That photo is in a book about the Italian campaign which Peter pointed out to me sometime in the late 1980s or early 90s. The photographer's name I forget, but I contacted the IWM about the photo and the person who replied mentioned that the photographer had been in the Museum the day before. I was probably inquiring as to where and when exactly the photo was taken, but I don't think we ever got an answer to that.
The fact that it's a trials No.4(T) fits well with the other photos we see of No.4(T)s in Italy and the frequency of ex-trials rifles in those photos, and that in turn fits well with the relatively slow rate of conversion and small number of No.4(T)s on issue in 1943.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
Surpmil, it wasn't just the scrubby, rock strewn terrain that made me think of Italy; it was the scrubby rock strewn terrain PLUS the presence of a Trials 4T that made me think of Italy!!
One would need to dig around more to find the regiment, but given the crucifix placed at the foot of the marker it could the the London Irish as they got battered quite badly around there apparently.
The location is actually "Santi Cosma e Damiano" which is a village on the other side of the hill from Castelforte. Both were more or less in the Gustav Line and got bombed out by our side as a result.
Last edited by Surpmil; 02-07-2025 at 12:23 PM.
“There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”
My dad fought in Italy and at Monte Cassino so I have a bit of interest - and pride about it.
One day when I was at junior school, I came home and winged that a girl in my class, Janina Kiscevik, the daughter of a Polish soldier refugee had snatched and broken my pencil case. My dad sat me down and told me about the Poles who took Cassino and battled their way right up to Austria. I never moaned about Janina or the other polish boys and girls in our little Catholic school again. He had the same respect and admiration for the Sikhs of the Indian Army who fought there too
My dad fought in Italy and at Monte Cassino so I have a bit of interest - and pride about it.
One day when I was at junior school, I came home and winged that a girl in my class, Janina Kiscevik, the daughter of a Polish soldier refugee had snatched and broken my pencil case. My dad sat me down and told me about the Poles who took Cassino and battled their way right up to Austria. I never moaned about Janina or the other polish boys and girls in our little Catholic school again. He had the same respect and admiration for the Sikhs of the Indian Army who fought there too
My ex-father in law, was one of those Poles who fought at Monte Cassino, where he lost part of his foot to a German stick grenade, and that was the end of his war.
Just the thing for putting round holes in square heads.
PM
Originally Posted by 
