Upon our arrival, "San Sabba" was Browse or search the following series by keyword in our catalogue, including by name of operation, country or region: Some or all of the publications below may be available to buy from The National Archives shop. From 1950 onwards, unit historical records and reports are in WO 305. frontier, to Trieste's "San Sabba, then "Opicina" and finally to the newly-constructed "San Sabba Annex," where men, women and children were still crammed to the point of suffocation. A few days later I called to her home again to find out what had happened and was told that the police believed the dead man had committed suicide by jumping from the roof. Dear Ron Goldstein, Thank you. Trieste's location at the top of the Adriatic has always defined it. Military Government (A.M.G. Venezia Giulia Police Force - Wikipedia Italy in WW2: Timeline of Events in 1941 - Comando Supremo You should also provide attribution to the original work, source and licence. troops must return immediately to their units.' A treaty signed between Italy and Yugoslavia more than 20 years ago to settle territorial and property disputes was never fully carried out. 1 Infantry Division (1944-45) The British and French each envisaged sending an expeditionary force of two Army corps; about 120,000 men and 26,000 horses, to Italy. Strictly speaking, of course, the authorities would not have approved of our using army issue cigarettes for this purpose, but the result was that after our evening out we used to glow all the way back to camp. There are only a few of us ready to investigate this dispassionately.''. Thousands more were deported, and many perished in Yugoslav detention camps, according to allied officers and historians who investigated the killings. A Capital of Science. In October we moved to the Trieste area, to a small town called Opicina, which sat on the top of a hill overlooking the Bay of Trieste. Lieutenant general Max-Josef Pemsel, Chief of General Staff of the Army Liguria, consisting of three German and three Italian divisions, followed Graziani's orders and declared in a broadcast message: "I confirm without reserve the words of my Commander, Marshal Graziani. The job required organising expertise rather than engineering experience, and I was soon well on top of the situation and enjoying my new-found responsibilities. On 30 September 1975 the 151st Infantry Regiment "Sassari" was disbanded and its II and III battalion put into reserve status, while the I Battalion was renamed as 1st Motorized Infantry Battalion "San Giusto". Three months after I was demobbed I received a payment from the War Office of six shillings and four pence. British Army operations after 1945 - The National Archives Its objective was "to destroy the maximum number of enemy forces south of the Po, force crossings of the Po and capture Verona". Charlene Percival [email protected] More photos on www.facebook.com/1953Italy. These used to fetch a fair price on the streets and there was at least one 'scam' that some of our own MPs were said to have practised. grim-looking stone structure, dating back to the Hapsburg period, that the I reported the matter to Busty Thomas and within minutes all the camp was sealed off. In both "San Sabba" and "Opicina" we found the same overcrowded conditions, however "Opicina" had slightly better sanitary conditions, and attempts were being made to keep most of the serious T.B. [1], On 15 September 1955 the Grouping "T" was reduced to 22nd Zonal Military Command and the 82nd Infantry Regiment "Torino" entered the Infantry Division "Folgore", which was given the task to defend the Yugoslav-Italian border between Gorizia and Trieste. [15], The Fifth Army plan (Operation Craftsman) envisaged an initial thrust by IV Corps along Route 64 to straighten the army front and to draw German reserves away from Route 65. Italian Government normally housed 400 prisoners. It remained in the U.K. re-equipping and refitting until leaving for North Africa on 6 January 1943. The bodies are those of Italians and Yugoslavs who opposed the Yugoslav Communist takeover of the city in May 1945, along with scores of captured Germans. Click on the following series references to search for records within each respective series using keywords and dates. On March 18, Clark set out his battle plan. "Gesuiti" or "the Black Hole of Calcutta" was, according to Jevtic,"a You have done a massive job. The corpses, he said, were thrown into the huge Basovizza foibe, now a memorial to the victims. British Indian Army and Britain's Allies. Regards Frank. The following sections of this guide provide links to key record seriesthat you can search within our catalogue, helping you to target your searches more precisely. We were at a rifle range that took your photograph if you hit the target and, much to our surprise, it actually worked! It must have been on the second occasion when I saw the film in the company of my fellow wireless op, Peter. badge, formation, XIII Corps (13th Corps) & British Element Trieste Lazy blighter that I am, in most cases I just 'lifted' the stories from my computer onto this site without checking for any obvious chronological errors. Once the Santerno was crossed, the British 78th Infantry Division would reprise their Cassino role and pass through the bridgehead established by the Indians and New Zealanders and drive for Bastia and the Argenta gap, 23km (14mi) behind the Senio, where the dry land narrowed to a front of only 5km (3mi), bounded on the right by Lake Comacchio, a huge lagoon running to the Adriatic coast and on the left by a marshland. On June 12, 1945, the Yugoslav forces were driven out by the British Army; American and British took over the administration of the Territory, creating the Allied Military Government [1] on the western part of the Julian March or Venezia-Giulia. On March 23, Albert Kesselring was appointed Commander-in-Chief West, replacing General-Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt. The museum located in the village is aiming to become a reference point in Italy for the history of a foreign contingent, namely what we know as the British Campaign in Italy 1917-1918. We'd like to use additional cookies to remember your settings and understand how you use our services. Associated places Western Desert, Libya, Tunisia, Sicily, Catania, Italy, Austria. Operation Roast was an assault by 2nd Commando Brigade and tanks to capture the seaward isthmus of land bordering Lake Comacchio and seize Port Garibaldi on the lake's north side. On 8 June I was home on leave again, and this time it coincided with the official victory celebrations. At the same time, the British 56th (London) Infantry Division would launch the amphibious flank attack along Lake Comacchio. October 1945: On board a mine-sweeper in Trieste Harbour From the Regimental Diary for 1 October 1945: 'Major JJ O'Brien left to go on a course in UK, also 14 days leave. At times, when I found myself signing for half a dozen tanks at a time, I used to say to myself: 'Hold on therethat's 180,000 pounds worth of equipment you've just become responsible for!' It took part in the second battle for Cassino between 11 and 18 May 1944, under the command of XIII Corps. This probably accounted for the fact that I must have volunteered for the job of prisoners escort, of which details now follow. I found your web site most interesting. Today the. In fact, Trieste was one of the most important cities in the Austro-Hungarian kingdom, along with Vienna, Budapest, and Prague. Heavy snowstorms and sub-zero temperatures made our barracks a place of purgatory and there was not a single toilet that worked in the barracks. 78 Infantry Division (1944-45). countries came under Communist control, they left for Trieste. Needless to say, once the guilty parties had fled the evidence was kept by the MPs for later sale to their own pet buyers. The division landed at Anzio on 22 January 1944 under the command of the U.S. VI Corps. The territory was split into the Yugoslav-administered Zone B in the South and the British-American-administered Zone A in the north, which included the city of Trieste. Today Im 63 years old and trying to open The United States Army assigned the mission of providing troops for the Free Territory of Trieste to the 88th Infantry Division which was on occupation duty in Italy along the Morgan Line between Italy and Yugoslavia. I remember the dances at the Four Aces and sometimes confined to barracks because of disturbstances in the town. Ron, Hi Ron. 46 Infantry Division (1943-45) to the city too. smallest information would be very helpful to me. http://www.beyondthebluehorizon.com/triestephotogallery/. 331.33 Records of Allied Military Government, British-United States Zone, Free Territory of Trieste 1942-54 (bulk 1947-54) 331.33.1 Records of the Office of the Military Governor 331.33.2 Records of the Directorate General, Civil Affairs 331.33.3 Records of the Directorate of Interior 331.33.4 Records of the Directorate of Finance and Economics It sustained heavy casualties during the battle for Anzio. Apparently the MPs would watch out for British troops making a deal in a side alley, then pounce, confiscate all the cigarettes and any money being offered and let the offenders go on a promise not to offend again. The 1st Motorized Infantry Battalion "San Giusto" was transferred to the Mechanized Brigade "Vittorio Veneto", and the 14th Field Artillery Group "Murge" to the Artillery Command of the 5th Army Corps. The accused persons were butted and struck, and always admitted the crimes ascribed to them.''. It was a British formation, always commanded by British officers, however its personnel came from throughout the British Empire and Commonwealth; complemented by units composed of exiles from Nazi-occupied Europe. After World War II the city of Trieste and the surrounding territory became the Free Territory of Trieste under direct responsibility of the United Nations Security Council. While I was fighting in Italy, somebody who shall be nameless had apparently been a naughty boy back in England and had been sentenced to a term in Lincoln jail. Most of the content on this site is created by our users, who are members of the I hasten to explain. They were interesting days, indeed, and it's nice to hear from someone who shared that experience. Gesuiti The Trieste Troops Command was an Italian Army brigade-sized command located in the city of the Trieste and tasked with the defense of the city in case of a Yugoslav-Italian war. a donation to keep it going. [20], Progress against a determined German defense was slow, but ultimately the superior Allied firepower and lack of German reserves allowed the Allies to break through the mountain defenses and reach the plains of the Po valley. As my time got nearer I got more on edge and lived in fear of being involved in a situation that might postpone my home posting. From the Regimental Diaries: '8th Oct The Rgt was inspected by the Corps Commander Lt General Sir John Harding.'. By clicking on the series links (for example,WO 269) you will arrive on the respective series description pages from where you can search the series, using dates/years and keywords, such as: Series description pages also provide information on the arrangement of the records and sometimes some of the historical context in which they were created, as well as suggesting related series you could explore. Unfortunately my In the early afternoon of April 9, 825 heavy bombers dropped fragmentation bombs on the support zone behind the Senio followed by medium and fighter bombers. Just by chance at that time, I was given a choice of two options. and the hundreds of refugees running for cover to shut themselves in tents, Hi Eric Likewise, the 14th Field Artillery Regiment and the II Field Artillery Group were disbanded and the I Field Artillery Group renamed 14th Field Artillery Group "Murge". Every morning I would set up the plan board in his office showing which, if any, vehicles were 'off the road'. Through a long period The Portal for Public History. fled into Yugoslavia during World War II and after when the Eastern European http://www.archives.gov/research/holocaust/finding-aid/military/rg-331-2.html, Apr 7, 2015 at the American mess hall, needless to say. A fair amount of local civilians attended and the service was organised by an Austrian who had been released from a concentration camp and his two daughters, all of whom worked for AMGOT (Allied Military Government for Occupied Territories). San Sabba Annex, Records of the Allied Military Government, British-United States Zone Free Territory of Trieste. The U.S. Fifth Army was to launch the Army Group's main effort at 24 hours notice from two days after the Eighth Army attack, and break into the Po valley. I had been overseas since April 1943 and it was therefore getting near the time for me to be sent home to England under the Python scheme. There is another panaramic virtual site, just as interesting: This was followed on the night of April 15 by II Corps attacking with 6th South African Armoured Division and the 88th Infantry Division advancing towards Bologna between Highway 64 and 65 and the 91st and 34th Infantry Divisions along Highway 65. The Piemonte Cavalleria was supported by the II Self-propelled Field Artillery Group in Banne, which was part of the 8th Self-propelled Field Artillery Regiment of the "Pozzuolo del Friuli" brigade. The division took part in the invasion of Sicily, crossing into Italy in 3 September 1943. The Italian right-wing National Alliance party, which received 24 percent of the vote in Trieste's last elections, cites the massacres and the expulsions to fan sentiment against the city's ethnic Slav minority, who make up about 30 percent of the population. site and I must say its been very helpful for me. Rail travel ground to a halt. began to resemble a reception center with the influx of new refugees, the On April 28, Vietinghoff sent emissaries to the Allied Army headquarters. The 351st Infantry Regiment [4] [5] of the . In the next three years, we were The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not In turn the navy invited some of us back to their own units and I was chosen to spend a day on a mine-sweeper in Trieste harbour. This page has been archived and is no longer updated. But attempts to investigate have gone nowhere. On May 1, 1945 the Yugoslav army entered Trieste (see Foibe) one day before before the New Zealand army, in a race to decide who would control the city. If you are looking for war diaries or other records related to specific British Army regiments and other units these are often recorded in our catalogue using abbreviations so try a variety of terms when searching (for example, Regt as well as Regiment, Bn as well as Battalion, Bty as well as Battery), Anthony Farrar-Hockley, The British Part in the Korean War: Official History (HMSO, 1990-1995), Lawrence Freedman, The Official History of the Falklands Campaign (Routledge, 2005), Arthur S White, A Bibliography of Regimental Histories of the British Army (The Naval and Military Press, 1992). It would not be the first time we were led up the garden path by the Recce Squadrons they were quite good at it. The U.S. Fifth Army had been reinforced between September and November 1944 with the 1st Brazilian Division, and in January 1945, with the specialist U.S. 10th Mountain Division. Brief history of Trieste From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. What an extensive experience you had! A Once-Forgotten Port Of Italy Is Alive With A Diverse Cultural And Then to Monfalcone for a gunnery course,and later a T.A.R.A.course. I am writing to you as I have just completed a new website which has a lot of photos, reports and information on 5 Displaced Persons Camps, collected by my mother, Clare McMurray/Wositzky. In early January 1945, the British 1st Infantry Division was sent to Palestine and at the end of the month the I Canadian Corps and the British 5th Infantry Division were ordered to north-west Europe. By a sheer coincidence, when I eventually returned to England the same Trooper X was on the same draft. In Trieste, Investigation of Brutal Era Is Blocked Twenty men drawn from all ranks were sent home from Italy to be present on the night, and wonder of wonders, I was one of four corporals to travel a total of six days to attend the dinner. In support of the New Zealand operations, 28 Churchill Crocodiles and 127 Wasp flamethrower vehicles were deployed along the front. Thanks for a wonderful web site and if you know where I could get more info and pictures please let me know. I would be very gratefull if you have any info. It landed at Taranto and advanced up the Adriatic coast under the command of XXX Corps. It landed in Sicily on 26 July 1943, moving to Italy on 22 September 1943. Although they gained a foothold, they were still held up at positions on the Fossa Marina on the night of April 14. It was handed back to Italy in 1954. Almost overnight, stones were whitewashed, flagpoles were erected and 'bull' was the order of the day. The 46 Infantry Division was a second line Territorial Army formation, which was formed in 1939 as a duplicate of the 49 (West Riding) Infantry Division. It left Italy on 27 January 1945 to transfer to Palestine, where it arrived on 2 February. For the next nine years, Trieste was under a British and American military government, becoming one of the front-line cities of the cold war. getting at Gesuiti, couldn't compare to the quality and quantity we experienced The system for release from the army at that time was based on a combination of age and length of service. II Corps would then attack along Route 65 towards Bologna. 'Loopy', or to give him his full title, Lieutenant Colonel Sir George Arnold Ford Kennard, 3rd Baronet, was quite a character then, and even now and his biography entitled simply 'Loopy' makes very good reading. The Poles had also closed on the Santerno by the night of April 11.[19]. The Partisan army seized the Istrian Peninsula, in the southern Adriatic, and raced on toward Trieste. This was accompanied by a pay form that explained that the money in question was two days' ration allowance for escorting a prisoner back to Darlington from a jail in Lincoln!
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