'Stretcher-bearers': (25) To Cassino - March 1944

To Cassino - March 1944

Still it rains and we are held up.
One day it clears sufficiently for the Company Commander to give us a pep talk in which he explains that our task, if everything goes according to expectation, should be very simple.
Our plans are based on the hope that Jerry, exhausted by heavy night bombing, will take off his boots after breakfast on the morning following our night attack. We are not informed what is likely to happen if Jerry does not remove his boots.
Our Field Ambulance medical officers, so we understand, are now withdrawn from our sections working with the infantry. This is wise, in view of the shortage of MOs. The regimental MO remains with the infantry.
After weeks of delay, the expected day arrived and we left by lorry to join the battalions. That evening we made for Cassino, left our lorries after dark and marched about two miles while our barrage was pounding overhead. Our eyes were momentarily blinded by the gun flashes. Consequently we kept walking into the back of the man in front of us at frequent, sudden halts. In the darkness came rain, but fortunately we were conducted to a farmhouse before becoming really wet, and our section of 18 men was allotted one room.
In our light equipment we had included only one blanket and a ground sheet, although we could use gas capes as additional bedding, so Lingard, I and Talbot, the last new to the section, pooled blankets and slept huddled up, passing a fairly comfortable night in spite of the cold. The windows of the farmhouse were now jagged, gaping holes.
Next morning dawned fine. We had our first meal with the Ls (Lancashire Fusiliers Infantry) since our arrival after lunch the day before. Then, warned that we were under enemy observation, receiving no further orders, we stayed put.

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