Editor's Research: Invasion of Italy (19) - Montreal Star (Oct. 5-11, '43)

The Role of Canadians (even Canuck Cooks!) Looms Large

The entries in this post reflect the action that took place in Italy from October 5th to the 11th, 1943. One will read about the American and British Fifth Army and their slow, costly advancements northward upon the peninsula south of Rome. One will read about the tragic conditions left behind by the Germans in Naples. And there is much about the role played by Canadians, even Canadian cooks, which shows us once again that there are no small roles on a war front.

First, however, I will share an article found on the inside pages of the October 5th issue of The Montreal Star. "Downed - But Definitely Not Out" takes us back 14 months to the Dieppe Raid, to a war-torn beach where one of a pair of twin brothers lost an arm, and the other lost his freedom and - when this story was first published - still lingered inside a German prison camp:

Coincidentally, I finished reading the book entitled Ticket to Hell via Dieppe recently, by A. Robert Prouse, and the Canadian author includes many details about life as a POW from his wartime log (1942 - 1945). I recommend the book highly, and will present excerpts as soon as possible in 'passages from WW2 books' (see right hand margin under click on Headings).

In the previous post a newspaper article (Oct. 2 issue) was presented with a positive headline re the city of Naples, i.e., "Naples Centre Not Ravaged: Little Damage Done, Allies Report." Under the article I wrote, The above report seems to be an early one. Subsequent reading reveals extensive damage in many parts of Naples.

Below is some of the "subsequent reading" from the next day's newspaper.

"Some Canadian commando-type soldiers", mentioned in the article below, may have officially been called Beach Commandos by their instructors and peers. For more information review entries made under 'commando' in the 'click on Headings' list in the right hand margin. A book entitled Beach Commandos can be reviewed as well, by clicking on 'books about Combined Operations' found in the 'click on Headings' list.

The Tirpitz (Germany's biggest battleship) was a very big target for Allied forces. Its eventual sinking is the topic of many fine books.

More details about the role of Canadians in Italy, some of which came from the city and area in which I live:

Here we have an entertaining and informative story by Canadian Press war correspondent Scott Young. While in England observing "the tail end of a great amphibious exercise"* he heard enough jabber about which plane was which ("Was that a Spitfire or a Marauder?") he had to get involved in his own unique way:

                                                                      

*What was the name of the amphibious exercise? Help Wanted : )

The war continues on various fronts. Strikers in Halifax make headlines. Thousands perish in Hamburg.

Best pick-up line ever?* Keep reading!

*"Gee, you smell nice. Much nicer than those Italians." Go ahead, try it out : )

Another article that could well fit under the heading "There are no small roles on a war front."

 

See, I wasn't kidding about Canuck cooks playing a significant role in Italy:

 

 

 

Here is a bit more information about Canadian commandos in action at Salerno:

Today's post ends with a tip of the hat to William Shakespeare.

More to follow, with an article - maybe two (!) - by Sholto Watt of The Montreal Star.

Please link to Editor's Research: Invasion of Italy (18) - Montreal Star (Oct. 2-4, '43)

Unattributed Photos GH