1943 [ Content Tag Results ]
Below is a list of the history pages, personal accounts, extracts and photos that have been tagged with a reference to '1943'...
Tag references
Divided into content type :
2. [ pow ]
Johnnie Matheson
5 Escape Attempts
Johnnie Matheson retells the story of his five escape attempts from POW camps between 1940 - 1945.
He walked into wartime captivity with a haversack full of looted French franc notes of doubtful value from a bombed bank in St Valery - and more than five years later drove across a war-torn Europe heading for his Highland home in a brand new BMW car festooned with American stars and stripes, and a legitimate fortune in pounds sterling in his pocket.
3. [ pow ]
Stalag XXb, Marienburg
1942 - 1944
Henry Owens describes Stalag XXb, Marienburg 1942 - 1944
4. [ history ]
North Africa
Aug 1942 - May 1943
After St. Valery, what remained of the 51st Highland Division joined the 9th Highland Division to form the new 51st (Highland) Infantry Division. The reformed Division took on a home defense role between 1940 - 1942 when it set sail for Egypt and the North Africa Campaign.
5. [ history ]
Tripoli
Jan 1943
The 51st Highland Division moved along the cost with the New Zealand Division and 7th Armoured Division carrying out a flanking attack. Failure to succeed in occupying Tripoli would cause Montgomery to have to fall back...
6. [ history ]
Medenine
Mar 1943
Rommel's next defensive line after retreating from Tripoli was close to Medenine, a narrow point between the coast and the Matmata hills.
7. [ history ]
The Mareth Line
March 1943
The Mareth line was formed at the narrow point between the coast and the Matmata hills. The plan was to smash the Mareth defensive lines through the Matmata Hills into the Gabes Gap, which would later be the area of the battle of Wadi Akarit.
8. [ history ]
Wadi Akarit
Apr 1943
The battle of Wadi Akarit took place in a narrow coastline strip between the sea and the coastal towns of Gabes and El Hamma. Between these was the Gabes gap. The Wadi Akarit ran across the gap at the coastal end and to the Roumana Ridge inland and to the west. This area was the objective for the 51st Highland Division...
9. [ history ]
Concluding Operations
Apr 1943
In the wake of the Wadi Akarit battle the 8th Army took up the pursuit...
10. [ history ]
Prep. for Op. Huskey
July 1943
After the North Africa Campaign the 51st Highland Division prepared for Operation Huskey, July 1943
11. [ history ]
Sicily - Op. Huskey
Jun 1943 - Nov 1943
In January 1943, Winston Churchill and the American President Franklin D. Roosevelt met with their senior military advisers at Casablanca, Morocco, to devise a military strategy for the coming year. With the North African campaign moving toward a successful conclusion, the leaders of the two nations debated where to launch their next blow. Views varied from a direct intervention in mainland Europe through to a continuation of the Mediterranean strategy to take Italy out of the war. After several days of negotiations, they agreed to make Sicily their next target.
In July 1943 the Allied forces prepared to land...
12. [ history ]
The Landing
10th July 1943
Initial phase of Op. Huskey - the landing at Sicily, 10th July 1943
13. [ history ]
VIZZINI and FRANCOFONTE
13th - 15th July 1943
Details of the action at VIZZINI and FRANCOFONTE, Sicily, 13th - 15th July 1943
14. [ history ]
Battle for Gerbini
18th-21st July 1943
The Battle for Gerbini took place between 18 - 21st July 1943.
15. [ history ]
Sferro Hills
Jul/Aug 1943
Description of the Battle for the Sferro Hills, late July - early August 1943
16. [ public ]
152 Brigade in Sicily
August 1943
Two photos (and description) of 152 Light Aid Detachment in Sicily during the stand down in the Catania area prior to embarkation to the UK.
17. [ history ]
After Sferro
Aug-Sep 1943
A description of events after the Battle for the Sferro Hills, Aug-Sep 1943
18. [ history ]
Major General Wimberley
Departure from 51HD
Major General Wimberley, affectionately know as "Tartan Tam" for his determination that the Division would wear the kilt, had commanded the Division from its England through North Africa and Sicily. On his departure he published the following farewell messages to his Jocks...
19. [ history ]
Departure
Nov 1943
The departure of the 51st Highland Division from Sicily in late 1943
20. [ history ]
Normandy
Nov 1943 - Jul 1944
The 51st Highland Division landing took place to the west of the Ornnemouth in the 1st Corps area and crossed the River Orne. The operations in the following weeks were some of the worst the Division had experienced...
21. [ memorials ]
Sferro, Sicily
Memorial to the 51st Highland Division at Sferro Hill, Sicily. 4th November 1943, on Sferro Hill, in the presence of representatives of the 51st Highland Division this stone Celtic Cross was unveiled. A service entitled "51st Highland Division - Dedication of Memorial" was held. The total casualties of the Division in the campaign had been 124 Officers and 1312 other ranks.
1. [ extract ]
Divison Brigade Commanders WW2
1940 - 1945
Battalions and Commanders within 152, 153 and 154 Brigades during France 1940, North Africa 1942-43, Sicily 1943 and North West Europe 1944-45, sourced from "Battalion" by Alastair Borthwick.
2. [ general ]
492 Field Battery Positions
11 Aug '42 to 24 Jun '45
Sketch map showing movements of 492 (Highland) Field Battery, R.A., throughout North Africa Campaign from August 1942 and on through Europe to June 1945.
3. [ account ]
7th Argylls at Wadi Akarit
Account of the Battle by Captain Cameron
Description of the The Battle of Wadi Akarit, taken from "The History of the 7th Argylls" by Captain Ian C Cameron
4. [ account ]
Accounts 61st Anti-Tank Reg. at Wadi Akarit
April 1943
Two personal accounts of the 61st Anti-Tank Regiment at Wadi Akarit (April 1943), reproduced here by kind permission of B. S. Barnes, author of "Operation Scipio - The 8th Army at the Battle of Wadi Akarit".
5. [ account ]
Defense of Point 198
6th April 1943
An account of the defense of Point 198 at Wadi Akarit on 6th April 1943. This account is taken from "OPERATION SCIPIO - THE 8TH ARMY AT THE BATTLE OF THE WADI AKARIT" by kind permission of the author B. S. Barnes.
6. [ account ]
MAJOR ANDREWS, 5TH SEAFORTH, WADI AKARIT
6th April 1943
An account of the operation to take a ridge called Djebel Roumana at Wadi Akarit on 6th April 1943. This account is taken from "OPERATION SCIPIO - THE 8TH ARMY AT THE BATTLE OF THE WADI AKARIT" by kind permission of the author B. S. Barnes.
7. [ account ]
Medic's View of Wadi Akarit
6th April 1943
An account from a Medic of the fighting at Wadi Akarit on 6th April 1943. This account is taken from "OPERATION SCIPIO - THE 8TH ARMY AT THE BATTLE OF THE WADI AKARIT" by kind permission of the author B. S. Barnes.
8. [ account ]
Gunner Trigg
61st Anti-Tank Reg, North Africa, 1943
A set of photos of Gunner "Bob" Trigg, 61st Anti-Tank Regiment, North Africa 1943.
9. [ extract ]
Lt.-Col. Lorne Campbell VC Citation
8th June 1943
The citation of Lt. Col. Lorne Campbell, VC, as published in the London Gazette, 8th June 1943.
10. [ account ]
154 Brigade - Sicily Landing
Sicily, July 1943
Account of the Sicily landing, July 1943.
11. [ account ]
61ST ANTI-TANK Reg. IN SICILY
July 1943
An extract of detail from the record of 61st (Highland) Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery in the Sicily Campaign, July 1943
12. [ account ]
Porchetta's Gerbini Account
Account of Dell Porchetta, 7th Argyll & Sutherlands
Personal account of Dell Porchetta, detailing the attack on Gerbini, Sicily and eventual capture of 'A' company, 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on the night of 20th July 1943.
13. [ op order ]
Op. Order No. 76 (Sferro, Sicily)
Sferro, Sicily, 24th July 1943
51st Highland Division Operation Order No. 76, Sferro, Sicily (24th July 1943)
14. [ extract ]
Order of Battle for Op Huskey
Sicily, July 1943
Division structure for Operation Huskey (Sicily, July 1943)
15. [ account ]
Sicily - 128th Field Reg. Account
31st July 1943
A description from the History of 128th (Highland) Field Regiment R.A of the BATTLES FOR GERBINI, SFERRO HILLS, CATANIA PLAIN AND BIANCAVILLA.
16. [ account ]
Gerbini Battle 154 BDE Combs Account
Sicily, 14th August 1943
Account of the action during the Battle of Gerbini between 20/21st July 1943 by Brigadier T Rennie - Brigadier Commander 154 Infantry Brigade. (written 14th August 1943)
1. [ photo ]
Lt.-Col. James Oliver, DSO, MBE, TD
Lt.-Col. James Oliver, DSO, MBE, TD in the field May 1942 - August 1943
2. [ photo ]
7 Black Watch Flag
North Africa Campaign, 1942-43
7th Black Watch flag flown during the North Africa campaign, 1942-43. Part of the collection on display at the Black Watch Musuem, Perth. The flag carries the tactical identification number of the Battalion together with the formation badge of the 51st Highland Division.
3. [ photo ]
Colonel John Sym DSO
North Africa c. 42/43
Colonel John Sym DSO was 21C of 2nd Bn. Seaforth Highlanders and then Brigade Major of 152 Brigade during El Alamein. His book, "Seaforth Highlanders" by Colonel John Sym (editor) was Published by Gale & Polden Ltd, Aldershot (1962) and can still be obtained from second hand book sites.
4. [ photo ]
Sketch Map, Stalag XXb, Marienburg
A hand drawn sketch map (presumed to be by Henry Owens) showing the layout of Stalag XXb, Marienburg (some time between 1942 - 1944).
5. [ photo ]
492 Field Battery, Alamein to Messina
Sketch Map, Alamein to Messina
Hand drawn sketch map showing movements of 492 (H) Field Battery (128th Field Regiment) during the North Africa Campaign. Includes annotation detailing firing, not-firing and rest positions.
6. [ photo ]
5th Black Watch - Battle of Hons
January 1943
A group half an hour after the Battle of Hons, January 1943.
7. [ photo ]
Simon Ramsay's Labour Squad
January 1943
7th Black Watch : Simon Ramsay's labour squad preparing bypass to blown bridge near Leptis Magna on the way to Hons
8. [ photo ]
7th Black Watch - Victory Parade, Tripoli
7th Black Watch
Victory parade by 7th Black Watch after Tripoli was captured on the morning of 23rd january 1943.
9. [ photo ]
Major General Wimberley MC, GOC 51st HD
1943
Major General Wimberley, MC, GOC of the 51st Highland Division discusses a point on the map with one of his officers at Divisional Headquarters.
10. [ photo ]
Anti-Tank Ditch Nr. Mareth
March 1943
5th Seaforth in the anti-tank ditch near Mareth.
11. [ photo ]
Diagram of Battle of Wadi Akarit
April 1943
Diagram of the Battle of Wadi Akarit, from "The History of the 51st Highland Division" by J B Salmond
12. [ photo ]
Moving into Position, Wadi Akarit
Wadi Akarit, April 1943
Men of the Seaforth Highlanders moving into position at Wadi Akarit., April 1943
13. [ photo ]
7th Argylls Cleaning Weapons
April 1943
7th Argyll Soldiers of the 7th Bn cleaning their weapons in a lull in the fighting of the Battle of Tunis
15. [ photo ]
Desert Dugout
61st Anti-Tank Reg, North Africa
Bob Trigg, second from the right, outside a desert dugout.
16. [ photo ]
242 Battery "G" Troop, Sicily
Sicily, July 1943
Paul Witty, who's Father (Jim Witty) served in North Africa and Sicily with the 61st Anti-Tank Regiment, very kindly sent us a disc of scanned photographs of his Father's, taken during various periods of his service.
17. [ photo ]
242 Battery, Sicily
Sicily, July 1943
Paul Witty, who's Father (Jim Witty) served in North Africa and Sicily with the 61st Anti-Tank Regiment, very kindly sent us a disc of scanned photographs of his Father's, taken during various periods of his service.
18. [ photo ]
Greasing the wheels
61st Anti-Tank Reg, 1943
Greasing the wheels - preparation prior to embarkation for Sicily.
19. [ photo ]
Map of Op. Huskey, Sicily, 1943
Sicily, 1943
Map showing the route of the 51st Highland Division through Sicily from the landing at Portopalo to Messina during Operation Huskey, 1943.
20. [ photo ]
Sherman Tank at Francofonte
Sicily, 1943
This picture, although poor quality, gives a good impression of the terrain
21. [ photo ]
5th Seaforth at Sousse
5th July 1943
Men of 5th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders arrive at Sousse Harbour prior to embarkation to Sicily and the start of Operation Huskey.
24. [ photo ]
Map of Gerbini Attack
Sicily, 19th July 1943
Map showing the details of the Gerbini attack, belonged to Major W D Johnston, 243 Battery, 61st (Highland) Anti-Tank Regiment RA and is reproduced by kind permission of his son, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret'd) G S Johnston OBE, a trustee of the 51st Highland Division and Ross Bequest.
25. [ photo ]
Lieutenant Alan Southworth
2nd Seaforth, Sicily, July 1943.
Lieutenant Alan Southworth, I.O. 2nd Seaforth, Sicily July 1943.
26. [ photo ]
152 Brigade, Sicily, 1943
Sicily, 1943
Presumed to be 152 Brigade in Sicily during the stand down in the Catania area prior to embarkation to the UK. Kindly sent to us by H Jemmeson who's Father, Edward Jemmeson, W.O.1 ASM with REME placed in the 152 Light Aid Detachment attached to 152 Brigade of 51st Highland Division for the Africa, Sicily and D-Day campaigns. E Jemmeson is third from far left bottom row in this photo.
27. [ photo ]
152 Light Aid Det. Sicily 1943
ca. August, 1943, Sicily
Presumed to be 152 Light Aid Detachment in Sicily during the stand down in the Catania area prior to embarkation to the UK. Kindly sent to us by H Jemmeson who's Father, Edward Jemmeson, W.O.1 ASM with REME placed in the 152 Light Aid Detachment attached to 152 Brigade of 51st Highland Division for the Africa, Sicily and D-Day campaigns. E Jemmeson is bottom row far left in this photo.
28. [ photo ]
Knocked out Tiger Tank
Sicily, August, 1943
A knocked out Tiger Tank with Mount. Etna in the background.
29. [ photo ]
5th Camerons (Officers), Sicily
Fleri, Sicily, 19 Aug 1943
Officers of the 5th Camerons, Fleri (Sicily), 19 Aug 1943. General Wimberley is the forth from right in the front row of the above picture of the Officers of the 5th Camerons, taken on the 19th August 1943 at Fleri, Sicily.
The full list of those present in the photograph is shown on the History page detailing Major General Wimberley's Departure from the 51st Highland Division.
30. [ photo ]
Sferro Memorial (1943)
239th Field Park Coy Royal Engineers
This photograph was kindly sent to us by Janet Cardigan. The photo belonged to Janet's Uncle (George Edward Stone) who was with 239th Field Park Coy Royal Engineers.
32. [ photo ]
Sferro Monument (from P. Hooton)
Sferro Monument, August 2010, Sicily. Taken by P. Hooton
33. [ photo ]
Sferro Inscription
Sferro, Sicily
The inscription on the memorial at Sferro is badly worth but appears to read :
"To the memory of the Officers & Men of the 51st Highland Division who gave their lives for their country during the campaign in Sicily 10th July - 16th August 1943 - Axailh An Alba Gu Brath- This memorial, erected by their comrades, overlooks the battlefields of Gerbini and Sferro."
34. [ photo ]
Sferro Inscription
Sferro, Sicily
The inscription on the memorial at Sferro is badly worth but appears to read :
"To the memory of the Officers & Men of the 51st Highland Division who gave their lives for their country during the campaign in Sicily 10th July - 16th August 1943 - Axailh An Alba Gu Brath - This memorial, erected by their comrades, overlooks the battlefields of Gerbini and Sferro."
Note - the inscription appears to have been painted some time during 2017 / early 2018. The meaning of the word 'Axail' (if indeed it is that as this section is extremely worn) is not known and does not appear to be Gaelic, however, 'Alba Gu Brath' is a Gaelic expression of allegiance to Scotland.
35. [ photo ]
Sferro Monument
Sicily
This photo of the Memorial in the Sferro Hills was kindly sent to us by Pat Miller and was taken in April 2018.