Operation Devon Battlefield Tour

Operation Devon Battlefield Tour: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The small port of Termoli marked the extreme left of the German defenses, and the Germans had reinforced their battalions in the town. The Allies organized a concentrated landing at Termoli, carried out by a Special Service Brigade that sailed from Manfredonia at midday on October 2nd. The seaborne assault, which included the 40th Royal Marine Commando, took the German garrison by surprise. When the 11th Brigade of the 78th Infantry Division joined by the coast road, the soldiers formed a defensive perimeter around the town together with the Special Forces.

Operation Devon Battlefield Tour: the amphibious landing by British Commandos at Termoli

Over the next two days, the 36th and 38th Brigades reinforced the 11th Brigade by sea. The German 16th Panzer Division, along with the 79th and 69th Panzer Grenadier Regiments, attempted to resist by launching counterattacks against the Allies—until the Canadians arrived again via the coast road. Within three days, the British had strengthened the bridgehead, but the Germans planned a counterattack on the 5th. The situation became desperate for the Allies until the Three Rivers Regiment arrived at Campomarino, south of Termoli along the Biferno River.

Operation Devon Battlefield Tour: Termoli Landing

On the night of October 3rd to 4th, the Three Rivers Regiment was ordered to reach the 78th Division as quickly as possible, after intelligence reports indicated a probable German attack on the Allied bridgehead at Termoli. On October 6th, the Germans launched their assault, but with the support of the Three Rivers Regiment, the Allies were able to repel and destroy the attacking forces. The Germans subsequently withdrew inland and up the coast.

Operation Devon Battlefield Tour: WHAT TO EXPECT

The “Operation Devon in Termoli” grand tour (about 5 hours) includes:

1) pick up from your arrival at the railway station in Termoli every day  

2) about 5h guided tour of the Canadian most meaningful sites of Termoli and the surrounding area:

• The landing beaches
• The German headquarter in Termoli
• The sites of the temporary cemeteries
•  Bomb shelter on the main street
•  The palace where Monty lived in Termoli
•  The deposit of the Germans ammunitions
•  The cathedral and the bell tower
• The Military Hospital, and the German headquarter.

3) return to the railway station in Termoli

Operation Devon Battlefield Tour: WHEN AND WHERE

WHAT IS INCLUDED: minivan and ww2 tour guide 

 WHEN AND WHERE: Every day upon appointment at the Termoli railway station

PRICE PER PERSON: Price per person 150 euros (lunch or dinner not included)

GUIDES/LOCAL EXPERTS: I will lead the tour as WW2 historian, helped by Patrizia Curci as Local Guide

Operation Devon Battlefield Tour: More Tours Available in This Area

“Campobasso or Canada Town” Grand Tour  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Monte Cassino Battlefield Tour on the footsteps of British soldiers ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“The 56th and 46th Division in the Aurunci Area” Grand Battlefield Tour ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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