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Above: The town of Mongiorgio, the objective of the 87th Infantry attack on April 19th 1945. Photo taken from A Company positions, prior to the assault.
Former S/Sgt Robert Dakin was section Sgt with the "stubby mortars". (I should perhaps mention that the "stubby" mortar was a standard 81mm piece with a shortened barrel. The thought being that these support weapons could then be used in close order with attacking infantry, rather than being located further to the rear).
Dakin recalled that the regiment were in good spirits, they had the enemy on the run.
Usually one "stubby" and its crew went in with an attacking rifle company as the 81mm mortar was much more effective than the 60mm weapon. So recalled Dennis Erickson, another 87th Infantry veteran.
The offensive was had been a steady slog, fighting the Germans for every hamlet and farm, as the 1st Battalion, 87th made it's way towards it goal, the river Po. The 18th April found them looking across to the town of Mongiorgio, located on a steep ridge that jutted out into the Samoggio river valley. It's main entrance was approached by an exposed road. It was not going to be an easy egg to crack! A preliminary patrol during the evening was forced back by some intense artillery fire - although German light artillery appeared ineffective they still had heavy calibre weapons of 170 & 240mm that could drop deadly shrapnel onto the advancing Americans.
The plan was to attack it with two companies abreast. B Co. on the right, A Co. on the left. H hour was 8am. D Co. were to act as direct support. By this time Jack Goldberg had been seconded to Able Company and was advancing on Mongiorgio with an accompanying Battalion of Sherman tanks. The leading tank fired a into the Church steeple of Mongiorgio as they thought there was an MG42 inside it. However the threat to the attackers was not only in the hamlet itself. Below is the entrance (up the steps) to the church in Mongiorgio as it is today.
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