Themes

Article highlights

• Sea soldiers back on dry land

• The 11th Battalion at Tobruk

• The 7th Battalion and the Invasion of Sicily

• The Armoured Support Regiment

The 7th Battalion and the Invasion of Sicily

The Allied invasion of Sicily, Operation Husky, began on 10 July 1943. Amongst the Royal Marines taking part were 40 and 41 Commando and the 7th Battalion RM.

The 7th Battalion were the last to convert to the Commando role with all other battalions already assuming Commando formation.

The battalion bore the name of ‘Beach Brick 31’ and were to be involved in the invasion to move stores, ammunition and fuel out from the landing craft and ships in order to aid the advance of the troops.

After working on the beach in the role of ‘Beach Brick’ for several days, the battalion went forward to aid the Army’s 51st Highland Division.

Their mission was to attack the weakly held Italian positions in the high ground of the Dittaino River valley, on the left flank of the division.

Despite the battalion having not undertaken any infantry training for over a year they accepted their orders and moved towards their positions.

When they arrived however, the battalion spotted what they believed to be German soldiers.

When the battalion notified the 51st Highland Division however, they were told they were mistaken and to carry out their orders.

The battalion moved out after dark with B Company successfully reaching their objective, taking some 150 Italian prisoners.

The battalion ran into trouble however, when the sun began to rise and the Germans on the high ground barraged the battalion with their superior gunfire.

The 7th withdrew back to their start positions where the Germans treated them to massive German shellfire for the next nine days.