Home » Second World War » Month by Month » November 1944

November 1944

November 1944 was a relatively quiet month for both battalions of the London Irish Rifles in Northern Italy but the conditions in the line became increasingly wintry, a portent of the weather that they would face over the coming months.

The 1st Battalion had anticipated a prolonged period at rest in advance of reorganisations both at battalion and brigade level but, on the morning of 11th November, they were called forward to take part in a diversionary crossing of the River Montone at Forli. The London Irish were the main force of 56th Division troops involved in the actions over the following seven days and suffered fifty casualties, before being withdrawn to Fermo for the rest of the month.

In the middle of the month, the 2nd Battalion moved with the rest of the Irish Brigade to positions near Monte Grande and would spend the next few weeks in fairly static positions occasionally taking part in battle patrol raids on German positions as they again faced the vaunted 1st Parachute Division.

Key Dates:

11th – 18th November: 1 LIR take part in actions at Forli.

22nd November: 2 LIR move to Monte Grande area.

Roll of Honour: November 1944.

L/Sgt H Sye 07/11/1944 Rome Italy 2 LIR

Rifleman R Warden 12/11/1944 Arezzo Italy 2 LIR

Cpl FA Lamb 15/11/1944 Forli Italy 1 LIR

Lt WEW Martin 15/11/1944 Forli Italy 1 LIR

Rifleman JB Davidson 17/11/1944 Forli Italy 1 LIR

Rifleman JH Jones 17/11/1944 Forli Italy 1 LIR

Rifleman J McQuilliam 17/11/1944 Forli Italy 1 LIR

Rifleman J O’Hagan 17/11/1944 Forli Italy 1 LIR