The Perilous Road to Rome & Beyond: Fighting Through North Africa & Italy by Edward Grace

Author:Edward Grace [Grace, Edward]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Biographies & Memoirs, Campaigns, World War 2
ISBN: 9781844155606
Amazon: B001K0WPSY
Goodreads: 587973
Publisher: Pen & Sword
Published: 2007-10-01T04:00:00+00:00

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4

Horror Farm

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The night of the violent thunderstorm and the inferno of battle gave way at last to a watery dawn. The countryside was sodden, with trees dripping onto mud and flooded pools. The thunder had gradually rumbled away as though angry at being rivalled by the artillery fire.

By the time the sun rose from behind black clouds, we were already on the march, moving on in the direction of Rome and approaching the sounds of a renewed battle which had flared up at first light. The prospect was not encoraging; we were numb with lack of sleep, while our wet clothes clung to shivering bodies. As we marched we were kept going by the sound of bagpipes, one piper having been allotted to each company. In our generally miserable circumstances it was indeed remarkable how the steady rhythm and shrill, elemental sound of the pipes enlivened the spirit and inspired courage when most needed.

For a while the sounds of battle ceased, as though the enemy was waiting silently for us to draw near. We tramped on, passing the Factory, so recently captured by the Grenadier Guards, many of the buildings being scarred by shell and mortar fire. It now lay deserted as it remained a prime target for the German artillery on the Alban Hills. The Grenadiers had meanwhile taken up more secure positions on the left of the disused railway line.

About a mile north of the Factory, Colonel Peddie established his HQ near a horribly smelly farm, already named Dung Farm. Piles of manure beside cattle sheds remained, all the animals and farm workers having vanished. (The HQ was mercifully up-wind!) We marched on beyond the smells until we were given positions on the crest of a long northward stretching ridge, later to be known as the Thumb. Our company was on the right of the Battalion, while D, A, and C Companies were further along on the left.

Our first duty was to select new positions facing the enemy – or rather where the enemy were thought to be. While the men dug trenches which quickly became waterlogged, I took three men with

me to gather any information about the enemy on the right side of our ridge. Sporadic gunfire was still coming from the direction of the Guards Brigade, and it was essential for us to ascertain any enemy movements on the right flank.

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