The Sangro Line, Italy.

Bombs from British medium bombers fall on the town of Fossegesia during the Allied approach to the river.

On 28 November 1943, British troops had gained a small bridgehead on the north side of the River Sangro. The aim at this stage was to breach the German Winter Line that ran parallel with the northern escarpment overlooking the river.

When the 8th Indian Division failed on the 8 November to break out from the bridgehead and capture the villages of Mozzagrogna and San Maria, together with a fortified hill called the Licolle, the task was given to 38 (Irish) Brigade, a brigade in the 78th Division. The Irish Brigade was commanded at this stage by Brigadier Nelson Russell DSO MC, an ex-Faugh, and included the 6th Battalion The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, the 2nd Battalion The London Irish Rifles and the 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Fusiliers.