Letter to Rocky - Mt Pantano

[Walt's Daughter]

Hi Rocky,

 

My name is Emilio Menchini, I live in Wales in the UK and I recently attended the 34th Div. Association reunion in Carlisle.

I started a committee a few years ago to help organize a memorial and other events to commemorate the Battle of Mount Pantano.

 

You may remember the Mount Pantano assault took place on November 29th 1943 just after the third crossing of the Volturno. Mount Pantano is a high rugged mountain which comprises four prominent peaks with a deep gully in the centre. I visited Pantano in June this year and climbed up part of the slopes using one of the trails that was used by the 168th regt.

 

I know this mountain well because I grew up in the village of Filignano which is around 1km from Mount Pantano, my mother still lives in the village and I visit every year.

 

I went to the 34th div. reunion this year in the hope of meeting 168th veterans who remembered the Mount Pantano battle, however the vets attending were mostly from the 133rd and a few 135th.

 

I had hoped to meet you Rocky at the reunion in Carlisle, I was disappointed to hear from Pat Skelly who told me you would not be attending, I was hoping to talk to you about your involvement and experiences on Mount Pantano.

 

I believe you helped Dr. Emile Schuster on top of the mountain during the 5 day battle and you spent some time in the area around Pantano.

Maybe you can help me confirm this. I would be very grateful Rocky if you could get back to me with any information relating to this battle and any memories you have of being at Mount Pantano, which I believe was one of the most brutal and savage battles of the entire war.

 

I will include some photographs in this email which I took of Mount Pantano and Filignano in June this year, I hope you like them!

 

I hope you can help me Rocky,

 

I look forward to hearing from you,

 

regards,

 

Emilio Menchini

 

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Emilio--I have been caught completely off guard, with your e/mail. That I am at a short for words. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would get mail from across the pond.

 

I just couldn't make this years reunion, too many things just piled up. And since Iost my wife I have had a rough time alone. Anyway getting to Mt. Pantano.

 

First of all--Do you have the book,"DOGFACES WHO SMILED THROUGH TEARS" ?? It was written by Homer Ankrum, who was in the 168th. It gives a detailed account of the battle at Mt. Pantano. The 168th and 1334rd made the initial attack and later the 135th along with the 100th Bn. relieved and also there was still fighting. The 45th Divn. was on our left flank.

 

If you don't have the book, get hold of Pat Skelly and he can tell you how to get one. The book is the ENTIRE HISTORY OF THE 34th. FROM BEFORE IRELAND TO THE RETURN FROM ITALY. BATTLE FOR BATTLE. It seems like a lifetime ago that Iwas there. I will be 87 in Aug. and I seem to have forgotten and also I have let myself forget. The book will answer your question better than anyone. If you can't get it, let me know and I will try and get the Gold Star Museum, They have the books. But Pat can help you.

 

The Mt. Pantano affair starts on page 353.

 

EXCERPTS OF PAGE-- Mt Pantano will be remembered by participants on both sides as a short-lived, but brutal battle; close quartered and fought with ferocious violence.

 

Many years have passed since the cold morning Nov. 29, 1943 when the 168thinf. assigned to the left flank with the objective Monte Pantano and the 133rd inf. on the right flank moved up to launch an attack on Monte Marrone. While they waited in pre-dawn darkness, directly ahead of them loomed Monte Pantano, with its four grey hill masses,the highest of which strechingupwards to 1600 feet.

 

I WILL STOP HERE, SO TRY GET THE BOOK.

 

Emilio, again this was a very nice surprise to hear from you, so keep in touch.

 

GOD BLESS AND TAKE CARE. ROCKY