Hawkins, Frederick Cyril (Oral history)

British NCO served with 4th Bn Essex Regt at Monte Cassino, Italy, 1944

REEL 1 Recollections of operations as NCO with 4th Bn Essex Regt at Monte Cassino, Italy, 1944: background to unit's involvement in Monte Cassino battle; conditions in Italy; character of battalion; degree of awareness of situation at Monte Cassino; initial impressions of Monte Cassino; move into positions at Wadi Villa; advance up Castle Hill; description of climb up Castle Hill; sniper fire; wounding of platoon commander on Castle Hill; description of Castle; degree of vulunerablity at Castle; role of positions at Castle. REEL 2 Continues: problems of concentrating troops at Monte Cassino; German attacks on positions at Castle; casualties; importance of Castle; relief by Royal West Kents Regt; lull in fighting to collect wounded; sight of bombing of Monte Cassino Monastery; collection of wounded during lull in fighting; weather conditions; code word used for attack; discovery of American supply dump; further details of climb up Castle Hill; view from Castle; German defensive positions; wall collapse in Castle.