Posts Tagged ‘Monte Cassino’
Magazine article highlights the resonance of Second World War commemorations in Cassino, Rome and Normandy
Cassino War Cemetery south of Rome An article about the contemporary resonance of Second World War commemorations following recent remembrance events in Cassino, Rome and Normandy has been published by The Tablet, the London monthly magazine. “But as moving as these events may be, questions will be asked about their future with increasing frequency,” article…
Read MoreLondon Irish Rifles Pipers play inside the Abbey of Monte Cassino to mark the 80th anniversary of the battles of Cassino
London Irish Rifles bagpipers Gerald Griffin (left) and Gary O’Connor in the courtyard of the Abbey of Monte Cassino on 13 May London Irish Rifles pipers played inside the Abbey of Monte Cassino on 13 May to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the battles of Cassino in 1944 in which 38 (Irish)…
Read MoreThanksgiving service to be held to mark 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Rome
Cathedral Church of St Michael & St George Cardinal Nichols has authorised a thanksgiving service to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Rome to be held at the Military Cathedral Church of St Michael & St George in Aldershot at 11.30 on Saturday 15 June. The Cathedral Church of St Michael and St George serves…
Read MorePeace Bells at San Angelo
On the afternoon of 14th May 1944, the Irish Brigade started their crossing of the Gari river as they moved forward, along with the rest of 78th Infantry Division, to continue the attack on the German defensive positions across the Liri valley. The Irish Brigade’s crossing point was Congo Bridge, which had been the second…
Read MoreO Group in the Liri Valley and the death of Colonel Goff in May 1944
A group of London Irishmen recently re-traced the movements of 2 LIR to the exact point where they had concentrated on the afternoon of 15th May 1944 as they prepared for an attack against German forces along the Gustav Line. At about 2pm that day, an artillery strike hit the battalion’s ‘O’ Group that was…
Read MorePreparing for the storm at Monte Trocchio in May 1944
Monte Trocchio, at over 400 metres, proved an excellent viewing platform for the Allies in early 1944 after it had been first occupied by American forward units in the middle of January. During the Cassino campaign, it was used by Air Force spotters, nicknamed ‘Rover David’, that were able to call up sorties when requested…
Read MoreRemembering the fallen at Cassino
The London Irish Rifles/Royal Fusiliers group visited the CWGC Cemetery at Cassino for a commemorative ceremony in memory of the 4,000 men who are buried and more than 4,000 others, who are named on the twenty four memorial panels in the cemetery. The ceremony was held in full tribute with inspired pipe and bugler support…
Read MoreThe 70th jubilee of the Cassino battles in May 2014
Click on the links below to read a full account of the visit during May 2014 by the Irish Brigade co-founder, Richard O’Sullivan, when he spent a week of emotional remembrance and evocative battlefield review in the Cassino and Anzio areas. ‘O’ Group, 15th May 1944 – Visiting the area where the 2nd Battalion, London…
Read MoreLondon Irish commanding officer Ion Goff remembered
Lieutenant Colonel Ion Goff, who was killed by shellfire in the Liri valley on the afternoon of 15 May 1944 during the fourth battle of Cassino, was the only commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion, London Irish Rifles (2 LIR) to have been killed in action during its 30 months of campaigning in Tunisia and…
Read MorePrince Harry at Cassino ceremony 2014
A party of London Irishmen and Royal Fusiliers attended a British Service of Remembrance to Commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Italian Campaign, which was held at Cassino CWGC Cemetery on 19th May 2014. In attendance was His Royal Highness, Prince Henry (Harry) of Wales and government officials from Commonwealth nations whose men served in…
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