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This is a story by John Side. It has been written by his daughter Lyn Davis who kindly provided it to the Thanet Libraries and UK-Online project during the session at Broadstairs Library.

John Side 鈥� Italian Campaign

After the Home Guard and joining Signals in Britain we were shipped to Africa. When we arrived in Algeria I remember passing through Setif, Bega, Bougie and Constantine. When we got to Algiers, the war in North Africa was finally won, and we were sent back to Tripoli, to change our 25 pounder guns for some heavier 5.5 inch guns for the invasion of Italy. Our arrival in Tripoli meant that better times lay ahead. We were allowed to go swimming every afternoon, and here we caught up with our mail even though it had taken a year to reach us. During the previous year, I had made friends with the adjutant, and we had often talked about Golf. It so happened I had taken 6 golf balls with me and I managed to get one of our R.E.M.E. chaps to cut out of a Eucalyptus tree, a suitable branch which I managed to shape into a golf club. While every sane person was having a siesta, I fashioned 2 holes about 100 yards apart and proceeded to be the first person to play golf in Libya.

After the invasion of Italy our guns were in action almost daily and I was finding myself in observation posts very near the front line, any movements were made nightly when we were not seen. We were cut off on one occasion and managed to find an old house occupied by 2 very old ladies, who looked after us food wise. In return I got water from the well for them. They made pancakes from walnut flour they called them castagnacchio, and our stay there was quite pleasurable. One day we had to make a hurried return to our guns, to return to a more safe area. After a few days we found ourselves at Monte Casino, this was a monastery which the Germans had occupied. I don鈥檛 know how long we shelled the monastery, but I am sure it seemed to be weeks.

2 days later 鈥淒鈥� Day started, and the Allies had invaded France.

It was not long before we reached Cittivechia and Leghorn; both seaports on the west coast. The next place for the Germans to be chased out of was Florence, and we found ourselves in an observation post, yards from the retreating Germans. An officer and myself followed them from a safe distance, to keep our eyes on them, and climbing a small hill we came across a beautiful villa; we called and asked permission to follow by eyesight what the Germans were doing 鈥� the owners (Italians) made us welcome, and provided us with food and coffee, whilst we watched the Germans blowing up and destroying the bridges across the river Arno. For the rest of the day we sent radio messages back to our regiment. It appeared that we were in front of our own troops, and still watching the Germans some mile or so away.

We set up our guns just outside Pisa, and once again an officer and I were occupying a house (this time) on the banks of the river Arno, as an observation post. As we looked out we could see the leaning tower some mile or so away. We could not see any Germans across the river, but we knew they were there. During the evening they must have picked up our wireless signals, for as soon as it got dark we were targeted with mortar bombs. During the night we were bombarded again, and a troop of Germans came across the river 鈥� looking for us. Without success they returned, and we gave sigh of relief. Early next morning it became clear that we could no longer use wireless because our signals were being picked up, and our batteries were getting low. Someone had to go back to the guns to tell them of our predicament 鈥� I picked the short straw!! I had noticed a ladies bike in the house next door, and made use of it. I quickly set off in the direction of our guns.

After some quarter of a mile, I heard a German gun firing 鈥� a few seconds later I witnessed an enemy shell zigzagging down the road in front of me. Fortunately it failed to explode, but I finished the rest of the journey quite quickly!!

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