London Irish Rifles at Garigliano Crossing.

The 1st Battalion The London Irish Rifles took part in the fighting that occurred in January 1944 in the area of the River Garigliano.

On the evening of 19 January 1944, the Battalion was at short notice to cross the river to help secure the bridgehead and prepare to attack the village of Castelforte located high on the hill of Monte Damiano. The river, some hundred yards across, was running strongly after the winter rains. When the Battalion was called across the river, it moved to harbour areas and awaited the order to attack Castelforte. The London Irish then came under artillery and mortar fire as the enemy attempted to disrupt preparations for the attack. Patrolling discovered that Castelforte was held in some strength, but despite that intelligence, the London Irish was ordered to proceed and attack with two companies.

The attack started at 1100 hrs and the London Irish advanced up the slopes of Monte Damiano, climbing terrace walls of stone and packed earth, some six to eight feet high, and then struggled across flat terraces dense with trees. The enemy was well prepared and alert with tanks and self‑propelled guns in close support of the defending infantry. His intention was to stay and fight and withdraw only when the overwhelming strength of the attackers forced him to do so. As the two London Irish companies, A and C Company, reached a position short of where they were exposed to observation from Castelforte, it was declared unsafe to advance any further in daylight, as movement would have attracted effective German artillery fire.

A night attack, timed for 0100 hrs, began with an artillery preparation that was fired 15 minutes too early, and a failed attempt to coordinate with another battalion's attack. Pressing forward the companies took casualties as a result of encountering wire and mines. A Company reached the edge of the town where it was cut off as German units moving forward, unaware of its presence in Castelforte, forced it to hide in buildings. The company remained in the two unoccupied houses until later that night before being led back to the Battalion's main position. D Company too was was shelled and counterattacked but managed to beat off the Germans.

One of the D Company signallers, Lance‑Corporal Norman, was wounded in the arm and leg and his wireless set damaged. Despite this, he crawled from one slit trench to another to locate another set. Recovering the set back to his trench, he found that it too did not work. He then stripped both sets to combine the parts into a working set. Communications were reestablished with Battalion HQ, and he was then dispatched to the Regimental Aid Post for treatment. Soon after his wounds were dressed he noticed that Battalion HQ was short of signallers and he quietly joined in to help. When he was later wounded again by enemy fire, he was sent to hospital. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for his bravery and outstanding devotion to duty. (His DCM and medals, left)

The initial attack on Castelforte had failed and the 1st Battalion, having suffered casualties of 12 officers and 170 other ranks, was relieved. The Battalion did not take part in a subsequent attempt to seize Castelforte and Monte Damiano as, at short notice, it was moved to the Anzio beach-head. The London Irish Rifles was awarded the Battle Honour GARIGLIANO CROSSING. To read more about the crossing click on Battle Honour GARIGLIANO CROSSING