Fighting Through to Anzio

This is the inspiring story of two Gordon Highlanders Territorial Army battalions which saw action in some of the Second World War's fiercest battles. After evacuation from Dunkirk, 6th Gordons fought in Tunisia in 1943, leading to the German surrender in North Africa. Following a spell in Iraq, the 1st London Scottish fought in Sicily and then the Battle of Monte Cassino where Private George Mitchell won his posthumous Victoria Cross, the most prestigious of the numerous gallantry awards to the men of both battalions. In January 1944, the 6th Gordons were the first British battalion ashore at Anzio. While the landing was unopposed, the Germans mounted devastating counter-attacks but, despite almost 400 killed, wounded and captured, the Battalion heroically held on. The 1st London Scottish arrived to fight alongside their Regimental 'brethren' suffering equally heavy devastating casualties. After the break-out, the Gordons pipe band led the liberation parade in Rome. Both battalions went on to fight up through Italy to smash the Gothic Line and eventual victory. AUTHOR: Stewart Mitchell became Volunteer Researcher at the Gordon Highlanders Museum, Aberdeen, in 2005, after a career in environmental protection. He has a degree in Earth and Environmental Sciences. He is the author of "Scattered Under The Rising Sun", describing the ordeals of the 2nd Gordons in Japanese Captivity, after the capitulation of Singapore. (Pen and Sword Military, 2012). His "St Valery and Its Aftermath", tells of the tragedy and courage of the 1st and 5th Gordons as part of the ill-fated 51st (Highland) Division. (Pen and Sword Military imprint, 2017). Stewart lives with his wife at Bridge of Don, Aberdeen. 20 b/w illustrations