大象传媒

This is the second part of my father's story, following on from his experience in the desert and the battle of El Alamein.
After sailing through the Suez canal to Port Said, their troop ship (formely a large peace time liner) sailed towards Sicily in July 1943.
Thier first sight of the island on 9th July was against a brilliant red sunset with the dramatic outline of Mount Etna. No one on board would forget the mixture of awe and foreboding that this created.
Next mroning disembarcation began, into assualt craft (formely flimsy US pleasure boats). Each man carried 1cwt of stores, whatever his rank.
In the rough waters, the flotilla became separated and some followed the wrong course to shore. My father, with his magnificient bump of location, was able to locate the Avola jetty and overruling the naval officer, reached the correct landing point. Moving inland, under sporadic shell fire, the gun position was eventually silenced by a shell from the Carlisle.
The next few weeks were dominated by tracklaying mine lifting . My father, who had just celebrated his 25th birthday, was promoted to captain and posted from 233 Field Co RE to Second-in Command 235 Field Psrk Co RE. A week later his successor in 233 Field Co was killed mine clearing.
When fighting ceased in Sicily on 17th August 235 Field Co were bileted to Riposto, a small town on the East Coast. They were involved in restoring services to the village, and clearing anti personnel mines.
Official historians record "50 Division was the only one in the 8th Army which had been continuously in action from the intial landing to the end of the campaign.Without their help, (in mine clearing)the Division would have failed to advance."
Before embarking for Britain in October, there was time to enjoy a sunny two months in the friendly atmosphere of liberated Sicily and form relationships which lasted many years and culminated in at least one marriage. This was a chance to rebuild strength after the rigours of desert fighting and the strains of mine infested Sicily.
The Division returned to Liverpool and by Armistice Day , was established in East Anglia with the 235 Field Park Company in barracks in Ely.
End of the second installment of my father's war (last part on the D day landings will follow )
Posted by Pamela Martin (nee Richards) about her father Major E.G. Richards M.C. who is still alive and well and lives in Blackheath

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