WWII Gothic Line, Italy(pics)

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Ryan j

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I had the day off today and thought i'd scan and share these pics of my Grandfather in WWII Italy. The pictures are not dated but they have written "My gun in position before Gothiac Line".


My Grandfather and his gun.
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Now here's a muzzle blast:eek:.
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My Grandfather on the left, 'Dixon', and 'Dunn'
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I have always enjoyed these pics; just thought i'd share....
 
Great pics! Look for a book "The Guns of Normandy" by George Blackburn. A great account of the Canadian artillery in the European theater. I don't recall there being much in the book about Italy but it will still give you a great insight into the artillery units in general.
 
Snow Dog said:
Great pics! Look for a book "The Guns of Normandy" by George Blackburn. A great account of the Canadian artillery in the European theater. I don't recall there being much in the book about Italy but it will still give you a great insight into the artillery units in general.
Click to expand...

That is a great book and I think Blackburn has three books in the series on his artillery experiences.

Great pics, you must be very proud of your grandfather.
 
That's a 5.5in medium gun. For a good account of Canadian operations in Italy,incl the fighting for the Gothic Line, read " The D-Day Dodgers,The Canadians in Italy,1943-45",by Daniel G. Dancocks.
 
Thanks fellas,

I will take a look for those titles; as I enjoy researching our military history.

I am quite proud of him actually; he was a good man. I only wish I had the chance to ask him more questions and the time to listen to more stories when he was with us.:(
 
I would highly recommend anyone interested in the Italian campaign read "The Regiment" by Farley Mowat. This book covers the history of The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment from the time they left Belleville in the fall of '39 till their return in Oct of '45. Hasty P soldiers took part in the invasion and crossing of Sicily, the invasion of Italy and most of the major battles as the 1st Division moved north including Assoro, crossing the Moro, Cassino II, Hitler Line and Gothic Line. They finished their war in The Netherlands near Apeldoorn.
I have met and worked with several Hasty P vets in the Bancroft area over the years. At least one is still living in Bancroft and remains in good health. He is a fine gentleman who was awarded the Military Medal during the Italian campaign. He was also proud to serve as the Reviewing Officer at our local Army Cadet Unit graduation parade a couple year's ago
Hasty P soldiers continue to serve both at home and in Afghanistan
 
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Hasty P's

My father, Frank Robert McGuire, served in the Hasty P's in Italy. In the "Regiment", he's in the pic where Farley Mowatt is looking through a captured telescope, Dad is standing far left. Dad was second man across the Moro river, crossing it twice that day as he was Platoon runner. I have a large Swastica flag head picked up somewhere between "the gully" and Ortona.
After being wounded for the third time he was sent home on the tri-wound scheme (Rome 1944).
I'm very proud of what he and his comrades did for us. Sadly Dad passed away this Febuary just after his 88th birthday.
Thanks for listening.
Miss ya Dad.
Geoff
 
Mark Zuehlke has a book specifically on the Gothic line if you are interested. I have it but not read it yet. I am about 1/2 way through "Holding Juno" and will tackle that one next, (same author). Zuehlke has quite a few books on Canadians in WW2. I think I have them all :)

Good reading !

And thanks for sharing your pictures.
 
I had a dear old friend who was an artillery man in WWII. He lived on the Cowessess First Nation, right along my Dad's farm. He told me that I couldn't imagine the noise when they would open up those guns. Poor old Frank came home a hero, only to get screwed over by VLA. Frank and his dear wife raised 12 or 13 kids and never drew a day's welfare or EI. God bless you my old friend and thank you for sharing your experience, your wisdom, and your love.
 
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