大象传媒 - WW2 People's War - Happy Birthday at Cassino

Happy Birthday at Cassino

by footslogger

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Archive List > Monte Cassino 1944

Contributed by听: footslogger
People in story:听: Ray Sinclair
Location of story:听: Italy
Background to story:听: Army
Article ID:听: A3871857
Contributed on:听: 08 April 2005

My 20th birthday party was held in a slit trench down in a gully where our mortars were positioned, almost opposite Castle Hill which was being held by one of RWK rifle companies platoons. I didn't envy them up there.

I had Bully Beef and come Compo rations for my meal which was interrupted by shells coming over and bursting above our heads. Then we had a message to lay down some covering fire because of a report that some Germans were seen moving about in the vicinity of the castle.

I said at the time to my pal Charlie, I wonder if they wanted to join my birthday party! His response to my remark isn't printable for this article.

Each year when my birthday comes around I usually think about that day.

I returned last year to Cassino with a Battlefield Tour Group, I met up with them in London and they flew to Italy for the tour.

One of the areas that I wanted to find, if possible, was the location of our mortar position. Everything had changed quite a bit so I wasn't too sure of it, but I sat in a cafe having a cappuccino looking across the road and up at Castle Hill in front of me and I am almost sure we were in the gully that was behind the building, it gave me a weird feeling, everything so peaceful now compared to what we endured there so long ago for many terrible weeks.

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Message 1 - Happy Birthday at Cassino

Posted on: 08 April 2005 by Ron Goldstein

Hi Ray

If it's not too late , here's wishing you a belated Happy 20th Birthday !

I went dashing to my own diary and see that I spent my 20th Birthday in Sicily but in much better conditions than your own at Cassino.

What did intrigued me, however, was to read your paragraph that went " My 20th. birthday party was held in a slit trench down in a gully where our mortars were positioned, almost opposite Castle Hill which was being held by one of RWK rifle companies platoons. I didn't envy them up there "

It seemed to be a common thing in those awful days to feel sorry for troops in your area that were playing different roles to yourself.

As a wireless op in Light Ack Ack I ALWAYS felt sorry for the PBI (Poor Bloody Infantry). When my regiment was disbanded in December '44 and I found myself operating from a tank I was amused to hear one of the infantry that we carried say "I wouldn't have your job for a bloody pension!"

Just as you did, I am making a pilgrimage to Monte Cassino in the not too distant future and will also try to visualise where I had my slit trench.

I will report back to you after my visit.

Best wishes

Ron

听

Message 2 - Happy Birthday at Cassino

Posted on: 08 April 2005 by Trooper Tom Canning - WW2 Site Helper

Ray -
I was a bit luckier than you, when I finally got back from hospital I was sent to the Base depot at Reiti to be introduced to the mysteries of Armoured Cars, which was a big change from Churchill Tanks. When my 21st rolled around a few of us headed for Rome and we had a full day just nosing around leisurely.
We were in the Piazza at the Pantheon having lunch when I noticed two things - 1) there was a funeral cortege on the other side of the Piazza and 2) my waiter was crying !
I asked him what was wrong in my best Italian, and he just pointed to the funeral cortege and said "Maestro Pietro Mascagni" - my Mother's favouite composer of Cavalleria Rusticana! So I never forget his funeral on my 21st birthday ! That was a bit of a shocker as he had lived in that Piazza for many years and had his breakfast almost daily at the cafe we were sitting at.There was no bully or hard tack there though !
A friend was in Rome just last year and took a photo of the Piazza - they have finally re-painted it after God know how many years !
Cheers - and Ray - I think we need more of your tales from all over Italy as everyone has a different story of those days, and they are all of value... so never mind if someone writes more than you - you tell your stories - this is what the series is all about !
tomcan

听

Message 3 - Happy Birthday at Cassino

Posted on: 09 April 2005 by footslogger

Ron. I'm glad that you are reading my entries and that you find them interesting. I am trying to keep off the battle issues where possible unless it is central to the story I am relating.
Many thanks for the belated birthday wish. You can if you like, with me Happy Birthday for tomorrow April 9, I won't tell you how old I am, just guess.!

Best Regards

Ray

听

Message 4 - Happy Birthday at Cassino

Posted on: 09 April 2005 by footslogger

Hi Tom ! Thanks for the kind words,and if it of interest to you I will be thinking about my 20th again tomorrow as it will be my ??st
Birthday April 9

I am trying to keep away from action stories where possible( because so many have been written) unless it is central to what I am writing about.

It was very interesting what you wrote about Mascagni, I'm an opera fan and managed to see performances at the San Carlo Opera House in Naples as well as in the Milan Opera House,that one was "Cavalleria"

I also have an interesting experience in Rome that I will be writing about
later on.

Best Regards

Ray

听

Message 5 - Happy Birthday at Cassino

Posted on: 09 April 2005 by Trooper Tom Canning - WW2 Site Helper

Ray -
you should have a look at my tale of "Music in wartime Italy" and an addendum wot i rote.
Lucky stiff getting into La Scala - I've been at their door eight times and have yet to get inside - it was always closed !I really wanted to hear Renata Tebaldi in the flesh as it were - but no luck ! Still I made up for it in Vienna when I heard Elisabeth Schwarzkopf - in the flesh !
You were with the 78th Div and we were with them in Vienna in the June of 1946 for the Vienna Tattoo... that was a fantastic trip, and I have been in touch with the Head Tour Guide of the Schoenbrunn Palace and he tells me that the Tattoo raised over 400,000
Austrian Schillings - enough to send
2000 Viennese for a country holiday for six weeks each ... would have done them the world of good - probably why they used to beat us a soccer !
I would say - off hand - that you will hit the 81 mark to-day -it'd now midnight your end ! all the best Ray - and many of them - keep out of those bars on Yonge Street !
Cheers
tomcanATshaw.ca

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