Canadian Forces Advancing to the Hitler Line

Liri Valley, Italy

May 24, 1944

Canadian forces are formed up in what is believed to be the Forme d’Aquino Gully in preparation for the pursuit of the enemy after the breaching of the German defensive line known as the Hitler Line. The column of tanks in the background are believed to be from the 8th Princess Louise (New Brunswick) Hussars, an armoured regiment who worked closely alongside the Cape Breton Highlanders throughout the Italian campaign. During the next week, the Cape Breton Highlanders and the 8th Hussars would see very heavy fighting in the crossing of both the Melfa and Liri Rivers. 

Photographer:  Strathy Smith (1918-1993)
Ref. Number:  0-2 (1-5.2)
Image Information:  Received as electronic file
Source:  Library and Archives Canada PA-140208
 

A Cape Breton Highlander

Vicinity of Melfa River, Italy

May 24, 1944

An unidentified Cape Breton Highlander  passes the body of a dead German soldier during the advance through the Hitler Line to the Melfa River.

On the far left, the soldier in the jeep on the radio is Cape Breton Highlander, Pte. Rod MacCuspey of Sunny Brae, NB (now a neighborhood of Moncton).

Photographer:  Strathy Smith (1918-1993)
Ref. Number:  0-2 (1-3.2)
Image Information:  Received as electronic file
Source:  Library and Archives Canada PA-135904
 

Wreckage of German Vehicles and Equipment

Pontecorvo, Italy

May 23, 1944

Wreckage of German vehicles and equipment along the side of a road in the vicinity of the Hitler Line.

Photographer:  C.E. Nye
Ref. Number:  0-2 (1-7.2)
Image Information:  Received as electronic file
Source:  Library and Archives Canada PA-169093
 

Knocked Out German Anti-Tank Gun Position

Near Aquino, Italy

May 25, 1944

An unidentified Canadian soldier examines a knocked out German anti-tank gun position in the vicinity of the Hitler Line. The position consists of a panther tank turret, mounting a 75 mm gun, built over a small subterranean bunker. These were deadly to advancing Canadian forces and very hard to knock out. The Cape Breton Highlanders would have encountered positions like these during their advance in the last week of May. 

Photographer:  Capt. Alexander M. Stirton
Ref. Number:  0-2 (1-2.2)
Image Information:  Received as electronic file
Source:  Library and Archives Canada PA-114916