大象传媒

562 Army Field Company Royal Engineers

We had trained day after day, week after week in assault boats reaching a prime condition. When the time arrived to invade Sicily, knew precisely what had to be done when landing on the beach. However, the enemy had different ideas, objecting to the landing, forcing our craft off course.

We landed at the bottom of a cliff, still having to wade ashore with my rifle across my shoulder, arms in the air carrying the mine detector. Assembling together, the Durham light infantry sergeant decided on going along the edge of the cliff where arriving at a beach a voice bellowed, who the hell are you lot? The sergeant replied asking, is this Red beach, no it is not said the voice, I am the Beach Master and this beach is taken, go and find your own!
Therefore, up the side of the cliff we climbed to the top along a path until reaching our beach, which by then had been taken.

Whilst tramping along the path looking out to sea, saw an armada of ships all ours, like a ring of steel, I knew we were not alone. The Eighth Army also gave the same confidence. Returning from the forward area one would find the whole army had moved up behind us, even places that had ony just been taken.

Transferred to 352 Field Company 78th Division

En route to Rome we were stood to, along side of the road. Two of us were detailed checking the grass verges for mines. Striding forward came across a road sign indicating were now entering Roma. Not being told when we should stop, carried on into Roma. Suddenly a jeep appeared, the driver called to us to jump in quick. Informing us must get off the road immediately, General Mark Clarke is coming. He is to be the first of the Allied Army to enter Rome. Our obvious reply being " too late we have just been in there!!

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