'Aussie Rick'’s Comments (group member since Jun 12, 2009)

'Aussie Rick'’s comments from the THE WORLD WAR TWO GROUP group.

"Monte Cassino January–May 1944: The Legend of the Green Devils" - This incident took place when the British forces attempted to take the German position at Castelforte on the night of 23/24th January 1944. The advance being held up by fierce German defences, Private George Mitchell of the 1st Battalion, London Scottish (Gordon Highlanders) took immediate action as his citation in the London Gazette reads:

"In Italy on the night of 23rd and 24th January, 1944, a Company of the London Scottish was ordered to carry out a local attack to restore the situation on a portion of the main Damiano ridge.

The Company attacked with two platoons forward and a composite platoon of London Scottish and Royal Berkshires in reserve. The Company Commander was wounded in the very early stages of the attack. The only other officer with the Company was wounded soon afterwards.

A section of this Company was ordered by the Platoon Commander to carry out a right flanking movement against some enemy machine guns which were holding up the advance. Almost as soon as he had issued the order, he was killed. There was no Platoon Sergeant. The section itself consisted of a Lance-Corporal and three men, who were shortly joined by Private Mitchell, the 2-inch mortarmen from Platoon Headquarters and another private.

During the advance, the enemy opened heavy machine gun fire at point blank range. Without hesitation, Private Mitchell dropped the 2-inch mortar which he was carrying, and seizing a rifle and bayonet, charged, alone, up the hill through intense Spandau fire. He reached the enemy machine gun unscathed, jumped into the weapon pit, shot one and bayonetted the other member of the crew, thus silencing the gun. As a result, the advance of the platoon continued, but shortly afterwards the leading section was again held up by the fire of approximately two German sections who were strongly entrenched. Private Mitchell, realising that prompt action was essential, rushed forward into the assault firing his rifle from his hip, completely oblivious of the bullets which were sweeping the area. The remainder of his section followed him and arrived in time to complete the capture of the position in which six Germans were killed and twelve made prisoner.

As the section was reorganising, another enemy machine gun opened up on it at close range. Once more Private Mitchell rushed forward alone and with his rifle and bayonet killed the crew.

The section now found itself immediately below the crest of the hill from which heavy small arms fire was being directed and grenades were being thrown. Private Mitchell's ammunition was exhausted, but in spite of this he called on the men for one further effort and again led the assault up the steep and rocky hillside. Dashing to the front, he was again the first man to reach the enemy position and was mainly instrumental in forcing the remainder of the enemy to surrender.

A few minutes later, a German who had surrendered, picked up a rifle and shot Private Mitchell through the head.

Throughout this operation, carried out on a very dark night, up a steep hillside covered in rocks and scrub, Private Mitchell displayed courage and devotion to duty of the very highest order. His complete disregard of the enemy fire, the fearless way in which he continually exposed himself, and his refusal to accept defeat, so inspired his comrades, that together they succeeded in overcoming and defeating an enemy superior in numbers, and helped by all the advantages of the ground."

Private George Allan Mitchell V.C:
https://www.britisharmedforcesthebest...

Darya Silman wrote: "I decided to go a little bit back and first read The Savage Storm: The Battle for Italy 1943 by James Holland. I know nothing about the Mediterranean theatre, as the..."

Good idea Darya, I hope you enjoy both books!

I'm hoping so!

"Monte Cassino January–May 1944: The Legend of the Green Devils" - The American disaster on the Rapido River crossing:

"A company commander reported to a senior officer: 'I started out commanding a company of 184 men. Forty-eight hours later I had seventeen. If that's not mass murder, I don't know what it is.'

The cost of the Rapido River Massacre was appalling: 1,330 dead, 934 wounded and 770 prisoners withing forty-eight hours. Two regiments were literally exterminated and the 36th 'Texas' Division had virtually ceased to exist as a fighting force. The respective 15 Panzer Grenadier Division's losses were sixty-four dead, 179 wounded, Humiliation was added to the tragedy when a captured US carrier pigeon was returned to its unit with a teasing message: 'We look forward to your next visit'.

Clark, refusing to take responsibility of the slaughter, but also not wanting to put the blame directly on Walker, said that it was due to the ' ... failure of some officers of the division who failed to fulfil their duties.' Contrary to the divisional commander's protests, Clark replaced all Walker's direct subordinates down to the rank of colonel, delivering the last morale blow to the decimated division. Protests over Clark's leadership began to spread like plague within the Allied camp."

The Rapido River crossing:
https://www.texasmilitaryforcesmuseum...

https://www.historynet.com/rage-over-...

A weekend purchase; "Krithia: The Forgotten Anzac Battle of Gallipoli" by Mat McLachlan. It will be interesting to see how it compares with Ron Austin's 1989 publication: "The White Gurkhas – 2nd Australian Infantry Brigade at Krithia".

Krithia: The Forgotten Anzac Battle of Gallipoli by Mat McLachlan

Tom wrote: "I’ll be tackling Rome ‘44’ the battle for the eternal city by Raleigh Trevelyan

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1..."

That's a pretty decent account Tom. I hope you enjoy the book.

"Monte Cassino January–May 1944: The Legend of the Green Devils" - The First Battle, 11-22 January 1944, and the attack by the Moroccans and Algerians of the French Corps:

"Despite stiff resistance, the Algerians fought hard for every inch of ground with their officers being always at the forefront of the attack in an almost suicidal manner. An extract from a post-combat analysis read:

'The young officers led their units forward magnificently. In our North African units the mettle of the Tirailleur depends entirely on his officers. He follows them blindly. The officers thus have to lead by example, to inspire the men. Each leader is destined for the sacrificial altar.'

The battle for Monna Casale (1345), one of their first objectives, developed into a prolonged, savage clash that went on throughout the day. A French Captain described the attack:

'It was an unequal battle of grenades, in which the enemy occupying the heights threw or rolled down grenades on the Tirailleurs. The latter had to crawl up the slopes to reach a position where they could reach the enemy with their grenades. The Germans had to be attacked each time with bayonets and grenades. If they were overwhelmed they counterattacked at once. The summit was taken and retaken four times. Each time bayonets and grenades were decisive. More than a thousand grenades were thrown by the two assaulting companies.'

After a series of successive German counterattacks to recapture the crest, the losses of some companies reached 80 per cent and they decided to retreat, leaving the Algerians to capture the hilltop."

First Deadly Round at The Battle of Monte Cassino:
https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/art...

carl wrote: "This cover is of the recent reprint. I'm lucky enough that a friend lent me his father's 1945 copy, who was in the regiment. He made various notes on the actions he was involved in as a 19yr old. S..."

Very nice copy that you have Carl, a unique edition with those notes eh!

Marc wrote: "I'm jumping in with this one:

The Fortress: A Diary of Anzio and After"

Nice one Marc! I enjoyed his book; "Rome '44".

Dipanjan wrote: "I have planned to read the following book

"

It's a pretty decent account, I am sure you will enjoy it Dipanjan!

I can't say that I've heard this nickname for him before; 'Marcus Aurelius Clarkus' - but it's a good one!

"Monte Cassino January–May 1944: The Legend of the Green Devils" - On the commander of the 5th US Army, General Mark Clark:

"Those who knew him closely said he was the personification of Clausewitz's paraphrased quote of: 'War is the pursuit of publicity through other means'. However, he believed that all he asked for was simply to have 'the appropriate recognition he deserved' for his efforts. Among his subordinates, he was called by nicknames such as 'His Highness' and 'Marcus Aurelius Clarkus'."

Monte Cassino January–May 1944: The Legend of the Green Devils by Angelos Mansolas

It looks interesting, I'll check it out later, thanks for the link Boudewijn!

Some good books popping up for this theme read!

Rona wrote: "First reviews are in for the October release of No Average Day:
“Original, gripping, and insightful, No Average Day is a fresh look at the human sacrifices of World War II." —Mitchell Yockelson, au..."

Excellent result Rona!

Amazon does that to me on a regular basis. Usually, I have to order a copy at a higher price the second time around as well :(

Arrived in the morning mail; "Aces at Kursk: The Battle for Aerial Supremacy on the Eastern Front, 1943" by Christopher A. Lawrence.

Aces at Kursk: The Battle for Aerial Supremacy on the Eastern Front, 1943 by Christopher A. Lawrence

Dipanjan wrote: "Nice theme. Surely will try to participate."

Good to hear Dipanjan!

My theme book is going to be this title; "Monte Cassino January–May 1944: The Legend of the Green Devils" by Angelos Mansolas.

Monte Cassino January–May 1944: The Legend of the Green Devils by Angelos Mansolas

Kevin wrote: "Reading The Savage Storm from James Holland, covering the first part of the Battle for Italy. Great so far per usual with Mr. Holland!"

Excellent book for this theme! I hope you enjoy the rest of the book Kevin.