Testimonianze

Grenadier Guardsman GEORGE WILLIAM BEALE

Born 14th November 1913, killed in action on Monte Camino 9th November 1943

Story by Michael Sterling (George's nephew)

losses due to misinformation and heavy mine fields, George survived this battle and went on to fight other small engagements until the War in North Africa was over. In late August 1943 the Battalion along with many more embarked for their next field of Battle, and on the 9^th September 1943 the 6^th Battalion Grenadier Guards landed at Salerno, bitter fighting took place until the enemy was pushed back, once again the 6^th Battalion suffered heavy losses and new intakes arrived to replace those men that were lost. The war moved on and the 6^th Battalion fought more small engagements one in particular was at Rocchetta e Croce where George's Company (N. 2 Company) captured the heavily defended hill, they then moved on through Teano and Roccamonfina until they came to their next objective: Monte Camino.

The whole Battalion rested on the escarpment overlooking Monte Camino in a Chestnut Wood, on the 5^th November they were ordered to attack the Mountain. The 6^th Battalion Grenadier Guards were part of the 201^st Guards Brigade which included the 3^rd Battalion Coldstream Guards and 2^nd Battalion Scots Guards. The Battle Plan for the battle was that the Coldstream Guards were to attack Calabritto from Mieli to clear the way for the Grenadiers to attack the Mountain, the Scots Guards were in reserve. The battle went wrong from the start, the Coldstream were held up by mines and machine gun fire, which in turn held up the Grenadiers attack, their Commanding Officer decided to attack the Mountain and led his men through the raging battle being fought by the Coldstream Guards, the Grenadiers started their climb up the open face of the Mountain called Bare Back Ridge, under shell and machine gun fire plus freezing rain they climbed steadily on, it took nearly 8 hours of climbing before the leading elements of the 6^th Battalion reached the top of the ridge where they came under fire from the enemy. N. 1 Company were situated just below the ridge, N. 4 Company were situated on top of the ridge (Point 727), N. 3 Company were situated just below N. 2 Company in an area called Grenadier Wood, N. 2 Company (George's Company) were on a small hill called point 819. On the second day N. 3 Company were over run by the enemy, some men were killed, the rest captured. This left N. 2 Company cut off. The weather deteriorated rapidly, freezing rain, fog and continuous fighting with the enemy rapidly lessened the fighting force of N. 2 Company. This small band of men held out for 5 days and nights until they were eventually relieved, those who were left made their own way down the Mountain to sleep in the caves in Mieli and in a large empty house. George Beale was killed in action on the 9^th November 1943, having fought off 8 major counter attacks from the enemy with his comrades that morning. He was killed during a lull in the battle, the survivors were relieved 2 days later, they had to leave their comrades on the Mountain where they fell. One Month later the second attack went in on Monte Camino, preceded by a massive bombardment of 12 shells a second landing on selected targets for 24 hours, those that were left there were obliterated by the shells, therefore George and his comrades have no known grave, their names are inscribed on the large plinth in the Cassino British War Cemetery.

He is remembered by his only surviving nephew who each year visits Monte Camino to pay his respects.

Many thanks to Mr. Michael Sterling who provided George W. Beale's photo and story (01.09.2009)