During the early part of November 1944, the Irish Brigade spent time reorganising themselves with each battalion having an opportunity to get back to Castel del Rio for a few days of much needed personal maintenance. For the front line units, the period continued to entail extensive patrolling activity in the most difficult of terrain in cold and very wet weather with the first snowfalls arriving on 10th November.

In the middle of the month, the whole brigade side stepped to the left to relieve elements of the 1st British Division near San Clemente, although the routines of patrolling and avoiding harassing artillery fire continued as before.

At this stage, plans started to emerge of a possible future 78th Division wide frontal attack with the Irish Brigade advancing astride the San Pietro road, but there was doubt when this would actually take place so planning for reliefs from the line was difficult. This period of awaiting confirmed orders for the attack continued well into December.

Read Pat Scott’s account of a period of Patrolling and Artillery Duels at the start of November 1944.

Read Pat Scott’s account of the Irish Brigade’s move to the San Clemente area.

Read the Faughs’ account of their time on Monte Grande.

Key Dates:

14th November: Lt Colonel David Shaw takes over command of 2 Innisks.

21st November: Brigade wide move to San Clemente.

November 1944 Roll of Honour:

3rd November 1944 – Fusilier Grey-Allen, Royal Irish Fusiliers.

4th November 1944 – Fusilier Steve Spice, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

7th November 1944 – Lance Sergeant Henry Sye DCM, London Irish Rifles.

12th November 1944 – Rifleman Robert Warden, London Irish Rifles.

16th November 1944 – Lance Sergeant Victor De Negri, Royal Irish Fusiliers.

22nd November 1944 – Corporal George Eastwood, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

23rd November 1944 – Rifleman Robert Williams, London Irish Rifles.

24th November 1944 – Lance Corporal Joseph Farrell, London Irish Rifles.

24th November 1944 – Corporal Edward Whitby, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

28th November 1944 – Fusilier John Blackmore, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

29th November 1944 – Sergeant Douglas Smith, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

29th November 1944 – Sergeant Frank Howell, Royal Irish Fusiliers.

November 1944 War Diaries:

38 (Irish) Brigade.

2 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

1 Royal Irish Fusiliers.

2 London Irish Rifles.

Day by Day.