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A Soldiers Thoughts - Photo's.
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Africa - Jittery Ridge The Wreckage of Cassino Ian's papers
Cassino Reunion
When the NZ Government decided to send a 50th anniversary group to Cassino in May 1994, it was swamped with applications from hundreds of veterans for the 83 available places. So many felt a need to return to Cassino, the RSA had to decide the matter by ballot, and more than 200 of those who missed selection promptly booked for private tours back to Italy.
Following the trip, there was a full page article in the Christchurch Press, Monday June 20, 1994 by Dave Wilson. I'm working on getting it linked from here, as due to copyright reasons, I am not able to post it here myself. Addionally, there was an article in the Defence Quarterly magazine and a TV feature. A common theme is the tour providing the opportunity for the old soldiers of both sides to meet, trade stories, and face their nightmares. I recall many tales of soldiers from each side, meeting the person who "blew them up" so many years ago, and being able to understand each other and make friends. These tales are why I introduced this site with the words "the absurdity and waste of war".
Dad and Mum went through Cassino after their wedding. They did not say much, but I remember Mum saying "All those white headstones - it just breaks your heart". Ever since the war, Cassino has been like Gallipoli was - a place to make a pigramage to, to remember deeds and mates. A monument to the horror of War.
For a few months, Cassino was Hell on earth for many thousands of soldiers from all over the world, and for too many thousands of those Soldiers, it became their final resting place.
Previous pages -
Africa - Jittery Ridge The Wreckage of Cassino Ian's papers
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