Through my interest in the 1st South Staffords I have a broader interest in that very neglected campaign conducted by British and other forces in Italy, 1917-1918.

This thread is to sound out any pals interested in forming a special interest group along the lines of the Salonika Campaign Sociery or the Gallipoli Association.

My thinking is something along these lines:

> a small annual subscription
> a six-monthly members newsletter
> an annual day school or seminar
> an annual battlefield trip
> a members website
> encouraging more interest and research into the campaign
> encouraging links with historians/groups/local contacts in Italy.

I'd also try my University of Birmingham links as far as promotion/possible location for meetings, etc

So, big question, would anyone be up for this kind of thing? Any other/different ideas about how to go about it, comments etc all welcome.

I'd be interested. It's certainly a very under-reported campaign.

Might be good to add the opposition forces to the overseas contacts.

Chris.

Kate & I would be interested - anything that is away from "The Western Front" gets our vote.

One of the strengths of the SCS is it's links with commemoration ceremonies both here and in "theatre" - just a thought?

ALSO - I don't think it should be restricted to the British involvement or limited to 1917-1918.

Martin

Definitely up for it.

Gets my vote, and agree it should cover not just the British involvement. (I have a growing interest in Italy 1943-45 as well)

Definite interest, particularly in the activities of 2 BORDER, Labour units and Intellligence personnel.

Interested, though have done nothing very much about it.

We also have quite a big house (two actually) at Rovereto, where there is a large Italian (and Austro Hungarian, for that matter) ossuary and very interesting military museum; the house has about twenty or twenty five bedrooms (designed for boarders, but all en suite, so maybe quite useful for a summer time visit? Good rail connections to Verona and onwards to Padua and Venice, for those interested in less military type things.

Count me in!

Adrian

I'll put my hand up too.

Have recently touched on the RFC's role in Italy and always interested in the cemeteries and memorials.

I would be interested in this. I would love to learn more about the Campaign in Italy and the cemeteries and memorials. My interest really is with the 11th Notts and Derbys (like Richard) and the Mansfield Woodhouse lads who fault and fell there.

I would agree that it should not just be restricted to British involvement - I know little of the Italian effort and would like to learn more.

Three Royal West Kent battalions served in Italy so opportunity to learn more about the campaign is welcome.

However the major attraction is the opportunity of a repeat battlefield trip to Italy - logistically not an easy battlefield tour to arrange.

Interested because of Warwicks Territorial involvement

Count me in.
Ron

Thanks, all. I'm thinking of some kind of kick-off meeting. I shall do a little planning and get back to you. Meanwhile all ideas welcome.

Hi Chris As Unit coordinator of the York and Lancaster Regiment of the Great War Society I and some colleagues had the pleasure of attending the 90th Anniversary of the Battle of the Solstice at Nervesa Della Battaglia (Piave River) which was fantastic, with over 250 living historians from all over Europe taking part. We are hoping to return to Italy next year to visit our italian friends and see the Asiago Plateu are in the mountains.

I'm interested, my grandfather served in the RFA and was captured at Canove on the Asiago Plateau on 15 June 1918.

Stephen

Chris
As I hve a similar interest in the Italian front - because of my father's serviuce in the 7th Div with the 1st South Staffs please count me in.
David Fox

I am researching the 123 Bde, part of 41 Div which was on the Montello between Nov 1917 and early March 1918. I have bits of information / reminiscence but I'd be interested in learning more.

I would imagine the Royal Warwicks had more battalions serving in Italy during 1917-18, than any other regiment (unless, you know better). So, you can count me in aswell.

Terry

Chris,

I would be extremely interested as my Grandfather was in Italy.

See my signature.

Regards Frances

Did someone mention a battlefield trip - did someone mention trains - seriously as the Norfolks were involved in that campaign I would be interested

Chris

And count me in, too; a great idea!
The Italian Front/Campaign has something for everybody; fighting from sea-level in the marshes near Venice (heavy artillery on barges..) to skirmishes among high peaks in the Dolomites (and a medium artillery pieced hauled up to 12,000 ft or so, mainly by Russian PoWs). Railways; standard guage including a Hungarian-built armoured train used to raid Monfalcone station, Italian and French railway guns... narrow gauge, including rack-and-pinion on the ascent to the Asiago plateau, and a RE Railway Operating Company plus French-operated lines and numerous Italian street'road tramways. Air? RFC/RAF including Tony Benn's father helping parachute an Italian agent onto a mountain pasture; Italian flying bombs (including a biplane one...), and much, much more.
A fellow enthusiast (and an experienced italain battlefield guide), Dale Hjort, currently off-line, is also interested.
Francis Mackay
in cold and snowy Scotland

Hello Francis, glad you are still kicking! Dale too. I have been back to Italian Front since our Flanders Tours trip and spent time in Slovenia too. beautiful there as well as Asiago, I may try to get US Branch WFA there later, our 09 trip is F & F as usual.

And hello, to you,too, Paul/Pete! Glad all goes well with you and the Chapter. Italy looks better and better every time I go; still much research to be done, mind. Going to support Chris's idea? Regards, Francis

My Grandad was in 199 Company MGC in 41 Div in Italy but I don't have much more info than that on what they got up to. I'd be glad of any 41 Div history you have, or campaign maps, photos etc

Having just discovered my maternal grandfather was with 70th Field Ambulance in Italy I'm in. I'm also pondering a recce of Asiago at Easter. Co-incidentally I spent New Year in the Dolomites (reading The White War) and was staggered by what went on there.

Kelt, My grandfather was in 123 MG Coy. I have quite a few letters but mostly from F&F, it is clear that many from Italy are lost and I only have about 3. One photograph of Citadella and some picture postcards, no maps - except a route map from Milan to the front.
But, I have looked up most of the relavant war diaries etc, including that of 199 as they often relieved each other etc. 199 joined 41 Div in Oct 1917 and became D Coy of 41 MGC Bn on 17th March 1918. CO in that period (and then 2i/c Bn afterwards) was Major H Smith (ex W Riding Regt, then MGC) - a difficult name to research but I'd like tro find out more about him.
J

Thanks Julian, I'll throw some effort at Maj Smith as well. I've got someone trawling the diaries so I'll ask him to keep an eye out for more info. I'd love a copy of the route map if poss?
Who were 123 Coy with in F&F?
kelvin
'JulianB' date='Jan 22 2009, 10:26 AM' post='1103098']
Kelt, My grandfather was in 123 MG Coy. I have quite a few letters but mostly from F&F, it is clear that many from Italy are lost and I only have about 3. One photograph of Citadella and some picture postcards, no maps - except a route map from Milan to the front.
But, I have looked up most of the relavant war diaries etc, including that of 199 as they often relieved each other etc. 199 joined 41 Div in Oct 1917 and became D Coy of 41 MGC Bn on 17th March 1918. CO in that period (and then 2i/c Bn afterwards) was Major H Smith (ex W Riding Regt, then MGC) - a difficult name to research but I'd like tro find out more about him.
J
[/quote]

Francis - many thanks for the books and map, they helped me track down where my grandfather was taken prisoner.

regards

Stephen

I think it would be interesting to draw comparisons to how the Great War both on the Italian and Western Fronts was fought in much the same way the Italian campaign was fought in WWII. I've closely studied the actions of the American 34th Division throughout its WWII treck up the boot. The campaigns we're conducted by small infantry actions and massive artillery bombardments. Poor weather conditions and endless mud harken to the conflict of twenty years previous.
Even the trenches at Anzio and other places gave flashbacks to the methods of the Western Front.

Also the sheer endurance required of both sides during WWI to fight in bitter cold altitudes and the like is vastly interesting. Italy in both wars is very neglected. Good to see something like this. I'd subscribe to a newsletter or magazine.

New book....'Battles in the Alps.A History of the Italian Front of the First World War'. G Irving Root. Author lives in Texas

Thanks Alan! Will be looking for this!!

Chris - have you an update on your ideas for an Italian Front society? I note your intention to get to work soon on an online Great War magazine and obviously there is only so much time you have available.

Regards,

Jonathan S

Yes - I have done precisely nothing about it. Still very interested in doing so, though. Want to help?

Would love too but its a full time job compiling and transcribing records on the West Kents, as well as my fulltime, proper job.

But its a good idea and I am sure there are others with the time at hand to help and get some momentum going. Once you know the structure, if I can fit-in somewhere and help, I would be happy to do so.

Regards,

Jonathan S

My Grandad, Frank Whittall, 9th Battalion (Pioneer) South Staffs fought in Italy, so yes please, I am definitely interested in anything to do with the Italian Front.

*raises hand*

I'd be quite inetersted in such an association.

Planning on visiting Italy in June. Visiting Asiago is the part I am most looking forward to - the reason being obvious if you click on my sig link.

Hi

My great g great grandfather Barbu Balcescu,had a brother "Nicolae Balcescu" .He made the Wallachian Revolution of 1848.Anyway he died in exile in Palermo,being buried in the Cappuchin's Monastery.And in 1970 a delegation of Romanian "historians",went there to bring his earthly remains in Romania to ,obviously use them for communist propaganda.So these Cappuchins Monks told them that is a common grave ,that the relatives of his grave colleagues would not aprove to ....etc.So poor Nicolae escaped communism ,to this day 2009.And the Romanian Communist Delegation came home empty handed.Also being a great masonic figure of the time maybe the Masons protected the grave..So I guess in the end fortune favours the brave.Not to mention that all our family properties have been nationalized,including Nicolae's house which now is Nicolae Balcescu Museum/Vilcea.The masonic artefacts are now used by communist chieftains of Romania.As one museum clerk told me that many communists came there and filled their trunks with objects from the house.Also General Aristide(Aristhar) Razu ,father Dr Aristide Razu and my gggrandmother Clara Razu have been throwed out of their graves in Birsanesti /Bacau(by the very vengeful communist revolution in Romania after 1946.

Probably one day I will visit this Cappuchin Monastery.

Andrei

Great site Nayles, my maternal grandfather was in one of the field ambulances the 23rd so I'll read every word tonight.

I entered a query on 21 April 2009 in the soldiers section. I had not noticed your entry until now, being a beginner. i am interested to find out about the Italian campaign. I have a document awarding my grandad Gunner James Worsnip a medal in the Italian campaign. I transcribed this on the 21 April. I do not have time to do it again at the moment but will do so if necessay. Count me in.

hollyberry, I posted a reply in your other thread.

Make sure you check out the PDF's for download of the 23rd Div Christmas Annuals for 1917 and 1918 - probably the most fascinating aspect for anyone with an interest in or connection with the 23rd Division.

Considering the flimsy nature of these Annuals I'd be suprised if there are too many left lying around.

Thanks for the compliment on the site... I hope you enjoyed reading it.

I would be interested in the idea. The RFC is my interest mainly 66 Squadron, please keep me informed.

John_g


www.66squadron.co.uk

Absolutely my favorite chap first on my signature fought in Italy and won an Italian decoration
MC