3rd September 1943 which was to come into effect on the 8th, but did not oppose the invasion when it was launched 5 days earlier. German troops were pushed slowly northwards in a series of hard fought battles. On the 26th September 1943 some Italian Troops formed a patriot army under General Vincenzo Dapino which fought alongside the Allies in the Battle of San Pietro Infine in December. At the beginning of 1944 this force became the Italian Liberation Corps, and then in July 1944 it was completely re-equipped by the Allies as the Italian Co-belligerent Army, alongside an Italian Co-belligerent Navy and Air Force. The combined Allied Force of British, American, Italian, Polish and Brazillian units, drove the German Army north until the last forces were cornered and defeated in the Battle of Collecchio-Fornovo near Parma. General Heinrich von Vietinghoff then in command of the German Army in Italy, signed the instrument of surrender on behalf of the German armies in Italy on 29th April 1945.   11th Nov 1940 Attack Made July 1943 Shipping 25th July 1943 Mussolini dismissed 27th July 1943 Orders 19th of August 1943 Plans September 1943 To Sicily Sept 1943 Relocation September 1943 Another Move 1st September 1943 Embarkation 1st Sep 1943 On the Move 1st Sep 1943 Orders 2nd Sep 1943 Planning 2nd Sep 1943 On the Move 3rd September 1943 Invasion of Italy 3rd September 1943 Armistice with Italy signed 3rd Sep 1943 Anti Aircraft Artillery Support 3rd Sep 1943 Advance 4th Sep 1943 Advance 4th September 1943 Halifax lost over Italy 4th Sep 1943 On the Move 5th Sep 1943 Deserters 5th Sep 1943 On the Move 5th Sep 1943 On the Move 6th September 1943 Squadron moves on Sicily 6th Sep 1943 Withdrawal 7th September 1943 Preparation for invasion 7th Sep 1943 Move 7th Sep 1943 On the Move 8th September 1943 Move to Italy 8th September 1943 Italian Armistice announced 8th Sep 1943 Surrender 9th Sep 1943 Landing 9th Sep 1943 Observation   Men of the 9th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers at an observation post at the window of a ruined house, Salerno, 9th of September 1943 © IWM (NA 6836) 9th Sep 1943 Observation 9th Sep 1943 Assault 9th Sep 1943 Explosion 9th September 1943 Landing at Salerno 9th September 1943 Landing 9th Sep 1943 On the Move 9th Sep 1943 Advance 9th Sep 1943  On the Move 9th Sep 1943 Stiff Opposition 9th Sep 1943 In Action 9th Sep 1943 In Action 9th Sep 1943 On the Move 10th September 1943 Advance 10th Sep 1943 On the Move 10th Sep 1943 In Action 10th Sep 1943  In Action 10th Sep 1943 In Action 10th Sep 1943 Orders 11th September 1943 In Action 11th September 1943 Attack 11th Sep 1943 On the March 11th Sep 1943 Shelling 11th Sep 1943  In Action 11th Sep 1943 Counter Attack 11th Sep 1943 Reliefs 11th Sep 1943 In Action 12th of September 1943 Attack Made 12th September 1943 Orders 12th Sep 1943 Parade 12th Sep 1943 Line Reinforced 12th Sep 1943  At Rest 12th Sep 1943 Orders 12th Sep 1943 In Action 13th Sep 1943 Attack 13th of September 1943 Shelling 13th Sep 1943 Awards 13th Sep 1943 Stand to 13th Sep 1943  Reorganisation 13th Sep 1943 Positions Strengthened 13th Sep 1943 In Action 14th Sep 1943 In Action 14th September 1943 In Action 14th September 1943 Orders Reconsidered 14th Sep 1943 Conference 14th Sep 1943 Stand to 14th Sep 1943  Enemy Flushed 14th Sep 1943 Orders Issued 14th Sep 1943 Guns Active 15th September 1943 Into Italy 15th Sep 1943 Attack 15th September 1943 Move to the Italian mainland 15th September 1943 Attacks Made 15th September 1943 Operation Avalanche 15th Sep 1943 Preparations 15th Sep 1943 Mortars 15th Sep 1943  Shelling 15th Sep 1943 Patrols 16th September 1943 Move to Italy 16th Sep 1943 On the Move 16th Sep 1943 Enemy Attack 16th Sep 1943  Recce 16th Sep 1943 Enemy Active 17th Sep 1943 Reliefs 17th Sep 1943 Orders 17th Sep 1943 Reliefs 17th Sep 1943  Shelling 17th Sep 1943 Air Raid 18th Sep 1943 On the Move 18th Sep 1943 At Rest 18th Sep 1943  Advance 19th Sep 1943 Orders 19th Sep 1943 Landings 19th September 1943 Move to Italy 19th September 1943 Airfield under fire 19th September 1943 Orders 19th Sep 1943 Contact 19th Sep 1943 Reorganisation 19th Sep 1943  Move 18th Sep 1943 Advance 19th Sep 1943 Orders 20th September 1943 Enemy Active 20th Sep 1943 Positions 20th Sep 1943 Reliefs 20th Sep 1943  Shelling 20th Sep 1943 Reliefs 21st Sep 1943 Patrols 21st Sep 1943 Shelling 21st Sep 1943  Patrol 21st Sep 1943 Shelling 22nd Sep 1943 On the Move 22nd Sep 1943 Patrol 22nd Sep 1943  Night Attack 23rd Sep 1943 Working Parties 23rd September 1943 Move to Italy 23rd Sep 1943 On the Move 23rd Sep 1943 Situation 23rd Sep 1943 Enemy Artillery 23rd Sep 1943  Advance 24th Sep 1943 Maintenance 24th Sep 1943 Lecture 24th Sep 1943 Preparations 24th Sep 1943  Standing by 24th Sep 1943 On the Move 24th Sep 1943 Arrival 25th September 1943 Into Italy 25th Sep 1943 On the Move 25th September 1943 Relocated 25th Sep 1943 Quiet 25th Sep 1943  Attack Launched 26th September 1943  Move to Italy 26th Sep 1943 Advance 26th Sep 1943 Address 26th Sep 1943 Quiet 26th Sep 1943  Heavy Rain 27th Sep 1943 Advance 27th Sep 1943 On the Move 27th Sep 1943 On the Move 27th Sep 1943  On the Move 28th Sep 1943 Landings 28th Sep 1943 Maintenance 28th Sep 1943 Visit 28th Sep 1943 Instructions 28th Sep 1943 Hospitality 28th Sep 1943  Refitting 29th Sep 1943 Maintenance 29th Sep 1943 Training 29th Sep 1943 On the Move 30th Sep 1943 On the Move 30th Sep 1943 Attachment 30th Sep 1943 On the Move 30th Sep 1943 Standing by 30th Sep 1943  Parade October 1943 Into Italy October 1943 Move to Italy October 1943 Little action over Italy 1st Oct 1943 Invasion of Italy 1st Oct 1943 In Action 1st Oct 1943 Ready to Move 1st Oct 1943 Moves 2nd October 1943 Move into Italy 2nd Oct 1943 Heavy Rain 2nd Oct 1943 Ready to Move 2nd Oct 1943 HQ Established 3rd Oct 1943 Enemy Aircraft 3rd Oct 1943 Ready to Move 3rd Oct 1943 Hospital Attacked 4th Oct 1943 Enemy Aircraft 4th Oct 1943 On the Move 4th Oct 1943 Move 5th Oct 1943 In Action 5th Oct 1943 In Action 5th Oct 1943 Training 5th Oct 1943 Road Cleared 6th Oct 1943 In Action 6th Oct 1943 Attack Made 6th Oct 1943 Orders 6th Oct 1943 Orders 7th October 1943 Move to Italy 7th Oct 1943 Enemy Retires 7th Oct 1943 On the Move 7th Oct 1943 New Positions 8th October 1943 Civilians 8th Oct 1943 Training 8th Oct 1943 Patrols 9th Oct 1943 Training 9th Oct 1943 Crossing Points 10th September 1943 Enemy Pushed Back 10th Oct 1943 Shelling 10th Oct 1943 Enemy Active 11th Oct 1943 On the March 11th Oct 1943 Recce Patrol 12th Oct 1943 Crossing Attempted 12th Oct 1943 Crossing 13th October 1943 Fighter base established in Naples 13th Oct 1943 Quiet 13th Oct 1943 Assault Made 14th Oct 1943 Attack Made 14th Oct 1943 Recce Patrol 14th Oct 1943 River Crossed 15th Oct 1943 Patrol 15th Oct 1943 Smoke Screen 16th Oct 1943 River Crossing 16th Oct 1943 Patrol 17th Oct 1943 Advance 17th Oct 1943 Prisoners Taken 18th October 1943 Moved forward 18th Oct 1943 In Action 19th October 1943 Reliefs 19th Oct 1943 Advance 20th Oct 1943 Bodies Found 20th Oct 1943 In Action 21st October 1943 River Crossed 21st Oct 1943 Preparations 22nd Oct 1943 Advance 22nd Oct 1943 Assault Made 23rd Oct 1943 On the Move 23rd Oct 1943 Recce 24th Oct 1943 Attack Made 24th Oct 1943 Advance 26th Oct 1943 Reliefs 27th Oct 1943 Patrols 28th Oct 1943 Supplies 28th Oct 1943 New Positions 29th Oct 1943 On the Move 29th Oct 1943 Advance 30th Oct 1943 Advance 30th Oct 1943 Progress Made 31st of October 1943 Mov & Tn Embarkation Instruction No 2 Appendix E1 31st Oct 1943 Advance 31st Oct 1943 Mines 1st November 1943 Move to India 1st Nov 1943 New Positions 2nd Nov 1943 New Positions 2nd Nov 1943 Advance 3rd November 1943 Leaving Italy for India 3rd Nov 1943 Advance 4th Nov 1943 Quiet 5th Nov 1943 On the Move 5th Nov 1943 Advance 6th Nov 1943 Patrols 7th Nov 1943 Minefield 7th Nov 1943 Advance 8th Nov 1943 Advance Nov 1943 In Action 10th Nov 1943 Enemy Observed 12th Nov 1943 Shelling 13th Nov 1943 Orders Cancelled 14th Nov 1943 On the Move 15th Nov 1943 In Billets 18th Nov 1943 On the Move 18th Nov 1943 Advance 20th November 1943 Back to Algeria 20th Nov 1943 Heavy Rain 20th Nov 1943 Attack Made 21st Nov 1943 Mines 22nd November 1943 Move to the front line 22nd Nov 1943 Mines 23rd Nov 1943 Orders 23rd Nov 1943 Crossings 24th Nov 1943 On the Move 25th Nov 1943 Preparations 25th Nov 1943 River Rising 26th Nov 1943 Preparations 27th Nov 1943 Preparations 28th Nov 1943 Preparations 29th Nov 1943 Preparations 29th Nov 1943 Town Captured 30th Nov 1943 On the Move 30th Nov 1943 Hard Fighting December 1943 Relocated to Italy 1st Dec 1943 Hard Fighting 2nd Dec 1943 In Action 2nd Dec 1943 Advance 3rd December 1943 German flight encountered 5th of December 1943 Mid-air collision 6th Dec 1943 Reliefs 7th Dec 1943 Poor Weather 8th Dec 1943 Attack Made 9th December 1943 Move to Syria 9th Dec 1943 Hard Fighting 10th Dec 1943 Attack Made 12th Dec 1943 Bridgehead Gained 13th Dec 1943 Recce 14th December 1943 Move to Italy 14th Dec 1943 Reliefs 14th Dec 1943 Ground Gained 15th Dec 1943 Recce 16th Dec 1943 Move 16th December 1943 Killed in air combat 16th Dec 1943 Reliefs Complete 16th Dec 1943 Advance 17th Dec 1943 Patrols 18th Dec 1943 Patrols 18th Dec 1943 Very Hard Fighting 19th Dec 1943 Aircraft shot down 20th Dec 1943 Shelling 21st Dec 1943 Reliefs 21st Dec 1943 Preparations 22nd Dec 1943 Preparations 22nd Dec 1943 Attack Made 23rd Dec 1943 Defence 23rd Dec 1943 Preparations 23rd Dec 1943 In Action 24th Dec 1943 Preparations 24th Dec 1943 Heavy Fighting 25th Dec 1943 Festivities 25th Dec 1943 Bombardment 26th Dec 1943 Recce 26th Dec 1943 Village Taken 27th Dec 1943 Preparations 28th Dec 1943 Preparations 29th Dec 1943 Night Raids 29th Dec 1943 Preparations 30th Dec 1943 Fighting Patrols 31st December 1943 Press release 31st Dec 1943 No Contact 31st Dec 1943 Blizzard January 1944 On the move January 1944 To Italy 1st Jan 1944 Quiet 1st Jan 1944 Move 3rd January 1944 Move north 5th Jan 1944 On the Move 6th Jan 1944 Training 7th Jan 1944 Training 8th Jan 1944 Training 9th Jan 1944 Reliefs 9th Jan 1944 Training Jan 1944 In Action 10th Jan 1944 Heavy Shelling 10th Jan 1944 Conference 11th Jan 1944 Air Raid 11th Jan 1944 Recce 12th Jan 1944 Some Shelling 12th Jan 1944 Recce 13th Jan 1944 Town Shelled 13th Jan 1944 Recce 14th January 1944 Fuel problems 14th Jan 1944 Patrols 15th Jan 1944 Orders 16th January, 1944 Preparations for beach landings 16th Jan 1944 On the Move 17th January 1944  Moved airbase 17th Jan 1944 Mines 17th Jan 1944 Preparations 17th Jan 1944 Assault Made 18th Jan 1944 River Crossed 18th Jan 1944 Assault Made 19th Jan 1944 Attack Made 19th Jan 1944 Attack Made 20th Jan 1944 Recce 20th Jan 1944 In Action 22nd January 1944 Battle of Anzio 22nd January 1944 Air cover over battle area 22nd Jan 1944 Bridging 22nd January 1944 Battle of Anzio 23rd January 1944 Battle of Anzio 23rd January 1944 Crash on take-off 24th January 1944 Battle of Anzio 25th January 1944 Battle of Anzio 26th Jan 1944 Ready to Move 27th Jan 1944 Shelling 28th Jan 1944 Aircraft Active 29th Jan 1944 Recce 30th Jan 1944 Attack Made 30th January 1944 Battle of Anzio 30th January 1944 Fighter bomber Wing assembled on the Adriatic 31st January 1944 Moved to Italy February 1944 Army support and anti-shipping sorties February 1944 Move to Italy 2nd Feb 1944 Positions Occupied 3rd February 1944 Battle of Anzio 3rd Feb 1944 In Action 4th Feb 1944 Heavy Shelling 5th Feb 1944 Heavy Shelling 7th February 1944 Battle of Anzio 7th Feb 1944 Heavy Shelling 8th Feb 1944 Enemy Active 9th Feb 1944 Break Through 10th February 1944 Lost in combat 16th February 1944 Battle of Anzio 18th February 1944 Battle of Anzio 18th February 1944 Battle of Anzio 18th February 1944 Address 20th February 1944 Attacks 21st Feb 1944 Padre   Reverend G B Fairhurst, Padre of the 2/5th Queen's Regiment, talking to two of the men in his battalion and an American soldier in the Anzio bridgehead, 20-21 February 1944. © IWM (NA 12082) 21st Feb 1944 Padre 22nd February 1944 Change of Command 24th February 1944 Into Italy 29th February 1944 Battle of Anzio March 1944 Close support 1st March 1944 Wet 2nd March 1944 Recce Patrol 2nd March 1944 Attack Made 3rd March 1944 Flares 3rd March 1944 Ops 4th March 1944 Patrol 5th March 1944 Patrol 6th March 1944 Quiet 7th March 1944 Reliefs 7th March 1944 Ops 8th March 1944 In Billets 9th March 1944 Orders 11th March 1944 Conference 11th March 1944 Supply Route 15th March 1944 Air Raid 18th March 1944 Airfield Attacked 19th March 1944 Airfield Attacked 21st March 1944 Into Italy 22nd March 1944 Supply Route 23rd March 1944 Dug in 23rd Mar 1944 Award 24th March 1944 Supply Route 26th March 1944 Attack Made 28th March 1944 Railways 31st March 1944 Bomber lost at sea April 1944 New role April 1944 Move to Britain 1st April 1944 Move 4th April 1944 On the move 10th May 1944 Preparations 11th May 1944 Under Fire 12th April 1944 Back onto operations 14th April 1944 Endless patrols 14th April 1944 Viterbo aerodrome attacked 15th April 1944 Bomber Missing at Sea 16th April 1944 114 Squadron Airman killed 19th April 1944 Dog-fight over Anzio 19th April 1944 Short move 20th April 1944 Abortive mission 22nd April 1944 Bomber raid delayed by rain 23rd April 1944 Move to Monte Cassino 23rd April 1944 Motor traffic attacked 24th April 1944 Fighters intercepted on dawn patrol 25th April 1944 German fighter aircraft scarce 28th April 1944 Bomber escort sorties 29th April 1944 Airfield straffed by friendly fire 29th April 1944 Escort failed to rendezvous 30th April 1944 Escort under fire 1st May 1944 Move North 1st May 1944 Bomber escort 2nd May 1944 Beautiful dawn 3rd May 1944 No opposition 4th May 1944 Bridge damaged 5th May 1944 Photo reconaissance May 1944 Signallers   Signallers of the 6th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment using a radio in a dugout on Monastery Hill. IWM (NA 13363) May 1944 Signallers 11th May 1944 In Action 11th May 1944 Address 11th May 1944 In Action 11th May 1944 Preparations 11th May 1944 Replacement aircraft 11th May 1944 Equipment 11th May 1944 Orders 12th May 1944 Attack Made 12th May 1944 Bombers hit troop position 12th May 1944 Difficult Obstacle 12th May 1944 Offensive Begins 12th May 1944 Aerodrome bombed 12th May 1944 Move Forward 12th May 1944 Briefing 12th May 1944 On the Move 13th May 1944 Orders 13th May 1944 Attack Made 13th May 1944 Orders 13th May 1944 Spitfire Squadron decimated 13th May 1944 Orders 13th May 1944 River Crossed 13th May 1944 Orders 14th May 1944 On the Move 14th May 1944 Advance 14th May 1944 On the Move 14th May 1944 Bombed out squadron recovered 14th May 1944 On the Move 14th May 1944 In Action 14th May 1944 Reliefs 15th May 1944 Recce 15th May 1944 Battle of Anzio 15th May 1944 Attack Made 15th May 1944 Two enemy aircraft shot down 15th May 1944 In Action 15th May 1944 Advance 15th May 1944 Reliefs 16th May 1944 Into Position 16th May 1944 In Action 16th May 1944 In Action 16th May 1944 Attack Made 16th May 1944 Sweep 16th May 1944 In Action 16th May 1944 In Action 16th May 1944 In Action 17th May 1944 In Action 17th May 1944 Attack Made 17th May 1944 In Action 17th May 1944 Advance 17th May 1944 Air Raid 17th May 1944 Replacement aircraft 17th May 1944 In Action 17th May 1944 Attack Made 18th May 1944 Orders 18th May 1944 On the Move 18th May 1944 Advance 18th May 1944 Attack on Monte Cassino 18th May 1944 Routine 18th May 1944 Advance 18th May 1944 Advance 19th May 1944 Long-range tanks fitted 21st May 1944 Move to the west 21st May 1944 Poor weather for flying 22nd May 1944 Holding the Line   D Company, 1st Battalion,Green Howards occupy a captured German communications trench during the offensive at Anzio, Italy, 22nd May 1944. IWM (NA 15297) 22nd May 1944 Holding the Line 22nd May 1944 Thunderstorm 22nd May 1944 German airfields deserted 23rd May 1944 Breakout from Anzio 23rd May 1944 Better accommodation on Corsica 24th May 1944 Bridges targetted 25th May 1944 Breakout from Anzio 25th May 1944  26th May 1944 Breakout from Anzio 26th May 1944 Language problem 27th May 1944 Uneventful 28th May 1944 Bomber escort 29th May 1944 Summer arrives 30th May 1944 Breakout from Anzio 30th May 1944 Me109 shot down 31st May 1944 Satisfactory report 4th June 1944 Entry into Rome 4th June 1944 Shot down over Anzio 5th June 1944 Move north 12th June 1944 Move to Rome 13th June 1944 Move to Rome 16th June 1944 New aircraft 19th Jun 1944 On the Move 19th Jun 1944 In Action 21st Jun 1944 In Action 24th June 1944 Move north 24th June 1944 Advance 24th June 1944 Hard Fighting 25th June 1944 Italian airfield occupied 25th June 1944 On the Move 27th June 1944 Royal visit July 1944 Occupation of Corsica July 1944 In Support 11th Jul 1944 Bridge Work 5th July 1944 Moved again 9th July 1944 Move forward 11th July 1944 New role 13th Jul 1944 Mobile Cinema 14th Jul 1944 Exercise July 1944 Strategic move 18th July 1944 Detachment 20th July 1944 Move to Corsica 25th July 1944 Move to Italy 26th July 1944 Squadron on the move 29th July 1944 Party at sea 1st Aug 1944 On the Move 1st August 1944 Squadron divided 2nd Aug 1944 On the Move 3rd Aug 1944 Mobile Cinema 3rd August 1944 New operational base 7th August 1944 In Action 7th August 1944 Operational 10th August 1944 Stores arrive in Italy 12th August 1944 Operation Dragoon 13th August 1944 Shot down 13th August 1944 On the move 16th August 1944 Squadron reunited 20th August 1944 Precision bombing 23rd August 1944. Pilot killed in accident 24th August 1944. Bomber escort duty 25th August 1944. Escort provided for Winston Churchill 26th August 1944 Sea rescue 28th August 1944 Move east September 1944 Detachment 1st Sep 1944 Orders 1st Sep 1944 At Rest 1st September 1944. Five sorties - one pilot missing 2nd Sep 1944 Reliefs 2nd Sep 1944 On the Move 3rd Sep 1944 Patrols 3rd Sep 1944 In Action 4th September 1944 On the move 4th Sep 1944 Enemy Engaged 4th Sep 1944 In Action 4th September 1944. Bridges bombed 5th Sep 1944 Reliefs 5th Sep 1944 Attacks Made 6th September 1944 Battle of Rimini Ridge 6th Sep 1944 New Area 6th Sep 1944 Heavy Shelling 6th Sep 1944 Reliefs 7th Sep 1944 Lecture 8th Sep 1944 Lecture 10th Sep 1944 Church Parade 11th Sep 1944 Orders 12th Sep 1944 On the Move 12th September 1944. Spitfire disintegrated - pilot killed 13th Sep 1944 Attack 13th September 1944 Close support operations 14th Sep 1944 Defence 14th September 1944 Railway targets 15th Sep 1944 Patrols 16th Sep 1944 Under Fire 17th Sep 1944 In Action 17th September 1944 Change of command 18th Sep 1944 Advance 18th September 1944 South African Spitfire pilot killed 19th Sep 1944 Attack Made 20th Sep 1944 In Action 21st Sep 1944 On the March 22nd Sep 1944 Advance 22nd September 1944 C.O. posted 23rd Sep 1944 In Action 24th Sep 1944 On the Move 25th Sep 1944 At Rest 25th September 1944 Cab-rank operations in Italy 26th Sep 1944 Orders 27th Sep 1944 Orders 28th Sep 1944 Heavy Rain 29th Sep 1944 Advance 30th Sep 1944 Orders October 1944 Back to Italy October 1944 In Support October 1944 In Support October 1944 Re-Equipping 1st Oct 1944 Quiet Oct 1944 Defensive Positions 2nd Oct 1944 Quiet 2nd October 1944 Bad weather 4th Oct 1944 Congratulations 7th October 1944  Glider tow to Italy cancelled 9th October 1944 Stirlings leave for Italy 10th October 1944 Evaded capture 10th October 1944  Gliders released over Italy 11th Oct 1944 Orders 12th Oct 1944 On the March 12th October 1944 Transport back to England 13th Oct 1944 Patrols 14th October 1944 R & R 14th Oct 1944 Patrols 15th Oct 1944 Patrols 16th Oct 1944 Patrols 17th Oct 1944 Shelling 18th October 1944 Moved north 18th Oct 1944 Misty 19th Oct 1944 Patrols 20th Oct 1944 Patrols 21st October 1944 Moving on 21st Oct 1944 Patrols 22nd Oct 1944 Patrols 23rd Oct 1944 Advance 24th Oct 1944 Patrols 24th October 1944. Bombing and leaflet dropping sorties 25th Oct 1944 Enemy Positions 26th Oct 1944 Bad Weather 27th Oct 1944 Reliefs 28th Oct 1944 Some Shelling 29th Oct 1944 Reliefs 30th Oct 1944 On the March November 1944 Move to Rimini 1st November 1944. Sickness 2nd Nov 1944 Orders 3rd November 1944 Move postponed 4th Nov 1944 Press Photographer 4th November 1944 Bombs dropped at third attempt 5th Nov 1944 Orders 5th November 1944 Very busy day 6th Nov 1944 Orders 8th Nov 1944 Reliefs 9th Nov 1944 Reliefs 10th Nov 1944 Aircraft Lost 10th Nov 1944 Enemy Active 11th Nov 1944 Explosions 11th November 1944 Tiger Tanks bombed 12th Nov 1944 Enemy Active 12th November 1944 Air sea rescue duties 13th Nov 1944 Artillery Active 13th November 1944 Villas in Florence requisitioned 14th Nov 1944 Artillery Active 15th Nov 1944 Shelling 16th November 1944 Fighter Bomber role 16th Nov 1944 Shelling 16th November 1944. 36 sorties despite shortage of ground crew 17th Nov 1944 Fire Fight 17th November 1944 Squadron moves to Florence 18th November 1944 On the move 18th Nov 1944 Reliefs 19th Nov 1944 Rest Area 19th November 1944 New operating area 21st Nov 1944 Orders 22nd Nov 1944 Orders 23rd Nov 1944 Advance Party 24th Nov 1944 Reliefs 25th Nov 1944 Shelling 26th Nov 1944 Shelling 27th Nov 1944 Shelling 28th Nov 1944 Enemy Active 29th Nov 1944 In Action 30th Nov 1944 Heavy Shelling December 1944 Dive-bombing 1st Dec 1944 Difficult Conditions 2nd Dec 1944 Relief 2nd December 1944. Operations in support of 5th Army 3rd Dec 1944 Recce 4th December 1944 Moving on 4th Dec 1944 Move 5th Dec 1944 On the Move 8th Dec 1944 Orders 9th Dec 1944 Orders 10th Dec 1944 On the Move 10th Dec 1944 Mortars 11th May 1944 Pinned Down 11th May 1944 In Action 11th Dec 1944 Orders 11th December 1944. Operational tours completed 12th Dec 1944 Defence 13th Dec 1944 Training 15th December 1944 Ground level attack 15th Dec 1944 Attack Postponed 16th Dec 1944 Mines 18th Dec 1944 Mortars 19th Dec 1944 Mortars 22nd December 1944 Pilot killed 25th Dec 1944 Orders 25th December 1944. Dinner in the mess 26th Dec 1944 Orders 27th Dec 1944 Orders 28th Dec 1944 Orders 29th Dec 1944 Orders 30th Dec 1944 Advance Party 30th December 1944 Various targets attacked 31st Dec 1944 Reliefs 1st Jan 1945 Patrols 1st January 1945 New operating base 2nd of January 1945 Communications 2nd Jan 1945 Patrols 3rd Jan 1945 Orders 4th Jan 1945 Patrols 5th Jan 1945 Alert 6th Jan 1945 Heavy Snow 7th of January 1945 Orders 7th Jan 1945 Deep Snow 8th Jan 1945 Reliefs 9th Jan 1945 Advance Party 10th of January 1945 Shelling 10th Jan 1945 On the Move 12th Jan 1945 On the Move 13th Jan 1945 Orders 14th Jan 1945 Church Parade 15th Jan 1945 Instructions 16th Jan 1945 Advance Party 17th January 1945 Attack on oil refinery 18th January 1945 Explosion 19th January 1945 Married men stood down 20th of January 1945 Appendix F 20th of January 1945 Evacuation Notice 20th of January 1945 Civilians 20th Jan 1945 On the Move 20th January 1945 Gun positions attacked 21st of January 1945 Reliefs 21st Jan 1945 On the Move 22nd of January 1945 Orders 22nd Jan 1945 On the Move 23rd of January 1945 Patrol 23rd of January 1945 Orders 23rd Jan 1945 On the Move 24th of January 1945 Shelling 24th Jan 1945 In Camp 25th January 1945 Reliefs 25th Jan 1945 Orders 26th of January 1945 Orders 26th Jan 1945 Preparations 27th Jan 1945 On the Move 27th January 1945 Food and equipment dump bombed 29th January 1945 Four missions 31st January 1945 Busy month for Spitfire Squadron 4th February 1945 Mixed missions for Spitfires 8th February 1945 Maritime patrols again 8th February 1945 Spitfires escape ack-ack 10th February 1945 Cab-rank duties 11th February 1945 Storage depot bombed 13th February 1945 Ammo dump and tank repair depot bombed 15th February 1945 Tank depot attacked 16th February 1945 Defensive fighter ops 18th February 1945 Killed in action 19th February 1945 Armed recces 21st February 1945 Variety of targets bombed 22nd of February 1945 Command 22nd February 1945 Hay carts bombed 23rd February 1945 Orders 23rd February 1945 Spitfire pilot baled out 24th February 1945 Cab-rank duties 25th February 1945 On the move 26th February 1945 Italian towns bombed 27th February 1945 Flak 28th February 1945 Considerable effort by Spitfire Squadron 7th March 1945 Move to the north 8th March 1945 Inaccurate bombing 9th March 1945 Mixed results from bombing Mar 1945 On the Move 12th Mar 1945 On the Move 21st March 1945 Enemy positions deserted 22nd March 1945 Spitfire pilot missing 28th March Squadron disbanded in Italy Mar 1945 Transfer 28th Mar 1945 Accident 29th March 1945. Bombing targets 31st March 1945 Oilfield attacked April 1945 Into Yugoslavia April 1945 Reorganisation 2nd April 1945. German jet fighters escape pursuit 4th April 1945. Pilot lost on test flight 4th April 1945. German HQ Bombed 8th April 1945 Baled out 9th April 1945 Move to Croatia 9th April 1945 River Senio 9th April 1945 Final push 11th Apr 1945 River Crossed 12th April 1945. Pilot killed attacking coastal guns 13th April 1945 Spitfire shot down 15th of April 1945 Message 15th April 1945. 185 Squadron record 11 missions in one day. 16th April 1945 Australian pilot shot down 19th Apr 1945 In Action 20th Apr 1945 Bridges 22nd April 1945. Busy but unsuccessful day 22nd Apr 1945 River Crossed 23rd April 1945. 185 Squadron new record of 15 missions in one day 25th April 1945. Little enemy action. Move to new bnase 25th Apr 1945 Advance 26th April 1945. No enemy movement 30th April 1945 Crash landing 30th April 1945. Spitfire Squadron in Italy relocated 3rd May 1945. Free drinks 4th May 1945. Recce over Austria 19th May 1945 Army of occupation If you can provide any additional information, please add it here. Those known to have fought in Italian Campaign during the Second World War 1939-1945. Adams James Henry. Tpr. Adamson Hugh. Addinall MM.. Thomas William. L/Sgt. Alcroft Frederick. Cpl. (d.16th October 1944) Allen Herbert George. Pte. Allpress Walter John. Pte. Armitage Benjamin. Aster Sydney William. Cpl. Atkinson George. Pte. Attrill Cedric George Henry. Cpl. Auten Wayne M. Pvt. Aylward Stanley. Pte. Bailey Alan. Pte. (d.17th Jan 1944) Bailey Arthur. Bain Willis Earl. St.Sgt. Baird Archibald MacKechnie. Baker James Michael. LAC Baker Thomas George. Capt. Banks Harold. (d.11th September 1944) Banton MM.. Clifford Edwin. L/Sgt. Barnes Douglas Frank. L/Cpl. (d.6th July 1944) Barnes Raymond Charles Edward. Pte. (d.13th May 1944) Barnes Sidney. L/Cpl. (d.2nd Jan 1945) Barrett Royden Whittaker. Cpl. Bates Cyril. Pte. Bates Frederick. Pte. Bates James Delameter. Sgt. Bates Leslie. L/Cpl. Bates William. Pte. Bawden Sydney Arthur. Cpl. Baxter MM.. John Cockburn. Pte. (d.18th Dec 1944) Bayley John. L/Cpl. Beagley Douglas. Bean William. SSgt. Bedford Eric. L/Cpl. Beland Robert. Gnr. Bennett Gordon. Sgnlmn. Bennett Harry. Pte. Bennett MM.. Leslie. Gdsmn. Berriman Alan. 2nd Lt. Bestel Jean. Spr. Betts James John. Bilson Clarence. Pte. (d.6th September 1944) Bish Leonard George Joseph. Cpl. Bishop Arthur Charles. Dvr. Black Laurence. Blackwell John. Blair Jack. Pte. Blakeman Clifford. Gnr. (d.7th May 1943) Bonnie Edward. PFC. Booth MiD.. John Richard. Capt. Boothroyd Ernest. Pte. Bowdidge Ronald. Pte. Boyd William James. L/Sgt. Bradley Francis Henry . Gnr. Bradley Philip George. Pte. (d.5th Oct 1943) Brain Gordon Leonard. Pte. Braunwarth Leo. Cpl. Brewer Joseph. Sgt. Bridges Denis. Tpr. (d.9th February 1945) Briggs Albert. L/Bdr Briggs Albert Vernon. Bright Thomas. Driver Brogan Edward Thomas. Tpr. Brooks Fred Victor. Pte. Brown Cloyd. Brown Harry. Brown James Thomas. Sgt. Brown Reginald James. Bruton Douglas Harry. Cpl. Burbridge Dennis Frederick. F/Sgt. Burnett Ernest Roy. Pte. Burns Andrew Stirling. Drvr. Burton Frederick Macdonald. W/Sgt. Burton Oliver George. Sgt. Butcher Stanley George. Gnr/Driver Butcher Victor James. Sgt. Byron Patrick Christopher. L/Cpl. Cadenhead Charles. Caligari Percy. Pte. Carey John. Cargill J. Sgt. Carr Norman Frederick. Carrington Walter. Sgt. Carter Dick. Cartwright Willoughby Hugh. Capt. Chambers Ronald George. Tpr. (d.28th August 1944) Chard William George. L/Sgt. (d.21st July 1944) Cheesman Walter. Spr. Chester Arthur Gerald. Tpr. Childs Albert George. Pte Clarke Frederick Montague. Dvr. Clement William John. Sgt. Cloughton Wiliiam Jones. Able Sea. Coggin Henry Hubert. Pte. Coleman Harold Albert. Gnr. Collier Peter. Ldg.Sea. (d.17th Jun 1944) Collings Douglas Arthur. Cook Fred. Pte. Cooper Edgar Roy. Pte. (d.12th Feb 1944) Cooper Sam. Driver Corker Victor. Pte. Cory John. Coslett Francis Edward. A/WO2 RQMS Cote Joseph Alfred. Pfc. Cott George. Cotterill Albert John. WO2 Cotton Horace Bailey. Pte. Cox MM.. Arthur Edward. Fus. (d.24th Oct 1943) Cox Leopold. Crossfield Robert. Crossland Alfred. Pte. (d.10th of May 1944) Crowther Charles. Crumley Thomas. (d.14th June 1944) Crumley Thomas. Fusil. (d.14th Jun 1944) Culshaw Gregory. Cpl. Darlington John. Col (d.25th December 1943) Daubney Francis. Pte. Davidson DCM.. Douglas. Tpr. Davidson James Lewis Gerrie. L/Sgt. Davis Alfred. Pte. Davison Thomas William. Tpr. Dawson Frederick William. Pte. Daykin Alfred. Deacon Leslie William Richard. Mjr. DeAngeli Frank. Tpr. Dearden Allan. Capt. Denness Charles Arthur. Sgt. Denton John Samuel. Pte. (d.5th January 1944) Devaney Francis. Pte. Dewis Norman. Pte. (d.18th Jul 1944) Dewse William. Bmbdr. (d.26th Oct 1943) Dixon Thomas McFarlane. L/Cpl. Doleman George. Gdsmn. Dorrington Thomas. Pte. Down MID. Albert. Downey James. Sgt. Downie William. Pte. Driver MiD.. Frederick. Cpl. Drummond Henry. Driver Dryden Jim. Sgt. Duggan Harry. Pte. Dunn MM.. Leslie Charles. Sgt. Dyer Robert. Pte. (d.5th Dec 1944) Eades George Arthur. Pte. Earl John Geofrey Cadman. Bmbdr. Edmonds Benjamin LaForest. Edwards Raymond. Pte. Edwards Robert Comfort. Bombardier Eglin Tom. Ehmann Frederick Elliot. Ellwood James. L/Cpl. (d.5th Oct 1943) Embrey Robert Arnold. (d.1st May 1944) Evans William Ferguson. Pte. Everett Arthur Henry Wellington . Pte. Everton Clifford. Fairs Albert Victor. Pte. (d.8th Oct 1944) Fannon Thomas Edward. Flt.Sgt. Farmer Cornelius. Dvr. Farooq Ghulam Musfta. Jem. Farrar Arthur. Pte. (d.6th June 1944) Farrell 16466195. Charles. Gnr. Fear George Austin. Pte. Featherstone Howard. Sgt. Fisher Reginald. Flattely Alastair. Fletcher Ernest Leslie. Bmbdr. Fletcher George. Foster Ronald Frederick. Sgt. Francis Albert Ernest. Gamman William George. Pte. Ganner Raymond Keith. L/Cpl. Gardiner Jack Edward. Fus. Gaskell Ernest. Ord.Sea. George John Ernest. Sgt. Getley George. Craftsman Gibb Lionel Simpson. Gillan Frederick George. Fus. (d.27th March 1945) Glew Jack. Tpr. (d.19th Apr 1945) Godbold MC.. John Ralph Mackie. Lt. Goddard Cecil Lawrence. Gdsmn. Goelitz Herman C. Pvt Goodheart Lester Earl. PFC. Goodier Joseph. Pte. Gordon Joseph. Pte (d.28th June 1944) Gott DCM.. William. Sgt.Maj. Gower Kenneth. Grasby John. CSM. Green George Alexander. Sgt. Green George Clements. Rflmn. (d.25th Aug 1944) Green Robert Goodwin. L/Sgt. (d.17th Feb 1944) Green William Anthony. Cpl. Greenwood John Frederick. Sgt. Gregory George James William. Pte. Grevatt MiD.. Phillip Henty. Maj. Grice William Henry. Pte. (d.9th Jul 1943) Groves Peter Macdonald . Cpl. Hadfield Robert William. Marine. (d.22nd Dec 1944) Hagedorn Paul Albert. Hall Sidney Thomas. Tpr. Hallam MID. Gilbert Dennis. Sgt. Hamilton George. Tpr. Hamilton William. Hammond Herbert Arthur. Pte. Hammond Reginald John. L/Cpl. (d.28th December 1943) Hampshire Raymond Nicholson. Gnr. Handley Charles David. Pte. Hannam George James. Hannant Frederick Henry. Gnr. Harding B Lesley. Hardwick Clifford. Harling James. L/Cpl. Harris Richard. Sgt. Harris William Ralph. Pte. Hart Gerald. Pte. Hartshorn James Owen. Pte. Harvey John Henry. Harvie James. Pte. (d.9th Aug 1942) Hawke Cyril Vivian. Sgt. Haynes Albert Fredrick James. Pte. Heal Albert George. Pte. (d.12th May 1944) Heeley Edward Albert. Mar. (d.6th Dec 1944) Hehir Valentine. Maj. Heimdal Theodor. Pte. Heimdal Theodor. Pte. Henderson Basil Foden. Lt. Herbert Willis. Pte. (d.20th September 1944) Hesketh William Arthur. Gnr. Heveldt Andrew John. Heveran Ronald Lewis. Pte. Hickmott MID. Edward William. Cpl. Higlett Harry Lloyd. Gnr. (d.22nd September 1943) Hill George Walter . Pte. Hobbs Frederick Dennis. Sgt. Hoffman Harold K.. Pte. (d.8th September 1944) Holland Sidney James. Pte. Holmes George Henry James. Sgt Holtom Albert Joseph. Cpl. Hooper Albert J.. Sgt. Hopps Ernest Leonard. Pte. Horton Sydney James. Howard Frederick Noel. Howden Leonard. Trpr. Howe Allan Brunskill. L/Sgt. (d.27th Apr 1945) Howe Ted. Howie MID.. Ian Alexander. Capt. Hudson Gilbert. Hurstfield John. Hynes Frederick Frances. Pte. Ingleby George. Irons Stephen Charles. Cpl. (d.12th Sept 1943 ) Jack Ebenezer Chisholm Leitch. Pte. (d.16th Jun 1944) Jackson MM.. Frank William. L/Cpl. (d.24th Sep 1943) Jadav VC.. Namdeo. Hvdr. Jaggard Charles Cecil. Cpl. James George. Jamieson Tommy Miller Young. Gnr. (d.11th Jan 1945) Jenkins Horace Monroe Pierce. Jewkes Archibald Aldwyne. Gdsm. Johnson Francis Bernard. Gnr. Johnson William. Pte. Jones Hubert. Jones Ronald Herbert. Cpl (d.September 2001) Jordan Ferdinand Peter. Lt. Jordan Thomas Eli. L/Cpl. Kadlubowski Chester. Katzovitz Louis. Pte. Kelly DCM. Frederick. WOII. Kelly James. Pte. Kelly John. Kelly John. Pte. Kemp John Reith. Gnr. Kilpatrick Sydney James. C.Sgt Kinnear Peter. Capt. Kirk George Robert Wilfred. Kirk Stanley Felix. Sgt. Knight MC.. James Murless. Maj Knott Henry. Sgt Major. Knott Reginald. Sgt. Lacey William. Laing Arthur. Pte. Laird Robert. Gdm. Lakin James Duncan. Sgt. (d.11th October 1944) Lamb Leo Bernard. AC2. Lamb Leo Bernard. LAC. Lambshead MM.. Percie. Sgt. Lane Lawrence. Pte. Larsen William Glen. Sgt. Latuske William. Lawrence Gwenneth Pauline. Pte. Lee Bob. Lee F. J.. Lee John Edward. Pte. Lemon MID. Herbert Sidney. Bmbdr. Lennox Andrew Allan. (d.22nd Dec 1943) Leonidas . Levick George Frederick. Pte. Lewis William Thomas Albert Edward. Pte. Ley-Wilson Derrick. Mjr. Linehan Patrick Edward. Pte. Lipinski Romauld E.. Little Charlie H.. SSG. Livingston James Govan. Pte. Loftus William Alfred. Cpl. Logan Bill. Sapper Lomas Frank. Love, James Marvin. Sgt. Lovell Arthur. Sgt. Lowman John Augustus. Lt. Lundie William. Cpl. Lyon DFC. R. V.. Sqd.Ldr. Lythaby Ernest John. Mabbott John. MacDonald Gordon. Sgt. MacDonald Malcolm. P/O Macklin Clarence Leo. Buck Sgt. Macleod G.. Pte. (d.6th March 1944) Madden George. Pvt Malbon Frank. Pte. Mannering Reginald. Marsh Frank. WO. Marshall John Wilfred. Gnr. Martyn Jan. Massie William. Lt. Mathew Lancelot Jude. Pte. Mathias Robert Reginald. Gnr. (d.24th Apr 1945) Matthews Harry Pengriff. Pte. Maxwell MC.. George Barton. 2nd Lt. Maxwell William Edward. Gnr. May John Edward. Pte. (d.23rd September 1944) Maynard Wally. McCall Archibald Ness. 2ndLt. McCarth C. Sgt. McClelland James Poage. Pte. McCreddie Kenneth Alexander. Pte. McGovern Patrick. Cpl. McGuiggan Peter. McInerney . Sgt. McIntosh James. CSgt. McIntosh William Douglas Telfer. Bmbdr. McIntyre Hoodless. Lt. (d.26th Sep 1944) Mcintyre James Townsend. Pte. Mckeane Patrick. Gnr. Mckeane Patrick. Gnr. McMath William. Sgt. McMullen Arthur Henry. McQuitty William Herbert. L/Cpl. Mean William George. Pte. Mee Albert. Gnr. Megicks Frederick James Rhys. Sgt Mellard John. Gnr. Midcalf Raymond Aubrey. Miller Charles Edward. Pte. Miller Peter. Mintz Leslie. Pte. Mitchell John. Pte. Mogie William. Pte. (d.28th Dec 1943) Moon Charles Frederick. Pte. Moon John. Rfmn. (d.5th Jan 1945) Moore Eric Herbert. Pte. (d.24th May 1944) Moore John. Morgan Eddie. Morris Ernest Edgar. Gnr. Morris Horace William. Sgt. Morris Walter. Morrison MID. William Landskroon. Mjr. Moss Thomas Neil. Pte Motley William Thomas. Mouncey Harry Frederick. Sgt. Munns Lionel. Cpl. Murphy Gerard. Pte Murphy Gerard. Pte. Murray Alastair Allan. Capt. Murray Patrick Joseph . Pte. Neesom Cyril. Pte. Neighbour Freddie. Newell Sidney. Spr. (d.13th June 1945 ) Nicol William Herbert. Ninow Frederick George. Pte. Norman MM. Charles Frederick. A/Sjt. Norton VC, MM.. Gerard Ross. Capt. Nuttall Harry. L/Cpl. O'Brien George. LAC O'Connell Daniel Peter. Cpl. O'Connor Eugene Patrick. Pte. O'Hara John James. Pte. O'Neill Gilroy. CSM. Olorenshaw John Turner. Cpl. (d.11th Aug 1944) Openshaw William. Pte. Orchard. Peter. WO. Pace Frederick Arthur. Gnr. Page Arthur Edward. Pte. (d.28th Sep 1943) Palfrey George Thomas. Trpr. Pamplin Thomas George. Sgt. (d.8th July 1944) Parker Richard John. Cpl. Patilla MiD.. Colin Seaton. Drv. Payne BEM. Eric Donald. Sgt. Peace Ray. Peachey Fredrick William. Pte. (d.6th Jun 1944) Pearce Robert William. Sgt. Pedley Norman. Pte. Pegg Frederick Albert. Sgt. (d.13th Feb 1944) Perkins Alexander Reginald. Capt. Perkins Harry. Phillips Howard. L/Sgt. (d.14th Dec 1944) Pickett Jack. Bdr. Pollard Frederick Herbert. Driver Poole Leslie Hubert. Porter Arthur John. Fireman Potter Edward John. Pte. Potter John Edward. Dvr. Potts Ernest Marland. Powell Herbert. Powis John Donavon. Pte. Prebble Norman Noel. L/Sgt. Prescott Edward. W/Sgt. Preston Dennis Percy Saunders. Pte. Price Peter. L/Cpl. (d.17th Dec 1943) Prichard Howard E.. Pring Thomas John. Sgt. (d.18th Oct 1943) Proctor Bernard Shaw. Major Purchase George. Pte. Quail William James. Pte. Quinn Ernest. L/Cpl. Rabel Joseph Raymond. Capt. Race David Joseph. Pte. Radder Orville William. Randles Paul John Leonard. Pte Redgrift William Henry. Gnr. Reed Charlie. Spr. Rees Glyndwr Howell. Cpl. Regan Henry. Pte. Reid Raymond Andrew . Pte. Renfrew Alexander McGowan. Revell Alfred. Reynolds MM.. James. L/Sgt. (d.1st September 1948) Rice Francis. Sgt. Richardson Robert Walmsley. L/Cpl. Ridl MC.. Walter Leopold. Lt. Ridsdale John Herbert. Lt. (d.23rd December 1943) Ritchie John. Sgt. Robertson Matthew. Robson MiD.. Edward Herbert. Capt. (d.23rd October 1944) Rogers Alfred Ernest. Rosendale Henry F.. Rosendale John. Rossiter Thomas John James. L/Cpl. (d.19th Mar 1944) Rouse George William. Gnr. Russell Sydney Douglas. Flt.Sgt. (d.1st February 1944) Saint John Owen. Pte. (d.15th September 1944) Sanson Jack. Cpl. Sargeant Donald Charles. Sgt. Saunders Charles. Saunders Charles. Pte. Savory MiD.. George Frederick. Cpl. (d.22nd Jul 1944) Scott Victor George. Gnr Seay Harold. Pte. Seller Douglas Reid. Cpl. Shale John Joseph. Gnr. Shaw George Henry Wilde. Gnr. (d.25th Jun 1945) Sheard Robert. Cpl Shekhawat Sumer Singh. Capt. Shillito Lionel Charles. Pte. Shirley John Henry. Cpl. (d.11th September 1944) Short Jack Cameron. Capt. (d.30th September 1943) Short Jack Cameron. Capt. (d.30th Sep 1943) Simpkins Edgar Thomas William. S/Sgt. Simpson Rennie. Pte. (d.19th April 1945) Sims George. Pte. (d.14th Sep 1944) Skeats Joseph Charles. Pte. Sketchley . Percy Robert. Gnr. (d.10th Apr 1945) Slater Fred. Gnr. Smallman Abraham. Sgt.Mjr. Smith Charles Burt. Pte. (d.7th October 1943) Smith MM.. Donald Eric. Capt. Smith George. Smith John Rheims. Sgt. Smith Mark. Cpl. (d.16th Sep 1944) Smith Norman John. Pte. Smith Robert. Gdsm. Smith Sydney Harry Hyder. Cpl. Smith Thomas. Driver (d.27th August 1944) Smith Thomas. Tpr. Smyth Herbert William. Pte. Sowden Ivor. Sparks Charles. Squibb William Herman. L/Cpl. Standen Ronald Albert Ernest. Trp. (d.24th Feb 1945) Stanness John. Pte. Starbrook Jack. Cpl. (d.30th April 1944) Stead Edward. Gnr. Steele Albert Edward. L/Sgt. Steenkamp MID.. Johannes Jacobus. S/Sgt. Stewart Douglas Haig. Pte. Stewart Jacob Augustus. RSM. Stewart James Clark. Sgt . Stockbridge Walter. Pte. (d.27th Aug 1944) Stoker John Mullen. WS/Sgt. Stokes Jack Morris. Cpl. Stonier Adam. Pte. (d.30th January 1944) Storey James Wilfred. Drv. Stott MID.. William. Dvr. Stratton Sidney Thomas. Pte. Street MC.. Eric Peter. Major. Stubberfield Edward James. L/Cpl. Studley Alan Vernon. Sgt. Sturman Cecil Douglas. Cpl. Sullivan Thomas Joseph. R.S.M. Surber Armor C.. Syme Peter. WO2. (d.16th February 1944) Taylor Arthur. Taylor George Reginald. Taylor Laurence Edward. F/Sgt. Taylor Robert. CQMS. Taziker William. Pte. (d.12th Sep 1943) Thomas Wilfred Owen. Cpl. (d.11th Nov 1944) Thompson Acel E.. Cpl. Thompson Douglas John. L/C Thompson Harold L.. Pvt. Thomson James. L/Cpl Thresher Leslie Stephen. Pte. Tierney Frank. Pte. Tierney William. RSM. (d.11th Nov 1944) Tilley George Edward. Grdsmn. Tipping Joseph Patrick. Pte. Tompson Donald Joseph. Cpl. Tonlinson Reginald Samuel. Cpl. Toombs Eric. Trawley Sidney Henry. L/Cpl. Tudor James Arthur. Bmdr. Turner Austin Reginald. Sgt. (d.26th October 1944) Turner Clifford Edward. Turner Ronald Sydney. (d.8th Feb 1944) Turton John William. Pte (d.3rd September 1944) Tweddle William. L/Cpl. (d.14th September 1943) Tyldesley William. Pte. Unwin Kenneth. Cpl. Veal Arthur Raymond. Ft.Sgt. Walker Harry. Pte. Walker Purple Heart. Warren. Sgt. Wallbridge James. Walton George Geordie. Pte. Walton Lloyd Henry. F/O. (d.22nd July 1943) Ward John William. Warne William. L/Cpl. (d.18th Jan 1944) Warren Spencer John Norman. Rflmn. (d.16th Sept 1944) Warttig George. Gnr. Waters Eric Fletcher. 2nd Lt. (d.18th Feb 1944) Watson Joseph. Pte. (d.10th Sep 1943) Watts Charles Reginald. Cpl. (d.3rd Dec 1943) Webb Douglas Ernest. L/Cpl. Wedlock Kenneth. Weir John George. Rfmn. Wells Arthur Thomas. Wells Sidney David. Pte. West Cyril Henry. Pte. West Leslie. Sgt. Whaley Charles Peter. Lt. (d.19th April 1945) Wheeldon Ernest. Marine Whiley Ernest. Tpr. Whitaker Alan. Sgmn. White Leonard Leslie. L/Sgt. Whitecross Thomas. Pte. Whitehead Robert. Pte. Whittingham Edward Richard . Sgt. Willacey Robert. Pte. Williams Clifford. LAC. Williams George Francis. Pte. Williams MM. Glyndwr. Gunner Williams John V.. Cpl. Williams Peter Charles. Cpl. Williams William Henry. Sgt. (d.31st Jan 1945) Williamson Kenneth. Wilson Arthur. Wilson John Croal. Wilson John Henry. L/Cpl. (d.8th October 1944) Wood Frank Samuel. Gnr. Wood Norman Alexander . Pte. (d.30th Oct 1943 ) Wood Stanley K.. Woods Les. Woolnough MM.. James Albert. Sgt. Wray Raymond. Pte. (d.21st Jul 1943) Wright Cyril Charles. Wybrow Laurence. Sgt. Yates Robert. Sgt. Zanotti Leo J. Sgt. The names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website. Announcements 1st of September 2024 marks 25 years since the launch of the Wartime Memories Project. Thanks to everyone who has supported us over this time. The Wartime Memories Project has been running for 25 years. If you would like to support us, a donation, no matter how small, would be much appreciated, annually we need to raise enough funds to pay for our web hosting and admin or this site will vanish from the web. 18th Dec 2024 - Please note we currently have a huge backlog of submitted material, our volunteers are working through this as quickly as possible and all names, stories and photos will be added to the site. If you have already submitted a story to the site and your UID reference number is higher than 265120 your information is still in the queue, please do not resubmit, we are working through them as quickly as possible. Looking for help with Family History Research?   Please read our Family History FAQs The free to access section of The Wartime Memories Project website is run by volunteers and funded by donations from our visitors. If the information here has been helpful or you have enjoyed reaching the stories please conside making a donation, no matter how small, would be much appreciated, annually we need to raise enough funds to pay for our web hosting or this site will vanish from the web. If you enjoy this site please consider making a donation. Want to find out more about your relative's service? Want to know what life was like during the War? Our Library contains an ever growing number diary entries, personal letters and other documents, most transcribed into plain text. Wanted: Digital copies of Group photographs, Scrapbooks, Autograph books, photo albums, newspaper clippings, letters, postcards and ephemera relating to WW2. We would like to obtain digital copies of any documents or photographs relating to WW2 you may have at home. If you have any unwanted photographs, documents or items from the First or Second World War, please do not destroy them. The Wartime Memories Project will give them a good home and ensure that they are used for educational purposes. Please get in touch for the postal address, do not sent them to our PO Box as packages are not accepted. World War 1 One ww1 wwII second 1939 1945 battalion Did you know? We also have a section on The Great War. and a Timecapsule to preserve stories from other conflicts for future generations. Want to know more about Italian Campaign? There are:869 items tagged Italian Campaign available in our Library   These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Second World War. Ronald Sydney Turner 2nd Btn. North Satffordshire Regiment (d.8th Feb 1944) Ronald Turner served with the British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project has lost touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below. Dan Add to this record. Cpl. Peter Charles Williams 10th Btn. Parachute Regiment My Grandfather Peter Williams was born 25th January 1915, we believe at New Tyle, Scotland. He originally joined the Welsh Guards but transferred to the Parachute Regiment. He unfortunately died at only 32 years old from tuberculosis on the 15th January 1948. My Mum Diann and her sister Joy know very little about him. He died when my Mum was only 7 years old. My Nan (now 93 years old with severe dementia) was not married to him and due to this fact has refused to tell us anything about him. This is very distressing for my Mum (now 73) who has spent her whole life wondering about him and her heritage and also for myself and my own daughter knowing nothing of the life of my Grandfather. We do know he was married to a Margaret Lewis briefly prior to my Mum being born. If anyone could help me with the smallest of information it would be very kind. I just want to help my Mum find some information regarding her Dad. 2733995 Corporal Peter Charles Williams served with the 10th Battalion, the Parachute Regiment during WW2. He died after war death records ceased from Tuberculosis which means he would not appear on the Commonwealth war Graves Records. Sharon Barnes Add to this record. Pte. Frederick Frances Hynes 2nd Parachute Battalion Air Corp My late father, Frank Hynes, was in the 2nd Parachute Battalion of the Army Air Corps. He came from a long line of professional army men, enlisting in the 4/7 Royal Dragoon Guards as a boy aged 14. He served in North Africa and Italy and was captured at Arnhem where he received a gunshot wound to his left forearm. He was transferred Prisoner of War to Fallingbostel, Stalag 11B on 25th September, 1944 and was released on 23 April 1945. He went home to Brighton, UK and worked in the Special Constabulary, a bar manager at the British Legion Club at Shoreham-by-Sea and as a diamond polisher in Brighton and London. He emigrated to Sydney, Australia at the age of 30 where he met and married my mother. He worked as a Plant Controller at the Shell Oil Refinery for many years, then as a Clerk of the Court. He died in 1978 of a stroke at the age of 56. I was 23 when he died, and had not talked to him in detail about his war service or time as a POW, I had no idea really until recently when I began to look at my family history and obtained his military records. I would love to know more if anyone has more information regarding his service. Anne Barker Add to this record. Ldg.Sea. Peter Collier HM LCI Royal Scotsman (d.17th Jun 1944) Peter Collier, (b.1920) of 111 Cartmel Road, Huyton, Liverpool. Leading Seaman DSSX 25666 onboard the landing craft Royal Scotsman died on the 17th June 1944 at the Invasion of Elba, in Italy. He was listed as Missing presumed killed. Peter is Commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial in Plymouth and is possibly buried at Bolsena War Cemetery, Italy in an unnamed grave. S Flynn Add to this record. Sgt . James Clark Stewart 6th Btn. Black Watch My Dad, Jummy Stewart enlisted at Perth Scotland on 16th of October 1939. He was sent to France in 1940 as part of 51st Highland Division. They dug trenches etc and Dad called it the phoney war . They stole chickens and eggs from the French to supplement their rations. When the Germans broke through in May 1940, Dad and his section fell back to Dunkirk and arrived there about 22nd/23rd of May 1940. Dad said the Scottish soldiers were rounded up and reformed and ordered to form a u shape round Dunkirk. Dad called this a rearguard action. They defended Dunkirk to allow the ships to evacuate the troops. Dad talked about being at de Panne and then being told to destroy the vehicles and guns and fall back (along the coast to Dunkirk.) Dad returned to Dunkirk on 30th/31st of May 1940 and eventually got off the beach on 1st/2nd of June. He described wading out to boats/ships. Being strafed by German planes. He described almost getting onto a ship but being turned back as it was over-full. That ship turned and headed out when a German plane dropped a explosive down the funnel. So he was grateful he was turned back. He eventually got on a small boat and then a ship back to Dover. He slept all the way. He was then sent to the Isle of Wight to defend it as they expected an invasion. The next recollection was training on the west coast of Scotland in 1941/42 with Lord Lovatt. Here it was abseiling and climbing onto moored ships. He was then sent to North Africa in 1943. Dad was a driver and drove officers to Meetings etc. One day Brigadier Beak asked him to have his best uniform on and he wasn’t told in advance where he was going. It transpired it was for Brigadier Beak to meet Winston Churchill visiting troops in North Africa. Dad was able to salute great man. From North Africa Dad was then sent to Italy and he recalls Vesuvius still erupting as they entered Naples harbour. Dad fought at Monte Casino which he describes as hand to hand battle. The allies took Monte Casino one night then were forced back the next, which went on and on. He describes snipers waiting for them. Then Dad was sent to Greece to help the Government fight ELAS who were communists. He did not recall VE Day. He doesn’t think they celebrated it as they were still fighting. Eventually they boarded trains that took them through war torn Europe to get back to England. In January 1946 Dad was demobbed at Catterick Camp, Yorkshire. He was given a 3 piece suit and either £5 or £10 plus ration book. In later life Dad attempted to see his book in Name of Gold in Paris which marks Dunkirk veterans. He didn't see it as it was July and all museums were closed. We took Dad to Dunkirk on a family holiday to see the beaches and Le (De) Panne. He took part in a Black Watch march in Perth to commemorate 50 years since El Alemein. At his funeral in 2010 the Black Bear was played. Pamela Mclauchlan Add to this record. Capt. Jack Cameron Short 2nd Btn. Parachute Regiment (d.30th Sep 1943) When Jack Short was born on 8th October 1917 in Dartford, Kent, his father James, was 34 and his mother Isabella, was 33. He married Stella Violet Hawkins on 23rd of April 1940 in Welling, Kent. They had two children during their marriage. He died as a young father on 30th of September 1943 in Sulmona, L'Aquila, Italy, at the age of 25, and was buried in Ortona, Chieti, Italy. Douglas Cameron-Short Add to this record. Pte. Horace Bailey Cotton 57th LAA Regiment Royal Artillery Horace Cotton served as a dispatch rider from 1933 to 1945. He was at El Alamein and in Italy and Greece, he lived to be 93. John Cotton Add to this record. Lt. John Augustus Lowman 15th Army Group My father John Lowman was captured in Nettuno at the Battle of Anzio on 4th of February 1944. I have a copy of his Wartime Log. Robert Lowman Add to this record. Sgt. Stanley Felix Kirk Raiding Support Regiment This was written by Stanley Felix Kirk (1913 – 2012) many, many years after the war, to the Museum of the Parachute Regiment in Aldershot as they had no knowledge of the RSR. Apparently, it now is kept in the Museum as a record. Raiding Support Regiment (RSR) The Raiding Support Regiment was created under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Sir Henry Davit about October 1943 from volunteers out of all branches of the land forces; the aim being designed to assist the country of Yugoslavia. The training camp was situated at Nahariah in Palestine. This is near Haifa. The parachute training took place at Ramat David about the end of November and was completed in 10 days. Other courses were as follows: Boat training – 2 man kayaks up to an 8 man flat bottom navy boat. Swimming up to 3 miles. Explosives – all types and or course their uses. Land mines – both ours and the opposition. Unarmed combat. I was an instructor on small arms including the Bren and the 50 calibre Browning. By this time I had been promoted to full Sergeant. Orienteering was also another one of my subjects. On completion of our training we were given 3 days leave in Haifa over the Christmas period. This was in 1943. Then we were kitted out as follows: We changed our khaki drills to the conventional khaki uniform and our side (forage) cap to the new Regimental beige beret. The rest of our kit consisted of – 1 Bergen pack - weight when filled or loaded, 90lbs. It contained one pair of South African brown field boots with alpine studs. One pair of AMO boots, one pair of felt soled boots and a pair of sneakers. These were made of soft leather and had a compressed wool type sole. These were very silent for walking through woods, especially where there were twigs. They caused no snapping and absorbed the weight of the body. As well as the usual mess things i.e. knife, fork, spoon etc – usual cleaning materials, polishes plus a Wilkinson double edge fighting knife and our personal weapon, which for my unit was a Sten gun, we were also given 5 syrettes of morphine. For use in one's clothing, in case one operated without the usual battledress (or with), we had a map of Yugoslavia which was concealed in the lining of our beret. Brass buttons, which were sewn to the waist of our trousers formed a compass when removed. There was a point in the centre of one and a white spot which always pointed north when assembled. We also had another small compass which fitted in the top of the fly section of our trousers. It was about a quarter of an inch in diameter, had 360 degrees actually on the face, oil filled and about a quarter of an inch deep. We also had one strip of metal about one and a half inches wide by four inches long which was encased in rubber. When taken out, one side was a razor sharp knife and the other a saw edge blade capable of cutting through two inches of circular steel, i.e. window bar, in approximately 2 minutes. This was usually sewn into the pocket pleat of a battle dress jacket. We also had one sleeping bag which was an inner and outer, built in pillow with a ground sheet. It was oblong in shape and had built in slats of wood. When laid on the ground with the sleeping bag on top the slats ironed out all the rough bumps and uneven ground and it was quite comfortable to sleep on. At the beginning of January we embarked for Taranto, Italy, where we disembarked and made our way up the east coast of Italy to Bari, where the headquarters were set up in a manor type house with lovely orchards, stables, two horses and all the trappings that go with the “well to do”. Unfortunately, we were then posted and embarked from Bari to the Island of Vis. We were to assist in the defence of the Island of Vis, known to the Italians, I believe, as Lisa. The island was approximately 11 miles long and 4 miles wide. It's apparent centre was oval shaped and cultivated by a shrub type grapevine. The grapes grew into almost walnut size, green and far from sweet. I mention this because 50% of the vines were removed to make a short runway which only 2 planes ever used. First the Hurricane made it – just. The second was a Lockheed Lightning which had been on a photographic mission. It was running short of fuel. The pilot of the said Hurricane was in the area and talked the Lightning pilot down. He made it using the whole length of the runaway, turning at the top end where a turning circle had been made and coming to a stop three quarters of the way back he was then refuelled but, on attempting take-off, he ran out of runway and failed to clear a low wall at the end of, dare I say, flightpath. He was catapulted out of the cockpit and fuel from the tanks, which had apparently been ruptured, followed him, ignited and he did not survive. I have told this to prove how lucky I feel and how I have no wish to turn this into a real life novel. We took part in nuisance raids on the other islands and the mainland, the capture of supply vessels of the enemy. These were usually wooden schooners and were invariably escorted by German D boats, the equivalent to our MGBs and MTBs. The motor gun boats which we used and mortar torpedo boats were usually armed in the following manner: Motor gun boats had one Bofors gun in the bow, four 50 calibre Brownings, two on the port side and two on the starboard side with a machine gun. In my case, on the boat I ever worked on or with, had a Spandau machine gun as the crew preferred it because of the faster rate of fire. The motor torpedo boats had 50 calibre Browning, the same, but had two torpedo tubes facing aft, in the centre of which, again, there was invariably a machine gun. In conclusion, these are the words of the Regimental song, should you find it of any interest. It goes as follows: We are the boy of the RSR, we go by plane, mule and motor car We fly through the air with the greatest of ease And we hit the deck on our feet and knees We hit the deck with a hell of a bump but we don’t care if it's our last jump. We earn our two bob and it’s just the job in the RSR! That’s it. My contribution to whatever it is you might wish to know regarding the RSR. Any further knowledge will have to come from other sources. I hope this is what you require. Diane Botelle Add to this record. Dvr. Arthur Charles "Sandy" Bishop 465th (General Transport) Coy. Royal Army Service Corps My Dad, Arthur Bishop was called up on 15th of January 1940 and served as a Driver in the R.A.S.C. He was home on leave for my sister’s birthday on 1st of January 1943 when someone knocked on our front door. Through the glass panel we could see the shape of a policeman’s helmet. My mother looked at me (a 6-year old boy) and said “ What have you been up to now?”. The policeman had come with orders for my father to return immediately to his unit. We did not see him again until late 1945. During that time he served in North Africa and Italy. He did not tell us about that time , but we have a photo of him standing in front of the infamous white line that the Nazis had painted around the Vatican City in Rome. My 2 sons and 3 grandsons have since stood in the same spot. It brought tears to my eyes when I saw their photographs. Mervyn Bishop Add to this record. Recomended Reading. Available at discounted prices. One Man's War Joe Nethercott This book is the story of a country boy from west Somerset who joined the RAF as soon as war was declared in September 1939, when he was 18 and an apprentice motor mechanic. Within months he was driving big lorries and cranes in the Battle of Britain, recovering crashed planes. He went on to the North African Western Desert, Egypt, Libya, Tunis and El Alamein. From there to Italy: Naples, Monte Cassino, invasion of Sicily. Then Corsica followed by France, landing near St Tropez in the D-Day of the South. Finally after four years abroad, back to the UK, a wedding and release from the RAF. Along the way he was blown up, bombed, burnt, and ill. He was not one of the commanders, or the shooting and bombing action heroes. He was responsible for the transport that contributed to everything else being possible. He tells of the problems in organising vehicles, keeping them on the road, repairing, bodging, cannibalising, improvising and inventing. This is the not often heard voice of an ordin More information on: One Man's War Links

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