Valour by E D Smith

Author:E D Smith
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780750981675
Publisher: The History Press

Mud – Gurkhas of the 4th Indian Division advance in Italy.

Italy – Gurkhas prepare to set out on a patrol.

Two other formations from the Indian Army saw much service in the Italian campaign. One, 10th Indian Division, contained the 2/3rd and 2/4th, both of which had been severely mauled in their short time in the Western Desert, as well as serving in other parts of the Middle East. The other formation was 43 Gurkha Lorried Infantry Brigade which consisted of the 2/6th, 2/8th and 2/10th Gurkhas. The latter formation was to serve under six different divisional headquarters during its comparatively short but intense period of operations in Italy. For those Gurkha battalions, there had been a long and frustrating period of waiting and training before finally they joined Eighth Army, to come under command of the British 1st Armoured Division, then slowly working its way north up the Italian Adriatic coast in the face of tough German opposition.

There were some sharp encounters for the 2/3rd and 2/4th Gurkhas in Central Italy and especially up the Tiber Valley, where the Germans gradually withdrew to their next big line of defences which the Allies called the Gothic Line. Fighting expert rearguard actions, the German soldiers did not allow the advancing Indian divisions any chance to relax and each Gurkha battalion in turn had to fight spirited battles to enable the advance to continue. Names like Auditore (1/2nd), Monte della Gorgace, Il Castello (both 2/3rd), Monte Cedrone 2/4th), Rippa Ridge (1/5th), Poggio del Grillo (2/7th), these are but some of the battle honours won by the Gurkha battalions serving in the three Indian divisions before the battle of the Gothic Line began.

To achieve surprise against well-prepared defences, Field Marshal Alexander reinforced troops in the Adriatic sector until V Corps contained seven divisions. The greatest care was taken to deceive Axis agents, with complicated moves being made at night and with all insignia and formation signs removed. The staff work was brilliant and the German Commander-in-Chief, Field Marshal Kesselring was caught off balance; nevertheless, as had happened before in Italy, he reacted quickly so that the outcome of the offensive was only decided after weeks of intensive fighting. Up in the hills, away from the coastal sector, the three Gurkha battalions serving in 4th Indian Division all achieved victories but only after tough fighting. The 1/2nd captured the village of Auditore and a few hours later, the steep hill behind it, Poggio San Giovanni. At the same time, on 2 and 3 September and following some stiff fighting by the 1/9th north of and around Monte Calvo, the 2/7th in a spirited night attack captured the village of Tavoleto.

Thereafter, 4th Indian Division continued its advance towards the tiny Principality of San Marino, where the Germans had respected the state’s neutrality, until the opening of the Gothic Line offensive. However; from the beginning of September, they demanded the use of the state’s territory as well as occupying vantage points on the route to the city of San Marino.

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