Daily Irish Brigade and battalion war diaries


November 1942

On route to North Africa – the Skins and Irish Rifles arriving in Algiers.


December 1942

In the line on the Goubellat Plain.


January 1943

Fighting at Two Tree Hill, Grandstand and Hill 286. These are accounts of major battles fought by the Skins and the London Irish Rifles


February 1943

Battling defence on Stuka Ridge. How the Irish Brigade beat off a major German attack against its positions along Stuka Ridge.


March 1943

Withdrawn from the line and resting at Beja.


April 1943

Assaults on the Djebels north of Medjez-el-Bab. Accounts of the brigade’s attacks on Jebel Mahdi, Jebel Ang, Tanngoucha and Heidous.


May 1943

Entering Tunis and joining the Victory Parade.


June 1943

Resting and renewed training in Guelma in Algeria.


July 1943

Return to Tunisia on route to Sicily. This tells the story of the brigade’s landing on the coast of south-east Sicily


August 1943

Fighting advance from Centuripe to Randazzo. This tells the story of the Irish Brigade’s leading role in the 78th Division’s advance from Catenanuova through Centuripe, over the Salso and Simetto rivers and then on to Maletto, its final major engagement of the Sicilian campaign.


September 1943

At rest at Patti and then onto Taranto.


October 1943

From Termoli to the Trigno.


November 1943

From San Salvo to the Sangro.


December 1943

Fighting to the Moro River and resting at Campobasso.


January 1944

In the snowdrifts near Castel di Sangro.


February 1944

At rest, awaiting the call to join the assaults on Monte Cassino.


March 1944

Barrosa Day and St Patrick’s celebrations out of the line.


April 1944

On top of Monte Castellone.


May 1944.

Breaking the Gustav Line.


June 1944

Heading north to Lake Trasimene.


July 1944

To Egypt.


August 1944

Welcoming the 2nd Skins to the Irish Brigade at Sidi Bishr.


September 1944

Back to Italy.


October 1944

North of Florence at Monte Codranco and Monte Spaduro.


November 1944

Still in the mountains at San Clemente.


December 1944

Christmas in the snowdrifts.


January 1945

Continuing in the mountains.


February 1945

Cleaning up in Forli.


March 1945

The Senio floodbanks.


April 1945

From Argenta to the Po.


May 1945

Into Austria.