In Memory of
HARRY JAMES CHRISTIE DSO., MC
Captain
176868
2nd Bn., Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
who died on
Wednesday, 19th January 1944.
Age 29.
| Additional Information: | Son of William John and Maria Christie, of Belfast, Northern Ireland. |
Commemorative Information
| Cemetery: | MINTURNO WAR CEMETERY, Italy |
|
Grave Reference/
Panel Number: |
VI, E, 20.
|
| Location: |
Minturno is about 78 kilometres north of Naples, close to the coast. The
cemetery lies several kilometres south of the town on the SS7 road to Naples
and is situated in the locality of Marina di Minturno (Garigliano). To reach
the cemetery take the Cassino exit from the A1 motorway, then turn right to
follow Ausonia, Formia, Minturno. At about 30 km the road runs tangientially to
a flyover. Go under the flyover, turn left and get on it towards Scauri and
Naples, then leave it at about 6 km, turning right to Marina di Minturno.
The cemetery is permanently open and may be visited anytime.
|
| Historical Information: | Minturno War Cemetery lies close to the western end of the German winter line of 1943-44, known as the Gustav Line. On this sector of the line the 10th Corps attacked across the River Garigliano on 17th January 1944; by the 19th the 5th Division had taken Minturno. The site for the cemetery was chosen in January 1944, but the 10th Corps then lost ground, the site came under German small-arms fire, and the cemetery could not be used again until May 1944 when the Allies launched their final advance on Rome and the US 85th and 88th Divisions were in this sector. The burials are mainly those of the heavy casualties incurred in crossing the Garigliano. There are now over 2,000, 1939-45 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, nearly 100 are unidentified. |
