Operation Husky (Invasion of Sicily) - need resources

[Rhah]

I've been trying to find out about the fate of my Girlfriends grandfather during the invasion of Sicily in 1943... So far, I've tracked down his regiment, date of death, and where he was buried, but if possible I'd like to try and find out exactly how he died.
Does anyone know of any online (preferably free) resources that might be able to help me?

Thanks in advance.

[OTZ]

Why not look for his regimental history? They may not be available online, but they are at least publicly accessible. If he belonged to a "famous" unit, chances are there may be more info on line.

Give us some details - it might be an interesting project to follow.

[Spartacus the Irish]

Tried the CWGC website? They can often give a short piece of information about a fallen soldier.

Either that, or as OTZ said, regimental records. He may have been mentioned in a daily officer report.

[DAVIDE]

killed in action maybe?

[Rapax]

killed in action maybe?

He knows he died, the question was how.

[DAVIDE]

what's the name? i can help you to search

[abbews]

What outfit was he in?

[Ænema]

This is fascinating. Do you think they keep records on German fallen soldiers?

[Rapax]

Of course they did. The Germans are meticulous record keepers.

[Rhah]

Thanks for the enthusiastic response guys, I knew I'd be able to find some help on TWC.

Ok, here's what I know - Bombadier William G C Beers, 156 Field Regiment (Lanarkshire Yeomanry), Royal Artillery. Died, 5th August 1943 and is buried at the British War graves site in Catania, Sicily.

Now, from what I could find, his regiment would have been caught up around Mt. Etna around the beginning of August mopping up the remains of the axis resistance, somewhere between the towns of Palerno and Adrano or thereabouts
The confusing thing is that the family believed that he died in the Mediteranean sea, after the ship he was on was attacked, but the date of death doesn't add up, unless he was being transported back to Britain early for some reason. Injury, or maybe misconduct are the only reasons I can think that a lowly Bombadier would be away from his regiment at the time of a massive operation like Husky.

[OTZ]

In "The Battle of Sicily", the 5th Infantry Division (which the 156 FR appears to be part of) captured Paterno and Acireale between the 6th and 8th. It was withdrawn on the 8th to prepare for the Italian landings.

I'd definitely try to get access to the actual regimental history, or contact the National Archives for his war record (I believe you need permission from teh next of kin).

[Rhah]

You know, in a strange twist of fate, my girlfriend actually lives right next to the national archives in Kew.... And yet, I never thought of looking there! Thanks for the idea.

[DAVIDE]

5th of August 1943, allies captured Catania, after a brutal fight against the Fallschirmjager brigade and Goering division


The 5th Aug 1943, the epic resistance of Piana di Catania ended. Behind the order of German High Command, the Goering and some battalions of Fallschirmjager brigade, retreated moving at the north of Catania where, in the evening, battalions of 50th Britannic division entered the town to occupy it. In the same day, the 8th English division broke the German front in the sector between the 15th Silizien and the Goering one, proceeding in direction of Adrano. In this action, the 5th Britannic division occupied Paternò while the 51st advanced towards Biancavilla. The 6th August the front line followed the towns of S. Fratello - Troina - Adrano - Catania. The 7th August, German penetrations had place in the sectors of S. Fratello and Troina, but they had been pushed back, forcing the axis to retreat. In the same day, Gen. Hube considered the situation's untenable and ordered to abandon the Sicily.

[Rhah]

5th of August 1943, allies captured Catania, after a brutal fight against the Fallschirmjager brigade and Goering division


The 5th Aug 1943, the epic resistance of Piana di Catania ended. Behind the order of German High Command, the Goering and some battalions of Fallschirmjager brigade, retreated moving at the north of Catania where, in the evening, battalions of 50th Britannic division entered the town to occupy it. In the same day, the 8th English division broke the German front in the sector between the 15th Silizien and the Goering one, proceeding in direction of Adrano. In this action, the 5th Britannic division occupied Paternò while the 51st advanced towards Biancavilla. The 6th August the front line followed the towns of S. Fratello - Troina - Adrano - Catania. The 7th August, German penetrations had place in the sectors of S. Fratello and Troina, but they had been pushed back, forcing the axis to retreat. In the same day, Gen. Hube considered the situation's untenable and ordered to abandon the Sicily.

Excellent find. That's the most in-depth information about operations on the 5th August that I've read so far. So, assuming Bombadier Beers was still with his regiment on that day, it seems likely that he would have died during the taking of Catania or Paterno.
Although, as he was with the Royal Artillery, it seems likely that he wouldn't have been directly involved in attacking the towns, and would probably have been in a support position providing artillery fire.
I wonder if there was some type of Artillery duel with the Axis forces, and he was killed by enemy artillery? Or maybe the Luftwaffe or Reggia Aeronautica bombed the allied positions?

[DAVIDE]

Excellent find. That's the most in-depth information about operations on the 5th August that I've read so far. So, assuming Bombadier Beers was still with his regiment on that day, it seems likely that he would have died during the taking of Catania or Paterno.
Although, as he was with the Royal Artillery, it seems likely that he wouldn't have been directly involved in attacking the towns, and would probably have been in a support position providing artillery fire.
I wonder if there was some type of Artillery duel with the Axis forces, and he was killed by enemy artillery? Or maybe the Luftwaffe or Reggia Aeronautica bombed the allied positions?

English artillery was deployed at the slope of Etna mountain and Italian/axis artillery divisions were shooting them from Piana di Catania, with 305mm cannons. I suppose an artillery battle had place in there too. Below the English artillery in Etna

[OTZ]

English artillery was deployed at the slope of Etna mountain and Italian/axis artillery divisions were shooting them from Piana di Catania, with 305mm cannons. I suppose an artillery battle had place in there too. Below the English artillery in Etna

I get the impression from the brief unit history, that the 5th ID would have occuppied positions north of the Catania Plain (on a line from Paterno north-east to the coast, along the base of Etna, with the Catania plain to the South) when Rhah's interest was killed.

[DAVIDE]

I get the impression from the brief unit history, that the 5th ID would have occuppied positions north of the Catania Plain (on a line from Paterno north-east to the coast, along the base of Etna, with the Catania plain to the South) when Rhah's interest was killed.

red line is the front line in 5th and 6th august: S. Fratello - Troina - Adrano - Catania.

[OTZ]

It could have been something as simple (but no less tragic) as an accidental death (i.e. vehicular accident).

It's difficult to say without knowing the disposition of the 5th's forces during the operation - there are a few books on the Sicilian campaign, but I doubt you will find anything other than a general overview of the days surrounding his death.

Nonetheless, I am still interested in seeing how he met his end. Keep digging and update the thread when you get a chance.

[Rhah]

Very good point... As I don't actually know what he did in 156 FR, its practically impossible to figure out what happened. For all I know, he could have been the company cook and electrocuted himself on a generator!
One other avenue of I'd like to explore is in regards to Allied shipping losses on that day, as the family seem certain that he died at sea (or at least thats what they've always assumed). Does anyone know of anywhere I can find that information, possible with ships manifests?

[OTZ]

One other avenue of I'd like to explore is in regards to Allied shipping losses on that day, as the family seem certain that he died at sea (or at least thats what they've always assumed). Does anyone know of anywhere I can find that information, possible with ships manifests?

I took a quick look last night, thinking the same thing. The only ship that appears to have been actually sunk on Aug 5th was the HMS Red Gauntlet - and that was off of the English coast.

In August 43, there were only 11 Allied ships sunk in the Med.

I have not located any information on shipping attacks, or engagements, that did not result in a ship being sunk.