Derek William Collings
He was a tobacco hand in 1939.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
He was the son of Stanley R Collings (died 1924 aged 38) and Olive Collings and the brother of Iris and Edna Collings. In 1939, they lived at 38, Hartley Road, Radford, Nottingham.
In January 1944, the 16th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry (DLI) was heavily engaged in the brutal winter fighting of the Italian Campaign, serving as part of the 139th Infantry Brigade within the 46th Infantry Division.
Having fought their way up from the Salerno beachhead and through the Volturno Crossing, January 1944 saw them pushed into the first major Allied attempt to break the German Winter Line (Gustav Line)
Following incredibly harsh and bloody mountain fighting to capture Monte Camino in December 1943, the 16th DLI spent the turn of the year recovering, absorbing reinforcements, and enduring freezing winter conditions in the valleys.
In mid-January, the 46th Infantry Division participated in the Battle of Monte Cassino order of battle opening phase. The 16th DLI moved up to the Garigliano River line. Their role was to establish and hold vital positions in support of the wider British X Corps offensive designed to draw German reserves away from the upcoming Anzio landings.
The battalion faced relentless German artillery shelling, treacherous mud, and near-freezing rain. The fighting during this specific month was characterized by small-scale patrol actions, holding precarious mountain ridge positions, and suffering steady casualties from mortar fire.
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