2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at the Battle of Garigliano

By the start of 1944, U.S. 5th Army under Lieutenant General Mark Clark had reached the Gustav Line, a series of defences along the Garigliano River. Among Clark's Army was Lieutenant General Sir Richard McCreery's British X Corps operating on the left of the Allied advance. A stalemate developed with the German army dug into ideal defensive terrain.

German Generalleutnant Bernhard Steinmetz’s 94th Division held positions on the Garigliano. The bulk of the division occupied high ground behind the river with one regiment holding the Minturno Ridge. The river was mined and both banks fortified.

2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers served under Major General G.C. Bucknall’s 5th Division. They would attack from the coastal sector with the aim of taking Minturno Ridge. The plan for the Fusiliers was to conduct a silent crossing of the river, clear the bridgehead, assemble and move up to the forming area, and to attack the German entrenchments.

X Corps’ assault on the Garigliano was well-planned. Engineers with bridging equipment would assist with the crossing of the large and fast-flowing river. Highway 7 was the only usable route for vehicles and so rafts, landing craft, and DUKWs would be needed to ship artillery and tanks across the mouth of the river. The offensive began at 2100hrs on 17th January 1944. D Company had already secured the home bank, however, found no available boats. Two were brought up before artillery alerted the enemy to the attack. In these two boats, a patrol established the bridgehead under machine-gun fire.

A Company reached the enemy bank under heavy artillery fire. Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel O’Brien Twohi received permission to move the artillery shoot, delaying Zero Hour from 0330hrs to 0530hrs.

18th January 1944

In the early hours of 18th January 1944, B Company moved to the left flank to make use of boats to cross the Garigliano. By then, A Company had sustained serious command casualties but had secured the Massa Rossi farm following a bayonet charge under Lance Sergeant Banton. Their company strength, however, was reduced to 20 men. By 0200hrs, B and C Companies had also crossed the river with machine guns and mortars. At 0530hrs, 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, although depleted, were ready for Zero Hour.

B and C Companies led the advance with D Company in reserve located with Battalion Headquarters in an apple orchard. The Commanding Officer and valuable signallers sustained injuries when an artillery round fell on this HQ.

At daybreak, B and C Companies continued their advance supported by a heavy artillery barrage. Pioneer Sergeant Boak led a skillful and courageous patrol that broke through the line, occupying enemy trenches. C Company beat off enemy counterattacks while B Company sustained 17 casualties in a minefield before also fighting through the line. Back home, B.B.C. radio announced:

19th January 1944

These two companies of 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers beached an 800-yard sector of the Gustav Line. Despite these gains, other assaults on the flanks failed to make similar headway. On 18th January 1944, the battalion consolidated its position, improved logistical support lines, and planned a night-time attack to support the Wiltshire Regiment on its left flank.

German counterattacks began on 20th January 1944 and bitter fighting ensued. The Gustav Line would hold firm until May 1944.