We Tell Their Stories: Casualties of the Italian Campaign

The Italian Campaign was one of the toughest campaigns fought by the Allies in Europe. Here, we tell the stories of some of those killed in the attempt to take Europe’s tough old gut.

We Tell Their Stories

What was the Italian Campaign?

Image: Men of the Durham Light Infantry move through the rubble of Monte Cassino (© IWM NA 14999)

Beginning with the invasion of Sicily in July 1943 to the end of the Second World War in Europe, the Italian Campaign was a military campaign fought by the Allies against the German Wehrmacht.

It was initially conceived as a way to knock Nazi Germany’s ally of Fascist Italy out of the war, as well as relieving pressure on the beleaguered Soviet Union by opening another front. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was particularly vociferous in his support for an Italian invasion, although US commanders were hesitant and wanted to push for an invasion of France as soon as possible.

Churchill was convinced that Italy was “Europe’s soft underbelly” but it proved to be anything but. While progress was initially fast for the invading Allied forces, comprised of Commonwealth and US Forces alongside units drawn from across the world, progress soon slowed.

Italy’s geography favours defence, with a central spine of craggy mountains and deep plunging valleys making for natural obstacles. Coupled with a determined enemy and truly appalling winter weather turning to thick mud in the spring, what was hoped would be a quick campaign turned into possibly the bloodiest, toughest campaign for the Allies in Europe.

Some of the most infamous episodes of the war in Europe occurred in Italy, including the notorious Battle of Monte Cassino, the Anzio Landings, and the landings at Salerno.

Casualties of the Italian Campaign

The Commonwealth suffered around 145,000 total casualties in Italy, including killed, missing, or wounded.

Commonwealth War Graves commemorates some 45,550 fallen servicemen across 54 sites in Italy: a reminder of the grim, heavy nature of the campaign’s combat:

• Australia – 215 killed
• Canada – 5,916 killed
• India – 5,504 killed
• New Zealand – 2,157 killed
• South Africa – 1,809 killed
• United Kingdom – 29,914 killed

Below we’ve picked out some casualty stories of those in Commonwealth War Graves’ care that illustrate just how tough the Italian campaign was.

Captain Henry Valerian George Wellesley, 6^th Duke of Wellington

Image: Captain Henry Valerian George Wellesley, 6th Duke of Wellington

As a truly global, total conflict, the Second World War called on all elements of British and Commonwealth society to serve the war effort.

While the bulk of recruits were likely working or middle class, the British aristocracy provided its fair share of service personnel, with some serving in particularly dangerous roles.

One such serviceman was Captain Henry Valerian George Wellesley, 6^th Duke of Wellington.

The duke’s family obviously have an incredible military background. His ancestor was Sir Arthur Wellesley, famed general, victor of Waterloo and a British Prime Minister. It seems Henry was destined for a life of military service, simply based on his esteemed lineage.

Henry was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Coldstream Guards in October 1933, before transferring to the Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment) in November 1935.

Henry took up his Dukedom in December 1941.

In 1943, Henry joined No.2 Commando, joining the special forces unit for Operations Husky and Avalanche, aka the Allied invasion of Sicily and mainland Italy.

At Operation Avalanche, Henry commanded No.2 Commando 2 troop, tasked with capturing the village of Piegolelle.

The Duke was killed in action on 16 September, charging a Wehrmacht machine gun placed on “Pimple Hill” outside Piegolelle.

He was posthumously mentioned in despatches: "War Office, 28th September ,1944. The KING has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be Mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished 'services in Italy: Infantry. D.W.R. Lt. (temp. Capt.) The Duke of Wellington (56864) (killed in action)."

At first, Henry was buried in a temporary war grave near where he fell, but his body was later recovered and interred in Salerno War Cemetery. As he died without fathering any children, Henry’s peerage went to his uncle Lord Gerald Wellesley.

Reporter Cyril Bewley

The Second World War is one of the most documented wars in history. Much like modern war correspondents, journalists and reporters from across the Commonwealth were often at the front, chronicling the events for the public back at home (of course, censored and reviewed by military authorities).

Tragically, many would lose their lives. Battlefields by their nature are dangerous places to be and sometimes the distinction between combatants and non-combatants can be blurred. Sometimes, it’s just a case of wrong place, wrong time.

The fate of Reporter Cyril Bewley reflects this.

Cyril was born in Rotherham, Yorkshire and at the time of the Italian campaign was the war correspondent for Kemsley Newspapers.

On 18 May 1944, the final day of the Battle of Monte Cassino, Cyril was moving up to the frontlines in the wake of the advancing 8^th Army. With him was Australian Robert MacDonald of The Sydney Morning Herald.

The pair were travelling up the mountain by jeep when their position came under fire from German artillery. The pair sought sanctuary in a nearby field but tragically set off a mine, instantly killing them.

Cyril and Robert were at first buried where they lay but were later moved to Cassino War Cemetery.

Naik Yashwant Ghatge VC

Image: Naik Yashwant Ghatge VC

20 servicemen from across the Commonwealth were awarded the Victoria Cross for their bravery, courage, and commitment in Italy during the Second World War.

Naik Yashwant Ghatge was amongst those decorated with a VC but his was tragically posthumous.

Yashwant was serving as a Naik with the 5^th Mahratta Light Infantry in 1944. A Naik is roughly equivalent to a Corporal in the British Army.

10 July 1944. The Mahrattas were advancing up the Upper Tiber Valley when Yashwant’s unit was raked by heavy machine-gun fire at extreme close range.

The effect was devastating. Apart from the young Naik, Yashwant’s entire squad was wiped out.

In the face of the horrendous damage his squad suffered, Yashwant still went into action. He threw a grenade into the nest, taking out the gunner, and shot two enemy combatants dead.

Yashwant paused to reload but was sadly struck by a sniper’s bullet and instantly killed.

For his gallantry in action and courage under fire, Yashwant was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. As he has no known grave, Yashwant is commemorated on the Cassino Memorial.

Captain Hedley Verity

Image: Captain Hedley Verity

As the Second World War drew in all aspects of society, so the famous sportsmen and celebrities of the time found themselves in uniform.

Captain Hedley Verity, one of England’s greatest ever cricketers, enlisted and was serving with B Company, 1^st Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment (The Green Howards).

Before that, he earned a reputation as possibly the finest left hand slow bowler England has ever produced.

In 40 test matches, Hedley took 144 wickets at 24.37. In all First-Class cricket, Hedley took 1,956 at an incredible rate of 14.9.

Hedley’s club side was Yorkshire as he was a Leeds native. His career as a Yorkshire bowler is staggering, including world-record innings analyses of 10 for 10, 10 for 36 and 9 for 12, and 7 for 9.

For the national team, Hedley’s crowning glory was the 1934 test against Australia at Lord’s in 1934. Hedley took an outstanding 14 wickets in one day, breaking a global record.

Sadly, Hedley’s immense playing career was permanently curtailed by the war.

While at the head of B Company through the Sicilian countryside as part of Operation Huskey, the captain was hit in the chest by enemy gunfire.

Hedley continued to lead his men on but was captured while wounded. He was taken as a Prisoner of War to mainland Italy where he succumbed to his wounds.

Hedley Verity is today buried at Caserta War Cemetery.

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