British Battlefield Tour on the Garigliano River

The 56th and 46th British Battlefield Tour on the Garigliano River. HiSTORICAL BACKGROUND

In mid-January 1944, American General Mark Clark assigned an important task to the British X Corps. The objective was to establish a threatening bridgehead on the north side of the Garigliano River, close to the coast, to force the German forces to divert reinforcements away from the northern sectors. These German troops needed to be kept as far as possible from Anzio and Cassino, where two separate Allied attacks were planned. Clark instructed the British X Corps to attack in two directions: the primary objective was toward Sant’Ambrogio sul Garigliano and the surrounding hills, while the secondary objective targeted the Ausente Valley, between Tufo and Castelforte.

The 56th and 46th Battlefield Tour: the Ausente River and the Garigliano River

British General Richard L. McCreery knew his men were exhausted after the attacks on the Winter Line, and the prospect of crossing a large river followed by climbing a mountain wall did not sit well with him. He was also not confident in the American attack on the Rapido River but had to follow orders. Consequently, he sent the 5th and 56th Infantry Divisions to the Ausente Valley and ordered one brigade of the 46th Division to advance toward Sant’Ambrogio. His plan was to deploy the 46th Division only after the initial attack, approximately two days later.

The 56th and 46th Battlefield Tour: Operation Panther

Operation Panther began at 9:00 p.m. on 17 January under mild weather conditions, catching the German 94th Division by surprise. The diversion organized to the north was successful, but initially, the biggest challenge the British faced was the extensive minefields along the ford. It was only later that the Germans realized what was happening and concentrated their fire on the engineers attempting to build bridges.

56 London Infantry Division on the Castelforte battlefield. (Black cat)

Major-General Gerald Templer crossed the Garigliano River in front of Castelforte and Suio to attack the surrounding hills. To cross the large river, the division relied on 72 assault boats. For the assault, Templer assigned the 167th Brigade to the left flank and the 169th Brigade to the right, while the 168th Brigade was tasked on 11 and 12 January with quietly destroying several dangerous German bunkers without drawing the enemy’s attention.

The 56th and 46th Battlefield Tour: crossing the Garigliano river

The 167th Brigade sent its three battalions to three different crossing points:

• The 9th Royal Fusiliers to Scafa Orve’
• The 8th Royal Fusiliers to Masseria Grotte
• The 7th Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry to Maiano di Sotto

After a difficult initial attempt, the men managed to reach the Castelforte-Minturno road, which made them feel that half the task was already accomplished. On the right flank, General Lyne and the men of the 169th Brigade reached their designated crossing point without major difficulties, although they had to carry their boats over a long distance.

The 56th and 46th Battlefield Tour

Some men of the 2nd Queen’s Royal Regiment crossed the river near Petronio Farm and Castelluccio Mount, a location easily visible to the Germans. They worked under enemy fire, but by the following morning, all the men had successfully reached the other side of the river. Others were luckier and encountered only light resistance.

The 56th and 46th Battlefield Tour: Mount Cianelli

Both brigades successfully crossed the river, but once they reached the mountains, they soon encountered difficulties and their advance slowed. By the evening of 18 January, the 9th Royal Fusiliers were positioned on Colle Salvatito, the 8th Royal Fusiliers on Monte Cianelli, and the 7th in San Lorenzo. The battlefield had been very bloody, but the men were determined to push forward.

The 56th and 46th Battlefield Tour: the Skipton Bridge

On the right flank, the Queen’s Royal Regiment was positioned around Suio and the surrounding hills. The sappers constructed a 40-ton Bailey bridge, which they named the “Skipton Bridge.” This bridge significantly helped the Allies cross the river in the following days, despite the river being constantly under German fire. The German forces, represented by the 94th Infantry Division, were reinforced on 20 January by the 29th Panzer Grenadier Division, as General Senger organized a strong counterattack in Tufo and between the Cianelli and Salvatito Mountains by shifting troops from the north.

The 56th and 46th Battlefield Tour

On 19 January, the 7th Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry joined the forces on Mount Cianelli, enabling the British to control the Ventosa battlefield. Meanwhile, the Queen’s Royal Regiment repelled German attacks but was unable to advance further. Exhausted after heavy fighting, the 168th Brigade relieved the 167th on Mount Cianelli and at San Lorenzo. However, the Germans were prepared for a counterattack. At 11:30 on 20 January, the German 15th Panzer Grenadier Regiment, supported by the 276th Regiment, launched a counterattack on Mount Cianelli, Mount Salvatito, and the village of San Lorenzo, but the 8th Royal Fusiliers, aided by the 40th Royal Marine Commando, successfully repelled the assault.

The 56th and 46th Battlefield Tour

On 22 January, the Germans launched another counterattack and managed to capture Mount Cianelli. At that point, the only solution was to request assistance from the 46th Division and to concentrate all efforts on a shorter attack line.

Even the 46th Division joined the Castelforte battlefield.

On 26 January, McCreery sent the 138th Brigade of the 46th Division toward Monte Valle Martina, and on 28 January they reached Ruffiano Farm. On 29 January, the Hampshire Regiment attempted once again to retake the summit of Mount Cianelli but were unsuccessful. The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry tried to assist them but were unable to overcome the German positions. This was the last attempt to capture Mount Cianelli. On the night of 7–8 February 1944, the British launched a final attack in the area. Starting from Mount Ornito, two battalions attempted to advance toward Mount Cerasola and Mount Faito, but the men were too exhausted to continue fighting.

The 56th and 46th Battlefield Tour

The attack on the Garigliano front between 17 January and 8 February 1944 resulted in 4,152 Allied casualties—killed, wounded, or missing—while the Germans lost 6,444 men. Although the attempts were ultimately unsuccessful, the bridgehead the British established held until the end of May. Veterans recall that the battlefield was strewn with bodies…

The 56th and 46th Battlefield Tour

During our tour, we will follow the diaries of the 6th Battalion. We will walk along the “Sun Track” to reach the river and the site where the Bailey bridge, called “Skipton Bridge,” was built. After crossing the bridge, the road turns left and leads to a place known as “Skipton.” From there, we will continue along a mule track to the Suio Valley and then to the supply point called “Harrogate.” I will also show you the Happy Valley, the Retelle Monument, and other important World War II highlights.

“The 56th and 46th ” Battlefield Tour on the Garigliano River: WHAT TO EXPECT

The “The 56th and 46th ” Battlefield Tour on the Garigliano River” (about 3 hours) includes:

1) Pickup from the railway station in Cassino every day at 10:00 AM or 2:00 PM (Main Square, near the Green Kiosk)

2) A guided tour lasting approximately 3 hours and 30 minutesof the British most meaningful sites of the Aurunci Mounts:

3) at 01.30pm or 05.30pm

“The 56th and 46th ” Battlefield Tour on the Garigliano River: WHAT YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT THIS TOUR

TOUR DURATION: about 3 hours

DEPARTURE TIME: Daily at 10.00AM and 02.00PM

MEETING POINT: Cassino Railway Station (Main Square, near the Green Kiosk)

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

• Professional WW2 Guidance
• local Expert
• Transportation
• Donation to the monastery

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED: Lunch and dinner are not included

PRICE PER PERSON: 120 euros (minimum 2 people)

PAYMENT:

• No advance payment required
• Payment can be made in cash to your guide during the tour

British Battlefield Tour on the Garigliano River: More Tours Available in This Area

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