Introduction
Our Patron
Our Patron is Lord Denis Healey, although better known
as a prominent politician, was himself a D-Day Dodger, joining the Royal
Artillery aged twenty three. Commissioned as Second Lieutenant, Lord
Healey was sent to Movement Control for training, eventually becoming
an Assistant Military Landing Officer in a Beach Group. In April 1943,
Lord Healey left the U.K. for Algeria to join the 78th Battleaxe Division
for the invasion of Sicily. Soon after arriving in Sicily, he was posted
to 231 Independent Brigade as Military Landing Officer (Beach master)
under General Urquhart, for the Reggio landings. In January 1944, he
was appointed MLO to the British assault brigade for Anzio. (Please
see the veterans stories page for more details).
We would like to thank the following veterans of the Tunisian, Sicily and Italy Campaigns who's support and inspiration made this site possible
Douglas Day OBE.
Ken Marchant
Gordon Webb
Ken Flawn
Albert Darlington
John Merryfield
Ray Allum
Tom Knott
John Matherwell (Jack)
John Warwick
Vince Wilcox
Wilf Bassingthwaigte
The First Army Association
And all those others, to numerous to mention that have taken the time to write to us with their stories.
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We are a non-profit making historical research society who's aim is to seek greater knowledge and information about the Allied Forces of the Italian and Mediterranean Campaigns of World War Two. And to pass this information on to a younger generation who are for the most part are not even aware that some of hardest fighting took place in this theatre or that there was at least six D-Days before the Normandy landings of 1944. Also, to ensure that through our work, history pages, our on-line museum and archive of memories, those who took part are not forgotten.
Napoleon once said that the only way to invade Italy was from the top. The Allies did not heed his warning and paid dearly for every inch of ground. Battles compared in their sheer intensity and horror with those of World War One. At Anzio alone the Allies suffered 135,000 casualties and Monte Cassino, over 54,000. In Tunisia, another 45,000 casualties. 20 Victoria Crosses were awarded during the Italy Campaign - 5 at Cassino alone!
So the legend goes, veterans of the Italian campaigns were called "D-Day Dodgers" by Lady Nancy Astor MP in a speech, after she received a letter from a disgruntled British soldier who signed it "D-Day Dodger". However she refuted the claim soon after in the 8th Army News. An important aspect of our group is research. We are actively developing close links with veterans and Regimental Associations as well as Museums to advance our knowledge of the period. We do this by interviewing veterans as part of our oral history project to preserve the memories of those who took part for future generations. Although this includes battles strategy and tactics, our prime interest is the everyday life of the soldier such as what he wore, carried and ate, information that has largely been ignored in the past. And we are not just concerned with infantrymen or "elite" units either, our reseach extends to all branches of the armed forces that served in these areas, such as signallers, medics, RASC etc. etc. All the results of our research will be published either in our newsletters or on our internet website/forum.
We give talks and demonstrations for any interested groups such as schools,
museums and family history groups using original and reproduction artifacts.
We also attend public shows such as fete’s and living history events
to not only promote our cause but also to talk to the public about their
experiences during World War Two.
The type of talk or demonstration we give depends on the event and are
tailored accordingly. But we normally wear the uniforms and carry the
equipment of the period to enable us to demonstrate better the life and
times of the soldier in Italy. Where practical, all our events are interactive,
giving the audience the opportunity to handle and try on equipment. There
are also opportunities for them to try their hand at some of the tasks
of the day such as sending Morse code.
Events
Below is just some of the events we have taken part in
Bletchley Park. World War Two Weekend
Northamptonshire Heritage Weekend.Delepre Abbey.