The Irish in the Italian Campaign 1943-1945
More Irish personnel served in the Italian campaign than in any theatre of the Second World War. The greatest numbers were in the Army but airmen and sailors also played important roles.
From the first actions in Sicily on 10 July 1943 until the German surrender in Italy on 2 May 1945, Irish personnel were in the front line. Those in the combat support services also gave outstanding service, as did medical officers, nurses, and chaplains.
Many were decorated. At least one was recommended for a posthumous Victoria Cross and there were numerous awards of the DSO, DCM, MC, and MM as well as Mentions in Despatches. For most there were no decorations, only the Italy Star; and the service of many was marked only by a headstone or a name on a memorial.
Their stories are equally inspiring and deserve to be told whether they were tankmen, gunners, sappers, signallers, infantry, or the faithful members of support services such as drivers and mechanics or nurses who were often under threat from air attack or artillery fire.
At the other end of the spectrum, many of the commanders, including General Montgomery, Admiral Cunningham and Field Marshal Alexander were also Irish.
Drawing on personal memoirs, published works, official records, and interviews with veterans, as well as his own in-depth knowledge of the Italian campaign, Richard Doherty reveals the service of Irish units and Irish personnel of all ranks and throughout the campaign, especially during the major battles.
This study covers the actions of Irish units such as the North Irish Horse, 1st Irish Guards, 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, and 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers, but also the experiences of the many Irish in non-Irish units.
Many were decorated for their outstanding service, and these are given due notice but Richard Doherty is as interested in the many who simply did their bit and honours the many for whom a headstone was their only reward.
Based on personal memoirs, published works, official records and interviews with veterans, as well as the author’s own in-depth knowledge of the Italian campaign, the book covers the service of Irish units and personnel of all ranks, throughout the campaign, especially during the major battles in the Italian Campaign.
Richard Doherty is recognized as Ireland’s leading military history author with over 30 published works to his credit. He is the author of A Noble Crusade: The History of the Eighth Army 1941-1945 and The Thin Green Line: The History of the RUC GC (published by Pen & Sword, 2004). Richard has worked on radio series including The Sons of Ulster and The Siege Chronicles. and TV series, including Who Do You Think You Are
The Irish in the Italian Campaign 1943-1945 is published by Pen and Sword Books Limited, South Yorkshire.
