The War Diary: Italian Campaign

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Topic: Italian Campaign

klia_m
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posted 18 August 2021 00:43

Is anyone aware of any good reference books covering the history of the Italian campaign or of any books that give a history of the various Canadian regiments that fought in Italy?

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RCA
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posted 18 August 2021 11:54

The official history is a little dry but covers everthing - Official History of the Canadian Army in World War Two Volumn II - The Canadians in Italy 1943-1945 by LCol GWL Nicholson. I'm not sure where you can get a copy, but I'm sure someone on this site will know. There is aslo a Vol III about the European Campaign. It has excellent maps and an index of all the Canadian units that fought there.

On 13 Jul 44 the 1st LAA Regt RCA was converted to infantry and became the Lanmark and Renfrew Regt which was part of the 12 Infantry Bde, 5th Canadian Armoured Division. (by coincidence, my battery was part of the division artillery) I took this right out of the history.

Others books are "The Regiment" by Farley Mowat about the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment ; a book bt Strome Galloway (can't remember the title) about the RCR; and a book that has just came out about the battle for Ortona.

Ubique

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reg1
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posted 18 August 2021 12:28

another book you can try is "DUCIMUS" THE REGIMENTS OF THE CANADIAN INFANTRY. compiled by MAJOR MICHAEL MITCHELL,CD. THE BLACK WATCH(ROYAL HIGHLAND REGIMENT) OF CANADA. isbn o-9696421-0-5 hope that helps ubique

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Bill Alexander
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posted 19 August 2021 06:07

Not quite sure exactly what you are looking for in histories. Almost all of the Canadian regiments that served in Italy have published histories. Unfortunately some of these are hard to find and expensive. An excellent overall history of the Italian campaign for Canadians is Daniel Dancocks The D-Day Dodgers. His book explains the campaign from the highest strategic levels to experiences in the slit trench all from the Canadian perspective.
In response to your post about the L&R; Scots, I don't think there is an official history.
If you are looking for books try http://www.abebooks.com/ .

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Grubby
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posted 20 August 2021 04:29

One of Strome's books I believe is called "The Road to Ortona". Most of these books on the RCR can be ordered from the Regimental HQ Kit Shop in London, Ontario.

Posts: 38 | From: ALBERTA,CANADA | Registered: Aug 2001 | IP: Logged

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