|
|
|
Battle of Rapido River
The Battle of Rapido River took place on 20-22 January 1943 near Cassino, Italy and resulted in an Allied withdrawal. The action, which involved an attempted crossing of the river south of Monte Cassino, was part of an effort by the US Fifth Army to breach a series of German defensive positions known as the Winter Line (also known as the Gustav Line) that stretched across Italy between Rome and Naples. The 141st and 143rd Infantry Regiments of the US 36th Infantry Division were the main Allied units involved in the action. Although initially successful in crossing the river, the Americans could not establish a bridgehead on the far side due to intense German resistance and were driven back across the river with very heavy casualties.
If you can provide any additional information, please add it here.
|
Those known to have fought in Battle of Rapido River during the Second World War 1939-1945. 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 Battle of Rapido River? There are:0 items tagged Battle of Rapido River 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. |
|
Pvt. Harold L. Thompson 2nd Btn. G Coy. 141st Infantry Regiment Harold Thompson enlisted in the U.S. Army on 24th of November 1942 at the age of 20. He served in G Company, 2nd Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment in the 36th Infantry Division. He had spent some time in North Africa for additional training before he would fight in Italy.
His baptism of fire occurred around 0330 on 9th of September 1943 on the beach at Salerno, Italy during Operation Avalanche. In the weeks that followed, Harold and the 141st Infantry Regiment fought up Highway 6 to Monte Cassino. By January 1944, the 36th Infantry Division was at the vicinity of San Angelo. Harold was fighting in a battle known as the Battle of Rapido River at the time of his capture. This battle took place from 20th of January through 22nd of January 1944, when he was reported as missing in action. Harold was one of approximately 770 men captured at the Rapido River. Harold would spend 503 days in captivity at Stalag IV-B.
|
Recomended Reading.Available at discounted prices.
|
|
|
