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To Cassino
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The Fifth Army was now facing up to the German 'Gustav Line' which ran, more or less, across the peninsula and from the mountains to the coast. Central to this line on the Fifth Army front was Cassino, a town of about 7000 inhabitants. Situated on the flat western edge of the Rapido valley and astride Route 6, the main road between Naples and Rome, it was itself completely dominated by the mountains to the north and west. Immediately west of the town was the precipitous feature crowned by Montecassino Abbey and farther west were other high features, such as Monte Cairo, a 5400-feet height. The Germans had the advantage of the perfect observation the high ground gave them. They had also improved the naturally strong defences with mines and wire and by flooding the flat approaches to Cassino. A January attack by 2 United States Corps had been driven back, mainly because its supporting arms could not be got up in time.
On 11 February, General Kippenberger took command of the Division. By this time the brigade had entered the line. When the 23rd moved forward from Alife on 5 February, they took up positions as brigade reserve in the rear of Monte Porchio. Two to three miles ahead, the 21st and 28th occupied ground forward of Monte Trocchio. The 23rd remained in reserve and well back from Cassino for the next fortnight, but its area was shelled spasmodically by German heavy guns. Box and other mines also caused trouble.
The general plan for the February attack on Cassino involved a right hook and the establishment of a bridgehead over the Rapido. In the latter operation, the 28th was to seize ground near the railway station and then assist 19 Armoured Regiment in an attack on the town itself. The 23rd was then to assist 20 Armoured Regiment to cross the Gari river farther west. Full preparations were made for this attack: in particular, several reconnaissances from the top of Monte Trocchio were made. But success at each stage depended on success at the preceding stage and, in the event, although the Maoris took their objectives in their night attack on 17 - 18 February, no tanks or supporting arms could be got over the demolitions and the river to assist them to consolidate. The attack in which the 23rd was to participate was therefore cancelled.
On 19 February the 23rd was ordered to relieve the 24th in the line forward of Monte Trocchio that night. This relief was completed without untoward incident. B Company returned to its former positions. In the 23rd area, C Company held ground on the right as far north as Route 6, while D Company, under Major Sandy Slee, continued the line south to just below the bend in the railway. A Company was in reserve, more or less covering the gap between the two forward companies.
On 24 February A Company moved up Route 6 in preparation for an attack which was postponed because the weather broke, and the heavy rains not only waterlogged airfields in the rear but also rendered impracticable the employment of tanks in an approach to Cassino. B and D Companies moved into position on Route 6. The battalion felt it was shaping up for the attack, but time and time again orders were cancelled or altered. And still the shelling continued.
The 23rd's forward companies were relieved on 28 - 29 February and passed into partial reserve. The month ended without any effective blow struck at the enemy. Much work had been done on plans and preparations which had come to nought. The next two weeks passed in much the same way. The weather which broke so badly on 24 February continued wet. One day's rain succeeded another and the attack was postponed, not once but several times.
On 2 March, General Kippenberger was returning from a reconnaissance up Monte Trocchio when he stepped on a mine and had one foot blown off and the other so badly shattered that it had to be amputated. The sapper who usually guided the General was absent that day (sick?) and another led the way probing for mines. The mine which did the damage was a German "S" mine - wooden box, the only metal being the firing pin - therefore almost impossible to detect. At the time, the nearest troops belonged to D Company of the 23rd and their prompt actions undoubtedly saved the General's life. Private William Green, a stretcher-bearer, and Private Graham 'Bambino' French went immediately to his assistance. As they approached, the General raised his head and called, “Be careful, boys, there's mines here!” To which Green gave a soldier's reply, “---- the mines!”, clambered up and applied a tourniquet. Graham organised stretcher-bearers from 16 and 17 Platoons. Ian sent the message by field phone; as near as he can recall: "Niner down at [coded reference]. Send blood and ambulance."
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