The Second World War is vanishing into the pages of history. The veterans
were once all around us, but their numbers are fast diminishing. While still in
their prime many recorded their memories with Peter Hart for the Imperial War
Museum. As these old soldiers now fade away their voices from the front are
still strong with a rare power to bring the horrors of war back to vivid life.
The 16th Durham Light Infantry were supposed to be just an
'ordinary' battalion. But their experiences as they fought their way up through
Italy show that there is no such thing as 'ordinary'. They struggled to break
out from Salerno, then across the countless rivers and mountain ranges that
seemed to spring up to bar their way to victory. They learnt their military
skills the hard way facing determined German opposition every step of the way.
These were no 'D-Day Dodgers' but heroes in their own right. But there was
another battle being fought as they struggled to maintain their morale day by
day, as their friends died and their seemed to be no end in sight. This is their
story.
